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State of the Pedicure Industry (Interview with Suzanne Foote)

Posted on: June 6th, 2013 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

As societies grow and demographics change, the demand for pedicure services has grown and changed along with it. Nowadays there is a much greater need for pedicures with advanced training as the market continues to grow. We spoke with Suzanne Foote, Executive Director of the International Pedicure Association, to get her take on the foot care industry of today.

Her background in pedicures began when she was a foot care nurse. She became interested in the beauty industry when she started teaching advanced pedicures for the North American School of Podology in 2003.

“I was a nurse first and was teaching nursing when I recognized the need for foot care and got into that,” Foote said.

The International Pedicure Association connects pedicure specialists globally. While the definition of pedicures is the same across countries, in Canada, estheticians and skin care professionals do pedicures, whereas in the U.S. it’s cosmetologists and nail technicians. In Europe, pedicures are their own entity – not paired with manicures or any other beauty service.

“Manicures and pedicures have become a lifestyle,” Foote said. “It’s not something that’s just a special occasion anymore. Very few people get to age 20 or 25 who have not had a manicure and pedicure, but many have not had a facial.”

Industry studies have shown that more teenagers and 20-something’s are enjoying the benefits of advanced foot care like pedicures, and they have more disposable income available to spend on themselves. This, paired with the increased emphasis on looks these days, is yielding more demand for high quality, professional pedicures than previously. Whether it’s young professionals cleaning up to look great for the office, the healthy elderly keeping themselves in top condition, or men embracing new grooming services, the foot care industry is growing at unprecedented levels.

What are people looking for in a pedicurist, and what does it take to become a successful foot care professional?

“The first thing you have to have is a passion for what you’re doing,” Foote advised. “This is a service industry, and there’s a lot of competition out there. You need to be observant, and pay attention to what you see, looking for problems or changes in the client’s skin or nails. You need to be a good listener and really hear what your clients are saying. You need to be detail-oriented and have manual dexterity.”

Foote also added that there are many fungi and bacterial infections to keep an eye out for when working with clients on a regular basis. It goes beyond being immaculate in safety, sanitation and infection control procedures. Pedicurists are in a unique position to recognize problems and help guide clients to both prevent and manage these challenges. (re terminology – Doctors ‘treat’ and we ‘manage – they get upset if we use the word treat)

If you would like to further your career in the pedicuring, skin care or nail care industry, the International Pedicure Association is the only professional association dedicated specifically to pedicures. Benefits of membership include having the credibility of a membership certificate in a reputable professional association to show clients, window decals for cars or salon windows, and an annual seal. Members also gain access to a professional advisory board, and a 10% discount off of a variety of pedicure products and equipment for your business. Liability insurance is also available at a discount due to recognition of the IPA’s emphasis on proper sanitation.

There are varying membership levels for students, professionals, salons and schools.

The IPA also advocates, educates and supports in the pedicure industry. Much of the association’s focus is on continuing education, and they provide free webinars every month on a variety of educational topics, including but not limited to foot and nail care, professional best practices, branding, professional insurance, serving varieties of clientele like men or the elderly, diligence in identifying skin and nail problems of the feet, and more.

“One of the biggest challenges is keeping up to date in the industry,” Foote said. “Things change and it’s hard for people to stay on top of it, but it’s important. Associations such as IPA can do that for members. We’re constantly looking into what’s new, and providing education on that.”

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Beauty Professionals Should Be Licensed, According to U.S. Voters

Posted on: May 16th, 2013 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Regulation and licensure of beauty professionals is a vital component to keeping the field professional, as well as safe and protected for the consumer. Many states are pushing for deregulation of industries, and the cosmetology professions are no exception. The stated goal of deregulation is to increase employment in the field and competition among providers. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a growth rate of at least 14-18% in the cosmetology professions by the year 2020.

In an effort to determine the mood of consumers regarding regulation and licensing of the beauty professions, the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) conducted a national poll in December 2012. The study was completed online immediately following the election of November 2012, and involved 1202 Americans who voted in the 2012 presidential election. The margin of error for the study was +/- 2.83%, which places the confidence level in the results at 95% or more.

The results of the poll were overwhelming: 94% of U.S. voters studied supported requiring beauty professional licensing and regulation. The main reason cited for this support was the need to protect the public from health issues, and to improve the quality and safety of the beauty industries.

The respondents generally did not understand the connection between public health issues and beauty licensing prior to the poll. However, when informed of the issues, 67% agreed the connection was important. 80% of voters studied knew beauty professionals attend a school to receive their license. They were less likely to know this training includes preventing disease and identifying health issues. Eighty-two percent (82%) of the respondents felt deregulation would negatively affect safety and quality in the beauty industry. Education, licensing, regulation and continuing professional education give standards and accountability to practitioners and businesses for cleanliness, sanitation and safety.

The study is highly valuable in that it identifies what messages are important to convey to beauty professionals and consumers. The most compelling message in favor of continued licensure and regulation is that of sanitation and public health. This message showed consensus among voters of all ages and political affiliations.

The PBA has launched a campaign among its members to increase pride in the profession and to reinforce the need for licensing and regulation. Called the “I Am” campaign, it encourages beauty professionals to share their pride in their profession. Beauty professionals should share the message of what licensing means and why it is important. They receive information and resources about the effects deregulation would have on the supply chain within the beauty industry. Manufacturers, distributors, salon business owners and the licensed beauty professionals would all be affected.

However, the consumers would be the ones carrying the most risk if beauty professionals were no longer required to be accountable to a licensing board. The state boards regulating cosmetology and other beauty professions have a consumer complaint resolution process, salon and business inspectors, professional testing requirements and oversight of operators within the professions. These all help protect consumers from negligent and unsanitary practices, untrained operators and shady business practices. Without regulation and licensure, beauty operators would no longer be required to attend a beauty school or pass exams to prove their skills. Obtaining beauty services would be completely at the risk of the consumer.

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Indiana Cosmetology Licensing on the Chopping Block Again

Posted on: February 7th, 2013 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Once again, another state is catching on to the ugly trend of deregulating the cosmetology industry, and the state of Indiana is actually doing it for the second time. As a professional in this industry, you are probably thinking to yourself just how dangerous a proposal like this can be. However, the state of Indiana is proposing a bill known as Indiana Senate Bill 520 that would place licensure and regulations of barbers, estheticians, nail technicians and cosmetologists on the chopping block once again. The bill creates ERASER – this is a bit of a play on words, since they are trying to erase the regulations and licensure needed for the field of cosmetology– however, this committee is actually known as the Eliminate, Reduce, and Streamline Employee Regulation committee. This particular bill is focused on a five-year plan that after implemented would reverse the requirement currently in place for regulations, licensing and certification for professionals in the state of Indiana. For those currently in cosmetology or barbering, it would make their certifications, hard work and educational background useless. That doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of what this means for consumers.

Ultimately, those who have certifications and who have worked hard to obtain a professional license in Indiana could lose the respect and reputation they worked so hard to earn by being well-trained and offering high-quality, safe beauty services, since just anyone would be allowed to work in the field with or without certification and training. For those of you who currently work in the field, you know just what an insult that this bill is to hard-working beauticians who have invested their time and money into professional training and certification only to be smacked in the face with the fact that their devotion to the industry and excellence in their craft no longer matter. Indiana Senate Bill 520 could also negatively affect the local economy. Beauty schools in Indiana and salons are valuable contributors to the local economy, and by eliminating the need for an education in the field many of these cosmetology programs could ultimately be shut down.

Most importantly, this proposal will make clients susceptible to risks that result from untrained and unlicensed individuals. The lesser of the risks include bad haircuts, potentially orange hair as a result of a poor dye job and the humiliation associated with poor-quality cosmetology work. But there are more serious consequences that stem from individuals practicing who have never been trained in safety and sanitation, or the proper use of chemicals used in hair, nail and skin care services. This could lead to an increase in cases of infection and disease from administering beauty services, which poses a hazard to the health and safety of clients, and would be a stain on the beauty industry as a whole. Plus, instruments like scissors, razors and chemicals in the wrong, untrained hands pose risks to clients that must be taken seriously. For instance chemical burns, permanent scars and total hair loss are just some of the consequences that someone with little to no experience in the field can do to client. It’s not just hair or just skin. These are people we’re talking about.

After being presented with the risks, you may be curious as to why the state of Indiana would consider deregulating the beauty industry. Senator Randy Head of Logansport, the man responsible for introducing this legislation, and other supporters of the bill state that it is the consumer’s responsibility to find a skilled professional. Supporters of the bill say that once a customer experiences bad service, he or she can always find a new stylist “without any risk of serious harm.” The logic behind the measure is to reduce spending on both the state and federal levels.

The fields of esthetics, nail technology, cosmetology and barbering need to have set standards that regulate the industry, along with licensure that indicates that a person demonstrates the necessary skills, training and knowledge to safely administer beauty services at a high level of quality for customers. The proper training from Indiana beauty education programs needs to be required to protect clients and the beauty industry as a whole. To help support the cause, we encourage you to sign to the petition at Change.org because your voice needs to be heard in this matter!

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Vietnamese Immigrants Thriving in Nail Art Community

Posted on: July 2nd, 2012 by Becca 1 Comment

It is not uncommon to walk into a nail salon in California and be served by a Vietnamese American. In fact, it is quite common in many states for a person of Vietnamese descent to apply your acrylic tips. According to statistics published in Nails magazine, an industry magazine dedicated to manicures and pedicures and those who perform them, there are more than 400,000 nail specialists in the United States. Of those 400,000, Nails states that as much as 45 percent of nail specialists in the United States could be Vietnamese. They also said that in the state of California, an estimated 80 percent of nail technicians have Vietnamese heritage.

In the 1960s, not many of these Asian immigrants were admitted into the United States. There were barely 4,000 Vietnamese that immigrated to the country during that entire decade, according to the U.S. Office of Immigration Statistics. As the years passed, more Vietnamese immigrants were admitted into the country. A majority of them who entered into the United States arrived there after 1975. Without many people hiring, the Vietnamese were willing to do just about anything to find work and live the American dream, and nail art and design came to the top of the list. Not to mention, television shows of the 70s depicted women with nails done in the salon, which stirred up new ideas and opportunities for immigrants in pursuit of jobs or opening their own businesses. In addition, the nail industry requires short, inexpensive training at nail schools, and there’s not a huge need for the English language to perform these services, so immigrants discovered an industry where they could make a middle class salary and not spend a fortune for training. For those wanting to become a nail technician, the training is short and can get students into the job market quickly. Some schools, especially in areas with high populations of Vietnamese immigrants, even teach the classes in the Vietnamese language.

When a person attends a nail program, he or she can expect to learn to apply tips and artificial nails, as well as how to paint nails, and proper hygiene and sanitation techniques for nail care. A few schools will teach in Vietnamese language, while other schools and states require the curriculum and testing to be done in English only. In areas where Vietnamese-speaking individuals commonly reside, the test for nail technicians may be given in a their native language For instance, in Pennsylvania, the test may be given in Vietnamese, Spanish or English, while Connecticut only permits the exam be administered in English. The states of California and Virginia administer the nail technician board exams in English, Spanish or Vietnamese.

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Are Fish Pedicures Dangerous?

Posted on: June 4th, 2012 by Becca 1 Comment

Are fish pedicures safe?

We brought you the news in May that Cindy Vong in Gilbert, Arizona has teamed up with the Goldwater Institute to sue the Arizona Board of Cosmetology over being barred from offering fish pedicures as a service in her salon. New research has shown that the ever popular fish pedicures may not be as safe as people once thought. The researchers of UK Center for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences have recently performed a study on the fish used in these treatments and their susceptibility to carry harmful bacteria.

A fish pedicure involves a tiny Asian fish called the Garra Rufa. It feasts on a client’s toes to get rid of any dead skin. This may sound barbaric, but Eastern countries have been practicing this treatment for thousands of years. The fish have no teeth and they tickle clients more than anything. The research began with a shipment of the Garra Rufa from Indonesia, which was intercepted and treated at a UK airport for disease. Scientists from the UK Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the fish were carrying a variety of harmful bacteria that were not easily treated. For example, a strand of Vibrio vulnificus was found. It can make open wounds break out and infect people with the lethal disease, Septicemia.

Despite the bacteria found in the fish, there have been only a handful of people who have ever reported being infected with bacteria after dipping their toes with the Garra Rufa. Still, several states in the U.S. have banned the practice, including Virginia and Delaware. Researchers specifically have advised that people with weak immune systems or diabetes to avoid a fish pedicure. A suitable alternative is for salons to order their fish from special facilities where the fish are raised in controlled atmospheres rather than less reliable international sources.

If you decide to visit a salon that offers fish pedicures or new salon in general, there are some guidelines you should follow to ensure that your experience is healthy and clean. This list was put forth by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) in order to help people understand what they can do to avoid getting an infection.

First and foremost do not get a manicure or a pedicure if you have an open wound or infection. This includes everything from bug bites to dry skin. Bacteria could spread or become even more infected by irritation from the treatment. Also, whenever skin to skin contact is involved, there is a risk of transmitting a virus or harmful bacteria.

Nail technicians should have a license to work in the U.S. that allows them to work in a nail salon. Pay attention that the nail technician uses proper hygiene and wears gloves. They also need to use sterilized equipment or replace items for each person. Do not get your cuticles cut or calluses shaved to avoid getting accidentally cut. And if you do decide to take the plunge and get a fish pedicure, ask about the origins and testing of the fish. If you feel the salon is unclean or unscrupulous for any reason, trust your instinct and find somewhere else to go.

Have you had a fish pedicure? Do you or your salon offer the fish pedicure service? Tell us your experience in the comments below!

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How To Reactivate An Expired Cosmetologist’s License

Posted on: May 23rd, 2012 by Heather 2 Comments

Congratulations on thinking about getting back into the business. As you know, your cosmetologist’s license is a vital component of your professional beauty career. If you took off time from being in the beauty field to have a child or to pursue another career option, it is possible that you may forget to renew your license or you even chose not to renew it. No matter why you let your cosmetology licensure expire, there is usually a simple to renew it, even if you have been out of the field for years. The requirements for cosmetology license renewal are dependent upon the state you live in. Some states only require you to pay a higher fee to renew than if you hadn’t let it expire, while others make require you to take continuing education courses to get current. In some instances, you may only need to retake the exams.

The Minnesota Board of Cosmetology, for example, has four criteria to follow when you have an expired or paid inactive license that has been this way for more than three years. You must the Course Completion Certificate for Minnesota Reactivation course, which consists of 155 hours for cosmetology. You will also need to receive your Certification of Skills from a licensed Minnesota cosmetology school. Additionally, you must have passing results on both the state and national exams within the last year. The fee you pay to renew is $30 greater than the fee you pay if you did not let your license expire for more than three years.

If you live in the state of Tennessee and allow your certification to lapse for longer than three years, the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology requires you to take and pass the state board reinstatement exam. The same is true if you have retired your license but would like to re-enter into the field.

In the state of Texas, you have up to 18 months to renew your license with the Texas Board of Cosmetology. Once the 18-month marker hits, you may renew it online or by using a special form. After three years of a license being expired, you are no longer eligible for renewal. Instead, the law requires you to apply for a new certification and follow all the guidelines associated with receiving a new license, despite the fact that you once had yours.

When you reside in Indiana, the laws regarding your license make it necessary that you pay an $80 fee for renewal and the application process. The Indiana Board of Cosmetology decides how much training will be required based on the length of the lapse. You must retake the examination and successfully pass it to renew your certification.

Although it is best not to let your certification expire, it is possible to renew it and get back to working in the cosmetology business. So if you’re sitting on a lapsed or expired cosmetology license, don’t let that be the obstacle that stands in the way of you having a fulfilling career in something you’re passionate about. There are many great jobs to be had in the beauty business, and creative new things for you to do with hair, makeup, skin care and nails on a professional level. Don’t wait another dayto get started in reactivating or renewing your expired cosmetology license. Be sure you look at your particular state’s regulations, since the amount of time your certification has been expired and the renewal process varies greatly from state to state. When in doubt, it is always best to contact your state cosmetology licensing board directly.

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Cosmetology Licensing Hour Requirements

Posted on: February 9th, 2012 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

TYPES OF LICENSES
The professional beauty licenses available vary from state to state. The possibilities include: cosmetology, hairdresser, esthetics and skin care, nail technician, barber, permanent makeup artist, cosmetology teacher, electrology specialist and makeup artists.

HOW MANY HOURS ARE REQUIRED
Barbering and cosmetology licenses require the most hours, usually ranging from 1500 to 2100 depending on your state. Most states also have esthetics and skin care licenses, which often include makeup artistry, and those have a huge range – some states require as few as 350 hours and others require as many as 1500 hours. Shorter programs like nail technology and stand-alone makeup artistry require only 300 to 600 hours.

APPRENTICESHIP
Some states allow you to apprentice for your cosmetology license, and they usually require twice as many hours apprenticing to get licensed as they do to go to school and get licensed.

TEACHER LICENSING
If you want to become a cosmetology teacher, you are usually required to have your full cosmetology license, a few years of experience as a working professional, and many states require you to take additional schooling and pass exams.

EXAMS
Most states require a written or oral exam, in addition to a practical skills exam. Some states allow you to take it in languages besides English.

RENEWAL
Most states require you to renew your license every 2 years, but some are more or less often. A few states require you to complete some continuing education units to renew your license.

For more information, check out our updated and improved cosmetology licensing requirements by state.