In May 2012, Hair Crafters will celebrate its 36th year in business as a locally owned, family-run, full-service hair salon. We are proud to have employed more than 100 professionals, mostly licensed cosmetologists, who perform salon services ranging from cutting hair, to manicures and skin care. The operation is regulated by the state of

Indiana through its professional licensing agency, the State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Each cosmetologist on staff at Hair Crafters is also regulated by this agency.

On Jan. 6, Republican Rep. David A. Wolkins, of the Indiana House of Representatives District 18 (LaGrange, Elkhart, Kosciusko counties) introduced House Bill 1006, sponsoring the dissolution of State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. HB 1006 was introduced after the Regulatory Occupational Evaluation Committee recommended its elimination. This controversial bill was withdrawn by Wolkins after a full-scale opposition campaign was waged by industry professionals.

It is important to understand why the public outcry was fierce and professionals in our industry were outraged at the suggestion that the board be eliminated.

Full-service hair salons must employ professionally trained individuals who have completed 1,500 hours of cosmetology school, which includes instruction not only in how to cut hair and manicure nails, but how to properly sanitize the tools of the trade (shears, combs, nail clippers, etc.) in order not to spread infectious disease. Cosmetology students also learn many principles of chemistry related to the coloring, bleaching and perming of hair. The products used for these services contain strong chemicals that can cause serious burns or unintentionally alter the hair, causing damage or hair loss. When students learn nail care, they learn the proper sanitation of manicure and pedicure tools and equipment in order not to spread infections such as hepatitis or the deadly MRSA (methicillin resistant staphyylococcus aureus) virus. If there was no oversight of our profession, the public would be subject to serious health risks.

The board that regulates Indiana’s cosmetology and barber industry (generating $698 million in annual sales and employing more than 9,200 professionals) brings in just less than $1 million per year in licensing fees.

Adding to the detrimental fiscal impact of removing the board is that cosmetology or “beauty” schools would cease to exist, allowing anyone to claim the profession. Distributors of professional salon equipment, tools and chemicals would no longer be able to do business here. The inability of these distributors to sell professional-use only products in turn hurts the manufacturers. Low quality products sold to the public with or without competent education would impact the industry that prides itself on high standards.

According to the Professional Beauty Association, the 2nd Congressional District in Indiana has approximately 196 cosmetology/

barber-related establishments that employ more than 1,200 professionals. Between 1999 and 2009, the number of salon industry jobs in Indiana increased 15 percent. In contrast, total private-sector employment in the state declined 9 percent during the same period. And when it comes to empowering women and minorities to own their own businesses, women own 62 percent of salons versus 28 percent of businesses in the private sector. Twenty percent of these businesses are owned by African-Americans, versus just 5 percent of total private sector businesses.

When you visit a hair salon, you should never have to worry that your hair stylist or nail technician is putting your health at risk by using improperly sanitized tools or equipment. Nor should you need to call into question the professional education received by your salon professional. We applaud the withdrawal of House Bill 1006.

Jean DeWinter, salon coordinator for Hair Crafters, wrote this on behalf of her parents, Ron and Betty DeWinter, owners of Hair Crafters. The Professional Beauty Association contributed to the article.