Shampoo and condition hair

URN: SKAHBR24
Business Sectors (Suites): Hairdressing and Barbering
Developed by: SkillsActive
Approved on: 2025

Overview

This standard is about Assistant Hairdressers and Barbers shampooing and conditioning hair under the guidance of a supervising member of staff.  Appropriate products and massage techniques will be selected as instructed by the supervising member of staff. Whilst using this standard and in accordance with the job role, responsibilities for the relevant health and safety legislation/regulations, manufacturers and the supervising member of staff’s instructions, must be maintained. Personal development and areas for improvement will be discussed with the supervising member of staff following completed shampooing and conditioning services.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

You must be able to:
1.    Discuss and agree your role and responsibilities when carrying out
shampooing and conditioning services, with a senior member of staff
2.    Maintain your responsibilities for health and safety in accordance
with health and safety legislation/regulations, organisational policy
and senior staff instructions
3.    Prepare and protect yourself ready for assisting with a shampooing
services, using the relevant personal protective equipment
4.    Prepare the work area, tools and products as instructed by the
supervising member of staff
5.    Prepare the individual in accordance with supervising member of
staff instructions, using the appropriate personal protective
equipment
6.    Observe the supervising member of staff carry out a consultation
7.    Discuss with the supervising member of staff the appropriate
products and massage techniques to use for the service 
8.    Guide the individual, position them at the shampooing area and
check with the supervising member of staff that the individual is
positioned correctly
9.    Adapt the water pressure and temperature to ensure comfort of the
individual
10. Saturate the hair with water before applying the shampoo
11. Massage the hair and scalp using the correct massage techniques
as instructed by the supervising member of staff
12. Remove the product by rinsing the hair thoroughly and reapply
shampoo and massage, if required.
13.  Ensure the hair and scalp is free from product before applying
conditioner
14. Massage the hair and scalp using the correct massage techniques.
15. Comb through the hair and remove all product as instructed by the
supervising member of  staff
16. Gently remove excess water avoiding pressure on the scalp
17. Escort the individual to the styling area
18. Clean and disinfect the shampoo area in accordance with relevant
health and safety legislation/regulations, organisational policies and
the supervising member of staff’s instructions
19. Clean, sterilise and disinfect tools and equipment as instructed by
the supervising member of staff
20. Carry out laundry duties in line with organisational policy
21. Check with the supervising member of staff that assisting tasks within
the service have been fulfilled
22. Dispose of waste materials
23. Replenish low levels of resources, when required, to minimise
disruption to your own work and to individuals
24. Discuss your development and areas for improvement with the
supervising member of staff


Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

You must know and understand:

  1. The importance of discussing and understanding your role and responsibilities when shampooing and conditioning hair
  2. The importance of maintaining your responsibilities for health and safety in accordance with health and safety legislation/regulations, organisational policy and senior staff members instructions when carrying out a shampoo and conditioning service
  3. The consequences of not following relevant health and safety legislation/regulations, organisational policies, manufacturers, and the supervising member of staff instructions
  4. What contact dermatitis is, and how to avoid developing it whilst carrying out wet work
  5. The importance of preparing and protecting yourself using the relevant personal protective equipment, ready for shampooing and conditioning hair
  6. The importance of preparing the individual using the appropriate personal protective equipment.
  7. How shampoo and water act together to cleanse the hair
  8. The basic structure of the hair and how it is affected during the shampoo and conditioning process
  9. The importance of taking into consideration hair classifications, characteristics and state of hair, and how to adapt the massage techniques when shampooing and conditioning the hair
  10. Why the length of hair must be considered when shampooing and conditioning and how to adapt the massage techniques to suit different lengths
  11. The importance of selecting the appropriate products for individuals
  12. The effects of water temperature on the hair and scalp
  13. The tools and equipment used for shampooing and conditioning services.
  14. The importance of carrying out a thorough consultation prior to a service
  15. The health risks associated with extreme head positions during the shampooing and conditioning services
  16. The types of shampooing and conditioning products and their effects on the hair and scalp
  17. The importance of completing a shampooing and conditioning service within a specified timescale
  18. How to ensure minimising damage to the individual’s hair during the shampooing and conditioning process
  19. The importance of checking the individual is comfortable throughout the service
  20. The importance of thoroughly removing product from the hair
  21. The importance of cleaning and disinfecting the work surfaces in preparation for the next service
  22. The importance of cleaning, sterilising and disinfecting tools and equipment following a service
  23. The person to whom you should report low levels of resources
  24. The type and causes of problems which may arise when shampooing and conditioning hair and to whom they should be reported
  25. The importance of discussing and agreeing your personal development and areas for improvement with the supervising member of staff

Scope/range

Hair  classification

  1. straight
  2. wavy
  3. curly
  4. tight curls
  5. combination

Hair characteristics

  1. hair density
  2. hair texture
  3. hair elasticity
  4. hair porosity

State of hair

  1. non – chemical treated
  2. partially chemical treated
  3. chemically treated

Shampooing products

  1. balanced
  2. moisturising
  3. product build up
  4. clarifying
  5. medicated
  6. sensitive scalp
  7. sulphite free

Conditioning Products

  1. surface
  2. penetrating
  3. ph balanced

Shampoo massage techniques

  1. effleurage
  2. rotary
  3. friction

Conditioning massage techniques

  1. effleurage
  2. petrissage

Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary

Supervising members of staff   -  a qualified member of staff whom is a Stylist, Barber, Manager, Mentor, Tutor/Educator, For Customer service tasks this may also be a Receptionist
Individual – client and may also include team members and visitors
Personal development –  self-improvement. Improves an individual’s capabilities and potential
Responsibilities - having a duty to deal with something eg working safely to avoid risk to others
Health and safety regulations – health and safety law which must be followed
Organisational policies - set of rules, responsibilities, processes and timelines and that behaviour which must be followed
Personal protective equipment (PPE)– items of clothing and equipment to protect individuals eg Gown, towels, Aprons, Gloves and other appropriate PPE
Replenish -  restock/refill or replace something which has been used eg towels, products, shampoos
Consumables – resources that are used up relatively quickly eg shampoos, hair products and refreshments
Communication - exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, or feelings between individuals. This can be verbal, non-verbal (body language) and written
Timely manner – performing tasks without delay
Promotional Display – arranging products in a way that is appealing as instructed by the supervising member of staff
Classification – identifies whether the hair is straight, wavy, curly, tight curly or combination
Consultation – The process of formally consulting and discussing an individuals requirements, previous history of hair services and looking at the clients hair and skin
Characteristics – this includes hair density, texture, elasticity, porosity and hair growth patterns
 State of hair  -  Identifies whether the hair is chemically or non-chemically treated
 Productivity – the results of working efficiently and effectively
Continued professional development (CPD)- learning experiences which help you develop and improve your professional practice. 
Anticipate – Think ahead as to what is needed
Tension – The amount of force used to hold hair while carrying out a range of services eg shampooing, drying, styling, cutting hair, colouring.
Contact dermatitisinflammation of the skin (redness, itchy, dry, cracked) when it comes into contact with a particular substance when carrying out a range of services eg Shampooing, Styling, chemical treatments
Methodically – work in an orderly or systematic manner


Links To Other NOS

SKAHBR22, SKAHBR23, SKAHBR25, SKAHBR26,SKAHBR27,SKAHBR28


External Links


Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

2029

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Skills Active

Original URN

SKAHDBR1

Relevant Occupations

Hairdressers and Related Occupations, Hairdressing and Barbering, Hair and Make-up Assistant

SOC Code

6221

Keywords

Assist with shampooing services, Hardressing, Barbering