May 2009
CALFORNIA
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology State of California Department of Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 944226 • Sacramento, CA 94244-2260
Information: 1-800-952-5210 | www.barbercosmo.ca.gov
Although the economy continues to worsen, we don’t have to let our health and safety standards decline. By keeping prohibited instruments out of your salon, barbershop or school, and correctly applying common techniques, you can avoid unnecessary fines while adhering to California laws.
The following health and safety regulations pertaining to illegal instruments and techniques can be found in Title 16, Division 9 of the California Code of Reagulations (CCR).
CCR Section 993(a): No establishment or school shall have on the premises any razor-edged or other device or tool which is designed to remove calluses.
It is illegal for salons, barbershops or schools to have razor-edged instruments such as “credo blades” or “cheese grater” type instruments to remove calluses. Licensed cosmetologists and manicurists are not trained in removing callused tissue with a sharp instrument. Doing so may pose serious health risks to their clients, not to mention the civil liability suits that may result. If a Board Inspector finds such instruments in a salon, barbershop or school, it can result in a $500.00 fine.
CCR Section 993(b): No establishment or school shall have on the premises any needle-like instrument which is used for the purpose of extracting skin blemishes and other similar procedures.
Similar to the aforementioned regulation, it is illegal for salons, barbershops or schools to have needle-like instruments, such as lancets or sharp comedone extractors in order to remove blemishes. Unless performed by a licensed electrologist using an electrolysis needle, any other penetration of the skin by a metal needle is considered an invasive procedure and may not be performed by a Board licensee. This violation can result in a $500.00 fine.
CCR Section 981(a): All instruments and supplies which come into direct contact with a patron and cannot be disinfected shall be disposed of in a waste receptacle immediately after use.
Licensees may never reuse items that cannot be disinfected. This includes, but is not limited to, emery boards, buffers, sponges, cotton pads, neck strips, and wooden wax sticks. Some salons maintain the nail implements of their regular clients in a storage container and reuse the implements when that same client returns. This practice is not allowed because used buffers, emery boards or other nail implements that are nondisinfectable may not be stored. These items must be thrown away immediately after each use. A violation of this section can cost you $100.00.
CCR Section 981(b): No person working or training in an establishment or school shall be permitted to carry any instruments or supplies in or on a garment or uniform while practicing.
To avoid a violation of this section, you must store all soiled and disinfected implements in a properly labeled container. Soiled implements must be stored in a container labeled “soiled” and disinfected implements must be stored in a clean covered place which is labeled as such. While serving a client, you must maintain previously disinfected implements in a sanitary condition to ensure maximum protection to the client and yourself. A violation of CCR Section 981(b) can result in a $100.00 fine.
Keeping these guideines in mind can help you protect consumers and save you from being fined. For further information, visit www.barbercosmo.ca.gov or contact the Board at 1-800-952-5210.
CALFORNIA
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology State of California Department of Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 944226 • Sacramento, CA 94244-2260
Information: 1-800-952-5210
www.barbercosmo.ca.gov
Staff Members:
Kristy Underwood — Executive Officer
Denise Johnson — Deputy Executive Officer
Betty Ho — Staff Writer
The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology does not endorse any article, product, advertisement, or service contained in this newspaper. If you have any questions or concerns about the contents of any article in this newspaper you believe may affect you as a licensee, you may write to: Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, P.O. Box 944226, Sacramento, California, 94244-226
