FACING CHALLENGES IN AN EVER EXPANDING SPA INDUSTRY

The Spa Industry in N.C. was in its infancy in the early 1990’s. The concept of a professional “esthetician” was unfamiliar. Vivian Haven had a vision to bring North Carolina into the modern age of spa.

Vivian and Betty Chambers - a grass roots group of two with a similar vision and Helen Frazier a supporter on the NC Board of Cosmetic Art, worked together to educate and encourage the board into introducing a bill that would establish an aesthetics license.

Realizing their need for support. Vivian & Betty formed the N.C. Aestheticians Association. This process involved many hours of meetings with legislators, state board representatives, spa owners and their employees. The state board was helpful by referring those who were interested in becoming licensed in aesthetics to this newly formed association.

It was important for the bill to be passed to allow aestheticians to practice legally in N.C. Many aestheticians in the state were practicing “illegally” by going out of state for their aestheticians training and license.

Legislation is passed

We had countless strategy meetings and after several years of lobbying, the Cosmetic Art Board with input from Vivian and Betty wrote an aesthetics licensing law and submitted it to the state legislature. The members of The N.C. Aestheticians Association lobbied and made frequent visits to the state capitol to educate and convince the legislators to pass this bill. After six years of hard work our bill passed and became a law effective November 1, 1998.

N.C. was officially and legally in the spa business. Vivian Haven, Betty Chambers, Jean Rea, Debby Davis, and Collette Balbero all members of our association were asked to be the first aesthetic examiners.

Licensing is established

NCAA’s first efforts on behalf of aestheticians after being organized was to allow individuals who had been practicing skin care and could prove with documentation to be allowed to sit for the national exam and upon passing, receive their NC license.   This grace period lasted one year.  Those with license from another state through reciprocity received their NC aesthetics license.

After establishing licensing, NCAA’s next efforts were to help ensure that doctor’s offices come into compliance.   Prior to that period spa services in medical offices were being performed by non-licensed individuals.   Concern was expressed about risks to the public because of lack of training and professional protocol not being followed.   Our association conveyed our concerns to the Sate Board of Cosmetic Art and the Executive Director.   The case was presented to the Attorney General, and he ruled that: 

         Medical practices that were offering spa services or non-medically ordered Services would have to have      licensed individuals i.e. Aestheticians or Cosmetologists to perform those services.

          Medical practices that offered spa services would have to be licensed as a spa/salon. 

Class 4 Laser Devices

NCAA’s next success in further gaining professional recognition was in a ruling with the medical board.   The medical board had wanted to allow only medical personnel to operate class 4 laser devices under the direction of a physician.  The NCAA brought together a number of aestheticians to present at a meeting with physicians.  After some discussion the medical board agreed to allow the supervising physician the discretion to use a medical personnel or an aesthetician to perform the laser service.

Microdermabrasion

When the medical board expressed concern that aestheticians did not have the training and thus were not qualified to perform microdermabrasion we became concerned.   To protect the right of aestheticians to perform microdermabrasion our association proposed to the State Board of Cosmetic Art a certification program be enacted so everyone who operates a microdermabrasion machine must have basic state approved training.

Again, we achieved another victory for the role of the aesthetician, enabling them to perform microdermabrasion.   Effective January 2004, microdermabrasion operators are required to have a state issued certificate posted in their work place to prove they have met the minimum requirements for operating microdermabrasion equipment.

Summary

NCAA continues to make great strides forward working together with the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Art to ensure the professionalism of esthetics and the safety standards for their clients.

One ongoing effort is to raise the standards of aesthetics with the advancement of education and public awareness.  Towards that goal NCAA will sponsor the Carolina Esthetics Conference Sept 14th and September 15th, 2008 at the Charlotte, North Carolina Convention Center. Any interested exhibitor or attendee please contact Grace Medical Center at (843) 851-1182 or via email at hamiltot@aol.com.  

Also, if you are not a member of NCAA and would like to be on our mailing list please contact us.