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🇺🇸 Cosmetology License Exam · flashcards
Cosmetology License Exam Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences Flashcards
79 question-and-answer cards covering Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences as it is examined in Cosmetology License Exam. 24 of them are printed below, taken from across the deck — no signup, no paywall on the preview.
24 sample cards from the Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences deck
Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.
What is the difference between a solution, a suspension, and an emulsion?
A solution is a stable, uniform mixture of dissolved substances; a suspension is an unstable mixture of undissolved particles that separate over time; an emulsion is two immiscible liquids (such as oil and water) held together by an emulsifier (surfactant).
What is the difference between an O/W and a W/O emulsion?
In an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion, oil droplets are dispersed in water (most cosmetic creams/lotions, feel less greasy); in a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion, water droplets are dispersed in oil (heavier, greasier, like cold creams).
What is a surfactant (emulsifier) and what are its two ends called?
A surface active agent that reduces surface tension and lets oil and water mix; it has a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a lipophilic/hydrophobic (oil-loving) tail.
Name common functional categories of cosmetic product ingredients.
Examples include emollients (moisturize/soften), humectants (attract water), surfactants/emulsifiers, preservatives, colorants/pigments, fragrances, and active ingredients.
What is electric current?
The flow of electricity (electrons) along a conductor.
What is the difference between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC)?
Direct current (DC) is a constant, even-flowing current that travels in one direction; alternating current (AC) is a rapid, interrupted current that flows first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.
What is the difference between a conductor and an insulator (nonconductor)?
A conductor is a material that easily transmits electricity (such as most metals and water); an insulator/nonconductor resists the flow of electricity (such as rubber, glass, silk, and dry wood).
What is a volt and what does it measure?
A volt (V) is the unit that measures the pressure or force that pushes electric current forward through a conductor.
What is an ampere (amp) and what does it measure?
An ampere (A) is the unit that measures the strength or rate of flow of an electric current; a milliampere is 1/1000 of an ampere.
What is an ohm and what does it measure?
An ohm is the unit that measures the resistance of an electric current.
What is a watt and what does it measure?
A watt (W) is the unit that measures how much electrical energy is being used in one second; a kilowatt (kW) equals 1,000 watts.
What is the purpose of a fuse?
A fuse prevents excessive current from passing through a circuit; it melts and breaks the circuit when too much current flows, protecting against overheating and fire.
What is a circuit breaker and how does it differ from a fuse?
A circuit breaker is a switch that automatically interrupts/shuts off an electric circuit at the first sign of overload; unlike a fuse, it can be reset instead of replaced.
What is the purpose of grounding in an electrical circuit?
Grounding provides a safe pathway (third prong/wire) to carry current safely away in case of a malfunction, protecting against electric shock.
What is the difference between a complete circuit and a short circuit?
A complete circuit is the path of an electric current from the source through conductors and back; a short circuit is an unintended path that bypasses normal resistance, causing excessive current flow.
What is a modality in electrotherapy?
A current used in electrical facial and scalp treatments; the main modalities are galvanic, faradic, sinusoidal, and Tesla (high-frequency) current.
What is galvanic current used for in cosmetology?
Galvanic current is a constant, direct current used to produce chemical changes; it is used for desincrustation (softening/emulsifying sebum) and iontophoresis (introducing water-soluble products into the skin).
What is an electrode in electrotherapy, and what are the two poles called?
An electrode (probe) is the applicator that directs current to the client's skin; the two poles are the positive pole (anode) and the negative pole (cathode).
What is Tesla high-frequency current used for?
A thermal, oscillating current used for its germicidal and heating effects; it stimulates circulation and can be applied to the skin or scalp (often called the violet ray).
What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
The full range of electromagnetic radiation (energy/light waves) arranged by wavelength, including (from longest to shortest wavelength) radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
What is visible light and what part of the spectrum does it occupy?
Visible light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum the human eye can see; it makes up only about 35% of natural sunlight and ranges from violet (shortest visible wavelength) to red (longest).
What are the effects of infrared light in skin/light therapy?
Infrared light produces heat; it penetrates deeply, relaxes muscles, increases circulation, and produces a warming/soothing effect. It makes up about 60% of natural sunlight.
What are the two types of ultraviolet (UV) light and their effects?
UVA (longer wavelength, 'aging rays') penetrate deeply and cause premature aging; UVB (shorter wavelength, 'burning rays') cause sunburn and stimulate vitamin D production. UV is also germicidal.
In LED light therapy, what are blue light and red light typically used for?
Blue LED light is used to kill acne-causing bacteria; red LED light is used to stimulate circulation, collagen production, and reduce inflammation.
What this deck covers
The Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences deck follows the Cosmetology License Exam Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences syllabus — 4 chapters and 19 topics — so questions land on material that is genuinely examinable rather than trivia around it. That works out to roughly 19.8 cards per chapter.
Answers are written to be recallable, not just readable — averaging about 168 characters, which is long enough to carry the reasoning and short enough to say out loud.
A deck like this earns its keep on the second and third pass. Read the syllabus first so you know the shape of the subject, then use the cards to find the specific facts that have not stuck.
Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences flashcards FAQ
How many Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences flashcards are in this Cosmetology License Exam deck?
79 cards. This page previews 24 of them, sampled evenly across the deck so you can judge the difficulty before installing anything.
Are these Cosmetology License Exam flashcards free?
Yes. The preview here is free to read with no signup, and the full 79-card deck is free inside the Examius app.
What do the Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences cards cover?
They follow the Cosmetology License Exam Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences syllabus — 4 chapters and 19 topics — so the questions track what is actually examinable.
How should I use these flashcards?
Read the syllabus first so you know the shape of the subject, then drill the deck. Examius schedules each card with spaced repetition, so cards you keep missing come back sooner and ones you know drift further apart.