Cosmetology Licenses Issues In Indiana

Cosmetology can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians. It was the Egyptian women who gave a lot of importance to hair care, nails, skin, and overall beauty. The Egyptians had a unique approach to their beauty treatments. They were known to carry out extensive researches in the field of beauty, and this was back in the days of the Pharaohs! The Egyptians also enjoy the distinction of being the first ethnic group to actually extract beautifying ingredients from natural resources. They were also known to carry out long and elaborate beauty rituals. Bathing was a big affair back then. Modern day spas help throw a small percentage of light on what was the bathing rituals of the ancient Egyptians. Egyptian women even wore wigs to accentuate their looks. The use of beauty oils and other such products was also not uncommon in ancient Egypt. Pictorial depictions of ancient Egyptian women are testimonies to the fact that the Egyptians took their beauty seriously. (Lifestyle Lounge, web 4/3/2012)

All Cosmetology licenses are regulated and issued by the IPLA. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) is an umbrella agency for thirty-five (35) boards, commissions and committees that regulate over seventy (70) occupations ranging from physicians, real estate brokers and engineers to dentists, barbers and accountants. Some of the IPLA boards also have regulatory authority over businesses such as pharmacies, tanning salons, and home medical equipment providers. The Regulated Occupations Evaluation Committee (ROEC) was created by the Indiana General Assembly pursuant to IC 25-1-16. The Committee was charged with the responsibility to review and evaluate professions regulated by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency at least once every seven years. Additionally, the Committee is to make recommendations after their review and evaluation. (REOC 12/16/2011)

The ROEC committee's recommendation is to eliminate the Cosmetology and Barber Board in its entirety including 25 license types (including 5 temporary license types) associated with the Cosmetology and Barber Board. They further say that information presented to the ROEC board did not warrant high scores among the ROEC Board members for risk related to the Cosmetology and Barber Board license types. The presentations described risks including burns, abrasions, allergic reactions, hair loss and infections. While the risks are real, the ROEC Board scored the degree of risk relatively low in comparison to risks that might be seen in other profession such as nurses or doctors.(ROEC 12/16/2011). The ROEC committee is basically saying that if the consumer is hurt, they can hire an attorney, if they get a bad haircut, they can switch to another salon. But government regulation is not required. This is the furthest we have ever seen steps to eliminate beauty licenses in the US go. If one state does this, you can be rest assured that others will follow.

The ROEC committee further states that it is not cost effective to regulate licenses but according to an article in Skin Inc. it states that: The bill has had a fiscal impact study done on it and published. The cost to the state is $203,044 to staff and maintain the Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. The 2011 revenue collected as a result of barbering and cosmetology licenses is $983,646 (a difference of $780,602 after costs for administration of staff for the board). (Skin Inc.) With these figures I do not understand how they can justify saying that it is not cost effective to continue regulating our license. Especially when all we here in the news is how the State of Indiana is in such financial despair.

While you may think this does not affect you because you are not a barber or cosmetologist or you do not live in Indiana then let me please say now, it does. This affects everyone. Since I can't list every reason, let me start by explaining just one, Disease Control. I think that's something everyone out there can relate to. I went to Cosmetology School and what I learned there blew my mind. According to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency's curriculum for cosmetology, not only does it consist of the principals of hair cutting and chemical services, but also courses in Infection Control and Diseases, Anatomy and Physiology, Skin and Nail Structure and Growth, and Skin and Nail Disorders. Some of the things that some salons do not practice are horrifying which include sanitization. However, many Salons do take infection very seriously. (World Wide Learn web). Cosmetologists need to know how to spot and advise clients on the most common contagious disease's which consists of:

• Pediculosis. Better known as head lice which consists of three forms, Nits are lice eggs and are hard to see and often confused with dandruff. Then you have the Nymph which are where the nit hatches into a baby louse and finally you have the Adult louse which is about the size of a sesame seed has six legs, and is tan to a grayish-white color. Although this disease can be found in everyone children are the most affected by this disease thru school and outside sports that require helmets. Anyone who comes in close contact with someone who already has head lice, or even their contaminated clothing and other belongings are at risk.
• Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Better known as MRSA, methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus is a staph infection in overdrive. While it's often picked up in hospitals, MRSA can be found anywhere from grocery stores to day cares. Look for pimples or boils that look particularly red or infected. They should be warm to the touch, but never touch them without protective gloves.
• Genital Conditions. Cosmetologists and estheticians that work with bikini waxing should know about the most common contagious genital skin diseases. Genital warts can appear singularly or in small clusters, herpes simplex appears as small sores, and other infections like MRSA can manifest in the genital area. Avoid treating infected areas, and sterilize your workspace. Wearing gloves and exercising caution are the best ways to avoid infection.
• Impetigo. This highly contagious infection mainly affects children and infants. Red sores with a yellowish-brown crust are the hallmark of this itchy infection. In children, the most common form of impetigo forms around the nose and mouth first. Milder cases can be treated by cleaning the skin, but more severe forms will require oral or topical antibiotics.
• Scabies. A burrowing mite is the cause of this itchy rash, which looks like tiny blisters and bumps. Scabies is often found around the scalp and face in children, and elsewhere on the body in adults. Don't touch the rash, and wash your hands if you do. The infestation can be easily treated with a prescription cream or lotion, but bathing and over-the-counter treatments won't work.
• Ringworm. While there's no worm involved, this common skin disease gets under your skin. Look for a red, circular rash with healthy-looking skin in the middle. Ringworm of the scalp, or tinea capitis, is most common among school-age children. Hair dressers specializing in kids' cuts should look for the tell-tale red, itchy bald patches on the scalp

Another Issue that constitutes a license with a Cosmetologist is the ability to properly apply chemical services to the client such as Perms, Hair Color, Bleaching, Relaxers on Ethnic hair. With permanent waving a stylist has to have the knowledge to be able to do a proper scalp analyses. An analysis of the scalp should always be performed prior to any chemical service. They need to look for cuts, scratches, open sores, redness, or flaking. You should never proceed with a service if there are any skin abrasions or signs of scalp disease. Refer the client to a physician as necessary. Hair Analysis is an essential part of any successful hair service. The condition, texture, and wave pattern of the hair must be considered when selecting the type of relaxer, perm type and size of perm rod, and wrapping method.

Cosmetologists have a high risk to their health due to the chemicals that are regularly handled by cosmetologists. As a result of exposure to these and other hazards, an increasing number of people are being forced to leave their chosen profession. Two of the most dangerous chemicals are Dibutyl phthalate and Formaldehyde. Dibutyl phthalate(DBP) is a common ingredient found in nail enamels and hardeners. When a polish is applied, it dries to the nail as some of the other chemicals volatilize. DBP is a chemical that remains on the nail, making the polish less brittle and apt to crack. The chemical may not only be absorbed through the nail, but through the skin as well. When nail-polished hands are washed, small amounts of DBP can leach out of the polish and come into contact with the skin.

The application of nail polish can also provide an opportunity for skin absorption. Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas that presents a health hazard if workers are exposed. You can be exposed to formaldehyde if you breathe it into your lungs, if it gets into your eyes, or if it is contained in a product that gets onto your skin. You can also be exposed accidentally if you touch your face, eat food, or drink after using a product containing formaldehyde without first washing your hands. It can irritate the eyes and nose, and cause coughing and wheezing. Formaldehyde is a "sensitizer," which means that it can cause allergic reactions of the skin, eyes, and lungs such as asthma-like breathing problems and skin rashes and itching. When formaldehyde is in a product that gets sprayed into the eyes, it can damage the eyes and cause blindness. It is also a cancer hazard. Formaldehyde is a health hazard, whether in a product or in the air.

Salon workers should know what chemicals are in their products and how to use them safely in the workplace. Reducing occupational exposure is important to the health and wellness of salon workers as well as their clients. All workers should be trained to read product labels and MSDS sheets. In November, OSHA issued citations and fines to two salons for failing to implement precautions to protect workers from exposure to formaldehyde when using certain hair-smoothing products. Salon owners who decide to use products that may contain or release formaldehyde must follow the requirements of OSHA'S formaldehyde and hazard communication standards to keep workers and clients safe. "We want to make sure that salon owners are aware that if they use these products, they have to implement protective measures such as air monitoring and training." Said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Dr. David Michaels." What is very troubling to the agency is that some of these products clearly expose workers and clients to formaldehyde even when the label states they are `formaldehyde free'. OSHA continues to respond to complaints and referrals of formaldehyde in salons, beauty schools, and manufacturing facilities. (OSHA 18 Dec. 2011).

I can also tell you that while there may be many people out there using scissors without taking it seriously, many who give bad haircuts and color...there will be an even greater amount if people are not required to go to school for it. If the bill passes, if it spreads to state to state, not only will you have complete morons handling harmful chemicals, but who will regulate the steps to insure that there is no spread of disease. Just who will be cutting your hair, doing your nails, giving you a pedicure? What is exactly on their equipment? Maybe you will leave with more than just a new style. Instead of being so high and mighty and trying to pass this, they need to look in the mirror and think about who did those highlights, lowlights, waxing, French tip etc. and remember how it looked when they themselves( non- beauty industry licensed) attempted it, and what professional salon they ran to fix their own mistakes. I would also like to see what they'd say if one of them showed up with scabies or lice after going to an unlicensed hairdresser, We can say that we won the day and made out case and after the overwhelming response and objections the State lawmakers listened and the bill will not be moving forward.

Recently

A strong union of protesters weren't able to stop a controversial labor bill in the Indiana State House, but we as Cosmetologist, "a force to be reckoned with" were able to kill a piece of legislation they loathe. "We're hairdressers, we're all about the drama," With the help of the Suz Haire Salon of Indianapolis they mobilize the protest and enlisted the help of Tabitha Coffey, a professional hairdresser and host of the reality TV show, "Tabitha Takes Over," on Bravo. Coffey issued a call-out to hairdressers across Indiana to contact Indiana lawmakers. We responded in force and many of us showing up on January 20, 2012 and again on Monday the 23rd, joining the crowds of union protesters who were there to oppose the contentious "right to work" legislation that would outlaw mandatory union dues for private-sector workers. Many of the cosmetologists showed up again January 24, 2012 for what was expected to be a committee vote on the bill, only to learn the committee meeting had been canceled. You can imagine the excitement in the air when this was announced. If this bill passed it would have made Indiana the only state in the nation without licensing requirements for hairdressers and barbers.