Chapter 8- Hair & Scalp Disorders & Diseases

#1- The following are all reasons a cosmetologist should understand hair and scalp disorders and diseases EXCEPT __________.

• Knowledge of scalp and hair disorders allows a cosmetologist to recognize what is treatable by a cosmetologist and what should be referred to a healthcare provider.
• Understanding the cause of a client's hair loss is necessary to determine which surgical hair replacement techniques to recommend.
• Identifying the differences between common and irregular hair loss helps a cosmetologist to better recommend hair loss treatments to clients.
• Recognizing communicable scalp and hair conditions is part of a cosmetologist’s infection control responsibilities.

#2- Which of the following is a reason cosmetologists should understand hair and scalp disorders and diseases?

• Cosmetologists can better recommend client hair loss treatments if they can identify the differences between common and irregular hair loss.
• Cosmetologists cannot recommend the use of Minoxidil or Finasteride unless they can identify the cause of the client’s hair loss.
• The proper use of cold caps as an option for chemotherapy patients requires an understanding of how hair and scalp disorders lead to hair loss.
• Cosmetologists must be able to identify the type of fungal infection to know how to disinfect a client's scalp before performing services.

#3- Which type of alopecia is defined as hair loss in round or irregularly shaped patches caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles?

• androgenic alopecia
• alopecia totalis
• postpartum alopecia
• alopecia areata

#4- The following are all causes of hair loss EXCEPT ______.

• pregnancy
• insufficient diet
• extreme stress
• autoimmune disorders

#5- Which of the following statements is true about alopecia areata?

• Alopecia areata most often begins in childhood.
• Alopecia areata is most easily identified by scalp inflammation.
• Alopecia areata is also known as male pattern baldness and does not affect women.
• Alopecia areata causes the loss of all terminal hair on the body.

#6-A client expresses frustration with continued thinning hair following a prolonged medical situation, during which the client did not receive adequate nutrition. On the advice of the healthcare provider, the client followed an improved nutrition diet, but after 2 months there has been no improvement in hair density. What advice should a cosmetologist give the client?

• The client should consult with the healthcare provider about the possibility of using a medication like Minoxidil or Finasteride to stimulate hair growth.
• The client should consider a temporary option, such as a wig or hair extensions, as the hair growth is unlikely to improve.
• The client should continue the improved nutrition diet and wait for results as there has not yet been enough time for the hair follicles to regenerate.
• The client should take a pregnancy test as pregnancy can lead to hair loss.

#7- Which hair disorder causes terminal hair to grow on areas of a woman’s body where terminal hair typically does not grow?

• hirsuties
• hypertrichosis
• monilethrix
• canities

#8- Which sentence best describes a client with the disorder monilethrix?

• The client’s hair has alternating bands of gray and pigmented hair throughout the length of the
• hair strand.
• The client’s hair is knotted and brittle.
• The client’s hair has a beaded appearance due to narrowing of the hair shaft.

#9- The following are all true statements about congenital canities EXCEPT:

• Canities can be caused by narrowing of the hair shaft.
• Canities can be present at birth.
• Canities can result from age and genetics.
• Canities can result from extreme stress.

#10- Each of the following hair disorders is characterized by brittle hair EXCEPT ______.

• trichorrhexis nodosa
• monilethrix
• hirsuties
• fragilitas crinium