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Cosmetology is the treatment of skin, hair and nails and includes, but is not limited to, 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 esthetician or aesthetician, is a worker who specializes in giving beauty treatments. The recipients of these treatments are usually women. A general cosmetologist is proficient in all forms of beauty care and can give hair treatments, facials, skin treatments, and nail treatments.
There are specific disciplines of cosmetology that some cosmetologists may specialize in. The different types of special cosmetologists include hair stylists, shampooers, manicurists, estheticians and electrologists. Many cosmetologists specialize in at least one of these categories.
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.Shampooer
The shampooer is really a sub-category of the hair stylist. A shampooer shampoos and conditions a client's hair for the hair stylist. Shampooers are normally only employed by large salons which have large numbers of customers simultaneously.Manicurist
A manicurist specializes in nail care, including manicures, pedicures, and nail extensions.Esthetician
An esthetician, or aesthetician, specializes in the study of skin care, including facial treatments, waxing as a form of hair removal, and cosmetic make-up services. Some estheticians also offer full body skin treatments and other related services.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.Becoming a cosmetologist
To become a cosmetologist in the United States, a state license is required. Each state mandates the amount of educational hours necessary before a practical exam may be taken. Some states also allow apprenticeships in hair salons under the guidance of a licensed cosmetology teacher, but this is quickly becoming obsolete. Safety guidelines and the threat of lawsuits have changed the salon environment, and kept apprentices away from the chair. These days it is beneficial for anyone interested in cosmetology to pursue the minimum qualifications of hairdressing. Cosmetology licenses must be renewed every two years. Licenses expire on December 31st of the expiration year. The State Board of Cosmetology * regulates how many, if any, continuing education units or hours are needed to maintain an active license in a particular state.
There is a difference between a barber and a cosmetologist. Barbers mainly cut hair and shave the facial hair of men. They are allowed to use a straight razor to shave their clients, whereas a cosmetologist can only use a razor if it used for cutting hair. A cosmetologist is concerned with a wide range of services not limited to hair. These include makeup, skincare, and nails. Today, the traditional barber is being replaced by well educated beauty professionals in some areas. Schooling is rigorous, and salons will typically retrain a hair stylist in their own method or program. Today the median income for a hairdresser is $26,000 and is much higher in some areas. See U.S. Department of Labor.
A difference also exists between beauty therapy and cosmetology. Beauty therapy involves itself with beautician or aestheticienne work (treatment of skin and nails, including manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing, facial electrical treatments, eyelash tinting, eyebrow tinting and other such treatments), physiatrics or body therapy work (Swedish massage, anatomy and physiology, body electrical treatments, body wraps, body treatments, figure analysis and cellulite treatments), and electrologywork or electrolysis. A cosmetologist instead deals with surface-only treatments. Beauty therapists can be qualified internationally through international bodies like ITEC, CIBTAC and CIDESCO.
Most cosmetologists are paid partially based on commission. In many places cosmetologists earn a small hourly wage, but the bulk of their income comes from a percentage of the cost of each service rendered. Tips are another source of income. Skilled cosmetologists can often make a considerable portion of their income from tips from customers.
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.
References
- Joseph's Colleges of Beauty and Barbering 3rd largest cosmetology school in the nation.
- Cosmetology Job Outlook Information
- International Academy of Hair Design Training in all disciplines of cosmetology
- Career School of Staten Island Beauty School located in Staten Island, NY
"Cosmetology"