Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to create contemporary and classic hair designs, for a range of structures and lengths, enhanced by the creative application of chemical hair reformation treatments. It involves using chemical curling, volumising, straightening and relaxing techniques.
This unit applies to senior hairdressers and barbers who work in salons or as session stylists or technical advisors to product companies. 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. Develop advanced product knowledge, designs and techniques. | 1.1.Develop and maintain chemical hair reformation product knowledge. 1.2.Research hair designs which incorporate chemical reformation and develop own designs and techniques. 1.3.Share new knowledge and techniques with other staff members. |
2. Consult with client and assess hair. | 2.1.Access and review any existing client hair reformation history or create for new clients. 2.2.Determine, through discussion and questioning, nature of client dissatisfaction with current degree of hair curl, wave or body. 2.3.Discuss client preferences, and expectations of desired finished result using visual aids to assist. 2.4.Engage client in discussion about lifestyle and self-care factors that may impact on success of chemical reformation treatment. 2.5.Visually and physically examine and analyse client hair characteristics and condition. 2.6.Evaluate planned or existing haircut structure for suitability of curling, volumising, straightening or relaxing effects. 2.7.Consider the interplay of the elements and principles of hair design to visualise, communicate and recommend hair reformation treatments appropriate for the client. 2.8.Determine the best design and obtain client agreement to proceed with recommended reformation services. |
3. Select products and prepare for service. | 3.1.Use knowledge of hair biology and cosmetic chemistry, as it applies to hair reformation treatments, to ensure effective and safe use of chemicals. 3.2.Select chemical reformation and matching neutralising products to match hair analysis and planned design. 3.3.Select and prepare equipment according to product instructions and application methods to be used. 3.4.Take personal precautions to prevent own skin reactions to reformation chemicals throughout preparation and reformation service. 3.5.Measure and prepare reformation chemicals, according to product instructions and ensure minimal wastage. 3.6.Apply wraps, towels and skin barrier cream to ensure client protection and safety. |
4. Apply products using creative techniques. | 4.1.Maintain client and operator comfort and safety throughout reformation service according to organisational procedures. 4.2.Select and use creative curling, volumising, straightening or relaxing techniques according to planned design. 4.3.Apply products evenly at each stage in the process, according to product instructions. 4.4.Time processing of reformation products, according to product instructions, check at regular intervals and judge when desired finished result is achieved. |
5. Rinse, neutralise and condition hair. | 5.1.Rinse hair thoroughly and evenly using tepid water to remove residual reformation chemicals. 5.2.Measure, apply and process neutralising products, according to product instructions. 5.3.Rinse hair thoroughly to remove residual neutralising chemicals after specified product instruction processing time. 5.4.Apply conditioning products, according to product instructions. 5.5.Use water resources efficiently during service and safely dispose of hazardous and other waste according to organisational procedures. |
6. Finish designs and service. | 6.1.Select finishing tools and techniques and use to achieve planned designs to client satisfaction. 6.2.Review service outcomes against client design expectations and confirm client satisfaction with result. 6.3.Propose remedial action in response to any client concerns and post service analysis of hair condition and appearance. 6.4.Reach agreement with client on proposed solutions through positive and open communication. 6.5.Advise on after service maintenance and recommend home care products. 6.6.Update client history to include full details of reformation service. |
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:
complete a research project, using information from at least three different sources, to identify, explore and complete a written report on:
current chemical hair curling, volumising and straightening products and techniques and use in enhancing classic and creative hair designs
new and emerging products, techniques and creative hair designs which incorporate chemical reformation
develop a creative hair design, which incorporates chemical reformation, for each of these haircut structures:
short
medium
long
solid form
layered
graduated
incorporate these hair reformation enhancements cumulatively within the above suite of designs:
full head
partial head
changes in texture
adding curl root to point (spiral)
adding curl or volume point to root
adding waves
relaxing natural curl
increasing body
increasing volume
consult with at least four clients, each with different haircut structures and hair reformation preferences, and complete reformation services using creative techniques to enhance their hair designs
for each client, complete a pre-treatment hair analysis covering the following characteristics to recommend appropriate reformation treatments:
hair and scalp condition
hair texture
hair density
hair porosity
degree of curl or wave
length of hair
effects on hair of previous chemical services
record the following details of the chemical reformation service in the history for each client serviced:
pre-service hair analysis
contraindications
desired degree of curl, wave or relaxation
products, strengths and processing times used
tools and techniques used
degree of curl, wave or relaxation achieved
recommended home care products.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
key characteristics and interrelationships of the elements and principles of hair design and use in achieving creative hair designs which incorporate chemical reformation;
elements of hair design:
line
shape
direction
size
texture
colour
principles of hair design:
balance
gradation
repetition
contrast
harmony
dominance
unity
a wide range of chemical texturising and straightening techniques and effects on different haircut structures
a range of different winding techniques and how these are used to achieve different effects when curling or volumising hair:
fan wind
classic wind
directional wind
spiral wind
hair biology, at an elementary level of understanding:
main functions and role of hair
main factors contributing to degree of curl or wave in hair
structure and cellular features of hair and hair follicles
process of hair growth and the hair growth cycle
characteristics of normal and damaged hair
basic concepts of cosmetic chemistry, as they apply to effective and safe use of chemical reformation products:
bonds
molecules
chemical compounds
chemical change
neutralisation
acids and bases
pH
at an elementary level of understanding, the chemical and physical effects on hair structure and bonds, texture and curl or wave of:
protein fillers
perm solutions
chemical straightening and relaxing products
post-process conditioners
neutralisers
anti-frizz products
styling gels
application of heat
key factors that influence degree of curl, body and relaxation achieved:
hair porosity
hair condition
product type and strength
processing time
environmental humidity
tools and techniques used
contraindications to using chemical hair reformation products:
abnormal scalp conditions, including broken or weeping areas of skin
hair or scalp damage from previous chemical hair treatments
highly porous hair
resistant hair
organisation’s chemical hair curling, volumising and straightening products range:
strengths and formulation
product purpose
action on the hair
limitations to achieving desired result
application instructions
processing times
role and basic content of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or plain English workplace documents or diagrams that interpret SDS content
basic aspects of local government, state or territory health regulations applicable to providing chemical hair reformation services
industry practices and organisational procedures for:
client comfort and safety with particular emphasis on:
using gown and towels to protect client clothes
application of barrier creams to face and neckline
avoiding product contact with eyes
avoiding hair breakage by application 1cm from hair root
monitoring client scalp comfort and condition
work health and safety for providing chemical reformation treatments, with particular emphasis on:
avoiding product contact with operator eyes and skin
avoiding inhalation of fumes during product preparation and application
using correct posture and adjusting height of client chair to avoid fatigue and injury
using correct techniques to hold, grip and manipulate hair reformation tools to avoid fatigue and injury
minimising wastage of chemical reformation products
water efficiency
waste disposal with particular emphasis on environmentally sound disposal methods for hazardous and other hairdressing 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 curling, volumising and straightening requirements; 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 ventilated product preparation area with:
preparation benches
product storage areas including secure storage for hazardous substances
washing up sink with hot and cold running water for cleaning equipment
operator hand washing facilities:
basin with hot and cold running water
liquid soap
single use towels or hand dryer
a diverse professional range of chemical hair curling and volumising products of various strengths to include:
pre-perm porosity treatments
alkaline perms
acid perms
neutralisers
a diverse professional range of chemical straightening products of various strengths to include:
pre-process fillers
curl relaxers for chemically treated hair
hair straighteners for untreated naturally curly or wavy hair
hair straighteners for strong or resistant natural curls
neutralisers
a hairdressing or barbering services workstation with:
one mirror per workstation
one adjustable client services chair per workstation
one blow dryer per workstation
heat lamps
heat diffuser
clean client gowns or wraps
clean client towels
one operator trolley per workstation stocked with:
applicator brushes
cotton wool
hair rollers of different sizes
medium-toothed combs with even edges
perm papers
perm rods of various sizes
pin curl clips
plastic bowls
straightening boards
post process styling products
personal protective equipment:
apron
disposable safety masks or safety goggles
rubber or disposable gloves
skin barrier cream
a basin services area with:
shampoo back wash basins with hot and cold running water and adjustable temperature controls
shampoo hoses or spray attachments
client shampoo chairs or couches
clean client gowns or wraps
clean client towels
a diverse professional range of:
pre-process shampoos and softeners
post process conditioning products
product:
instructions
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or plain English workplace documents or diagrams that interpret SDS content
template client history records
organisational procedures for:
client comfort and safety
work health and safety for providing chemical reformation treatments
waste minimisation
water efficiency
disposal of hazardous and other 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 and analyse complex documents about creative hair design trends, chemical reformation techniques and products • interpret sometimes unfamiliar and detailed documents including organisational procedures, product instructions and safety data sheets. |
Oral communication skills to: | • ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to effectively interact with client and meet their needs • clearly represent complex and creative design concepts to clients and other hairdressers. |
Numeracy skills to: | • calculate and record strengths, measure and apply correct amounts of reformation chemicals and neutralisers • manage application and processing times effectively. |
Initiative and enterprise skills to: | • proactively use opportunities to update knowledge of a creative approach to hair reformation services. |
Planning and organising skills to: | • collect and evaluate research information to inform own creative hair designs which incorporate chemical reformation • manage own timing and productivity to complete creative reformation services within organisational service times. |
Sectors
Hairdressing
Competency Field
Hair Reformation