Unethical Behavior in the Realm of Cosmetology

            As with all professional fields, the field of cosmetology has some ethical issues involved in its operations. When being employed or owning a business, it is crucial to maintain a high ethical standard. By doing so, a business is able to uphold its legal standard as well as provide for the high quality and service that their customers are expecting to receive. When a business fails to fill this requirement, they are not only letting their customers down, but putting their business at a higher risk of being put out of business. They can be held legally accountable were the ethical problems of the business to put people in danger of sickness, injury, or the like. What many people do not recognize is that ethical standard is not limited to just health codes and integrity in regards to the business. A large portion of ethics is also directed toward correct treatment toward other coworkers and the customers that come into the business. The largest issue in cosmetology today is in regards to the service of its customers. It is very common for cosmetologists to show up late to appointments and not provide for what their customers desires.

            Justification of this behavior is common. Because all areas I the field of cosmetology are related to some form of relaxation and not being stressed, cosmetologists feel it is acceptable to show up late to their appointments. Cosmetologists can view this behavior as a way to keep their relaxed stature in order to properly present this service to their client. The cosmetologist is then able to proceed with the appointment in a calm, cool, and collected manner. They then continue with the appointment, proceeding to fulfill the request of the visitor in a way that will best fit them. Whether it be a hairstyle or makeup, this is not always specifically what the customer requested. So long as the customer is happy, they view this as acceptable.

            On the contrary, this behavior is completely unacceptable. Any professional has the obligation of fulfilling their duties justly for the clients that they see. They are being paid to do exactly that, and it has become a common problem in many fields. By showing up late, a cosmetologist reflects a lack of care in their own field. For any customer, this would come back to resemble the concept that the employee did not care about their customer in the least bit. As well as this, the cosmetologist not doing exactly what the customer desires does not reflect ethical behavior. In a business providing a service it can be difficult to define these lines, but it is no different than a company sending a different product than a customer ordered. Unethical behavior like this reflects negatively on both the business and the workers in the business. It starts by creating a bad reputation for that location and can slowly make its way to presenting the entire field of cosmetology as an unethical practice over a long period of time. This is very disappointing to see, and unfortunately is not uncommon in this field. It is important to recognize situations such as this to not only help improve other businesses but to remain ethical in one’s own field of practice as well.

Cosmetology as Time Progresses

            As we have discussed before, cosmetology is a very fascinating field to look into. It contains a great number of areas that continue to present more and more information as time goes on. That is one of the greatest parts about cosmetology; it only gets better with time. Being the unique field that it is, it proceeds to change with what the preference of the people are in that time period. This is dependent on the styles of clothing, makeup, and activities that are appropriate with the fashions that continue to present themselves.

            As time has progressed beginning with what looks to be the Egyptians due to archeological evidence, different forms of makeup art and hairstyles have come about. This also extends to the ways of the Greeks and the Romans. Different fads of the time were dramatic eyeliner wear and dark mascaras. These could be paired with large hairstyles, head pieces, and similar ideas. Popular looks of the time included pale skin. Other concepts of this time era included the use of blood to give the lips a red look. Makeup was also a symbol of wealthiest people of the times. Only wealthier women could afford quality makeup and people to apply it, where as those without as much money could not afford to pay people to apply it for them. (“How Cosmetology Has Changed over the Years,” 30 December 2015)

            As time passed, the Renaissance age came about. This created the likeness of larger and more plump women, with looks to match just this. They aimed for a look to accentuate their facial features with larger body types and smaller busts. Shortly after this, the Victorian era arrived, providing for women to be very slim with a very natural look. Women that did sport makeup during this time did so minimally and rarely. Hair removal was very popular at this time, and has remained so since then, continuing to be a popular trend to this day. (“How Cosmetology Has Changed over the Years,” 30 December 2015)

            A few of the newest trends that have come about include the interesting styles of hair color. People have taken a fond liking to dying their hair vibrant shades of pinks, purples, blues, reds, greens, and the like. The options are endless with schemes such as these because of the great diversity they can have. When an individual decides to use one of these dyes, they are also able to choose a unique hair style to accentuate the colors of their hair. By adding a variation of lengths, the hair dye can be reflected as a great variation of shades for the chosen color it is dyed.

As time progresses, these popular fads will continue to change. People are always working to develop a unique look to call their own. As these trends catch on, the trendsetters continue to change things up. It is a never-ending cycle, which is precisely why cosmetologists have to be on the lookout at all times. Were a person in this profession to not be aware of the popular trends, they would have a difficult time keeping their cliental because they would not be able to provide the service that the visitor desired. This is why it is so important for the professionals in this field to be educated.

References

“How Cosmetology Has Changed over the Years.” (30 December 2015.) StateCE.  Web. Retrieved from http://www.statece.com/blog/cosmetology/how-cosmetology-has-changed-over-the-years/

New Technology in the Field of Cosmetology

            One of the great things about the field of Cosmetology is its inability to be fully replaced by technology. Though so many new pieces are created, none of which possess the ability to read precisely what the customer would like to have done in regards to their hair, nails, or makeup.  Though it is irreplaceable, new technologies consistently help to strengthen the field. As time goes on, a great variety of new creations come to light that help beauticians do their job that much better. From the simple hair drying chair to new special dyes that stay in a customer’s hair longer, these new inventions continue to amaze all of us day by day. Used as an assistant to the cosmetologist, technology is a great accessory to this particular field.

            One of the great ways technology has helped to influence the field of cosmetology is by showing individuals what options they have. People are now able to access thousands of different hair and nail ideas at the tips of their fingers. By simply looking online with a description of one’s haircut, they are provided with hundreds of ideas to really upgrade their look and recreate their image. They are also able to get numerous ideas of designs for manicures and pedicures. So many sites provide great advice on how to maintain different treatments as well to assist in prolonging the service that the individual receives. In addition to this, they are able to use photoshopping technology to get an idea of what they will look like with a given look before having it actually done to their own hair or face. Simple technologies like these help improve the rate of customer satisfaction in the field of cosmetology.

            Another great advance in technology for this field is the ability for people to be able to have particular features either tattooed on or laser-removal of marks they no longer want on their body. A person now has the capability to go to specialized tattoo shops and have their eyebrows tattooed on or weaved in to their face. Though not the most appealing idea, many people enjoy this option in order to attain the look that they want to have. Other benefits of this technology offer permanent hair removal by laser. The laser is able to burn the hair off and essentially keep it from growing back. (Corbett, Holly, 2015) Operations such as these are permanent, simply requiring a touch up or two over long periods of time.

            Technological advances like these continue to present themselves as time goes on. The new inventions continue to present incredible options for the field of cosmetology. Not only are new creations helping to lengthen the time between visits and help treatments last longer, but also helping to decrease the time it takes to complete the treatments in the salons. Higher quality dryers continue to arise in the field, allowing cosmetologists to complete visits faster. They are then able to spend more time on the pampering sections of the visit as well as help the customer feel truly comfortable with their cosmetologist and their ability to do their job quickly and efficiently.

References

Corbett, Holly. (2016.) “10 High Tech Beauty Products Worth Every Penny. Shape. Web. Retrieved     from http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/10-high-tech-beauty-products-worth-every-penny

An Explanation of Cosmetology

        Cosmetology is a broad field to work with. There is a great amount of diversity within the field itself. A few departments include the practices of estheticians, nail technicians, and barbers. All three of these areas are actively working to help maintain a strong level of hygiene in their cliental. Cosmetology is often looked to as a form of pampering, relaxation, and luxury. Though these may apply, few people truly grasp the value behind this field of study. The hands and feet alone are susceptible to germs and fungi just like the rest of the body. When an infection is contracted, it has the capability to grow and infect other phalanges. A simple manicure or pedicure can monumentally lower the likelihood of an infection growing. The work of an esthetician helps both the interior and exterior of the body. The extracting of dirt from the skin not only helps keep the pores cleaned out but releases bad toxins from an individual’s body. This release leaves the body feeling rejuvenated and cleansed, which is a benefit of its own. Aside from these two professions, a barber’s job holds an equivalent amount of importance. Regular haircuts keep the hair healthy, strong, and work to decrease the chance of an individual getting lice. Looking at the field of cosmetology from a different perspective, it is easy to see the great benefit of having these treatments performed regularly.     

  

        As time goes on, cosmetology continues to grow from a field that helps to maintain one’s health and well-being to a field that helps an individual express who they are. A popular concept has always been to never judge a book by its cover; this concept is slowly in the process of changing to the thought process of “what if my appearance reflected the type of person I am?” This can range from a series of different hair colors, different nail shapes, colors, and styles, the way a girl’s makeup is applied, and other similar forms of expression. Through simply observing the colors painted onto an individual’s nails, it is possible to determine certain characteristics about the personality of that individual. For example, an extremely introverted person is not likely to have a neon orange shade of polish painted on a set of nails that are filed to have sharp points at the tips. This is a minor example of the major impressions that present-day appearances can now have on a person.

        Every day, a cosmetologist can wake up and go to work knowing that they are going to help someone. After a fresh haircut or nail treatment, the individual feels relaxed, refreshed, and ready to go face the challenges they have elsewhere. This confidence is radiant and creates a positive aura for any atmosphere. Influential benefits such as this are what make this field so great. Keeping strong ethical conduct in the work place is simple when one can see the great benefits it provides to both the employees and the clients. Maintaining cleanliness and providing for exactly what the customer wants is easy when that is the primary goal of the business operation from the very beginning. This field is unique in the way that it is irreplaceable by up and coming technology. Though a computer is able to be programmed to do similar skills of a cosmetologist, it is unable to know the personality of a client to perform the exact request of the individual. Cosmetology truly is a timeless profession that will be around for centuries to come.