Eyebrow threading, a traditional hair removal practice originating in Central Asia and India, has been an effective way to remove unwanted hair for millennia. This process uses thread to pluck hair down to the follicle level. If done correctly, it can be relatively pain free. It also offers a better way to create the exact shape wanted for the area, and it also does not remove any skin as waxing does. It is an idea way to remove hair on the upper lip and eyebrows, although it is typically not used for legs, arms, and other larger regions of the body.
Many people keep their eyebrows in perfect shape with threading.
Although this is a popular treatment, it sometimes finds contention in state regulations. Some states lump it into the umbrella category of cosmetology, forcing practitioners to undertake hundreds of hours of cosmetology training and sit for the state license exam, even though it has nothing to do with their job. Recently, the Texas Supreme Court reviewed an appeal to the regulation in the state that practitioners needed a cosmetology license.
The History of the Case
In 2008, Texas decided to implement new legislation that required threaders to get a cosmetology license. In 2009, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations started to crack down on the regulations, which forced eyebrow threaders to undergo 750 hours of cosmetology training and sit for two exams in order to practice. Any practitioners they found without licenses were fined at least $2,000 and faced the potential closure of their businesses. The Institute of Justice quickly stepped in to sue the state on behalf of three threaders and two salon owners. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court Ruling
The Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of eyebrow threaders
.After hearing the lawsuit, on June 26, 2015, the Texas Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the threaders, according to Consumer Affairs. With this ruling, eyebrow threading practitioners no longer have to go to beauty school and sit for the cosmetology license exam in order to practice in the state. This opens up threading as a lucrative career choice for many people, since they no longer have to pay for education they do not need.
Why Eyebrow Threaders Won the Case
Eyebrow threaders won the case because the regulations were unnecessary and impeded many people’s ability of finding employment. Going to beauty school can cost between $7,000 and $22,000 depending on the institution, the course length, and the supplies and textbooks. However, the over 750 hours required by the state included not one course on eyebrow threading. Additionally, the state exams have absolutely no questions about eyebrow threading. This means that those who wanted to practice threading would have to spend time and money learning information useless to their job. The court also recognized that this education also did nothing to increase the health and safety of the clients. Additionally, it reduced the ability of many people to find gainful employment. Therefore, it only seemed right to remove the licensing regulations.
Threaders no longer have to double as cosmetologists unless they want to.
The victory for eyebrow threaders comes close off the heels of a similar victory for natural hair braiders. Texas and many other states are starting to realize that all beauty treatments do not necessarily need to be enveloped into the cosmetology license, allowing many more people to find work in a troubled economy.
For those who already have a Texas cosmetology license, you can get your required continuing education training online and hassle free from Beauty Academy.