Many people are unaware that in order to provide services for hair cuts and colouring, waxing, facials, manicures and pedicure- there is absolutely no governing body to regulate the cosmetic industry and therefore anyone can set up shop.  The Cosmetology Association of British Columbia used to be regulated by the Provincial government, but in 2003, this regulation was cut.  

When I did my accreditation for esthetics, it was mandatory to be licensed in order to provide cosmetic services.  At the time, the examination wasn’t exactly the most challenging experience of my life and I saw many ‘graduates’ during the exam who didn’t seem to have a clue about hygienic practices and safety. Is it any wonder then, that since the deregulation it is purported that complaints to the Cosmetology Association have increased 10 fold?

When it comes to public health and safety the government was rash in cutting this corner and the road is now being paved for licensing to come back.  

The interesting aspect about taking this regulation away and bringing it back, is that it is possible for the standards of practice and education to be completely updated and brought to a new level of professionalism that may have not been possible if the previous structure/ bureaucracy was still in tact. One of our very own ‘Sprucies’ (as we playfully refer to each other) is participating in a committee which will bring forth new ideas and standards of practice for licensing.

It’s a fresh page for the spa and salon industry in Vancouver and B.C. Thankfully we’ll be matching and hopefully surpassing the standards that are already set in most other Canadian provinces.