After being ridiculed in papers across South Carolina, I felt a need to explain the position of our industry on the recent passing of the “Shampoo Bill.”
The bill allows non-licensed employees, with no training in safety or sanitation, to shampoo hair in salons.
The shampoo bowl is where you recognize if a client has a scalp condition, lice or any other medical condition that may be contagious.
A licensed cosmetologist can recognize these signs.
If left unnoticed, these diseases could be quickly and easily spread.
Our industry communicated clearly to the Legislature that we would support a bill requiring a minimal amount of training in safety and sanitation, very similar to the regulations for hair braiders — a one day course and an exam— not the often quoted 1,500 hours (the amount of hours for a full cosmetology license).
Finally, anyone who thinks that unlicensed workers hired to shampoo hair are only going to be shampooing hair is mistaken.
I predict that throughout salons in South Carolina you’ll find these unlicensed workers rinsing perms and color and dealing with other chemicals that they have no training on — and as a result could harm you or your hair.
Our desire is to protect you, the public.
We suggest that before going to a salon that you make sure they only employ licensed workers — for your health and safety.
Pat Adams
Cosmetologist, former member of State Board of Cosmetology, Columbia
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