In the field of beauty, the regulations are constantly changing. This is because technological advances are forever enhancing the treatments and services that can be given. The field of esthetics is currently being affected by advancements, and these changes are creating a need for adjustments to be made in the current regulations.

First and foremost, the beauty industry generated $60 billion in revenue in 2008, and by 2011, this rate rose by 5.3 percent. A portion of this profit was earned by estheticians who are currently employed by medical spas, clinics and even by dermatologists.

The state of Washington currently has laws implemented that require an esthetician to have 600 hours of training from a licensed school. A student must pass an examination given by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). Once the 600 hours of training have been completed, a licensed esthetician is able to use lasers under the supervision of a physician, according to the regulations enforced by the Medical Quality Assurance Commission. Seems simple, right? Well, the issue lies with the fact that during the course of a 600-hour training program, it’s not feasible to fit laser training into the curriculum; even basic laser training is difficult to be squeezed into such a short time span.

As of right now, the laser training rests on the shoulders of the business that hires the esthetician, and there are no set standards as to how it is done. In fact, the laser training can consist of a few hours of instruction from the person who sells the company a laser and that person then spreads the word to the rest of the staff. In some instances, an employee may go through private lessons, and who pays for it depends on the company that hires the esthetician. And some estheticians opt to go out of state to well-known facilities for more comprehensive training. One laser clinic has spent more than $25,000 to send her estheticians for out-of-state training.

Originally, the Northwest Aestheticians’ Guild proposed that schools begin offering a 1,200-hour training, but this idea was shot down, since it would cause people to have to learn more than just the traditional practice of esthetics. Not to mention, it would harm schools because it would lead to them being required to double their training, which could possibly put them out of business.

The bill that’s set to go into law will increase the 600-hour training to 750 hours. This will help familiarize students with the new technologies, and it will give the students more opportunities to practice. Laser services will not be part of the 750-hour certification curriculum, and all estheticians will no longer be able to give infections. A new license will be created known as the master esthetician license, which consists of 1,200 hours of training and includes instruction on lasers and medium-depth peels. Skincare professionals who have a 600-hour esthetician license will automatically be grandfathered into the 750-hour license. Anyone who now has an esthetician license will have five different ways to become eligible for the master esthetician license, and it gives current estheticians until January 1, 2015 to qualify for the master esthetician license by being grandfathered in.

You can learn a lot from an esthetician, including some very important information about exfoliation. Sure, you may think there cannot be anything else to know about something that seems so simple. Most young girls are taught something about exfoliation from their mothers, whether it be to use your wash rag in a circular motion when you wash your face, or to use harsh scrubs that contain pieces of nut shell. But in this case, mamma may not always know best. Here are three things that an esthetician could tell you that may surprise you.

1. Use a Lubricant

Olive oil, moisturizer, even baby oil is better than nothing. Just do not exfoliate bare skin. No matter how much it claims to be safe for sensitive skin, if you use it without some protection you might as well be using sandpaper. A cream or oil will not get in the way of the exfoliation process. It will actually help it.

2. Less Really Is More

You need to do it, but be careful not to do it too much. It is kind of like eating. You have to eat to stay healthy, but too much food or the wrong kinds of food can actually do damage. Exfoliation is essential to healthy skin, but doing it too often actually defeats the purpose. Exfoliation is meant to remove dead skin cells and leave room for healthy, younger ones to shine through. If you exfoliate more than once per week chances are you are getting rid of healthy skin cells, which increases cell production. The result is too many cells needing attention and care, and a dull or uneven complexion.

3. Step Away from the Sandpaper

Regardless of skin’s condition, harsh scrubs are not the answer. Skin cells are delicate and it does not take much to knock them free. Larger beads are better than jagged sandy ones, and a homemade scrub made with a rich cream and fine grain sugar works just fine. Use a light touch, rinse thoroughly, and beautiful skin is yours for the taking. The rougher the grain, the more irritating and damaging the skin is going to be. Damage and irritation does not result in beauty.

Estheticians are full of useful information and great skin care is their specialty. They take what they learn in esthetics schools and take your exfoliation advice from them and watch glowing skin ensue. Find a beauty school and BeautySchool.com.

After a long and difficult week at the office, many of us like to unwind by treating ourselves to a relaxing day at the spa where we can leave behind our worries and focus on ourselves. The International Spa Association (ISPA) has taken notice of this trend and reported close to 57 million adults and 4 million adolescents make at least one visit to a spa each year. With more and more people seeking non-medical options to improve their health and revitalize their spirit, those working in the spa services sector – dermatologists, estheticians and medical estheticians have seen a dramatic increase in clientele wanting to utilize their services. If you are interested in alternative ways to reduce your stress and improve your health, look into the different services and benefits an esthetician can bring to your life.

 What Is An Esthetician?

Estheticians work in the spa services sector and specialize in skin care and spa therapies. Estheticians must hold a license, which is issued by the state, in order to provide services in a spa setting. Estheticians generally perform cosmetic skin treatments such as facials, extractions and body treatments. Medical estheticians work under the direction of a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. While medical estheticians cannot prescribe medications, they are able to perform advanced skin care treatments.

Many people confuse estheticians with dermatologists. A dermatologist specializes in skin, hair and nail care and can also perform surgical and cosmetic treatments. Dermatologists are required to hold a medical degree in order to practice in the U.S.A as a medical doctor, dermatologists are also able to prescribe medications.

 Spa Treatments for the Face

Dermabrasion treatments, facials and extractions are some of the most popular services estheticians provide. In many cases, estheticians will develop a variety of custom-designed facials to help clients deal with different skin-related issues such as peeling skin, dry skin and oily skin. Estheticians also provide dermabrasion and microdermabrasion services to help clients reduce the appearance of wrinkles, tighten the skin and remove skin discolorations and other blemishes.

 Spa Treatments for the Body

In addition to facials, extractions and dermabrasion treatments, estheticians also provide an array of body treatments that remove unwanted hair, smooth and contour the body and relax the mind and spirit. Sugaring, body contour treatments and waxing are some of the most requested services. Estheticians can also perform a variety of massage treatments as well.

 The Benefits of Spa Therapies

Research has proven the positive benefits of spa treatments as many work to relax the body, mind and spirit. For instance, a Japanese study that followed over 3000 government workers revealed that workers who received regular spa treatments had better physical and mental health, a better quality of sleep and requested fewer sick days. Another study performed by Florida State University and George Mason University found that workers who underwent spa therapies performed by estheticians had a decreased chance of being hospitalized for illness and also had better attendance compared to employees who did not engage in spa therapy.

The other day, a Groupon popped into our inbox promoting photorejuvenation, and even though we work in the beauty industry all day, we had a little trouble defining exactly what it was that we now had a coupon for. We could kind of break it down – “photo,” which generally has to do with light, which we’re a fan of; and “rejuvenation,” which is always a positive thing in our books – but what were the down-and-dirty details of this procedure?

Basically: what, exactly, is photorejuvenation? (Hands down, estheticians – we know you probably have the answer already!)

Photorejuvenation is a skin treatment that uses intense pulsed light (which you might see just referred to as IPL) to treat certain skin conditions and sometimes remove wrinkles caused by UVA and UVB exposure. Apparently it can be used to:

• Lighten or remove sun spots, age spots or other brown discolorations
• Lighten or reduce rosacea, dilated blood vessels or broken blood vessels

And (to lesser effect):

• Improve skin texture through collagen stimulation
• Improve pore size by temporarily reducing oiliness

So, in general, this procedure improves our skin’s tone and texture. It’s non-invasive, only really affects the very top layers of the skin and is filtered so that no UV damage is possible, so a lot of the time, the only side effects people feel are flushed skin that’s akin to a very mild sunburn. Most places that offer photorejuvenation require 3-5 initial treatments for optimal results, and after that, you might have to come back for a maintenance treatment every few years or so.

Seems pretty harmless, right? Why NOT get it?

There are a couple of things to keep in mind – like tanning. Most places don’t recommend the procedure if you have a tan or tanned skin, so it’s not for everyone. Also, some people may experience more extreme side effects, like burns or blisters, scarring, or changes in pigmentation. It’s rare, but it’s still possible. Your best course of action is to go to a professional skin care specialist and consult with them about whether photorejuvenation would be a good option for you.

There! That’s it in a nutshell. We’re planning on this being just the first in a series of articles that explores some of the high-level, high-tech skin care services that fabulous estheticians are offering these days, so be on the lookout for explorations into dermal fillers, sclerotherapy and more!

And then be on the lookout for the Groupons that are sure to pop up.

When it comes to achieving beautiful skin, most of us are familiar with some of the old-school standbys. Facial masks, eye-cucumbers, and exfoliating body scrubs are all reliable techniques that make up a skilled skin care specialist’s training and esthetician’s arsenal.

But now it’s time for healthy skin enthusiasts to check out the wave of the future!

Inspired by some of the innovative equipment used in professional esthetics practices and esthetician schools, these gadgets are designed for in-home use. Do they stack up to your neighborhood esthetician? You’ll have to be the judge on that. But if you’re hankering to give any of these ultra-modern beauty machines a try, you just might have the calling for your very own career in esthetics!

1. Crystalift Resurfacing System

By combining crystal resurfacing with vacuum-lift therapy, this Crystalift doo-dad removes dead cells and polishes skin to help you achieve a healthy glow. It’s inspired by the microdermabrasion equipment used in dermatology practices. Price: $249

2. Tria Laser Hair Removal

Safer than razors, this laser device helps remove those unwanted hair follicles, wherever they may be hiding. With three intensity levels, even those with sensitive skin can use this machine. It’ll cost you a pretty penny, though. At $995, I think I’ll choose my trusted esthetician to take care of this job for me.

3. The Marvel Mini

Estheticians and dermatologists have long known about the power light. By harnessing different wavelengths and frequencies, light can help us address our skin concerns. Enter, the Marvel Mini. With varieties in red, green and blue, these miniature glowing devices can help address skin issues like fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and acne. Price: $225

So, you got the dead skin nibbled off of your feet by fish, your eyeliner is permanently tattooed to your eyelids and we’re not even going to discuss all of strange face mask concoctions you’ve tried. What’s the next logical step on your quest toward beauty? Eyelash perms, obviously.

Eyelash perms start with rollers imported from Japan – the rollers come in around 5 different sizes depending on how curly you want your eyelashes. Each eyelash is wrapped around the roller using adhesive. Next, a diluted perm solution and a neutralizer are applied. The end result? One less step in your morning beauty regimen.

Although yesterday was the first time I came across this eyelash perm trend online, spas in the U.S. have been doing this treatment, which began in Japan, for at least a couple of years. The perm lasts around 4 to 8 weeks, which is the time it takes for your eyelashes to grow.

It should be noted that eyelash perming is not yet FDA approved, so make sure you are seeing a trained, licensed cosmetologist or esthetician if you decide to get these services. If you’ve had any experiences with eyelash perming or performed eyelash perms, let us know what you think!

About a year ago, there was a new trend hitting the nail salon circuit – but now, it might be in hot water: fish pedicures.

A salon in Gilbert, Arizona, which is a suburb of Phoenix, is suing the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology for overstepping its legal authority to stop fish pedicures from being offered at area salons. The board has shut down a Fish Spa where small Garra Rufa fish, or small carp, eat away dead skin from the bottom of feet.

The board claims that when exfoliation is being administrated, it’s falls under the board’s rules and regulations, which essentially is what the fish do: exfoliate feet.

The lawsuit states that the salon acknowledges that the board is entitled to regulate pedicures. But it specifically argues that having fish eat away the dead skin on a patron’s feet is not a pedicure and, therefore, outside the board’s jurisdiction.

The board claims that since the fish cannot be properly stored and sanitized, they are a health code violation. Is this going to be the new trend following the fish pedicure around? There are several states and cities that allow fish pedicures but since this is a new area of beauty treatments, it’s difficult to tell whether other cosmetology boards will follow suit.

Tell us what you think! Are fish really performing pedicures or just exfoliation? Should the beauty service fall under the rules and regulations of the board?

Girls love to smell pretty. Don’t argue – it’s science. “But high-profile aromas in cute bottles can get pretty pricey,” you’re thinking. Stop right there. Wherever your thought process is leading you, it’s wrong. Don’t be frugal when it comes to fragrance. This goes double if you’re buying a special someone a swanky gift for a steamy occasion. So listen carefully: Do NOT buy these fragrances for anyone. Ever.

#5 – Whale Vomit
What do you mean it doesn’t sound like it smells good? This one probably makes you the Bell Of the Ball at SeaWorld. Who wouldn’t want that title? And honestly, whale vomit is used in almost any fine fragrance in the world, so why not just get a bottle directly from the source?

#4 – Republican
Yes, it’s true – the Grand Old Party just barely beat out whale vomit on the scent scale. After losing the Presidency earlier this year, they’ll take any good news they can. This fragrant oil is a complex blend that stands for conservative values, love of country, and a strong family unit. Translated into scent, the Republican fragrance smells like apples and roses.

#3 – K.I.S.S.

Just to clear up any confusion, this scent isn’t named after the act of love, but after the act of Dr. Love. Yes, you too can own the personally-endorsed smell of the rock band K.I.S.S. to wear to special concerts, night clubs and for trips to Detroit Rock City. Don’t worry, guys, the K.I.S.S. fragrance line is made for both men and women.

#2 – Play-Doh
Searching for that fresh, just-out-of-the-can, “eau de Play-Doh” aroma? You’re in luck. To make your gift extra special, Play-Doh Perfume also comes in a  50th Birthday Limited Edition bottle. Classy!

And finally – #1 – Burger King!

Yes, the King created an entire line of foodstuffs, a website, and a video game named after his legacy, but it just wasn’t enough. Something was missing from his empire that discriminating consumers demanded. Meat perfume. World, meet FLAME by B.K. So the King waved his bejeweled hand and voila! – a perfume that promises to be a “scent of seduction with a hint of flame-broiled meat.”

Holistic means ‘whole’ and holistic health focuses on the whole self: mind, body and spirit.  The practices used in holistic therapies are also sometimes referred to as alternative medicine.  These holistic and alternative approaches to medicine may not be a part of mainstream health care, but they are growing in the world of cosmetology.  The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine , a research group, has found that 38% of American adults use some form of alternative medicine.

People may think that the holistic health industry is separate from cosmetology, but that simply isn’t the case.  Cosmetology has extended far beyond hairstyling alone.  Many cosmetology schools offer programs in esthetics and skin care, nail care, hair care and massage therapy.  Each of these areas of cosmetology can work well with a holistic approach to health.  Cosmetology schools and beauty schools focus on outward appearance, and many people may not realize that outward appearance is often a reflection of our health.  When we are stressed, we may have tense muscles or more skin breakouts.  If we aren’t eating right, we might have brittle hair and nails.  All of these outward issues may be indicators of bigger problems.  As a society we need to be less stressed and focus more on our health.

Cosmetology and holistic health can work together to reach this goal.  We need to focus on our minds, bodies and spirits, and we need to be training future cosmetology professionals to help their clients find that same focus.  Getting a beauty treatment can help relax your clients.  As an esthetician, you can give advice on not only soothing broken out skin, but also mind/body/spirit exercises that can help prevent skin problems from coming back.  A session with a massage therapist can calm clients’ muscles and keep them relaxed as they go through their busy lives.  The health of the whole self is linked to outward appearance, so the cosmetology industry and holistic health industry should work more closely together to help our society become and remain healthy.

What about you? How does your cosmetology school or beauty salon tie holistics and alternative medicine into your services?