Cosmetology

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Cosmetology is the study of skin, hair and nails The services dedicated to this types of work consist of, hair-shaping, manicures, pedicures, application of artificial nails, special occasion hairstyling, shampooing hair, cosmetic application, body hair removal, chemical hair relaxers or straighteners, permanent waves, coloring and highlighting of hair, and hair extensions or wig treatments. A person who is licensed in cosmetology is called a cosmetologist.

A cosmetologist, sometimes called a beautician, a beauty specialist, or an aesthetician or esthetician, is a worker who specializes in giving beauty treatments. A general cosmetologist is proficient in all forms of beauty care and can give hair treatments, facials, skin treatments, and nail treatments. This is purposeful for both men and women.

1 Types of cosmetician
2 Becoming a cosmetologist
3 Income
4 Famous cosmetologists
5 See also
6 References

[edit] Types of cosmetician

There are specific disciplines of cosmetology that some cosmetologists may specialize in. The different services cosmetologists may expertise in include hair stylists, facialist, nail technicians, aestheticians and electrologists. Many cosmetologists specialize in at least one of these categories.

[edit] Hair stylist

A hair stylist specializes in the styling of hair, including cutting, chemical perms (relaxers, curls, waves) and color treatments. Hair stylists can also apply hair extensions and weaves. Hair stylists can also shampoo and condition client's hair, though this is not always necessary. Some hair stylists also give recommendations and perform work on wigs and hairpieces.

[edit] Shampoo technician

The shampoo technician is a category of the hair stylist. A shampoo tech shampoos and conditions a client's hair to create a balanced hair care finish for the hair stylist. In addition they may assist with rinsing permanent waves and shampooing color and chemical relaxers out of the hair after processing. Shampoo techs are normally only employed by corporate or concept salons and large-volume beauty salons that are operated simultaneously. In some states a shampoo tech must have a cosmetology permit.

[edit] Manicurist

A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for the fingernails and hands. A manicure treatment can be just for the hands or nails, or can be for both. A common manicure found is the filing, shaping of the nails and the application of polish. There are also manicure services that are specialties for the hands and feet. For the hands, the soaking of a softening substance and the application of a lotion is a common specialty. Another common specialty is applying this similar treatment of lotion to the feet, called pedicure. The word "manicure" derives from Latin: manus for hand, cura for "care".

Manicures often include the filing, polishing, and painting of fingernails. A manicure may also include the application of artificial nail tips, acrylics or artificial nail gels. Some manicures can include the painting of pictures or designs on the nails or applying small decals or imitation jewels.

In many areas, manicurists are licensed and follow regulation. Since skin is manipulated and is sometimes trimmed, there is a certain risk of spreading infection when tools are used across many people and therefore sanitation is a serious issue

[edit] Aesthetician

An aesthetician, or esthetician, specializes in the study of skin care, including facial treatments (removing moles, warts, or body hair by electrolysis), body wraps (with hot linens, plastic sheets, and blankets. Heat penetrates the skin resulting in relaxation and skin revitalization.), salt glows (an exfoliating treatment to remove dead skin and stimulate circulation by rubbing coarse salt and aromatic oils on the skin), waxing as a form of hair removal, and cosmetic make-up services. Some aestheticians work with dermatologists to offer more services, including laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, and many types of chemical peels.

[edit] Nail technician

A nail technician specializes in the art form of nails. This includes manicures,pedicures, acrylic nails, gel nails, nail wraps,un nails, exc. They are also knowledgeable in nail irregularities. They do not treat diseases, you need to consult your doctor if you have any type of a nail disorder.

[edit] Electrologist

An electrologist offers removal of unwanted hair via an electrolysis machine. As opposed to the hair removal via waxing offered by an esthetician, hair removal via electrolysis is permanent. It has recently been argued that barbers are also cosmetologists who extend the hair stylist speciality with services especially for men, such as shaving.

[edit] Becoming a cosmetologist

In the United States of America, all states require barbers, cosmetologists, and most other personal appearance workers (with the exception of shampooers) to be licensed; however, qualifications for a license vary by state. Generally, a person must have graduated from a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school and be at least 16 years old. A few states require applicants to pass a physical examination. Some states require graduation from high school, while others require as little as an eighth-grade education. In a few states, the completion of an apprenticeship can substitute for graduation from a school, but very few barbers or cosmetologists learn their skills this way. Applicants for a license usually are required to pass a written test and demonstrate an ability to perform basic barbering or cosmetology services.^[1]

In most states, there is a legal distinction between barbers and cosmetologists, with different licensing requirements. These distinctions and requirements vary from state to state. In most states, cosmetology sanitation practices and ethical practices are governed by the state's health department and a Board of Cosmetology. These entities ensure public safety by regulating sanitation products and practices and licensing requirements. Consumer complaints are usually directed to these offices and investigated from there.

If someone were interested in studying cosmetology, they could take a general cosmetology course and graduate, being able to test to become licensed for all of the things listed above, or they could choose to study only to become a manicurist or cosmetician. There are private schools, and many vocational schools offer cosmetology to high school students. In addition, there are national organizations that provide educational and professional information. In the United States, this includes the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences and the National Cosmetology Association.

In some countries, cosmetologists and beauty therapists can be qualified internationally through international bodies like ITEC, CIBTAC, and CIDESCO.

[edit] Income

Most cosmetologists are paid in one of the following three ways:

Commission pay: A percentage of the money made from the provision of services is given back to the cosmetologist as pay. Many paid this way are considered self-employed, and are responsible for taxes. The salon will provide overhead expenses such as products, lights, water, etc.
Booth rental: The cosmetologist "rents" a space in the salon, for a monthly fee. This type of pay is defined as self-employment and the cosmetologist is responsible for all products used (perms, color etc.) as well as taxes. In many states, this form of payment is illegal, owing to the difficulty of regulating the individual cosmetologist both legally and business wise.
An hourly wage: Many corporate and small chains are going in this direction since it promotes a more controlled product by ensuring that employees are responsible for following company standards and policies.

Tips are another source of income. Skilled cosmetologists can often make a considerable portion of their income from tips from customers.