A Guide for Consumers to identify safe practices in beauty salons and spas.

A Guide for Consumers to identify safe practices  in beauty salons and spas.

  Although many consumers do not think about the health and safety issues when getting a facial, body wrap, waxing or having their nails done, most beauty treatments involve actions that can be dangerous, if not performed by properly trained and licensed personnel.

• Bacterial infections 
• Transmission of diseases
• Adverse reactions to substances 
• Other physical injuries can all be the result of improperly performed treatments.

Selecting a Salon or Spa

All beauty treatment specialists as well as all spas and salons must be licensed to legally operate within New York State. The consumer should thus look for:

• A business license shall be displayed at the entrance or another conspicuous location in the spa or the salon where the licensed activities are performed
•  A license with a photograph, for each operator within a spa or salon

In New York State, there are five different designations for beauty specialists:

•  Cosmetologist
•  Esthetician
•  Nail Specialist
•  Natural Hair Styling Specialist
•  Waxing Specialist

If you do not see either a current business license or a current NYS issued cosmetology, nail, esthetic, waxing or natural hair styling license on display, ask the service provider to show it to you.

If a license is not available for your viewing, you may want to verify the provider’s licensure by contacting the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing at (212) 417-5747 or access the Licensing Services’ online database at www.dos.ny.gov.

In addition to licenses, an itemized list of all services performed and prices charged for those services should be displayed near the entrance or reception area.

A provider should be licensed in the services that they are performing. All personal services offered in New York State require that the individual offering these services have the proper training and be licensed to offer that particular service to the consumer. The General Business Law in New York State covers services that include:

•  Hair and Chemical Services
•  Nail Services
•  Waxing and Hair Removal Services
•  Face and Body Treatments

It is important to note that not all practitioners are licensed to perform all services. NYS licensed cosmetologists can legally perform hair services, nail services, skin services and waxing. Estheticians can perform all services except hair and nail services. Nail, Waxing and Natural Hair Styling specialists can only perform those specific services for which they are licensed. Nail Specialists cannot perform waxing services in New York State.

In the event that you have a negative reaction to a chemical service performed, tell the technician. If the sensation is extreme, or if you think you may be having an allergic reaction, ask the technician for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and seek medical attention.

Anyone who believes he or she is a victim of an untrustworthy or incompetent licensee of the Department of State, or who is aware of unlicensed conduct, should contact the Department of State at (212) 417-5747 or access the Department’s website at www.dos.ny.gov and complete a licensee complaint form.