Wisconsin Esthetics State Board Practice Test

What characterizes soft keratin in the skin?

1. It forms the structure of nails

2. It acts as an occlusive barrier

3. It makes up the skin

4. It prevents acne breakouts

The correct answer is: It makes up the skin

Soft keratin is primarily characterized by its presence in the skin, where it helps to maintain the skin's structure and flexibility. This type of keratin is less dense than hard keratin, which is found in hair and nails. In the skin, soft keratin contributes to its moisture retention and provides a barrier to environmental factors while allowing for elasticity. The other choices represent functions or characteristics of different forms of keratin or other skin components. Hard keratin indeed forms the structure of nails, while options like occlusiveness and preventing acne breakouts may relate to sebum and skin barrier functions rather than specifically to soft keratin itself. This distinction is key to understanding the role of various keratins in skin health and function.