Barber Practice State Board Practice Exam

If you cut or nick a client with a razor, pat the area dry and apply ____.

1. Moisturizer

2. Astringent

3. Styptic powder

4. Antiseptic cream

The correct answer is: Styptic powder

When you cut or nick a client with a razor during a barbering service, the primary goal is to quickly stop any bleeding and promote healing. Styptic powder is specifically designed for this purpose; it helps to constrict blood vessels in the affected area, which reduces bleeding and can also provide an astringent effect to help seal the cut. In comparison, while options like moisturizer and antiseptic cream serve important roles in skin care and wound healing, they are not specifically aimed at immediately controlling bleeding. Astringents might assist with tightening skin and reducing oil, but again, they don’t have the same rapid hemostatic effect that styptic powder does. Therefore, the use of styptic powder in instances of small cuts is the preferred method in a professional setting like barbering, making it the best choice in this situation.