Hair and Scalp Diseases and Disorders
Understanding hair types, structure, and textural differences is essential for every natural hair care professional, braider, and cosmetologist. Hair is not one size fits all. Each client has unique characteristics that affect how their hair responds to styling, products, maintenance, and protective services.
This section explores the structure of the hair, including the cuticle, cortex, and medulla, as well as important concepts such as texture, density, elasticity, and porosity. Students learn how these characteristics influence hair health, moisture retention, styling outcomes, and the suitability of various braiding and natural hair care services.
A thorough understanding of hair structure allows beauty professionals to make informed decisions when recommending products, selecting styling techniques, and performing consultations. By recognizing the differences between straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair textures, professionals can better protect hair health while achieving desired styling results.
The questions in this section begin with foundational concepts related to hair structure and gradually progress to more advanced topics involving hair analysis, moisture management, breakage prevention, and professional decision making.
Practice Questions
1. Dandruff is also known as:
A. Alopecia
B. Pityriasis
C. Seborrhea
D. Tinea
Correct Answer: B
2. Dandruff is commonly associated with the overgrowth of:
A. Bacteria only
B. Malassezia fungus
C. Parasites
D. Viruses
Correct Answer: B
3. Normal scalp shedding usually appears as:
A. Thick crusts
B. Powdery flakes
C. Bleeding sores
D. Open lesions
Correct Answer: B
4. Which condition involves hair loss?
A. Alopecia
B. Seborrhea
C. Milia
D. Rosacea
Correct Answer: A
5. A contagious fungal infection of the scalp is called:
A. Psoriasis
B. Tinea
C. Seborrhea
D. Folliculitis
Correct Answer: B
6. A stylist should refer a client to a physician if the scalp condition appears:
A. Healthy
B. Contagious or inflamed
C. Slightly dry
D. Moisturized
Correct Answer: B
7. Seborrhea is characterized by:
A. Excess oil production
B. Permanent baldness
C. Hair coloring
D. Split ends only
Correct Answer: A
8. Which scalp disorder may cause itching and visible flakes?
A. Dandruff
B. Hair shrinkage
C. Density loss only
D. Elasticity
Correct Answer: A
9. Alopecia areata often appears as:
A. Circular bald patches
B. Increased density
C. Straightened curls
D. Excess shine
Correct Answer: A
10. Which condition involves inflammation of the hair follicles?
A. Folliculitis
B. Psoriasis
C. Tinea
D. Seborrhea
Correct Answer: A
11. Dry hair is often more prone to:
A. Breakage
B. Increased elasticity only
C. Faster growth
D. Increased oil production
Correct Answer: A
12. Psoriasis commonly appears as:
A. Thick, silvery scales
B. Circular bald spots only
C. Smooth shiny scalp
D. Permanent curls
Correct Answer: A
13. Which condition is generally considered noncontagious?
A. Tinea
B. Psoriasis
C. Ringworm
D. Fungal infections
Correct Answer: B
14. Traction alopecia is commonly caused by:
A. Excessive tension on the hair
B. Shampooing
C. Moisturizing products
D. Loose hairstyles
Correct Answer: A
15. Hair breakage may result from:
A. Excessive heat or tension
B. Proper conditioning
C. Gentle detangling
D. Balanced moisture
Correct Answer: A
16. The FIRST step when observing an abnormal scalp condition is to:
A. Continue the service immediately
B. Analyze the condition carefully
C. Apply chemicals directly
D. Ignore the issue
Correct Answer: B
17. Which condition is commonly called ringworm?
A. Psoriasis
B. Tinea
C. Seborrhea
D. Alopecia
Correct Answer: B
18. A healthy scalp should generally be:
A. Inflamed and itchy
B. Free from irritation and open lesions
C. Covered in sores
D. Extremely oily
Correct Answer: B
19. Excessive scratching of the scalp may lead to:
A. Irritation and infection risk
B. Improved elasticity
C. Permanent straightening
D. Increased density
Correct Answer: A
20. Proper scalp analysis helps the stylist:
A. Identify possible contraindications
B. Avoid consultations
C. Ignore disorders
D. Eliminate sanitation needs
Correct Answer: A
21. A client presents with shiny, smooth bald patches without visible inflammation. Which condition is MOST likely?
A. Tinea capitis
B. Alopecia areata
C. Folliculitis
D. Seborrhea
Correct Answer: B
22. Why is traction alopecia particularly important for braiders to recognize?
A. Tight tension and heavy styles may worsen the condition
B. Traction alopecia is contagious
C. Braiding permanently cures hair loss
D. It only affects chemically treated hair
Correct Answer: A
23. Which scalp condition would MOST likely require immediate referral before service?
A. Mild dryness
B. Open lesions with drainage and inflammation
C. Slight flaking
D. Medium density hair
Correct Answer: B
24. Why should stylists avoid diagnosing scalp diseases?
A. Diagnosis falls outside the stylist’s professional scope
B. Stylists never examine the scalp
C. All scalp disorders are harmless
D. Diagnosis replaces consultation
Correct Answer: A
25. Which factor MOST contributes to mechanical hair damage?
A. Excessive tension and rough handling
B. Proper moisturizing
C. Gentle detangling
D. Balanced conditioning
Correct Answer: A
26. Which statement about dandruff is TRUE?
A. It is always contagious
B. It may worsen with stress and improper scalp care
C. It permanently destroys follicles
D. It only affects children
Correct Answer: B
27. A stylist notices redness, pustules, and inflammation around follicles. This MOST likely indicates:
A. Folliculitis
B. Healthy scalp tissue
C. Hair shrinkage
D. Balanced sebum production
Correct Answer: A
28. Which condition is characterized by excessive oil production and scalp irritation?
A. Seborrhea
B. Tinea
C. Alopecia areata
D. Psoriasis only
Correct Answer: A
29. Why is scalp analysis important before installing extensions or protective styles?
A. Existing disorders or weakness may worsen under tension
B. Scalp condition never affects services
C. Protective styles cure all scalp disorders
D. Consultation is unnecessary for extensions
Correct Answer: A
30. Which condition may produce thick silvery scales and rapid skin cell buildup?
A. Psoriasis
B. Folliculitis
C. Tinea
D. Traction alopecia
Correct Answer: A
31. A client reports scalp soreness after repeated tight installs. What is the MOST appropriate professional recommendation?
A. Increase braid tension for longer wear
B. Recommend reduced tension and scalp recovery
C. Ignore the complaint
D. Apply harsh chemicals to the scalp
Correct Answer: B
32. Which practice BEST helps reduce the risk of spreading contagious scalp conditions?
A. Proper infection control procedures
B. Sharing implements between clients
C. Ignoring visible scalp abnormalities
D. Reusing contaminated towels
Correct Answer: A
33. Which condition is MOST associated with fungal infection?
A. Tinea capitis
B. Alopecia areata
C. Traction alopecia
D. Hair breakage
Correct Answer: A
34. Chronic excessive tension may damage which structure permanently?
A. Hair follicle
B. Cuticle only
C. Sebaceous gland only
D. Epidermis only
Correct Answer: A
35. Which client history would MOST concern a stylist before braiding?
A. Previous tension related hair loss
B. Medium density hair
C. Balanced porosity
D. Slight natural frizz
Correct Answer: A
36. A stylist should discontinue a service if:
A. Signs of infection or contraindications become apparent
B. The client requests maintenance advice
C. Hair density is medium
D. The client prefers protective styles
Correct Answer: A
37. Which statement BEST explains why textured hair may experience breakage more easily?
A. Curves and bends in the strand create weaker points under stress
B. Textured hair contains no keratin
C. Curly hair cannot absorb moisture
D. Coily hair never produces sebum
Correct Answer: A
38. Improper sanitation practices increase the risk of:
A. Cross contamination and infection spread
B. Increased elasticity only
C. Permanent hair straightening
D. Improved scalp condition
Correct Answer: A
39. Which scalp condition is generally considered noncontagious but inflammatory?
A. Psoriasis
B. Tinea capitis
C. Ringworm
D. Fungal scalp infection
Correct Answer: A
40. A professional stylist demonstrates proper disease and disorder awareness by:
A. Recognizing abnormal conditions and responding professionally
B. Diagnosing medical conditions independently
C. Ignoring scalp concerns to save time
D. Performing services despite visible infection
Correct Answer: A
Reference and Recommendation
