November 2008
Texas Barber & Cosmetology News
(512) 463-6599 or 1-800-803-9202
www.license.state.tx.us
COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM
P.O. Box 12088 Austin, Texas 78711
cs.cosmetologists@license.state.tx.us
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) announced the “fish pedicure” or “doctor fish” procedure is not permitted in Texas. TDLR found it does not meet the health and safety requirements of the barber and cosmetology laws and rules.
TDLR received several inquiries related to the procedure and reviewed it thoroughly. TDLR staff prepared a report and presented it to the Barber Advisory Board on October 13, 2008 and will present it at the next Cosmetology Advisory Board meeting.
The new pedicure craze involves fish. This procedure is outside the ordinary realm of services regulated by TDLR so we sought advice from experts. Texas Department of State Health Services doctors were consulted. They voiced concerns that this practice would be a step backward for the industry and it could impede advancements the industry has made to reduce the risk of infection and protect the public.
The doctors stated clients with nicks or cuts are at greater risk of infection when placing their feet and legs in “fish pedicure” water due to:
We know your patrons expect us to take all reasonable precautions to insure their safety. We agree; they deserve that peace of mind. We also know you want our decision to be based on what is in the best interest of your clients and yourself. To that end we believe to maintain the highest level of cleanliness and safety possible the “fish pedicure” is not up to Texas standards.
The number of Barber and Cosmetology Law and Rule books ordered online indicates licensees are happy with the ease and convenience offered by the new online service. As of October 10, 2008 more than 12,700 books had been ordered online.
At the recent Armstrong McCall “Fashion Revolution” show in Austin over 970 Barber and Cosmetology books were bought using the TDLR booth’s new wireless online access. “Offering the books at hair shows makes it easy for people. They are here looking at new products and services and when they see us they think, “oh, I need to buy my 2008 law and rule book,” says Joyce Hennington, Barber and Cosmetology Program Specialist.
When ordering online you know you have been successful when you see a response page that says “Transaction Successful.” If you do not see “Transaction Successful” your payment was not processed and you need to try again.
We encourage you to use online services whenever possible. Whether you are buying a rule book, renewing your license or emailing our customer service with a question, it is faster and saves you time. And don’t worry, we won’t tell your friends you’ve become a computer geek!
As of June 15, 2007, all Texas barber and cosmetology shops and schools that provide manicure/pedicure services are required to sterilize all metal instruments with an autoclave or dry heat sterilizer.
An owner or manager of a barber or cosmetology shop or school that provides manicure/pedicure services is responsible for providing a department approved and FDA listed sterilizer for the sterilization of metal instruments.
The sterilizer must be listed with the FDA. To find sterilizers that are listed, please visit this link . In the drop down menu for the field titled “product code,” choose “FLE” for autoclaves, “KMH” for dry heat sterilizers. This search will provide you with current FDA listed sterilizers.
Remember: If a barber or cosmetology shop or school utilizes single-use manicure/pedicure instruments, then the sterilization requirement does not apply.
| Cosmetology Vital Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Operators | 103,488 |
| Manicurists | 30,616 |
| Facial specialists | 11,880 |
| Weavers | 176 |
| Braiders | 634 |
| Shampoo specialists | 160 |
| Wig specialists | 22 |
| Shampoo apprentices | 11,088 |
| Operator instructors | 3,983 |
| Manicure instructors | 45 |
| Facial instructors | 75 |
| Wig instructors | 4 |
| Students | 21,670 |
| Schools | 386 |
| Salons | 20,995 |
| Manicure salons | 1,397 |
| Facial salons | 536 |
| Facial/manicure salons | 3,750 |
| Hair braiding/weaving salons | 122 |
| Wig salons | 35 |
| Independent contractors | 35,959 |
| Dual shop/salon | 160* |
| * Dual number listed in cosmetology statistics | |
| Barber Vital Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Barbers | 12,844 |
| Barber manicurists | 394 |
| Barber technicians | 20 |
| Barber hair braiding specialist | 35 |
| Barber instructors | 149 |
| Students | 1,585 |
| Schools | 39 |
| Class A Barber booth rentals | 3,307 |
| Barber manicure booth rentals | 67 |
| Barber hair braiding booth rentals | 1 |
| Barber shops | 5,429 |
| Barber manicure shops | 124 |
| Barber hair braiding shops | 2 |
| Dual shop/salon | 160* |
| * Dual number listed in cosmetology statistics | |
Texas Barber & Cosmetology News
(512) 463-6599 or 1-800-803-9202
www.license.state.tx.us
COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM
P.O. Box 12088 Austin, Texas 78711
cs.cosmetologists@license.state.tx.us
Cosmetology Advisory Board:
Clive Lamb, Presiding Officer
Kerin Haney, Vice Presiding Officer
Diane Salazar
Glenda Jemison
Allison Leigh Kincy
Zelda Moore
BARBER PROGRAM
P.O. Box 13489 Austin, Texas 78711
cs.barbers@license.state.tx.us
Barber Advisory Board:
Linda G. Connor, Presiding Officer
Dean Hudson, Jr, Vice Presiding Officer
Ronald Brown,
Joseph B. Grondin,
Vacancy
Commissioners:
Frank Denton, Chair
LuAnn Roberts Morgan, Vice Chair
Mike Arismendez,
Lewis Benavides,
Lilian Norman-Keeney,
Fred N. Moses,
Deborah Yurco,
William Kuntz, Exec. Director
