September - Stylist and Salon Newspapers

Lack of Salon Compliance Could Prove Devastating to Industry
Blue Highways
Jerry Tyler
As I travel the blue highways of our industry,
I am often confronted with some rather
bizarre misconceptions.
These myths are passed around as truth
like potato salad at the company picnic.
Myth Number One: The concept that
there are two different sets of health and safety
standards, one to be followed during beauty
school, and a different set out in the salon
world.
During school, we learn about the state
board world of salon and professional compliance.
When we receive our licenses and enter
the salon workforce, we sometimes wind up
with a different viewpoint as to health and
safety standards.
Truth: The truth is that our success is
based on our guests’ confidence. They must
be assured that every facet of our service is the
best that can be offered, no matter what the
price point.
When it comes to the standards of artistry
and technical mastery, there are never enough
days in the month for us to work on improving
our skills. However, when it comes to client
protection, do we give them the same level
of care and concern?
In the world of psychology, these areas
are referred to as hygienic. (Hygienic: a system
of principles for promoting health). The client
does not come to the salon to check to see
if the change room is clean, the combs in
the barbercide are
completely submerged
or the licenses of the
salon professionals are
valid and current; they
expect it. They expect a
clean brush, free of the
last client’s hair from
her blow dry.
They do not go to the salon because of
these dynamics, but they will leave if these
expectations are not met. One industry leader
offered a great template to gage the true value
of any business. Go to the bathroom. Whether
they do or do not provide a hygienic environment
there will usually be an accurate
indicator of how they run every facet of their
business.
As the former State Board President of
California, home to the largest license population
in the US, I can just imagine the overall
impact salon compliance or the lack thereof
could have on our client base. With close to
half a million licensees, over 40,000 licensed
Standards were in place and
they were not followed. Who
paid for that? We all did.
establishments and close to 300 beauty and
barber schools, the potential for devastating
consequences is huge.
We refer to consumer protection, and who
is that consumer? It is our client.
I have seen some real crimes of fashion
when it comes to a bad hair day; we all have.
However, no one
has ever been placed
on high dose antibiotics
for over a year
due to bad hair.
In one outbreak
of micro bacteria
due to below standard
disinfection
of foot spas, over 200 people were infected.
Standards were in place and they were not
followed. Who paid for that? We all did. The
confidence in the integrity of our profession
was dealt a serious blow, one that will take
years to recover from. After all, a pedicure is
not worth dying for.
Many salon and spa owners understand the
real world impact a clean and safe environment
can have on the bottom line. Yet, they
feel they cannot get their staff to buy into the
concept. I have heard this repeatedly in disciplinary
review cases. To these owners, I offer
what I call the “one minute miracle.” At some
predetermined time, have the salon coordinator
or assistant manager go to each working
station and stylist and whisper these simple
words, “State Board is in the neighborhood.”
Miraculously, missing licenses go from the
trunk of a car to the stylist’s station, brushes
become hair free and clean and you can actually
see through the barbercide. Amazingly,
Board rules and regulations appear framed on
display for clients to see at the front of the salon,
bottles become properly labeled and dirty
towels disappear. A clean and compliant salon
in only minutes, now that is what I call a “one
minute miracle.”
In the end, the reason we regulate establishments
and licensees is to assure our clients
that we are maintaining a standard that will
guarantee their safety. In addition, we must
provide an environment that reflects the same
high regard for their well-being as we do for
the quality of services we provide to them.
After all, they deserve the highest quality in
every facet of their services, and for those
services to be rendered in a clean and protected
environment.
Jerry Tyler’s column Blue Highways is his “Road Less Traveled” perspective on
the solutions and challenges facing the beauty industry. Jerry Tyler has been
a stylist since 1975 serving as the former artistic director for Vidal Sassoon
Academy and currently as Director of Education for Carlton Hair salons. He
is also a licensed cosmetology instructor and has served as President of the
California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
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| SEPTEMBER 2010 | OHIO STYLIST & SALON