Consumer Information

The Board has put together the following information to help protect and prepare members of the public receiving cosmetic art services.

• Callus Shavers 

  The NC Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners has prohibited the use or possession in a shop of razor type callus shavers since 2004.  Current regulations both prohibit the use or possession of razor type callus shavers and assess a civil penalty should an inspector find one in a shop.  In light of this prohibition many shops have turned to the use of various types of rasps, files, and other abrasive implements for the care and treatment of the feet as allowed by NC General Statute 88B.  Regulations also require that licensees may only use an implement in the manner intended and described or detailed by the implement’s manufacturer. 

  General Information

• MMA is prohibited for use or possession in North Carolina salons. 

• Licensees must wash their hands between client services.
• Hot wax containers should never be left uncovered.
• Any disposable implement such as orange sticks, emery boards, facial sponges, toe separators, wax applicators should be discarded after use, never reused. A good rule of thumb is "disinfect or discard." Absolutely every item of equipment must be disinfected or discarded. Only non-porous items are capable of meeting the EPA standard of disinfection.
• Dry storage of disinfected tools requires isolation from contaminated items.
• Clippers must be cleaned, disinfected and stored in a clean area.
• Disinfectants should never come in contact with a client's skin, all tools and implements must be thoroughly rinsed and dried.
• North Carolina issues a sanitation grade to each salon and the grade card must be displayed at all times.
• Only licensed estheticians and cosmetologists are permitted to perform waxing services.
• Ear stapling is outside the scope of practice of all cosmetic art licensees. Individuals licensed to perform ear stapling are medical doctors, chiropractors and acupuncturists.

Watch for general cleanliness in salons such as any hair, nail clippings, dust, or debris on the floor, personal items in drawers or on tables or other furniture, keeping clean and dirty implements in the same container, failure to keep clean implements covered and dirty restroom facilities. Please report any questionable salon sanitation practices as a complaint. 

Questions about a barbershop? Contact the NC Board of Barber Examiners 919-814-0640

Video Information Segments - Our inspectors have been featured on local and national television reports regarding salon sanitation. Please use the links below to view the segments and access information about sanitation.
WRAL Raleigh, NC
CNN Headline News