Facialist Terminology Improper, Possibly Illegal
Ask An Expert
Originally published in ASCP's Skin Deep, August/September 2007. Copyright 2007. Associated Skin Care Professionals. All rights reserved.
Q: I recently encountered two people in a department store who described themselves as facialists and admitted they had no training, not even by the product manufacturer. But they were performing facials on customers. Is this a trend, and what are the legalities?
A: Depending on what state you are in, it may indeed be illegal. A trend toward the use of the facialist title may be in the offing. An Internet search reveals scattered use of the term by salons and spas advertising job openings, sometimes without mention of training or licensing. It is possible they have adopted this terminology because they believe it's more understandable to consumers.
To further confuse the issue, some career websites are blurring the definitions of what estheticians, cosmetologists, and others do by publishing incorrect job descriptions for these professions. On at least one site, esthetician and facialist are used interchangeably.
Florida is the only state to use the term facial specialist in its licensing. New York allows licensed cosmetologists and licensed estheticians to refer to themselves as facialists, however they may not lead anyone to believe they are solely licensed as facialists. In Connecticut--the only state where there is no esthetic licensing--terminology is not an issue.
Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) research reveals most members prefer to be called skin care therapists, skin care professionals, or estheticians. ASCP believes use of the term facialist undermines the training, experience, and licensing of the professional esthetician (obviously, Florida estheticians must abide by their state's licensing terminology, legislation is in the works to have that terminology changed).
No professional wants to be confused with an untrained or unlicensed person, or to have the broad scope of their practice reduced by the use of a narrow term, such as facialist. ASCP suggests members correct others when inappropriate terminology is used and to refer to themselves as licensed when representing themselves professionally, such as on business cards, websites, and marketing materials. This helps educate consumers about the need for a license.
ASCP strongly encourages members to stay informed and to report violations of licensing laws and scope-of-practice rules to their state boards.
A state-by-state listing of scopes of practice, courtesy of the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, has been posted in the Members section at www.ascpskincare.com. Members are also encouraged to network online with their colleagues at the ASCP website, posting opinions, experiences, and questions on this or any other topic. They also should check with their state boards for Listservs that update practitioners on professional topics.
Q: I recently encountered two people in a department store who described themselves as facialists and admitted they had no training, not even by the product manufacturer. But they were performing facials on customers. Is this a trend, and what are the legalities?
A: Depending on what state you are in, it may indeed be illegal. A trend toward the use of the facialist title may be in the offing. An Internet search reveals scattered use of the term by salons and spas advertising job openings, sometimes without mention of training or licensing. It is possible they have adopted this terminology because they believe it's more understandable to consumers.
To further confuse the issue, some career websites are blurring the definitions of what estheticians, cosmetologists, and others do by publishing incorrect job descriptions for these professions. On at least one site, esthetician and facialist are used interchangeably.
Florida is the only state to use the term facial specialist in its licensing. New York allows licensed cosmetologists and licensed estheticians to refer to themselves as facialists, however they may not lead anyone to believe they are solely licensed as facialists. In Connecticut--the only state where there is no esthetic licensing--terminology is not an issue.
Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) research reveals most members prefer to be called skin care therapists, skin care professionals, or estheticians. ASCP believes use of the term facialist undermines the training, experience, and licensing of the professional esthetician (obviously, Florida estheticians must abide by their state's licensing terminology, legislation is in the works to have that terminology changed).
No professional wants to be confused with an untrained or unlicensed person, or to have the broad scope of their practice reduced by the use of a narrow term, such as facialist. ASCP suggests members correct others when inappropriate terminology is used and to refer to themselves as licensed when representing themselves professionally, such as on business cards, websites, and marketing materials. This helps educate consumers about the need for a license.
ASCP strongly encourages members to stay informed and to report violations of licensing laws and scope-of-practice rules to their state boards.
A state-by-state listing of scopes of practice, courtesy of the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, has been posted in the Members section at www.ascpskincare.com. Members are also encouraged to network online with their colleagues at the ASCP website, posting opinions, experiences, and questions on this or any other topic. They also should check with their state boards for Listservs that update practitioners on professional topics.
