Cutting Hair

Cutting Hair Wk 39 Session

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‘Cutting hair is a key skill for every hairdresser’

A good cut is what most clients are looking for –it is the basis of a good style and requires a lot of practice.

At the end of this unit you will have learned the following:

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How to work tidily, safely and effectively to a commercially acceptable time and maintain standards of personal hygiene

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The tools and equipment used during cutting, their maintenance, and the preparations that you should make before cutting

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The factors that influence hair cutting

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Basic cutting techniques

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The aftercare advice that you should give

Working safely and effectively

Getting ready for the service

•Prepare the work area make sure it is clean and tidy

•Prepare the tools and equipment required – gowns, towels, cutting tools, etc.

•Check your electrical equipment

•Ensure you follow the salon’s procedures for the task

•Check your personal hygiene is up to standard

Open Ended

Task 1

There are many hazards and risks associated with cutting.

Discuss the potential dangers and the possible outcomes.

Make a list of the risks and how they can be reduced.

Tools and Equipment for Cutting Hair

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Task 2

Thorough cleaning and sterilising of tools for cutting is very important because of the risk of cutting the skin and the possibility of cross-infection.

Using the list of tools and equipment used for cutting find out how each should be cleaned and sterilised before use.

Preparing the client

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If the hair is to be shampooed before cutting prepare as usual

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After shampooing make sure gown and towels are in place to protect from hair clippings

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Use a cutting collar

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Position the client correctly and at an appropriate height

Consultation

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Remember once the hair has been cut it cannot be glued back on, so the consultation is critically important

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Discuss what the client has in mind the style and the amount they would like cut off (remember the client may not realise what 2.5cms actually is)

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To decide what to recommend to the client, take into account the critical influencing factors

Task 3

Discuss and make a list of the factors that you need to consider when selecting a style for the client.

For each of the items on the list, say how they will influence your choice of cut and style

Your list should include:

• Face shape

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  Profile

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  Body shape and features

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  Hair density

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  Hair texture

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Also...

Hair growth patterns

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Elasticity

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Age

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Lifestyle

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Hair and scalp conditions

Face Shapes

Profiles

Hair Growth Patterns

Remember ...

what the client thinks of themselves may not be the same as your view.

E.G. The client may not like their ears but you may think they look fine.

These factors are critical to your choice of style and achieving client satisfaction.

Age and occupation will also influence and possibly limit your choice.

Ability of the client to manage the recommended style is another factor

Open Ended

Task 4

With another person in your group carry out a consultation for a cutting service.

Complete a consultation sheet giving details of all the limitations you have discovered.

Make some general recommendations about possible styles that your colleague could have.

The key factors in cutting hair are:

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Cutting technique

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Angles

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Guidelines

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Sections

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Checking

Club cutting

Can be done on wet or dry hair

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Removes length but not bulk

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Good on fine hair

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Maintains volume

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Gives well defined shapes and lines

Taper Cutting with scissors

Done on dry hair

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Removes length and bulk

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Good on coarse thick hair

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Useful on curly hair for softer lines and hair that is to be ‘set’

Razor Cutting

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Carried out on wet hair

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Removes length and bulk

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Good for thinning out hair

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Good on coarse thick hair

Thinning

There are several techniques used to ‘thin’ the hair

They are used to remove unwanted bulk from the hair or to produce particular effects within the hair cut

Thinning with thinning scissors

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Can be done on wet or dry hair

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Used for general thinning

Point cutting

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Usually done on wet hair

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The points of the scissors are used

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to remove bulk from the points of the hair

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Can also be done with a razor

Freehand cutting

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Usually done on wet hair

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Hair is cut without being held

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Normally used for one-length looks and to cut fringes

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Produces a ‘club cut’ effect

Scissor over comb

Traditionally a barbering technique

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Done on wet or dry hair

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Produces short contoured effects

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Usually in the nape area

Angles guidelines and sections

The angle at which the hair is held ready to be cut is critical to the shape you achieve

Remember that the head is not flat, so the position of the hands must change.

Guidelines

the first section of hair that is cut provides the guideline for the rest of the haircut.

The second section uses the first to show where the cut needs to be made

Sections

The position of the sections and the size of the sections are important to the outcome of the haircut

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Section the hair to keep it under control when cutting

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The position of the sections should follow the design of the cut, particularly where changes of direction occur

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Use thin sections to hold when cutting

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Easier to control and more accurate

Cross-checking

When you have completed the cut or one section you need to make sure it is OK.

Lift a section of hair at 90 degrees to the angle used to cut, i.e. if the section was taken vertically then check horizontally.

One-length hair cut

Sometimes called a ‘bob’

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Hair is cut to one length

Uniform layers

The hair is cut so the length of each section is the same

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Usually a short-to-medium length cut

Short Graduation

Long Graduation

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Fringes

Fringes particularly on longer hair styles will be cut separately.

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Can be cut on wet or dry hair and are often done freehand.

After-care

After-care advice for the cutting element of the service is limited. We must not encourage the client to cut their own hair!!

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The cut forms the basis of the style and will therefore require a finishing service.

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Concentrate on the products and techniques for the finishing service.

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Make sure the client is aware of when the cut needs to be carried out again.