Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assess client hair and scalp conditions and provide advice that may result in referral to another professional, or the development and provision of therapeutic approaches.
The assessing hairdresser or barber may or may not provide the resultant therapy which is covered by another unit.
This unit applies to senior hairdressers and barbers who work in salons. They work independently, have considerable specialist skills and knowledge and provide technical leadership, training and support to team members.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Consult and examine client. | 1.1.Use standard infection control precautions, throughout assessment, according to health regulations and organisational procedures. 1.2.Establish rapport with client and obtain relevant information to determine expectations and requirements. 1.3.Question client to obtain and record details of client symptoms, history of complaint, previous treatments and general health. 1.4.Visually and physically examine hair and scalp condition. 1.5.Determine need for microscopic analysis of sample hairs and explain process to client. 1.6.Gather hair samples from appropriate areas of scalp without damage to samples. 1.7.Mount hair samples on microscopic slide and examine, interpret and record observations. |
2. Discuss dietary health. | 2.1.Seek information on client’s current dietary health and nutritional intake. 2.2.Explain the importance of food and nutrients to healthy hair and scalp and the efficacy of trichological treatments. 2.3.Provide basic dietary advice to support the outcomes of trichological treatments. 2.4.Counsel client to seek specialist nutrition advice from health care professionals, as required. |
3. Assess the problem. | 3.1.Organise and analyse information collected from physical and visual examination and microscopic analysis. 3.2.Identify abnormal hair and scalp conditions, including contagious ones, and counsel client on potential remedial actions. 3.3.Assess trichological problems and causes, based on client examination and analysis. 3.4.Determine beneficial trichological treatments suited to client hair and scalp condition. |
4. Communicate the assessment. | 4.1.Explain consultation assessment to client and answer questions with clarity. 4.2.Discuss treatment options and costs and confirm a treatment program suitable for client needs. 4.3.Refer client to other professionals where assessment indicates treatment is outside scope of own ability. 4.4.Complete a full trichological assessment report. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
integrate the use of infection control precautions and organisational procedures to complete trichological assessments for five different clients
record the following details of the trichological assessment in a comprehensive report for each client serviced:
client symptoms, history of complaint, previous treatments and general health
observations from physical and visual examination of hair and scalp
outcomes of microscopic analysis
presence of any abnormal or contagious conditions which cannot be treated
dietary assessment and advice provided
full analysis of information and treatment options advised to client
advice provided to client to seek treatment from health care professionals
recommended treatment plan and costs.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
hair and scalp biology as it relates to the health of human hair and scalp and the provision of trichological treatments:
main structure, functions and role of skin
skin surface anatomy
major epidermal appendages and dermal structures
major cells of the epidermis
role of vascular, connective and nervous tissue in the dermis
structure and function of the glands of the skin:
distribution and development of skin glands
production, composition, functions and behaviour of sebum, eccrine and apocrine sweat fluids
glands and muscles associated with the hair and hair follicles:
structural and cellular features of a hair follicle
sebaceous glands
arrector pili muscle
growth, development, aging and healing of human hair and scalp as it relates to the provision of trichological treatments:
growth
development
differentiation
cell division and differentiation
growth of the epidermis
mitosis
changes in the skin from foetus to old age
theories about ageing
normal ageing and photo ageing
wound healing, including stages in wound healing
hereditary physical traits and conditions
the gene theory of inheritance
dominant and recessive genes
acne
eczema or atopic dermatitis
seborrheic dermatitis
pigmentation disorders
hair disorders
role of endocrine glands and hormones in the body:
sebaceous gland secretion
sweat secretion
sense reception
growth and healing
hair growth and loss
pigmentation
age-related hormonal change and the skin
functions and dysfunctions of the circulatory system
the interrelationship between the circulatory and endocrine systems
the relationship of the circulatory system to the health of the hair
functions and dysfunctions of the immune system:
auto-immune disorders
alopecia areata
the relationship of the auto-immune system to the health of the hair
the principles of nutrition they relate to the health of human hair and scalp and the efficacy of trichological treatments:
common diet and nutrition-related hair and scalp conditions and symptoms
role of food, nutrients and other food substances
nutritional needs and healthy options:
healthy eating pyramid
guidelines for specific nutrients
functions of the digestive system, including mechanical and chemical digestive processes, and main functions of these organs:
mouth and salivary glands
oesophagus
stomach
small intestine
large intestine
rectum
anus
pancreas
gall bladder
liver
main functions of the excretory system and these organs:
kidneys
liver
lungs
skin
common trichological disorders, symptoms, visual signs and treatment options:
adverse effects of previous treatments on the hair and scalp
alopecia areata
androgenetic alopecia
diffuse hair loss
dry or oily dandruff
head lice
pityriasis versicolor
psoriasis
ringworm
scabies
seborrheic dermatitis
seborrhoea
tinea capitis
traction alopecia
role and limitations of trichology in the management of a range of skin disorders
key features of the organisation’s remedial trichological product range:
formulation
product purpose, benefits and efficacy
physical effects on the hair and scalp
contraindications to use:
skin disorders or diseases
allergic reactions
the transmission routes of infectious conditions:
direct contact (client to operator, operator to client, operator to operator)
non-intact skin (cuts, abrasions, lesions)
work surfaces
equipment
key features of, and reasons for, standard infection-control precautions:
hand washing and drying before and after client contact, cleaning and waste disposal and using occlusive dressings for own cuts and abrasions
using personal protective equipment, particularly gloves, gowns, aprons, face masks and eye protection
cleaning, disinfecting or sterilising reusable equipment
cleaning or disinfecting work surfaces, client gowns and towels
appropriate handling and disposal of single use items and clinical (infectious) waste
basic aspects of local government, state or territory health regulations applicable to hair and scalp treatments
industry practices and organisational procedures for:
infection control for hair and scalp assessments
waste disposal with particular emphasis on sound disposal methods for clinical (infectious) waste.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a hairdressing or barbering environment; this can be:
a hairdressing or barbering industry workplace or
a simulated hairdressing or barbering workplace, set up for the purpose of skills assessment that provides services to paying members of the public.
Assessment must ensure use of:
paying clients, with different hair and scalp conditions; these can be:
clients in a hairdressing or barbering industry workplace, or
clients in a simulated hairdressing or barbering workplace within a training organisation who have the expectation that the services provided reflect those of a commercial business
activities that require the individual to work with commercial speed, timing and productivity to complete client services within designated timeframes that reflect accepted industry practice
a hairdressing or barbering services workstation with:
one mirror per workstation
one adjustable client services chair per workstation
clean client gowns or wraps
clean client towels
operator personal protective equipment:
apron
disposable safety masks
rubber or disposable gloves
microscope and slides suitable for microscopic analysis of hairs
disinfectant and sterilising products for equipment and work surfaces
template trichological assessment records
current plain English regulatory documents distributed by government regulators for health, and infection control
organisational procedures for:
infection control
disposal of clinical (infectious) waste.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors; and
hold a Certificate IV qualification in Hairdressing, or be able to demonstrate equivalence of competencies; and:
have at least three years full time employment experience as a hairdresser in a salon environment where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency to assess this unit as part of a hairdressing qualification; this cannot include any indentured traineeship or apprenticeship period; or
have at least three years full time employment experience as a barber in a shop or salon environment where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency to assess this unit as part of a barbering qualification; this cannot include any indentured traineeship or apprenticeship period.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
Skill | Description |
Reading skills to: | interpret sometimes unfamiliar and detailed documents including organisational procedures, health regulations and product information to plan treatments. |
Writing skills to: | complete comprehensive records of hair and scalp analysis using correct terminology for trichological conditions. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to determine client issues, interpret responses and confirm client understanding of information provided discuss hair and scalp discuss hair and scalp conditions professionally and sensitively. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate and record affected hair and scalp areas with precision. |
Planning and organising skills to: | manage own timing and productivity to complete assessments within organisational service times. |
Sectors
Hairdressing
Competency Field
Trichology