Hair professional

Skills

• Demonstrate professionalism and a passion for the industry; have a commitment to quality, a positive attitude and team working; work under pressure; observe time management and self-management; show a willingness to learn; complete services in a commercially viable time and to a high standard; meet organisational and industry standards of appearance; observe professional ethics
• Greet clients in a friendly manner; choose the most appropriate way of communicating with clients; be helpful and courteous at all times; adapt behaviour in response to each client; respond promptly to clients seeking assistance; establish client expectations and needs; explain clearly any reasons why the client’s needs or expectations cannot be met; willingly undertake wider salon duties, including reception duties where appropriate
• Maintain effective, hygienic and safe working methods; adhere to workplace, suppliers’ or manufacturers’ instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products; meet legal and organisational requirements; maintain the client’s modesty, privacy and comfort; minimise risks of cross-infection, injury or fatigue; promote environmental and sustainable working practices; ensure personal hygiene and protection meets industry, organisational and local authority requirements; and correctly use Personal Protective Equipment
• Creatively assess the client’s requirements; examine the hair, skin and scalp; facial characteristics including face shape, skin tone, hair colour, lifestyle and suitability; conduct visual checks and any necessary tests on the hair, skin and scalp; advise clients on services or products; identify the client’s hair characteristics and hair classification; advise clients on hair maintenance and management

Knowledge

• Industry codes of practice and ethics; quality assurance systems; time management principles; self-management principles; commercially viable times for the completion of services; industry and organisational standards of appearance; the importance of continuing professional development, equality and diversity.
• Legal and organisational requirements; use of tools, equipment, materials and products; adherence to workplace cleaning, disinfection, sterilisation, supplier or manufacturer’s instructions; waste disposal; client preparation and protection; direct and indirect crossinfection; methods that promote environmental and sustainable working practices; reducing risk of injury to self and others; posture, personal hygiene, protection; health and safety legislation and practice
• Visual aids for client consultation; salon procedures and manufacturers' instructions for conducting tests; the types and purposes of tests; how lifestyle factors limit or affect services; incompatibility of previous services and products used; hair, skin and scalp problems; suspected infections or infestations; hair characteristics and classifications; basic structure of hair and skin; the growth cycle of hair; services or products available for use in the salon or for retail; legal responsibilities; salon pricing structures

Occupational Routes

Hairdressing

Skills

• Shampoo, condition and treat the hair and scalp: Use products and tools, use massage techniques, use shampoo and conditioning products
• Cut hair using a range of techniques to create a variety of looks: Use a range of cutting techniques including one length, fringe cutting, precision cutting techniques, scissor over comb, texturising, layering techniques, graduation and clipper work
• Style and finish hair using a range of techniques to create a variety of looks: Use a range of styling tools and equipment to create a look including blow drying, hair-up styles, setting and dressing, finger drying, plaiting/braiding and twisting and using additional hair
• Colour and lighten hair using a range of techniques: Complete a range of woven highlights including T-section, half head. Full head using temporary, semi-permanent, quasi-permanent, permanent colour application, and basic colour change (depth and tone) techniques
• Options
  • Perming hair Use a range of products and techniques including sectioning and winding, taking into account critical influencing factors
  • Hair relaxing treatments and techniques Use a range of products and techniques including sectioning, winding, relaxing and post relaxing products
  • Hair extension services Attach a range of extensions; cutting and finishing extensions; maintaining and removing extensions

Knowledge

• How shampoos and conditioning products affect the hair and scalp, when and how to use different massage techniques, and the various effects of conditioning treatments
• How and when to use different cutting techniques and relevant tools and the effects achieved, weight distribution and working with the natural growth patterns of the hair, cutting angles and resulting weight distribution, and balance and the degree of graduation
• Current techniques for drying and finishing hair, drying and finishing products, tools and equipment available for drying and finishing men and women’s hair, hair-up styles, setting and dressing, finger drying, plaiting/braiding and twisting, and using additional hair
• The principles of colour selection, how the natural pigment within hair affects the choice of colour and colouring products, the effect of different colouring and lightening products on the hair structure, and when to use the different types of lighteners and toners available
• Options
  • The effects of perms and neutralisers on the hair structure, products and equipment, contraindications to perming hair and tests required throughout the perming and neutralising processes
  • The effects of relaxers on the hair structure, products and equipment, application and development of relaxers and post relaxing products; contra-indications to relaxing hair and tests required before and throughout the relaxing and post relaxing processes
  • Hair growth, influencing factors and contra-indications, types of hair extensions and products, application and removal techniques, principles for blending hair

Barbering

Skills

• Use products and tools, use shampoo, tonics and conditioning products
• Use styling tools and equipment, blow dry, and finger dry
• Design and create full beard, partial beard and moustache, identify factors likely to influence the service, establish and follow the cutting guideline(s) to achieve the required effect, ensure the finished look is even, symmetrical and balanced in relation to the client’s facial contours
• Prepare the hair and skin for shaving, products, tools and equipment, full shave and partial shave including hot towels, lathering products, face massage, and finishing products

Knowledge

• How shampoos, tonics and conditioning products affect the hair and scalp, and the various effects of conditioning treatments
• How and when to use different cutting techniques and relevant tools and the effects achieved, weight distribution and working with the natural growth patterns of the hair, cutting angles and resulting weight distribution, balance and the degree of graduation
• Current techniques for drying and finishing hair, drying and finishing products, tools and equipment available for drying and finishing men’s hair
• How to create and follow a guideline for tapered beard lines, beard outlines and moustaches, how to cut different facial hair shapes using cutting techniques, beard and moustache shapes that do not require the use of razors, and create outline and detailing design in hair
• The types of blades available, lathering products, the structure and function of the skin, the scalp and facial skin disorders commonly affecting men, lathering and the function it performs on the skin, in-growing hairs, and the effect of heat on the hair and skin. The use of Personal Protective Equipment.

Behaviours

• Industry standards of behaviour; how to meet and greet clients; verbal and non-verbal communication techniques; client care principles and practices; how to maintain rapport with clients; the role of the reception area; making appointments; taking payments; who to refer to with different types of enquiries; Sale of Goods and Services Act and the Data Protection Act; how to provide advice and recommendations on the products and services provided in the salon

Entry Requirements

None

Duration

Typically 24 months

Professional Qualifications / Recognition

Level 2 Diploma for Hair Professionals (Hairdressing/Barbering) [in development, expected completion 30 April 2017]

Senior Hairdresser or Senior Barber

Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.