Skin Anatomy & Pigment Theory Flashcards
7 cards from real SMP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Skin Anatomy & Pigment Theory flashcards as text
In SMP, the 'Tyndall effect' is most likely to produce what visible result?
Answer: A bluish or grayish hue in improperly placed pigment
Light scattering from subsurface pigment particles causes a blue-gray shift (Tyndall effect), often seen when pigment is placed too deeply.
The papillary dermis is named for its finger-like projections called dermal papillae. Their primary function relevant to SMP is:
Answer: Providing vascular supply and anchoring the epidermis
Dermal papillae contain capillaries and sensory nerves that nourish the avascular epidermis and create a mechanical interlock at the DEJ.
Complementary colors in SMP color correction are used to:
Answer: Neutralize unwanted hues in healed pigment
Placing a complementary color over an unwanted hue cancels it out — for example, orange-toned pigment is neutralized with a blue-based corrector.
Type IV collagen is most important in SMP skin anatomy because it:
Answer: Is a key structural component of the basement membrane at the DEJ
Type IV collagen forms the network of the basement membrane (lamina densa), which structurally anchors the epidermis to the dermis at the DEJ.
A client's scalp appears shiny with very little texture. This characteristic most likely indicates:
Answer: Thin, taut skin from alopecia or scarring that may cause faster fading
Shiny, taut scalp skin (common in scarring alopecia or severe pattern baldness) is thinner with compressed collagen, resulting in less structural support for retained pigment.
Melanosomes are transferred from melanocytes to keratinocytes via which process?
Answer: Cytocrine secretion through dendritic tip shedding
Melanocytes extend dendrites to neighboring keratinocytes and shed melanosome-containing tips, which keratinocytes then engulf — a process called cytocrine secretion.
When diluting an SMP pigment to create lighter, more translucent dots for a hairline, the technician should use:
Answer: A pigment-specific diluent or glycerin-based solution recommended by the manufacturer
Manufacturer-approved diluents maintain pigment particle suspension and carrier properties; unapproved solvents can destabilize the pigment or cause skin reactions.