Requiring a cosmetology license to perform a shampoo creates a major salon industry challenge for the stylists and the business owners. 

Currently in the state of MA, an individual must complete 1000 hours and obtain a cosmetology license or be enrolled in cosmetology school and complete 200 hours to be able to shampoo in a salon. 

In the past, many students were eager to graduate and start as a salon assistant, performing simple tasks such as shampooing. It was perceived as a great opportunity to get their foot in the door, establish a foundation and gain experience. If a salon offered an apprentice program, the assistant would shampoo for all the stylists while taking classes and working towards their own career. If a salon did not offer a program, the assistant would still benefit immensely and learn a lot. Often, stylists can be more productive and provide a better client experience when they have an assistant. And at the same time, the assistant is receiving mentorship and valuable experiences to build their career. There is an incredible amount of knowledge and opportunity to be gained in observing, assisting, and partaking in mentorship or an apprentice program. 

In the last 6-12 months, there has been a shift in the salon industry. Keldara Salon and Spa, as well as many other salons across the country, are experiencing resistance and disinterest in starting as an assistant and shampooing. It is more common now that a cosmetology graduate seeks to immediately perform services on clients and does not want to assist. Stylists all over MA are desperate for assistants, particularly to shampoo and not having the help is drastically and negatively impacting the income of many stylists and salons. This is why the law needs to be modified and allow for an individual to perform a shampoo without a cosmetology license or enrolled in school.

Not having an assistant to shampoo poses a huge challenge in that it doesn't allow the stylist to double book. Double booking allows the stylist to perform a color, perform another service while that color processes, which would result in the assistant rinsing out the color while the stylist is finishing that second client. Not double booking has the stylist waiting around while the first client is processing and shampooing the client themselves. Instead they could be generating revenue and accommodating another client during that process time. It is true that some clients prefer their stylist for the entire service. However, for many stylists, they built their career on double booking or having the help of an assistant to maximize their earning potential and in those cases, the client is accustomed to an assistant performing the shampoo. In Keldara's case, for over 20 years, our clients were accustomed to a wonderful, relaxing head massage after their shampoo. Without assistants to perform the shampoo, we can no longer include that added value and enjoyable experience for our clients and it decreases the perceived value of a hair service at Keldara. We are currently in a recession due to inflation. The client's perceived value and client experience is detrimental for the success of our business and others.

Depending upon the size of the salon, one assistant could suffice. A larger salon like Keldara needs 1 assistant per 3-4 stylists. We have 27 stylists and on one day could have 14-19 stylists working at the same time. We've been in business for over 30 years. You can imagine how challenging it is for stylists who have worked for 10-20 years, and now must reduce their income simply because there's no one to perform a shampoo. 

Keldara has continuously visited many local Cosmetology schools to make presentations, perform demos and attract assistants. We've offered incentives, have a mentor program for continuing education, advertised on social media, emailed our current clients for referrals, etc. These are all tactics that have worked very well for us over a decade. We can honestly say we've tried everything and it seems as though this younger generation doesn't understand the value and the importance of assisting. This can be appreciated, however, in order for salons and stylists to thrive, there needs to be supplementation with another individual who can and desires to assist and learn. 

With social media being an excellent advertisement of a stylists work, the expectations of the salon guest receiving color is higher now. Services such as highlighting and balayage require more time and attention to include a shadow root, root smudge, toner or color melt. An assistant can be vital to helping the stylist accomplish the goal. Without assistance it can be done, but the stylist is often stressed and not able to accommodate another client. This sometimes results in an increased cost to the client due to the loss of income not being able to double book.

Keldara has 2 high school girls that would love to shampoo. Both are interested in furthering their career in the salon industry and it's really unfortunate that the only tasks they can perform is cleaning. There are many salons in MA who would love the opportunity to hire people who are interested in the salon industry. Hiring someone to shampoo, assist and possibly be mentored before enrolling school could really expedite the process for many salons. The individual would be that much further ahead and then once graduated, could confidently start building a clientele. Getting salon experience prior could potentially increase cosmetology school enrollment.

It is critical that the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering be open and consider allowing an individual to shampoo without a cosmetology license or enrollment in school. Basic training should be required and proper regulations should be implemented, but the current rule is having negative consequences on salons and stylists in MA. Many salons have resorted to hiring unlicensed assistants because they are desperate. Lets modify the rule so the support is provided for those who need it and value it. 

This issue will be proposed to the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering on February 9th, 2023. 

On behalf of all the salons and stylists who value and support this change, we would greatly appreciate your support!