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California Esthetician Cheat Sheet

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Safety & Infection Control

  • 40% of exam
  • Disinfection Rules EPA-Registered Disinfectant Bloodborne Pathogens CA BBC Regulations Single-Use Items

Client Consultation & Skin Analysis

  • 19% of exam
  • Intake & Consultation Fitzpatrick Scale Skin Anatomy Contraindications

Skin Care Treatments

  • 17% of exam
  • Facial Treatments Facial Machines Chemical Peels Product Chemistry

Hair Removal

  • 15% of exam
  • Waxing Hair Growth Cycle Contraindications Aftercare

Eyelash & Eyebrow

  • 6% of exam
  • Lash Lift Brow Lamination Tinting Dermaplaning

Makeup Application

  • 3% of exam
  • Color Theory Color Correcting Sanitation Product Order

Quick Facts

  • Exam CA Esthetician (Skin Care)
  • Board CA Board of Barbering & Cosmetology
  • Administered by PSI
  • Questions 75 scored + 10 pretest
  • Time 90 minutes
  • Pass score 75% (57/75)
  • Format Written only, no practical
  • Training hours 600 hours
  • Blueprint Effective April 1, 2026

SB 803 Key Changes SA

  • No practical exam, fewer hours, lash/brow scope
  • Written exam only 1,000 cosmetology hours Lash lamination added Dermaplaning added

Esthetician vs Cosmetology License SA

Esthetician

  • 600 training hours
  • Skin/facial focus
  • Written exam only

Cosmetology

  • 1,000 training hours
  • Hair, nails, skin
  • Written exam only
  • Scope narrower, hours fewer

Blood Spill Response SA

  • Blood spill occurs → Stop service immediately
  • Before cleanup → Put on gloves
  • Cleaning spill → EPA disinfectant vs pathogens
  • Materials contaminated → Dispose in sealed container
  • After cleanup → Document the incident

CA BBC Core Rules SA

  • BBC CA licensing board
  • Barbering & Cosmetology Act CA governing law
  • Title 16 Div 9 CA sanitation regs
  • License display Visible to public
  • No CE required Renewal, no hours
  • Reciprocity Endorsement if qualified

Disinfectant Level Selection SA

  • Non-electrical implement → Full immersion disinfectant
  • Electrical tool → Wipe with disinfectant spray
  • Single-use item → Discard, never reuse
  • Visible debris present → Clean before disinfecting

Disinfection Protocol SA

  • EPA-registered Required disinfectant type
  • Hospital-grade Bactericidal/virucidal/fungicidal claim
  • Full immersion Non-electrical implements
  • Contact time Per manufacturer label
  • Clean then disinfect Debris removed first
  • Covered storage After disinfection

Bloodborne Pathogen Response SA

  • Stop service First step, blood spill
  • Gloves on Before cleanup
  • EPA disinfectant Effective vs HIV/HBV
  • Dispose properly Contaminated materials, sealed bag
  • Document incident Required record
  • OSHA standard Federal overlay

Single-Use & Linens SA

  • Single-use items One client, discard
  • Wax applicators Never double-dip
  • Fresh linens Every client
  • Soiled storage Closed, separate container
  • Hand washing Before every service

Fitzpatrick Scale Quick Read CL

  • Type I always burns, Type VI never burns
  • I-II: fair, burns easily III-IV: medium, tans V-VI: dark, rarely burns IV-VI: higher PIH risk

Employee vs Independent Contractor CL

Employee

  • Employer sets schedule
  • Employer provides tools
  • AB 5 protections apply

Contractor

  • Controls own schedule
  • Owns tools/supplies
  • Different tax treatment
  • Control test decides status

Client Contraindication Check CL

  • Client on Accutane → Avoid peels and waxing
  • Client has epilepsy → Skip electrical machines
  • Adverse reaction occurs → Stop and apply cool compress
  • Severe reaction (anaphylaxis) → Seek emergency medical help

Intake & Consultation CL

  • Intake form Health history, allergies
  • Informed consent Signed before treatment
  • Confidentiality Written consent to share
  • Medication screen Accutane, retinoids, blood thinners
  • Adverse reaction Stop, cool, document

Skin Typing & Analysis CL

  • Fitzpatrick I-VI Sun-reaction scale
  • Types IV-VI Higher PIH risk
  • Skin types Oily/dry/combo/sensitive
  • Skin conditions Acne/rosacea/hyperpigmentation
  • ABCDE rule Melanoma warning signs

Skin Anatomy Basics CL

  • Epidermis Outer, avascular layer
  • Dermis Collagen, elastin, vessels
  • Acid mantle pH 4.5-5.5 barrier
  • Cell turnover 28 days, young adult
  • Barrier function Blocks water loss

Facial Massage Strokes SK

  • Effleurage glides, Petrissage kneads, Tapotement taps
  • Effleurage: relax, distribute Petrissage: circulation, kneading Tapotement: stimulate, tone

Glycolic Acid vs Lactic Acid SK

Glycolic acid

  • Smallest molecule
  • Deepest penetration
  • More potent

Lactic acid

  • Larger molecule
  • Gentler action
  • Adds hydration
  • Potency vs gentleness

Facial Treatment Steps SK

  • Effleurage Light gliding stroke
  • Petrissage Kneading, circulation stroke
  • Tapotement Tapping, stimulating stroke
  • Extraction Gloved, gentle, 10-15 min
  • Steamer Softens, opens follicles

LED Light Color Guide SK

  • Red repairs, Blue bacteria, Green pigment, Yellow heals
  • Red: collagen, anti-aging Blue: kills acne bacteria Green: pigmentation, calming Yellow: wound healing

Desincrustation vs Iontophoresis SK

Desincrustation

  • Negative pole
  • Softens sebum
  • Pre-extraction step

Iontophoresis

  • Positive pole
  • Drives product in
  • Post-treatment step
  • Softens vs delivers

Facial Machines SK

  • Galvanic Direct current, ion delivery
  • Desincrustation Negative pole, softens sebum
  • Iontophoresis Positive pole, product penetration
  • High-frequency Ozone, germicidal, circulation
  • Microdermabrasion Mechanical exfoliation, crystals/diamond
  • LED red Anti-aging, collagen
  • LED blue Anti-acne, bacteria

Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen SK

Mineral

  • Zinc oxide/titanium
  • Reflects UV
  • Sits on skin

Chemical

  • Organic filters
  • Absorbs UV
  • Converts to heat
  • Reflect vs absorb

Chemical Exfoliation & Peels SK

  • AHA Water-soluble, surface exfoliant
  • BHA Oil-soluble, salicylic acid
  • Glycolic acid Smallest AHA, deepest penetration
  • Lactic acid Gentler AHA, humectant
  • Enzyme peel Gentlest, protein-digesting
  • Peel contraindication Active isotretinoin use

Product Chemistry Actives SK

  • Hyaluronic acid Humectant, holds water
  • Vitamin C Antioxidant, brightening
  • Retinol Vit-A, cell turnover
  • Niacinamide Barrier support, oil control
  • Zinc oxide Mineral sunscreen, reflects UV
  • Avobenzone Chemical sunscreen, absorbs UV

Hard Wax vs Soft Wax HA

Hard wax

  • No strips
  • Adheres to hair
  • Sensitive areas

Soft wax

  • Needs strips
  • Adheres to skin too
  • Large areas
  • Strips vs stripless

Wax Type Selection HA

  • Sensitive area → Hard wax ( No strips needed )
  • Large body area → Soft wax ( Strip removal )
  • Active isotretinoin → No wax ( Skin too fragile )
  • First-time client → Patch test ( Check sensitivity )

Waxing Fundamentals HA

  • Hard wax No strips, sensitive areas
  • Soft wax Strip removal, large areas
  • Anagen phase Active growth, best removal
  • Wax direction Apply with, remove against
  • Patch test New client, sensitivity check

Hair Removal Contraindications HA

  • Isotretinoin 6-12 month wait
  • Topical retinoids 2-4 week wait
  • Sunburned skin No waxing
  • Varicose veins Avoid direct waxing
  • Aftercare No sun/heat 24-48h

Lash & Brow Services EY

  • Brow lamination SB 803 expanded scope
  • Lash lift Perm rod, curl set
  • Tinting Patch test 24-48h
  • Dermaplaning SB 803 expanded scope

Makeup Application MA

  • Color theory Complementary, correct tone
  • Color correcting Green=redness, peach=dark circles
  • Sanitation No double-dip, disposable applicators
  • Product order Primer, base, powder, finish

Common Traps

Esthetician license ≠ cosmetology license

  • 600 hours, skin only ≠ 1,000 hours, hair+nails+skin

Hard wax ≠ soft wax

  • No strips, hair only ≠ Strips, hair and skin

Desincrustation ≠ iontophoresis

  • Negative pole, softens sebum ≠ Positive pole, delivers product

CE required ≠ true in CA

  • No CE for renewal ≠ Just pay renewal fee

Reciprocity ≠ automatic

  • Held 3 of 5 years ≠ Else equivalency exam

Mineral sunscreen ≠ chemical sunscreen

  • Reflects, sits on skin ≠ Absorbs, converts to heat

Single-use ≠ reusable

  • Discard after one client ≠ Never sanitize and reuse

Last Minute

  • 1. Safety and Infection Control is 40%
  • 2. 75 scored, 10 pretest questions
  • 3. 90 minutes, need 75% to pass
  • 4. Written exam only, no practical
  • 5. 600 hours training required
  • 6. No continuing education needed
  • 7. EPA-registered disinfectant, full immersion
  • 8. Isotretinoin blocks peels and waxing
  • 9. Fitzpatrick IV-VI risk hyperpigmentation
  • 10. Hard wax needs no strips
  • 11. Display license where clients see
  • 12. Blood spill: stop, glove, disinfect

California Esthetician License

  • Practice Questions 354 questions Study Guide 20 topics Cheat Sheet 80 facts Flashcards 50 cards Shorts 3 short s Videos 1 video Blogs 1 blog Free CE