Page 6 - Cosmetology

A cosmetologist is concerned with a wide range of services not limited to hair. These
include makeup, skincare, and nails. Today, the traditional barber is being replaced by
well educated beauty professionals in some areas. Schooling is rigorous, and salons will
typically retrain a hair stylist in their own method or program. Today the median income

for a hairdresser is $26,000 and is much higher in some areas.

A difference also exists between beauty therapy and cosmetology. Beauty therapy
involves itself with beautician or aestheticienne work (treatment of skin and nails,
including manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing, facial electrical treatments, eyelash
tinting, eyebrow tinting and other such treatments), physiatrics or body therapy work

(Swedish massage, anatomy and physiology, body electrical treatments, body wraps,
body treatments, figure analysis and cellulite treatments), and electrologywork or
electrolysis. A cosmetologist instead deals with surface-only treatments. Beauty
therapists can be qualified internationally through international bodies like ITEC,

CIBTAC and CIDESCO.

Most cosmetologists are paid in one of the following three ways:

• Commission pay – A percentage of the money made from the provision of
services is given back to the cosmetologist as pay. Many paid this way are
considered self-employed, and are responsible for taxes. The salon will provide
overhead expenses such as products, lights, water, etc.
• Booth rental – The cosmetologist "rents" a space in the salon, for a monthly fee.
This type of pay is defined as self-employment and the cosmetologist is
responsible for all products used (perms, color etc.) as well as taxes. In many
states, this form of payment is illegal, owing to the difficulty of regulating the
individual cosmetologist both legally and business wise.
• An hourly wage – Many corporate and small chains are going in this direction
since it promotes a more controlled product by ensuring that employees are
responsible for following company standards and policies.

Tips are another source of income. Skilled cosmetologists can often make a considerable
portion of their income from tips from customers.

In most states, cosmetology sanitation practices and ethical practices are governed by the

state's health department, and a Board of Cosmetology. These entities ensure public
safety by regulating sanitation products and practices, and licensing requirements.
Consumer complaints are ususally directed to these offices, and investigated from there.