N.L. doesn't regulate cosmetology. This business owner says that needs to change

Richelle Abbott dedicates hours of her week connecting nail technicians to potential customers, sorting through dozens of online posts and a phone book-like directory.

She manages the Find a Nail Tech N.L. Facebook group because she says there's nobody to turn to when things go wrong in the nail and esthetics business. 

"It's just a group of passionate nail techs and estheticians volunteering a few hours a week, trying their best to do some free education and uphold safety standards that don't exist for us on paper as a province," Abbott told CBC News.

The online community has nearly 6,000 members.

Abbott said she's happy that she's able to help people find safe cosmetic services, but it shouldn't fall on individuals like her. 

The St. John's-based woman is a medical esthetics student and got her first nail technician certificate in 2017. The work may be a part of the beauty industry, but that doesn't mean it's delicate. 

Nail technicians work with chemicals and sharp tools that could cause infection when not handled properly, according to Abbott. 

"Beyond complaining about the business, there's nobody that's going to help you make sure that it doesn't happen again," she said.

That's because the cosmetics industry in Newfoundland and Labrador is unregulated: it doesn't have set standards for quality control or minimum education requirements.

Where are the regulations?

Other provinces, such as Nova Scotia, have associations and legislation protecting service providers and customers.

Nova Scotia's Cosmetology Act says it prescribes "the hours of school training required to apply for a licence" to provide services. It also regulates the application of false eyelashes, hair, skin and nail care and the removal of hair.

The Cosmetology Association Of Nova Scotia is required to conduct examinations in cosmetology at least three times a year throughout the province.

Richelle Abbott wishes Newfoundland and Labrador had something similar. 

"We've had regular complaints from people who have gotten infections, have been cut, have had to do … multiple rounds of antibiotics because they have [a] bacterial infection, viral infection, fungal infection," Abbott said.

"Nail fungus is a big one, and it most always comes from improperly sanitized tools and bacteria remaining in workplaces."

CBC News asked several provincial departments for an interview, but received a statement on behalf of the provincial government. 

Spokesperson Gina MacArthur wrote: "If a consumer has concerns about potentially unsanitary practices occurring in a business where cosmetic esthetics services are provided, a complaint can be directed to their local government service centre of the Department of Digital Government and Service N.L. for investigation by an environmental health officer."

The statement also said professionals have the ability to form an industry association if they so choose. There was no mention of potentially introducing related legislation or by-laws.

Not just nails

Similar concerns are shared in the hairstyling side of the industry. 

Olivia Chafe is the co-owner of Entity Salon Inc. in St. John's, which offers haircuts, colour and a variety of other hair and spa services.

Chafe said she taught hairstyling for over 10 years, where she realized how important it is to have standard practices.

"We're working with chemicals every day," she said in her office at the back of the salon. "If I put bleach on someone's head and I'm not fully trained or educated, I could give you a really bad chemical burn.

"That's really scary."

All businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador are subject to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, but Chafe says that's not enough.

The salon owner said regulations for education and training wouldn't only help to avoid shoddy work, but it would make customers feel more empowered and comfortable.

"They just come into these places and assume that the person that's servicing them is fully trained and skilled, but the chances are they probably aren't," said Chafe.

"I just feel so bad for the client and that's why I'm so vocal on all of this," she said.

Chafe has been working on developing a full apprenticeship program at Entity. 

The salon will hire a student who must be approved by a trainer before they touch a client's hair. Chafe told CBC News that there was an apprentice practicing in the main area as she spoke.

"I feel like an association would actually [give us] more standards of operation," Chafe said. "It's kind of sad that we don't have that here in Newfoundland."

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