Unit 6.1 Glossary

Acquired A condition that develops after birth.
Anagen The hair growth stage that is active and sees the laying down of pigment.
Androgen Male sex hormones that are also the precursor to oestrogens.
Bacteria Microscopic organisms that are harmful or harmless to people. Some are
necessary for life, for example, bacteria in the gut manufacture some amino acids
that are necessary for life. Some are harmful, for example, golden staph.
Blend A method of electrolysis that combines both the galvanic and thermolysis

modalities.

Catagen The hair stage which involves the apoptosis of follicular cells and the

cessation of hair growth.

Club hair Hair in the telogen phase. The base of the hair has become keratinised.
Congenital Present at birth.
Cross infection The spread of infection from the original infected person to others.
Depilation Severing the hair at the skin’s surface. Creams, shaving and abrasive mitts can

be used.

Endogenous Within or produced by the body.
Electrolysis A term that is used in industry to describe permanent hair removal using
galvanic, thermolysis or the blend method. Purists only apply the term to the
galvanic method.

Epilation The removal of the total hair shaft by tweezing or waxing if the referring to
temporary epilation. Permanent epilation refers to electrolysis.

Erythema Redness of the skin.
Eumelanin Brownish/black melanin.
Exogenous Produced outside the body.
Folliculitis Inflammation of the hair follicle.
Fungi Microscopic organisms that can be harmful (tinea pedis) or useful (bread
making yeasts). They are found on all surfaces and on the human body.
Galvanic Modality of hair removal that uses direct current, which flows in one direction
from the negative to the positive pole. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) commonly known
as lye is produced and this decomposes soft tissue.

Hirsutism Excess hair growth in androgen dependent sites on females only.
Hot wax Solid in appearance at room temperature and contain beeswax, other waxes,

resins and additives.

Hyperpigmentation Dark marks on the skin. Maybe transient or permanent.
Hypertrichosis Excess hair growth on males or females and found on any body site.
Hypopigmentation Loss of skin pigment.
IPL Intense pulsed light. A light source that is used for cosmetic treatments

including hair reduction treatments.

9 2
Learner Guide to support SIB10 Beauty Training Package

LASER Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Adapted devices
using this light source are used for hair reduction treatments.

Lye Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) produced by galvanic current and decomposes
soft tissue. Of interest to the electrologist because this is the chemical that
destroys the hair and dermal papilla.
Melanin A pigment that gives skin and hair its colour.
Micro-organisms Small organisms that are microscopic that live on all surfaces and the human

body. There are bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Oedema Swelling of the tissue due to water retention.
Perifollicular Around the follicle
Pheomelanin Red melanin.
Photosensitising A substance which makes the skin more likely to react to light exposure with

pigmentatory changes or allergic reactions.

Pilosebaceous unit The structure in the skin that contains the hair follicle including the hair
sheath and the hair shaft, the sebaceous gland and in some areas the
apocrine gland.

Strip Wax Liquid in appearance at room temperature and consist of rubber latex
solutions, wax, oils and organic substances such as honey. Also called soft or warm
wax.

Telogen One of the three phases of hair growth. This is the resting phase.
Terminal hair Long, pigmented hair on humans.
Thermolysis Also known as diathermy, shortwave or radiowave is a method of electrolysis
which uses alternating current (AC) to produce oscillating high frequency waves.
These waves cause the water molecules in the soft tissue of the body to vibrate
producing heat.
Topical Applied to the skin.
Vellus Fine, soft hair which covers most of the human body
Virus A sub-microscopic infectious agent that is unable to exist outside the cell.

Responsible for many infections including hepatitis and HIV.