Another bikini wax or Brazilian wax mishap has been highlighted in the news. Women’s Health has an article featured on msnbc.com about a woman, Jennifer, that spent 15 days in the hospital after a bikini wax infection. 15 days!

The article claims she received her wax at a reputable New York salon. After the wax, she developed a 102 degree temperature, chills and pain in her left thigh. Jennifer thought it was just a cold (that’s some cold!) and waited 5 days to go to the doctor.

Well, turns out, it wasn’t a cold. Her doctor diagnosed her with cellulitis – a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissue. She had surgery to drain the infection and was hooked up to an IV that pumped her full of antibiotics and pain-killers. One doctor even said she could have lost her leg.

So how does this happen? Any procedure, no matter how small or how common, comes with risk. But 15 days in the hospital after a bikini wax! I argue that waiting 5 days to see a doctor with symptoms like that isn’t terribly smart.

I wouldn’t say this is a common occurrence, but it’s not the first time it’s happened. New Jersey even considered outlawing bikini waxes because of problems they were causing. That is why it is so incredibly important to visit educated, licensed estheticians you trust. Ask lots of questions of your esthetician and follow all the pre- and post-wax instructions closely.

These recent Brazilian wax and bikini wax headlines got me thinking. What safety precautions and pre- and post-waxing care techniques are current students learning in esthetician school to avoid these problems? What precautions are salons and spas taking to avoid these mishaps and subsequently getting sued? Has anything changed at the place you attend school or work at – or are the normal safety routines still working?

Paul Mitchell – The School in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis beauty schools are teaching much more than just hair techniques, including community outreach, multiculturalism, and thinking “green.” Paul Mitchell – The School in Memphis is a perfect example of a philanthropic community school, and they even participate in the Hair for Oil Spills program we blogged about recently!

Read the full article here.
More about Paul Mitchell – The School in Memphis

Empire Beauty Schools in Arizona
Empire Beauty Schools cosmetologists in training have teamed up to fight domestic violence, like participants in the Cut It Out program we blogged about recently! The Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence has been working with Empire Beauty Schools in Arizonato train current beauty school students how to recognize signs of abuse, and find ways to help their clients.

Read the full article here.
More about Empire Beauty Schools in Arizona

It seems more and more these days that science and chemistry are surfacing in cosmetology education and training. This addition to the basic beauty curriculum can be attributed to the more sophisticated procedures and methods used in hair care and skin care.

Ten years ago, if you said ‘esthetician,’ most people wouldn’t know what you were talking about. Nowadays, you can choose your beauty professionals like you choose your clothes. With so many different avenues that have branched out of beauty, like esthetics, massage therapy, aromatherapy and advancements in hair treatments, customers can choose a trained beauty professional for their all their different beauty needs.

Salons have also transformed into tranquil and stress-relieving sanctuaries that are making people turn their beauty regimens into a sacred and peaceful event – some beauty treatments even lasting for hours.

How does chemistry come into the equation? Since these beauty procedures have advanced into the science realm, schools are beefing up their classes to include anatomy, the study blood-borne pathogens, chemistry basics for hair treatments, the use of microscopes to determine different types of skin-related problems, and many other scientific aspects of beauty.

These new and advanced classes help each beauty student to take their career from solely a hairdresser to a full-fledged cosmetologist who can not only style hair but recognize skin problems, promote healthier choices for your mind and body, and perform advanced treatments for hair and skin.

What about your school or salon? Does your cosmetology school infuse the science of beauty with traditional beauty education? Tell us all about it!

House of Heavilin Beauty Colleges in Kansas City, MO

Kansascity.com takes a personal look into Kansas City’s oldest beauty school, House of Heavilin Beauty College. This is an inspiring story, telling both the passionate history of the school’s founder, and showing how the school’s programs are changing the lives of its current students.

Read the full article here.
More about House of Heavilin Beauty College in Kansas City

Dior School of Cosmetology in Modesto, CA

California beauty school owner of Dior School of Cosmetology is waiving tuition for fellow Iraqi-American refuges as part of the World Relief program.

Read the full article here.
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It may not sound quite right, but some beauty school students are experiencing an education in ugly-fication. Is there a market for this, you may ask? It turns out, there is!

If you’re a cosmetology student looking to break outside of the standard “pretty” box, you might consider a cosmetology school that offers courses in special-effects and stage makeup. Whether you’re most excited about turning your client into some sort of un-dead creature, a serious head-wound victim, or anything else your imagination can cook up, these courses can help you learn the unique techniques that make your ideas come to life.

In addition to the traditional cosmetology skills such as hair design, nail technology and esthetics, many cosmetology schools offer makeup training for theater and film. It also turns out that these courses aren’t just for the Hollywood types. In schools all over the country – including Tahlequah, Oklahoma – students are exploring the depths of spooky, gruesome, shocking makeup.

As a Master Instructor at Tahlequah’s Beauty Technical College, Heather Crowell says she wants to provide her students with a broader spectrum of cosmetology skills they can put to work in their careers. After all, cosmetology is much more than just doing hair.

Crowell also explains why students in Oklahoma could find this unique education opportunity useful. She says, “We actually have a pretty big film industry in Oklahoma, so there’s a lot of things [students] can do with it. They have to volunteer their time right now, but that just builds up their experience so when they get out, they can make a lot of money doing this.”

Many of the students at Beauty Technical College remember being surprised when they first realized they would be learning the science behind realistic-looking slashed necks, pencils through the head, or dramatic injuries to several different extremities. But what do these students have to say now?

Sarah Cookson, a student at the school, says, “I really, really enjoy [the class]. I could do gross makeup all day!”

So, where does the road lead for gurus of grotesque makeup? Crowell sees great potential for many of her students. “I would love to see them end up in California or New York doing this professionally,” she says.

Think your active imagination and flair for dramatics could work for your career? Check out some schools with cosmetology or makeup programs that interest you.

Saving otters, birds and other marine life is all in a day’s work for many salons and beauty schools across the country. How can your salon or cosmetology school help care for our oceans and the creatures in it? By donating hair clippings to the Master of Trust program, Hair for Oil Spills!

As it turns out, hair is great at collecting oil out of the air and off of surfaces like the water. It’s adsorbent, meaning it clings to the pollutants (whereas absorbent means to soak up the pollutants). Participants in the Hair for Oil Spills program stuff loose, washed hair into nylon stockings. The stockings get made into “booms” which surround and soak up oil spills. Hair mats are also made for emergency oil spills and for oiled bird and mammal cages.

More than 370,000 hair salons in the United States collect about one pound of hair per day. (That’s 135 million pounds of hair per year for those who are keeping track.) The salons sweep up the hair clippings into plastic garbage bags, reuse the large boxes they get from shampoo deliveries and mail the hair.

Help your salon or beauty school help Planet Earth by joining this program. Find out more information and sign up for the Matter of Trust Hair for Oil Spills program here. It’s easy to help save our environment with excess hair. Besides, how can you resist the cute little otter guy?

The package says “organic,” but how do you know for sure?

In the world of beauty schools, beauty products and beyond, “organic” has become one of today’s hottest buzz words. As more and more consumers learn about the importance of Earth-friendliness, an “organic” label can make or break many people’s purchasing decisions.

But who decides what exactly makes a product “organic?” In Europe and the United States, consumers are still trying to decode the organic certifications they find on the labels of their favorite brands.

Amarjit Sahota, the managing director of Organic Monitor, explains that the one word that defines the organic certification process in Europe and the United States is “confusion.”

Companies and manufacturers that produce organic beauty products want their customers to feel confident in the product’s organic certification. But with three different organic certifications in the United States and two different certifications in Europe, many companies don’t know which standard to choose.

Unfortunately for consumers, beauty schools and salons, this means confusion for them as well. Each beauty product on the shelf may carry a different certification logo, and many consumers are torn between trusting that logo, or trusting a brand name.

Like many professionals in the organic product industries and the beauty industry, Sahota would like to see one global organic standard. He believes that uniformity and cohesion within the industry will benefit everyone involved – not to mention, planet Earth!

What are your thoughts on the organic issue? Do you work at a salon or beauty school going green? How do you choose your organic beauty products when you’re standing in front of that shelf in the beauty aisle?

1. Do what you love.
For your business to be successful, you have to be passionate about the services you provide. You figured out when you attended cosmetology school for beauty training what you do and don’t like to do. This means if you’re an esthetician but you don’t enjoy waxing, you don’t necessarily have to provide this service. Or if you’re a cosmetologist who isn’t passionate about hair extensions, why waste your time? Do what you love and be amazing at it. If you love every minute of what you do, your clients can tell. They will recognize your passion for beauty and keep coming back.

2. Create a website.
Websites are one of the top ways people find services. A beautiful website sets the mood for your business and can be a deciding factor for a potential client who is choosing between you and your competitors. It can also be an additional way to provide product for your clients. Online social networking is also a great way to spread the word about your business and your website.

3. Sell top-of-the-line products and services.
The products and services you offer don’t have to be extremely expensive, but they should be something your clients don’t have easy access to. Make sure the products and services you provide are something you truly believe in. For example, if you are passionate about organic beauty products make sure that is what you provide to your customers. Finally, know about your products to the tiniest detail, and be prepared to answer any questions your clients might have about them.

4. Network.
Word-of-mouth is a great way to boost your clientele, so be sure get your name out to as many potential clients and industry professionals as possible. Don’t be afraid to hand out your beautiful business card! Networking can also lead you to possible partnerships and long-lasting professional relationships. Beauty business owners can often partner up to cut down on costs and increase clientele.

5. Take care of yourself.
When you’re running a beauty business, it’s often difficult to make time for yourself. But it’s especially important in the beauty industry because your appearance matters to your clients. Take care of yourself not only for clients – but for you as well. Pampering yourself can help keep you focused, relaxed and happy even with the stresses owning a business can bring.

Are you already a successful beauty business owner?
With these 5 tips as a springboard, you will be well on your way to successful beauty business ownership in no time. You’ve got the beauty skills, now show them off! Are you already a successful beauty business owner? What success tips do you have to offer other aspiring beauty entrepreneurs?

Beauty blogs are almost always geared toward women rather than men. This may make sense stereotypically, since oftentimes men aren’t too concerned with beauty. But the time has come to pay homage to an equally important segment of the beauty industry – the barbers. The barber job description includes cutting, trimming, shampooing and styling hair for mostly male clients or at male salons. They may also fit hair pieces, offer scalp treatments and shave facial hair.

An important attribute of a great barber is, of course, being able to chat it up with the customers! In American culture, barbers are affectionately displayed as manly men, always cracking jokes and putting entire shops at ease. Entertaining barbers can be seen in movies such as Barber Shop or Gran Torino. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, barbering careers should remain steady even during the recession. If conversation comes easily, a well-groomed appearance is important and you are a detail-oriented person, a barbering career could be for you.

The coolest thing about barbering? It doesn’t take long to go through barbering school and kick off a successful career working in a male salon.

It’s no surprise to this green beauty girl that Aveda has won the Cradle 2 Cradle’s Gold certification for 7 products. The award-winning news was out faster than the latest hair trends and Aveda garnered the endorsement through their dedication to the environment for the last 30 years. I guess you can say they had a jump-start on things.

Since the new trend sweeping the beauty industry is going green – and with Aveda setting the bar high for not only salons but also beauty and cosmetology schools and engage in this new trend – most of them are stepping up to the plate and going green. And, we have found some salons are making the commitment to go green as seriously as Aveda has.

More and more, we are seeing beauty products change from the old school, chemical-laden concoction that our mothers used in the ‘70s and ‘80s into more organic, preservative-free products. While the movement is still gaining steam, some salons are making a commitment to the environment and their bodies through green products. Not only do people want to see more variety on shelves and in their salons, they want to make sure they don’t carry the laundry list of harmful beauty product ingredients that are bad for them and Mother Earth.

The salons that are changing their ways, including Aveda, range from big chains to locally-owned shops. The public has spoken, and they want green, eco-friendly products and practices. In addition to adding all natural or organic beauty products, some salons and beauty schools are also using water sensors, energy-efficient light bulbs and hair styling tools, and setting up recycling bins.

Only time will tell if Aveda will be the Michael Phelps of the Cradle 2 Cradle certifications for beauty products.