Cosmetology and Beauty Services

About this module

Beauty work touches skin, and skin can carry germs, allergies and illness. Do it cleanly and carefully, and clients will trust you and come back.

Who it is for. Beginners with no formal certificate, including school leavers, women's groups and persons with disabilities. National Proficiency I is the first level of Ghana's TVET framework.

What this module covers, and what it never covers

This module covers skin care basics, make-up and nails for the face and hands and feet. Hair (cutting, braiding, relaxers, wigs) is covered in the Hub guide Hairdressing and Barbering; read that guide for hair and for the hair-dye patch test.

Three firm rules apply to every unit.

Three gates. (1) No skin bleaching or lightening, ever. You do not sell, apply, mix or recommend lightening creams, injections or tablets. (2) Never use mercury, hydroquinone or steroid products: Ghana's FDA bans them in cosmetics. (3) No medical treatment. You recognise skin problems and refer the client to a doctor. You do not treat them. Break a gate and you are Not Yet Competent.

Why hygiene and trust matter

Hepatitis B is spread by blood and body fluids, including through shared or reused sharp objects.
In a 2025 study of 340 street beauticians and barbers in Volta Region, only 31.5% observed safe practice overall, and only 10.3% had ever had infection-control training.
The authors of that study asked for compulsory practical training, inspections and licensing. Be the trained one.
A trained, clean beautician is worth more to clients than a cheap one.

CTVET status. CTVET lists Cosmetology (NP I, NP II), Make-Up Artistry and Beauty Therapy as approved programmes. The unit list of the Cosmetology standard was not found online. This module is not that curriculum. It follows CTVET's format.

How the module works

Each unit has learning outcomes, performance criteria, the range and the evidence your assessor needs. You are judged Competent or Not Yet Competent. About 70% of the time is practical. Learn on classmates and volunteer clients, with your trainer watching.

Unit 1 · Hygiene and infection control

Every client could carry an infection and so could you. Clean hands and clean tools protect both of you.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
1.1 Understand why it matters	explains how hepatitis B spreads and why vaccination matters
1.2 Clean hands and body	washes hands with the 40–60 second method; wears gloves and clean clothes; covers cuts
1.3 Clean, disinfect and sterilise tools	names the three words; cleans first, then disinfects; sorts tools into single-use, disinfect and sterilise
1.4 Run a clean station	sets up clean and used trays; follows the daily routine
1.5 Respond to a cut or blood spill	follows the six steps and writes it in the logbook

Range. The training room and mock clients. Evidence. Hygiene checklist; direct observation; logbook.

Why it matters

Hepatitis B spreads through contact with infected blood and body fluids, especially through open cuts or sores. Sharing or reusing contaminated sharp objects can spread it.
In adults, hepatitis B becomes long-term in under 5% of cases; in babies and small children it is about 95%.
WHO says the hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective. After a full series (a first dose, then two or three more doses at least four weeks apart), protection lasts at least 20 years and probably for life. WHO names health-care workers as people who should be vaccinated and does not name beauty workers on that page. The link to beauty work is by comparison and from the Ghana studies below: you also work close to skin, and sometimes blood.
Ask a clinic or hospital about the vaccine, the full schedule and the cost. The adult cost in Ghana was not verified.
In the Volta study, about 29% of beauticians and barbers washed hands before a client and 21.5% after. 55.3% disinfected or sterilised tools after every client, while 40.3% only at the end of the day, and 12.1% used no disinfectant at all. Only 15.6% knew the correct vaccine schedule.
In Kumasi, a study of barbers found only 2% vaccinated, and none changed their apron or washed their hands between clients.
Hepatitis B is common enough in Ghana that you must treat every client as possibly infected. One 2016 estimate was 12.3% of people.

Three words: clean, disinfect, sterilise

Word	What it means	Example
Clean	Remove dirt, skin, oil and blood with soap and water. Always first.	Scrub a nipper with a brush and soapy water
Disinfect	Kill most germs on a cleaned tool with a chemical or heat	Soak a cleaned tool in a disinfectant for the time on the label
Sterilise	Kill all germs, including tough ones, usually with steam under pressure (an autoclave)	Autoclave for tools that may cut or prick the skin

"Meticulous cleaning must precede any high-level disinfection or sterilization". The CDC sorts items by risk: those that enter blood or sterile tissue must be sterilised; those that touch broken skin need at least high-level disinfection; those that touch only whole skin need low-level disinfection. This is a health-care guide, not a Ghana salon rule. We borrow its idea.

For this course:

Single-use, throw away or give to the client: nail files, buffers, orange sticks, foam toe separators, cotton, make-up sponges, mascara wands, lip applicators, gloves, wax sticks.
Clean, then disinfect after every client: brushes, spatulas, tweezers, scissors, nail clippers, cuticle pushers, foot basins.
Anything that can cut or draw blood (nippers, scissors, tweezers): keep one set per client, or sterilise. At Level 1 you do not use blades, lancets or needles at all.
Do not dilute alcohol with water. In the Volta study, 73.5% used 70% alcohol, and over half of those diluted it. Buy ready-made 70% alcohol from a pharmacy, or a registered disinfectant, and follow the contact time on its label. Whether alcohol alone is enough for a tool with blood on it was not verified; clean first, then use a registered disinfectant for the full label time.
A small autoclave or other sterilising method: price not verified. Ask suppliers, and ask the Environmental Health Officer what they accept.

Wash your hands (WHO method)

The WHO hand-wash poster says the whole wash takes 40 to 60 seconds, and alcohol hand rub takes 20 to 30 seconds when hands are not visibly dirty.

Hand wash in 10 steps

Wet your hands with clean running water.
Put enough soap (samina) to cover all surfaces of both hands.
Rub palm to palm.
Right palm over the back of the left hand, then change.
Palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
Backs of fingers against the opposite palm.
Rotate each thumb in the opposite palm.
Rub the fingertips in the opposite palm.
Rinse well.
Dry with a single-use towel, then use the towel to close the tap.

Check: a partner times you: at least 40 seconds. Hands, between the fingers and thumbs are all wet and soapy.

Wash your hands: before the first client; before every new client; after touching blood, broken skin or the toilet; after handling waste; and before eating. These are practical moments adapted by the course writer from the WHO idea, which was written for health care.

Set up a clean station

Surface wiped and dry before the client sits.
Two trays: a clean tray for ready tools, a used tray for tools to wash. Never mix them.
Fresh gloves (nitrile) for every client, every nail service, every service touching skin.
Towels fresh for each client.
Spatula and palette for creams and make-up: never dip a finger or a brush in the pot twice.
Covered waste bin with a bin liner, and a hard sharps container.
Hand wash point with soap and a towel close by.
No food or drink at the station.
No sharing of lipstick, mascara or brushes.
Water safe and clean.

If there is a cut or blood

Cut or blood spill (six steps)

Stop the service. Tell the client calmly.
Put on gloves. Press clean gauze on the cut until the bleeding stops. Do not use only alcohol on cotton: in the Volta study, 40% of observed cuts were cleaned only with alcohol-soaked cotton.
Cover with a clean plaster.
Put used gauze in a closed bag. Put sharp things in a hard container (a thick plastic bottle with a lid is a common substitute).
Clean, then disinfect the tool and the surface. Take off the gloves. Wash your hands.
Write it in the logbook: date, what happened, what you did.

If you are cut by a used tool, wash with soap and water and go to a clinic quickly. Exact steps for a salon worker were not verified: ask the clinic.

Eye make-up hygiene

The US FDA advises: never share eye make-up; use single-use applicators; replace mascara every 2 to 4 months; throw away dried-out mascara and never add water or saliva; do not put on eye make-up in a moving vehicle; wash hands first; and stop any product that irritates the eyes. Do not apply eye make-up on a client with an eye infection or inflamed skin around the eye.

Mistakes and fixes

Mistake	Fix
Wiping a tool with a cloth and calling it clean	Wash it with soap and water first, then disinfect
Reusing a file or orange stick	Single-use: throw it away or give it to the client
Same gloves for two clients	New gloves each time, hands washed before and after
Diluting alcohol "to save money"	Use it as sold; follow the label
Brush put straight back in the drawer	Wash, disinfect, dry, then store covered

Cost the hygiene (all figures are examples)

A pack of 100 nitrile gloves costs GH¢60. One manicure uses one pair (2 gloves), one file at GH¢0.50, one buffer at GH¢0.50, two orange sticks at GH¢0.20 each, and paper towel and cotton at GH¢0.60. (1) What is the cost of one pair of gloves? (2) What is the single-use cost of one manicure? (3) What do 30 manicures a week cost in single-use items?

Clean station day

Wash your hands while a partner times you.
Set up a clean tray and a used tray, with a bin and a sharps container.
Clean, then disinfect, a set of brushes and tweezers, following the label's contact time.
Practise the six-step cut response with a trainer playing the client.
Fill in a daily hygiene checklist.

Ask a clinic

Visit a clinic or hospital. Ask: (1) how to get the hepatitis B vaccine, (2) the full schedule, (3) the cost. Write the answers in your logbook. Also write down what you do each day that could carry an infection.

Check yourself

Which comes first, cleaning or disinfecting?
How long should a full hand wash take?
Name three things you throw away or give to the client after one manicure.

Unit 2 · Skin types, consultation, consent and patch tests

Know the skin and the person before you touch either.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
2.1 Know skin types	finds a client's skin type with the simple test
2.2 Run a consultation	fills in the consultation form and asks the key questions
2.3 Take consent	explains the service and gets signed or written consent
2.4 Do a patch test	does a patch test, records it and reads the result
2.5 Know when to stop	names the signs of a serious reaction and acts

Range. Mock clients and volunteers. Evidence. Consultation forms; patch-test record; observation.

Skin types: the simple test

Find the skin type

Ask the client to wash the face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry.
Put on nothing: no cream, no make-up.
Wait 30 to 60 minutes.
Look and feel in good light.
Write down what you see.

What you see	Skin type
Tight, rough or flaky	Dry
Shiny all over	Oily
Shiny only on forehead, nose and chin	Combination
Red, stinging or itchy easily	Sensitive
None of these	Normal

Check: you wrote the skin type and the date on the form. Dry skin on a deeper skin tone looks ashy or grey.

The 30–60 minute wait is common training practice, not from a named source.

The consultation form

No Ghana law with a standard beauty-consent form was found. A written form is good practice and mirrors the way beauty therapists are trained in other countries. Keep these fields:

Name, phone (WhatsApp), date of birth. Under 18: a parent or guardian agrees.
Allergies to products, latex, nuts, fragrance, glue.
Medicines: skin tablets or creams, blood thinners.
Conditions: diabetes, epilepsy, pregnancy, eczema, skin infections.
Reactions before to make-up, polish, creams.
Contact lenses (for eye make-up).
The service and products used (brand, batch, date).
Patch-test result.
Aftercare given.
Consent (signature, or a message reply on WhatsApp).
Photo permission for your portfolio.

Keep the forms in a closed folder. Client records are personal data. Ghana has a data protection law (Act 843); this module did not check its sections, so ask your trainer before storing many records.

Do not do the service if: the skin is broken, red, swollen, infected or very painful; the client has had a reaction to the product before; or you are not sure. Send the client to a doctor (Unit 6).

Consent: say it, then ask

Take consent

Say what you will do, how long it takes and what products you will use.
Say what could go wrong (redness, itching, allergy).
Ask if the client has questions.
Ask the client to sign or reply "yes" on the form.
Say the client may stop at any time.

Patch test

A patch test checks for an allergy before the full service. The NHS says to test a hair dye at least 48 hours before use, that a reaction can take up to 72 hours to appear, and that on brown or black skin a reaction may look darker brown, purple or grey, or be harder to see. Watch for stinging, burning, itchy rash, dryness, tightness, soreness or blisters. Hair dye is covered in Hairdressing and Barbering.

Course rule. Test any new product that is not on the client's skin already (a new cream, foundation, primer, mask) on the inner forearm at least 48 hours before you use it on the face. Follow the product's own instructions as well. This rule is course practice, not a law.

Patch test

Wash your hands and put on gloves.
Clean a small area of inner forearm.
Put a small amount of the product on it, in a thin layer.
Do not wash it off. Tell the client to keep the area dry and not to scratch.
Write on the form: date, product, place, time.
After 48 hours, look in daylight and ask how it feels. Look for darker patches, not only redness.
Write the result. If there is any reaction, do not use the product. Wash it off and refer if it gets worse.

When it is an emergency

The NHS lists these urgent signs: sudden swelling of lips, mouth, throat or tongue; fast or difficult breathing or wheezing; a tight throat or trouble swallowing; blue, grey or pale lips or skin; sudden confusion, drowsiness or dizziness; fainting. Call for help and go to the nearest hospital at once. Do not leave the client alone. The national ambulance number was not verified; write the number you confirm for Takoradi in your logbook.

Mistakes and fixes

Mistake	Fix
Skipping the form for a "quick" client	A form takes 5 minutes. Do it every time.
Missing a dark-skin reaction because it is not red	Ask how it feels and look for darker or grey patches
Using the client's old product pot	Use a spatula and a fresh portion
Promising to "cure" a skin problem	You do not treat skin problems. Refer.

Plan a patch test

A client books bridal make-up for Saturday at 08:00 and wants a new foundation you have not used on her. By which day and time must the patch test be on her arm? When should you check?

Mock consultation

Work in pairs. One is the client, one the beautician.
Fill in a full consultation form.
Give consent, then do a patch test on the inner forearm with a neutral cream.
Swap roles.
Put both forms in your logbook.

Ask three people

Ask three adults about their skin: is it dry, oily, combination, sensitive or normal? Write what they said and the reason (shiny, tight, etc.). Draw the skin-type table from memory.

Check yourself

How long before a service should a patch test be done?
Name two signs of a serious reaction.
What do you do if a client has a rash and wants make-up on it?

Unit 3 · Basic skincare routines and sun protection for darker skin

Good make-up sits on healthy skin. Three simple steps are enough: cleanse, moisturise, protect.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
3.1 Explain the routine	names the three steps and why
3.2 Build a routine	writes a simple routine for each skin type
3.3 Protect from the sun	explains how and when to use sunscreen on deep skin
3.4 Know the limits	says what skincare is not (no treatment, no bleaching)

Range. Face care, mock clients. Evidence. Routine sheets; oral questions.

The three steps

The American Academy of Dermatology advice, as reported in summaries, is to keep skin care to three steps: cleanse, moisturise, protect. Wash the face twice a day and after sweating, use fingertips and not hard scrubbing, moisturise damp skin, and choose fragrance-free products. For dry skin, creams and ointments work better than thin lotions.

A basic face routine

Wash your hands.
Cleanse: wet the face, use a gentle cleanser with fingertips for about 30 seconds, rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry.
Moisturise while the skin is still a little damp.
Protect: in the morning, finish with sunscreen (below).
At night, cleanse again (and remove make-up first) and moisturise. No sunscreen needed at night.
Once or twice a week, a gentle exfoliation only if the skin allows it. Never scrub hard.

Check: the skin feels clean, not tight or stinging.

Routine by skin type (examples)

Skin type	Cleanser	Moisturiser	Extra
Dry	Gentle, creamy	Cream or plain shea butter (nkuto) in a thin layer	Do not over-wash
Oily	Gentle, light	Light, water-based gel	Do not squeeze spots
Combination	Gentle	Light cream	Thinner layer on the shiny zone
Sensitive	Fragrance-free	Fragrance-free	Patch test everything
Normal	Gentle	Light cream	Keep it simple

Shea butter and coconut oil (kube ngo) are local, but sources disagree about whether cocoa butter can cause spots, and this was not settled. Patch test any new butter or oil and stop if spots appear. The bold local names (samina, nkuto, kube ngo) are common Twi words: check the word your clients use.

Sun protection for deep skin

Darker skin has more melanin, but this is not full protection. Wear broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, every day.
Put it on about 15 minutes before going out, and again every 2 hours and after sweating.
Do not forget ears, neck, lips, hands, feet and the tops of the toes.
Clouds can block as little as about 20% of UV, so wear it on cloudy days too.
Some mineral sunscreens leave a white cast. Test one on the client's skin and choose a formula that blends in.
Skin cancer in people of colour is often found late, so any sore that will not heal or a spot that changes should be seen by a doctor.
Local sunscreen availability and price in Takoradi were not verified: check pharmacies and note what you find.

Dark marks (hyperpigmentation)

After spots or irritation, deeper skin can keep dark marks. The AAD advice is to treat the acne or irritation first, not to squeeze spots, and to be patient: a few weeks for any change. Overuse of lightening products can irritate the skin and make it darker and uneven in patches. You never give or recommend lightening products. Tell the client to see a doctor (Unit 6).

Skincare is not treatment. Do not promise to cure acne, eczema, fungal rash, dark marks or scars. Skin care here means keeping healthy skin clean, soft and protected. Anything medical goes to a doctor.

Mistakes and fixes

Mistake	Fix
Scrubbing hard to "remove" dark marks	Hard scrubbing irritates and can darken skin. Be gentle.
Skipping sunscreen because "my skin is dark"	Wear SPF 30 or higher every day
Many new products at once	One new product at a time, so you know which one caused a reaction
Chalky white sunscreen	Try another formula; test before buying

Write a routine

With a partner, find the skin type (Unit 2).
Write a three-step routine for the morning and for the night.
Choose a sunscreen: read the label for SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum and water-resistant.
Test the sunscreen on the partner's jaw. Does it leave a white cast?
Teach the routine back to your partner.

Sunscreen survey

Visit two pharmacies or shops. Write down three sunscreens, the SPF, the size and the price. Which one would suit deep skin and your budget?

Check yourself

What are the three steps of the basic routine?
What SPF should you use, and how often should you reapply?
Can you give a client a cream to lighten dark marks?

Unit 4 · Make-up basics and shade matching for dark skin tones

The right shade, clean tools and a steady hand. Make-up should look like the client, only better.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
4.1 Prepare the kit and client	cleans the kit, takes consent and prepares the skin
4.2 Match foundation	finds the right shade and undertone for deep skin
4.3 Apply a simple day look	follows the 12-step order
4.4 Plan a bridal or event job	plans time and a trial
4.5 Clean up	washes tools and records the job

Range. Mock clients with deep and medium skin tones. Evidence. Photos (with consent); observation; logbook.

Starter kit and where to find it

Item	Notes
Foundation (3 or more deep shades, warm and cool)	Do not buy only one shade
Concealer, setting powder	Match the shade to the skin; test first
Brushes: foundation, powder, blush, eye shadow, brow	Washable; keep covered
Sponges (wedge and round)	Single-client use
Spatulas and a palette	For taking product from pots
Disposable mascara wands, lip applicators	Single-use
Eye shadow palette (neutral, bronze, brown, berry)
Brow pencil, eye pencil, lip liner, lipsticks
Blush (deep berry, orange, bronze)	Warm tones show on dark skin
Setting spray, tissue, cotton, wipes
Mirror and a lamp with daylight bulb

Jiji Ghana listings seen in October 2026: most make-up kits were between GH¢99 and GH¢270, and kits to GH¢1,200 also appeared; a 32-piece brush set was GH¢470 and a 12-piece brush set GH¢180. These were asking prices from Accra-based listings (delivery extra), not Takoradi shop prices. Quality varies: check ingredients, look for a registered product (Unit 6), and avoid unlabelled or loose-packed make-up. Ask where local artists buy, for example in your nearest market and pharmacies; availability in Takoradi was not verified.

A Ghanaian artist, Faruza Yakubu of FY Glam Studio, started with a few products from Madina Market, about two fair and two dark shades, and said artists can mix products to make a shade, so a beginner does not need to own every colour. Mixing is allowed only with your own clean tools and fresh product on a palette, never in the pot.

Foundation shade matching for deep skin

Match a foundation (6 steps)

Depth: decide light, medium, deep or very deep.
Undertone: warm (golden or yellow), cool (rosy or blue) or neutral. The wrist-vein test can be unclear on deep skin, so use it only as a start.
Swatch two or three close shades in a stripe along the jawline and also at the neck, not on the hand.
Daylight: check by a window. Wait 10 minutes, because some foundations darken (oxidise).
Too pink, move warmer; too yellow or orange, move cooler.
If no shade fits, mix two on a palette with a clean spatula.

Check: at the jaw and neck you cannot see where the foundation stops.

The steps come from beauty-brand guides, not from a regulator. Treat them as good practice.

The 12-step face (day look)

Simple day look

Wash your hands and set the clean tray. Put on gloves if you will touch the skin a lot.
Consult and take consent (Unit 2). Ask about allergies, contact lenses and the event. Remove any old make-up.
Skin: cleanse, moisturise, SPF. Wait one minute.
Primer only if the skin is oily or the pores are large.
Colour correct if needed: for dark circles on deep skin an orange or peach corrector.
Foundation: dot on the centre of the face, blend outward with a sponge or brush, and blend into the jaw and neck.
Concealer under the eyes and on spots. A little powder where it is oily.
Brows: map them (start in line with the nostril, arch above the outer edge of the iris, end on a line from the nostril past the outer eye corner). Fill in with light, hair-like strokes. Do not wax, thread or tint brows at this level.
Eyes: a neutral lid colour, a deeper crease colour, blend well. Liner close to the lashes. Mascara last, with a fresh disposable wand.
Cheeks: blush in warm berry, orange or bronze; a little highlight on the high points.
Lips: wipe and moisten, liner, then lipstick taken from the stick with a spatula and put on with a clean applicator. Never put a used stick on another client.
Set with a little powder or spray. Check from different angles, in daylight, and under a phone flash. Give the client blotting paper.

After the client: wash and disinfect brushes, wipe the palette, throw away single-use items, write the job in the logbook.

Most steps (the order of the face, brow map, blush colours) are standard training practice, not taken from one source. The eye-safety rules come from Unit 1.

Level 1 limits. Do not do eyelash extensions, eyelash or brow dyes, kohl or kajal, tattooing of brows, needles, lancing or chemical peels. The FDA warns that permanent lash and brow dyes can cause serious eye injury, even blindness, and that kohl and kajal can contain lead. Ghana's own rule on these was not verified: so do not do them.

Bridal and event jobs

Do a trial first. Take a photo of the planned look and book a date, time and place. One Accra artist offers a single bridal booking of 60 to 90 minutes.
Plan the day: start time, travel time, set-up time, a buffer, and touch-ups.
Use waterproof mascara, long-wear foundation and setting spray. Test the look under a phone flash.
Patch test any new product first (Unit 2). Never skip it before a wedding.
Hygiene is the same at a bride's house: clean hands, clean tools, a clean surface.

Plan a wedding morning

A bride's ceremony is at 11:00 and she must be photo-ready at 09:30. Her look takes 90 minutes. You need 20 minutes to set up, 40 minutes to travel from your home and you want a 30-minute buffer. What time must you leave home?

Mistakes and fixes

Mistake	Fix
Ashy or grey face after foundation	The shade is too light or the wrong undertone: re-swatch at the jaw, try a warmer shade, mix
A line at the jaw	Blend down the neck; match the neck, not only the face
Flashback (white face in photos)	Use less powder with reflective particles; test with a phone flash
Creasing under the eyes	Less concealer; set lightly; moisturise first
Heavy blush that disappears	Switch to warm berry, orange or bronze for deep skin
Client says "my skin is itchy"	Stop, wash it off, check the product list, refer if needed

Practice day

Match foundation on two classmates with different skin tones (follow the six steps).
Do the full 12-step day look on one of them. Time yourself.
Take a photo (with permission) in daylight and under flash.
Clean and disinfect all tools. Write the job in your logbook.
Get your partner's feedback in writing.

Look at skin tones

Look at ten people in daylight. For each, write depth (light to deep) and undertone (warm, cool, neutral). Draw the six matching steps from memory.

Check yourself

Where do you swatch foundation, and why not on the hand?
Why do you wait about 10 minutes before choosing?
Name two things you do not do at this level.

Unit 5 · Manicure and pedicure step by step

Hands and feet show care. Nails are small, but cuts and infections are real.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
5.1 Prepare tools and client	cleans tools, takes consent, checks hands and feet
5.2 Do a manicure	follows the nine steps in order
5.3 Do a pedicure	follows the pedicure steps and the diabetes safety rules
5.4 Know when not to work	names conditions that mean "refer"
5.5 Close the job	cleans, disinfects, throws away and records

Range. Mock clients, volunteers. Evidence. Observation; logbook; photos (with consent).

Tools and materials

Item	Notes
Nitrile gloves, masks	New gloves each client
Nail files, buffers, orange sticks	Single-use
Cuticle pusher (metal)	Cleaned and disinfected after each client
Nail clippers, small scissors, tweezers	Cleaned and disinfected after each client; one set per client at Level 1
Foot file with replaceable pads	Replace the pad each client
Foot basin and liners	New liner each pedicure; wash and disinfect the basin
Base coat, colour, top coat, remover, cotton	Keep bottles closed
Hand and foot cream, cuticle oil	Use a spatula from a pot
Alcohol wipes, disinfectant, paper towel
Towels	Fresh per client
Hard sharps container, covered bin

Jiji Ghana listings seen in October 2026: a 24-piece manicure and pedicure set at GH¢199, a mini nail lamp from about GH¢40, an arm-rest nail table at GH¢300 and a 268 W UV LED lamp at GH¢240. These are Accra-based asking prices, not Takoradi prices. The lamp is for gel work, which this level does not teach.

Gel, acrylic and extensions are not Level 1. NIOSH, the US workplace-health institute, says nail workers can be exposed to many chemicals, with effects such as rash, eye, nose and throat irritation, and asthma. Good ventilation, closed bottles, no eating at the station, gloves and a proper respirator are some of its advice. Keep the room well ventilated even for polish and remover, and keep bottles closed.

Manicure: nine steps

Manicure

Wash your hands, put on gloves. Ask about cuts, infections, diabetes, pregnancy and allergies (the form from Unit 2).
Wash the client's hands. Do not work on broken, infected or fungal skin or nails: stop and refer (Unit 6).
Remove old polish with remover on cotton.
Shape: file in one direction, not back and forth. Square, round or oval.
Cuticles: soften with cuticle remover or a short warm-water soak (long soaks soften the skin and make cuts more likely). Gently push the cuticle back. Trim only loose dead skin. Do not cut the living cuticle.
Buff lightly. Wipe the nail plate with an alcohol wipe.
Polish: base coat, two thin coats of colour, top coat. Wrap the tip of the nail.
Moisturise with a short hand massage and give cuticle oil.
Close: clean and disinfect tools, throw away single-use items, take off the gloves, wash your hands, log.

Check: nails are all the same shape and length, the polish is smooth with no streaks and no skin was cut.

Steps 1 and 3 to 9 are standard training practice. The advice not to clip cuticles comes from foot-care doctors for people with diabetes, who say push back, do not cut, because cuticles protect.

Pedicure: steps and safety

Ask about diabetes at the start. People with diabetes can have pedicures but should skip salon pedicures if they have nerve damage (reduced feeling), poor blood flow, thick calluses, an infection or an ulcer, open cuts, or athlete's foot or a fungal infection. They should see a doctor or foot specialist. Salon rules from the same advice: water not too hot; do not clip cuticles; cut toenails straight across; do not file calluses hard; avoid foot razors and blade callus removal; keep lotion off between the toes; check the feet afterwards for cuts, redness or swelling.

Pedicure

Wash your hands, put on gloves. Check the form (diabetes, cuts, infection).
Look at both feet. If you see broken skin, a sore, swelling, or thick, yellow or crumbly nails, stop and refer.
Put a clean liner in a cleaned and disinfected basin. Fill with comfortably warm water (test it on your own wrist).
Soak the feet 5 to 10 minutes.
Dry the feet well, including between the toes.
Remove old polish. Push cuticles back gently. Do not cut them.
Clip toenails straight across. File smooth.
Gently smooth the heel with a clean file pad. No blades, no razors, no hard filing.
Wash the feet, dry them, polish (base, two thin colour coats, top coat).
Massage with cream, but not between the toes.
Throw away the liner, file and separators. Clean and disinfect the basin and tools. Wash your hands. Log.

Steps 1 to 11 are standard practice assembled by the course writer, with the safety points from Reid Pedicure Diabetes.

Tell clients: do not shave your legs just before a pedicure, and ask for a fresh liner and a new file. Polish can hide fungal changes on nails, so give nails a rest after a few weeks.

Mistakes and fixes

Mistake	Fix
Cut the skin	Stop; follow the cut response in Unit 1; do not continue on that finger
Thick, bubbly polish	Thinner coats; wait between coats; keep the bottle closed and the brush wiped
Polish on the skin	Use a flat orange stick with a little cotton and remover to clean the edges
Uneven nails	File the same way, check each nail against the first
Ingrown or sore nail edge	Do not dig. Stop and send to a doctor

Price a manicure (all figures are examples)

One manicure takes 45 minutes. Single-use items and polish use cost GH¢4. You want to earn GH¢20 an hour for your time. Overhead (water, power, rent share) is GH¢3 per manicure. What is the cost? What price gives 30% profit on cost?

Manicure and pedicure day

Set up two trays and gloves.
Do a full manicure on a partner, following the nine steps. Time yourself.
Do a full pedicure on a partner, following the eleven steps.
Clean and disinfect the tools. Throw away single-use items.
Take a photo of the finished nails (with permission) and log it.

Foot and hand care

Make a one-page leaflet for clients: 5 rules for healthy nails and feet. Include diabetes and do not shave before a pedicure.

Check yourself

Which tools do you throw away after a manicure?
Why not cut the cuticle?
A client with diabetes has an open sore on a toe. What do you do?

Unit 6 · Safe products: labels, banned ingredients, skin bleaching and referral

You are trusted with other people's skin. Use only safe, registered products, and never use or sell skin bleach.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
6.1 Read a label	finds name, ingredients, expiry, registration and storage
6.2 Know banned ingredients	names mercury, hydroquinone and steroids as banned and explains the harm
6.3 Refuse skin bleaching	declines politely and refers
6.4 Store products safely	stores and labels products
6.5 Refer	names conditions to send to a doctor

Range. Real product packs. Evidence. Label-reading sheet; role play; observation.

What the law says

In Ghana, cosmetics are registered with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), section 118.
A "cosmetic" is a product to clean, improve or change the skin, hair, eyes or teeth. A product that claims to treat or cure disease is a drug.
Banned substances in the FDA guideline include all mercury-based products and hydroquinones and their derivatives. Products containing steroids are considered drugs and are not allowed in cosmetics.
Banned products can be confiscated and destroyed, and registrations cancelled.
The 2017 FDA notice said hydroquinone "ceases to be part of ingredients permitted in cosmetic products", and listed harms such as skin thinning, poor wound healing and permanent stretch marks.
In January 2019 the FDA listed 41 products from 9 companies that contained mercury, hydroquinone and steroids and ordered recall. Harms named: brain and nerve damage in children, kidney and liver problems, birth defects, skin infection, skin cancer and darkened, disfigured skin.
On 26 June 2026, the FDA announced it had seized 4,504 unregistered, fake or potentially hazardous cosmetics in a one-week exercise across 15 regions. It advised buying cosmetics only from licensed outlets and checking registration.
Steroid creams sold for lightening are prescription-only medicines, and harms named include thin skin, bruising, acne, permanent stretch marks and, around the eyes, glaucoma and cataracts. Names in that warning included Betnovate, Dermovate, Tenovate, Lemonvate, Epiderm and Dexacort.

How to check a registration number: the FDA's own method was not verified. Ask your FDA regional office (the Western Region office address was not verified) before you buy stock.

Mercury

WHO calls mercury skin-lightening products hazardous, notes that they are banned in many countries but still sold online and in other ways, and also flags hydroquinone. On a label, mercury can appear as "mercurous chloride", "calomel", "mercuric" or "mercurio". Mercury is most dangerous for pregnant women, babies and young children, and can reach other people in the home through fumes or towels. Do not use a product with no label, or with an ingredients list not in a language you can read.

Skin bleaching: our firm rule

Many Ghanaians report using skin-lightening products: a WHO regional fact sheet reported by the Graphic puts the national figure near 39%, and studies range from about 30% to 66%. This means clients will ask you. The rule is simple:

Never sell, apply, mix, inject or recommend skin bleaching or lightening. This means no creams, soaps, injections, tablets or "glutathione" offers, and no home "mixes". Say: "I am sorry, I do not do that. It can harm your skin and your health. Please see a doctor if you are worried about your skin colour or dark marks." Then offer a safe service such as a basic skincare routine and sunscreen.

Reading a label

Read a label (6 checks)

Name and what it is for.
Ingredients list, readable. Look for mercury names and hydroquinone. If you cannot read it, do not use it.
Registration with the FDA shown on the pack (the format was not verified: ask the FDA region).
Expiry date or the "period after opening" sign. Do not use out of date products.
Maker and address, and batch number.
Storage: keep in a cool, dry place. The US FDA advises not to leave products in a hot car. Check: you wrote the six items for three real products, and put aside any that fail.

Storing and decanting

Keep products closed, cool and dry, away from sunlight.
Label any product you pour into another container with the name, the date and the maker. Do not decant unlabelled products.
Throw away anything out of date, dried out, smelly, separated or unlabelled.
Keep a list of products used on each client (Unit 2).
Check the product's safety instructions before using it.

When to refer to a doctor

Beauty advice sheets from salons and spa suppliers say to refer, not treat: nodular or cystic acne, widespread or scarring acne, acne that does not improve after several weeks of consistent care, a changing mole, rashes, skin that is not healing, signs of infection. In deeper skin tones, skin cancer is often found late, so refer any sore that does not heal, or a spot that changes. A dark streak or band in a nail should be seen by a doctor (this is general medical advice and was not verified in a source for this module).

Also refer: thick or discoloured toenails, athlete's foot, any diabetic foot problem, scalp ringworm (see Hairdressing and Barbering), any eye infection, any reaction from Unit 2, and any request for lightening products.

Stop the service; do not apply anything.
Say it kindly: "This needs a doctor. I do not want to make it worse."
Write on the form what you saw and what you advised.
Do not name a medicine or a diagnosis.
Suggest a clinic or hospital; ask them to come back when cleared.

Label check

A friend brings you a cream with a bright jar, no ingredients list, and a promise: "Lightens in 7 days". (1) Name three things wrong. (2) What do you say to your friend?

Role play

Work in pairs. One is a client asking for a lightening cream, one is the beautician.
Refuse politely, explain the harm and offer a safe service.
Swap roles.
Read the label of three real products and find the registration, the expiry and the ingredients.
Write what you learned in the logbook.

Shop check

Visit a pharmacy and a shop selling cosmetics. Read the labels of five products. Write which had a clear ingredients list and an expiry date. Do not buy anything unlabelled.

Check yourself

Name two ingredients that Ghana's FDA bans in cosmetics.
A client asks for a lightening cream. What do you say and do?
Name two skin problems you refer to a doctor.

Unit 7 · Location, business ideas, marketing and access

Put your service where people pass, keep it clean and safe, and let your work speak.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
7.1 Choose a location	scores sites with the checklist
7.2 Know the fees	finds the permit and fees to ask about
7.3 Plan a business	chooses one model and a start-up list
7.4 Price a service	prices with all costs
7.5 Market yourself	builds a portfolio and online profile with consent
7.6 Include everyone	plans access for clients and trainees with disabilities

Range. The trainee's own plan. Evidence. Location report; costing; portfolio; one-page plan.

Choosing a location

Footfall. Near schools, markets, estates, churches, offices, lorry stations.
Visible and easy to find, with room for a sign.
Running water for hand washing, and steady power.
Privacy for facials and similar services (later levels), and daylight for make-up.
Fresh air for nail polish and remover.
Lockable storage for products.
Rent you can afford. Ghana's Rent Act limits advance rent to six months, though many Takoradi landlords still ask for one or two years.
Access for all: a step-free entrance and room for a wheelchair.

Fees and permits: ask, do not guess

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) 2025 fee table lists, per year, a small salon at GH¢100, a salon with pedicure, manicure and braiding at GH¢760, and cosmetic and hair product retail at GH¢200.
No row for a make-up studio, nail kiosk or spa was checked. No national salon licence and no Ghana law specific to beauty salons were found. The STMA business permit portal is at tcc.stma.gov.gh.
Phone the STMA Environmental Health Unit before you open. Ask: what permit, what fee and what inspection apply to (a) a nail kiosk, (b) a make-up studio, (c) a facial or waxing room. Whether a mobile make-up artist needs a permit was also not verified.
Selling cosmetics means FDA-registered products only (Unit 6).

Business ideas

Model	What it is	Notes
Mobile beauty	You go to the client: weddings, funerals, school events	Carry a clean kit; hygiene is the same; plan travel time
Bridal packages	Trial, wedding day, touch-ups	Offer tiers; take a deposit; set a cancellation rule
Nail kiosk	Manicure and pedicure in a small space	Needs water, ventilation, a lockable box
Home studio	A clean room at home	Women have opened home salons to cut costs
Combined salon	Hair, nails and make-up together	Auratress is a Takoradi hair and beauty business
Product retail	FDA-registered products only	Check the registration
Train an apprentice	After you are skilled and clean	Teach hygiene first

In Western Region, GHABA, the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association, has examined aspiring hairdressers and beauticians. Ask the local branch about being examined.

What do beauty services cost?

All of these are asking prices seen in October 2026 and are not Takoradi prices:

An Accra freelance make-up artist: Silver bridal booking GH¢500 (one session, 60 to 90 minutes); a combo of engagement and wedding on one day GH¢800; three-day packages around GH¢1,200.
Jiji bridal make-up listings: from GH¢150 to GH¢1,000 per service, and one combo of make-up, hair, nails and pedicure at GH¢1,500; no Western Region listing was found. Some listings looked unreliable.
Takoradi prices for manicure, pedicure and make-up were not found. The homework asks you to collect them.

Start-up budget and monthly costs (examples)

A small nail kiosk (all figures are examples except the Jiji prices)

Start-up list: a 24-piece manicure set GH¢199; a UV LED lamp GH¢240 (only if you add gel later; keep it in your plan as an example); an arm-rest table GH¢300. Add polish and base and top coats GH¢150 and disinfectant, gloves and cotton GH¢80 (examples). Monthly costs: rent GH¢300, power GH¢100, supplies GH¢200 (examples), and the STMA "salon with pedicure, manicure and braiding" permit of GH¢760 a year spread over 12 months. You do 3 services a day for 20 days a month and charge GH¢30 each (example). (1) What is the start-up total? (2) What is the monthly cost? (3) What is the cost per service? (4) What is the monthly profit before your own food and transport?

Deposit for a bridal booking (example)

A bridal client agrees a price of GH¢700 (example) and a deposit of 30%. How much is the deposit, and how much is left to pay?

Market yourself

Portfolio: photos of your work (before and after, with the client's permission). Keep 10 good ones.
WhatsApp Business (free): a catalogue for your services and prices, quick replies, labels for clients. The limits in that blog may be out of date: check in the app.
Google Business Profile (free): puts you on Google Maps with photos, hours and reviews.
Clean, kind and on time: clients tell friends.
A price list and a booking rule (deposit, cancellation).
Reviews: ask volunteers for a short review.
Never post a photo without permission (Unit 2). Do not post a client's before-and-after if she says no.

A Ghanaian make-up artist grew by reinvesting, registering the business and then opening a studio.

Accessibility: who can do which tasks

The roles below are suggestions for you and your trainer to try with real trainees. They are not rules and were not tested in Ghana.

Trainee or client	Workable tasks	Adjustments that help
Deaf or hard of hearing	Make-up, nails, skincare	Picture charts; a written or WhatsApp consultation form; face the client; a light signal for the timer
Wheelchair user	Make-up and nails at a table; mobile or home studio	An adjustable-height table; room to move; lamp and tools at reach
Low vision	Skincare, hand and foot care; make-up with a partner	A bright lamp and magnifier lamp; textured labels; tools in the same place
Limited hand strength	Make-up with light brushes; skincare	Light tools with thick grips; a seated station; breaks
Breathing or allergy problems	Make-up and skincare	Avoid strong fumes; nitrile gloves; good ventilation

A deaf hairdresser in Ghana has built a business, and the STMA gave barbering and hairdressing tools to persons with disabilities in 2025. For clients: a step-free entrance, space for a wheelchair, a seat at table height, a written price list, text confirmations for Deaf clients, and patience with clients who speak slowly.

Business plan

Choose a model from the table and write your reasons.
Score two possible places with the location checklist.
List your start-up items and what each costs (use the Jiji ranges as a guide, but write local prices).
Cost one service with all costs (like the exercise) and set a price.
Plan how you will show your work: portfolio, WhatsApp, Google.
Say how a client who uses a wheelchair or is Deaf could use your service.
Write a one-page plan with your business name.

Price survey

Visit five salons or beauty providers in Takoradi, or ask by phone. Write the price for a manicure, pedicure and make-up, and how long each takes. Add them to your logbook. This fills the gap in this manual.

Check yourself

Name two ways to take bookings and show your work online.
What do you check before you open a nail kiosk?
Why take a deposit for a bridal booking?

Glossary

Term	Meaning
Autoclave	A steam-pressure machine that sterilises tools
Banned ingredient	An ingredient the FDA does not allow in cosmetics: mercury, hydroquinone, steroids and others
Clean	Remove dirt and blood with soap and water
Consent	The client's agreement to a service after you explain it
Consultation	The questions you ask before a service
Cuticle	The thin skin at the base of the nail
Disinfect	Kill most germs on a cleaned item
FDA	Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority
Foundation	Make-up that evens out skin colour
Hepatitis B	A virus that infects the liver; spread by blood and body fluids
Hyperpigmentation	Dark patches on the skin
Nitrile gloves	Disposable gloves that are safer for people allergic to latex
Oxidise	When foundation darkens after it meets air
Patch test	A small skin test to check for an allergy
Refer	Send a client to a doctor
SPF	Sun protection factor: how well sunscreen blocks sun
Sterilise	Kill all germs, usually with steam under pressure
Undertone	The warm, cool or neutral colour under the skin surface

Logbook

Unit 1: hygiene checklist; clinic visit notes; cuts and spills
Unit 2: consultation forms; patch-test records
Unit 3: routine sheets; sunscreen survey
Unit 4: shade-matching notes; day-look records; photos with consent
Unit 5: manicure and pedicure records; leaflet
Unit 6: label-reading sheets; role play notes; shop check
Unit 7: location scores; costing; plan; price survey
Every homework, dated

Self-check quiz

What are the three words clean, disinfect and sterilise, and which comes first?
How long should a full hand wash take?
Why do you treat every client as possibly infected?
How long before a service should a patch test be done?
Name two signs of a serious allergic reaction.
What are the three steps of a basic skincare routine?
What SPF do you use on deep skin, and how often do you reapply it?
Where do you swatch foundation, and why wait about 10 minutes?
Which cosmetic ingredients does Ghana's FDA ban?
What do you do when a client asks for a skin-lightening cream?
Name two things you refer to a doctor.
Name three steps to check before you open a beauty business.