Eyebrows from Freak to Fleek | Know Who Can Legally Perform Microblading

By: Aly Boeckh

What is it?

Microblading is a semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing treatment that fills in sparse eyebrows. The technique uses a hand-held tool with needles to apply pigments that simulate additional hairs. The color fades over time, and yearly touch-ups are recommended to maintain optimal results.

Microblading is a tattoo technique: The training, tools, and technique are different than what you'd see at a traditional tattoo parlor, but you are still embedding ink underneath the top layers of the skin. A pen-like tool is used to "feather" fine, hair-like lines into the brows.

Regulators Who? | The Rise in Medical Spa Regulation

By: Alex Thiersch

In recent years, the medical aesthetics industry has experienced explosive growth. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), consumers spent more than $13.87 billion on aesthetic procedures in 2015—an all-time high. 😳

These numbers are certainly good news for you; however, such robust growth and visible success has caused regulators on both the state and federal levels to begin taking a closer look at the industry. What these regulators are finding are areas in which legalities are poorly defined, enforcement is lax, and punishment is viewed as insufficient. State regulatory agencies have traditionally been underfunded and undermanned, but they are beginning to take action to rectify these perceived oversights. 

This increased scrutiny could potentially be very bad news for owners and operators of your medical aesthetics practice, if you are non-compliant. Laws are changing, enforcement is increasing, and punishments are becoming more severe. Take the time to review this guide to learn about the areas in which regulators are beginning to crack down and correct any shortcomings your practice may have as soon as possible!

New California Microneedling Regulation Against Estheticians

By: Aly Boeckh

AmSpa Founder and Director, Alex Thiersch's viral CA Update video has lead to a serious discussion regarding recent confusion and concern about who can perform microneedling and dermaplaning in California medical spas. The American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) will welcome California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology representatives Kristy Underwood and Tami Guess to its upcoming Medical Spa Boot Camp in San Jose, CA, on September 19-20. Underwood and Guess are slated for a short presentation and Q&A session on Day 2 of the boot camp, providing information about California’s state laws and regulations affecting medical spa professionals, with a focus on microneedling and derma planing.