CME CME Hair & Skin Science 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Fitzpatrick skin type describes skin that always burns and never tans?
- Type I (Correct answer)
- Type II
- Type III
- Type IV
Correct answer: Type I
Fitzpatrick Type I describes very fair skin that always burns and never tans, requiring extra caution with energy-based treatments.
Question 2: Hypertrichosis differs from hirsutism in that hypertrichosis refers to:
- Androgen-driven excess hair in women only
- Excess hair growth unrelated to androgen influence (Correct answer)
- Hair loss from follicle damage
- Ingrown hairs caused by improper technique
Correct answer: Excess hair growth unrelated to androgen influence
Hypertrichosis is generalized excess hair growth not driven by androgens, while hirsutism is androgen-dependent excess hair in women.
Question 3: The catagen phase of the hair cycle is best described as:
- Active growth with mitotic activity in the bulb
- A transitional regression phase (Correct answer)
- A resting phase with club hair formation
- Shedding of the old hair shaft
Correct answer: A transitional regression phase
Catagen is a brief transitional phase lasting 2–3 weeks during which the follicle regresses and mitotic activity ceases.
Question 4: Which hormone is most responsible for converting vellus hairs to terminal hairs in androgen-sensitive areas?
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (Correct answer)
- Cortisol
Correct answer: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the primary androgen that stimulates conversion of vellus to terminal hairs in androgen-sensitive follicles.
Question 5: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) following electrolysis is most likely in clients with which Fitzpatrick skin types?
- Types I and II
- Types II and III
- Types IV, V, and VI (Correct answer)
- Any type equally
Correct answer: Types IV, V, and VI
Clients with Fitzpatrick Types IV–VI have higher melanin density and are more prone to PIH after thermal or chemical skin injury.
Question 6: The arrector pili muscle connects the follicle to the:
- Subcutaneous fat layer
- Papillary dermis (Correct answer)
- Epidermis basement membrane
- Stratum granulosum
Correct answer: Papillary dermis
The arrector pili muscle runs from the follicle to the papillary dermis and contracts to cause 'goosebumps.'
CME CME Hair & Skin Science 2
Which Fitzpatrick skin type describes skin that always burns and never tans?