Salon Regulations

*EXPIRES 8/31/11. *Excludes color mats & other special order items, previous orders, sale, clearance, package deals, & shipping charges. 1 coupon per customer. Online order discount will be applied during order processing.

Styling Chair - K1108

All Purpose Chair - K2315

Great for Skin Care, Pedicure, Shampoo, Barbers, Tattoo Artists!

Vented Manicure Table - KL-KE100V

Available in Cherry Top & Black Color

Styling Chair - K1175 - Styling Chair -K1108 - Styling Chair - K1107

Special Order Colors Available!

Barber

Furniture

Pedicure

Shampoo

July Specials

Keller International — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:07:14 GMT

*does not expire until 8/31/11. *Excludes color mats & other special order items, previous orders, sale, clearance, package deals, & shipping charges. 1 coupon per customer. Online order discount will be applied during order processing.

Preorder select styles today!

Appliance Holders - Towel Warmers - Service Trays - Facial Equipment

Refer a friend! If they purchase with us you will receive $25 off your next purchase. Excludes sale, special order & previous orders. No cash value. Submit coupon prior to use to authenticate referred proof of purchase.

March Anniversary Sale!

Keller International — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:40:16 GMT

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary! Take 15% off one item. Does not expire til 8/31/11. Use now, or save for later!

*excludes previous orders, sale, clearance, special order items, package deals, & shipping charges. 1 coupon per customer. Online order discount will be applied during order processing.

Referral rewards

February Specials & NEW Items

Keller International — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:09:52 GMT

See our NEW styling station furniture...

New Items with Antique Style. Styling Station K7002, Double Sided Styling Station K7003, & Styling Station K7001.

Shear and Scissors Sale - Prices Slashed up to 50% OFF! Limited Time Offer: orders of $3,000 or more recieve FREE Choice of Shears! (excludes Pro shear set KD550/575)

February Special: 5% off $1000, 6% off $2000, 8% off $4000

*does not apply to sale/clearance, special orders, package deals & shipping charges. Expires 2/28/11.

What equipment do I need to open a salon or barber shop?

Keller International — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:42:54 GMT

Opening a barbershop or even a salon can be a challenging job. There are many rules and regulations governing the industry usually set by the state boards and by the city codes and ordinances. Many cities have barbering educators who are licensed to teach in their shop or school and who have a wealth of knowledge of what’s required in your city to be able to run a violation free shop. They typically love the business and love talking about it. If you can seek out their support you will have an advantage in getting started. Now lets talk about learning the old fashion way and researching it yourself by reading the rules and regulations. The best sources for finding information regarding specific requirements is from your State Boards or Regulatory Commission. But you still have to deal with your city or town building and occupancy codes to get a “C of O” approval (Certificate of Occupancy). We have compiled an alphabetical list by States and their web addresses related to the regulation of barbering and cosmetology. Remember each state requires different things but some important safety items have been a Sharps Container (used razor blade disposal), certificates / licenses displayed and have on file a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for every chemical you use.

Lets start with the Basics or MUST have items:

A shampoo sink / chair combo with hot and cold running water
A styling chair, all purpose chair or barber chair, one per person
One hand held or hood dryer with or without the chair
One work station (wall mount, stationary), per person
A disinfectant container with disinfectant or sterilizing solution
Seating accommodations in reception area
Cabinet for clean towels and supplies
A receptacle for used towels
Reception Desk
Floor Mats
Child Booster Seat

The best places to get the information you need on the equipment requirements for a Salon or Barbershop is your local Chamber of Commerce and your state board.

The following links are to all of the State Boards:

Alabama www.aboc.state.al.us/
Alaska www.commerce.state.ak.us/occ/pbah.htm
Arizona www.cosmetology.state.az.us/
Arkansas www.arkansas.gov/cos
California www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/
Colorado www.dora.state.co.us/barbers_cosmetologists
Connecticut www.ct-clic.com/
Delaware www.dpr.delaware.gov/boards/cosmetology/index.shtml
District of Columbia www.asisvcs.com/indhome_fs.asp?CPCAT=2009STATEREG
Florida www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pro/cosmo/cos_index.shtml
Georgia www.sos.georgia.gov/plb/cosmetology/default.htm
Hawaii www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/barber/
Idaho www.adm.idaho.gov/
Illinois www.idfpr.com/dpr/WHO/cosmo.asp
Indiana www.in.gov/pla/2302.htm
Iowa www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure/board_home.asp?board=cos
Kansas www.kansas.gov/kboc/
Kentucky www.kbhc.ky.gov/schools.htm
Louisiana www.lsbc.louisiana.gov/
Maine www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/barbers/index.htm
Maryland www.dllr.state.md.us/license/occprof/cos.html
Massachusetts www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/hd/index.htm
Michigan www.michigan.gov/cosmetology
Minnesota www.bceboard.state.mn.us/
Mississippi www.msbc.state.ms.us/
Missouri www.pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp
Montana www.mt.gov/dli/bsd/license/bsd_boards/cos_board/contacts.asp
Nebraska www.hhs.state.ne.us/crl/mhcs/cosindex.htm
Nevada www.cosmetology.nv.gov/
New Hampshire www.nh.gov.cosmet/
New Jersey www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/nonmedical/coshair.htm
New Mexico www.rld.state.nm.us/barber_cosmo/index.html
New York http://www.dos.state.ny.us/lcns/professions/barber/barber.html
North Carolina www.cosmetology.state.nc.us/
North Dakota http://www.nd.gov/sos/licensing/
Ohio www.cos.ohio.gov/
Oklahoma www.cosmo.state.ok.us/
Oregon http://www.oregon.gov/OHLA/COS/index.shtml
Pennsylvania www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/cwp/view.asp?a=1104&q=432561
Rhode Island www.health.ri.gov/hsr/professions/hair_barb.php
South Carolina www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/cosmetology/
South Dakota www.state.sd.us/dol/boards/cos/
Tennessee www.state.tn.us/commerce/boards/cosmo/index.html
Texas www.state.tx.us/category.jsp?categoryId=9.3
Utah www.business.utah.gov/business//starting.html
Vermont www.vtprofessionals.org/opr1/cosmetologists/
Virginia http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/bnc_main.cfm
Washington www.dol.wa.gov/business/cosmetology/lawsrules.html
West Virgina www.wvdhhr.org/wvbc/
Wisconsin www.drl.wi.gov/boards/bac/
Wyoming www.cosmetology.state.wy.us/

Professional Styling Mat Tips and Care Information

Keller International — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:19:59 GMT

Do you suffer from:

muscle pain
lower back aches
calf tension
heel spurs
arthritis
sore feet

No matter if you are a barber, stylist or beauty/spa technician, you are likely to be working long hours standing on hard laminate, cement, or hardwood flooring. Working around your styling, all-purpose, or barber chairs for extended periods of time can lead to wear and stress on your body.

Professional styling mats are the easy, affordable solution. Stylist mats provide unparalleled design, performance, and quality. Easily rolled out to surround your chair or work station, they provide a cushioned workspace with virtually no installation. Mats are made of strong super soft materials(some are 100% polyurethane), providing lasting durability and unparalleled design. They feature a lightly textured, matte black or marbleized finish, offered in different sizing lengths and shapes; rectangular, semi-circular, or hex custom to fit your space and style. Also, a smaller shampoo mat is perfect for added comfort while working around your shampoo sink or shampoo station. A half-moon depression allows the mat to be placed comfortably under styling and barber chairs for a seamless look.

Have your choice of 1/2” to 1” ultra thick therapeutic anti-fatigue cushioning that reduces the discomfort associated with long term standing. Designed to interact with the body, they reduce the stress and strain of activity while promoting better posture, proper circulation and muscle conditioning.

Here are some easy tips for proper care of your styling mat.

Make sure the mat is placed properly on the floor with the top shiny surface facing up. A common mistake is when the mat is placed upside down causing hair to stick to the surface and the mat to work improperly.

How to Clean Your Mat:

Clean the surface of the mat with a mild household cleanser, followed by plain water and towel dry. Alternatively, a wet Swiffer/cloth and dry Swiffer may be used.

Mat Safety:

1. Insure that the surface where the mat will be placed is free from chemical or cleaning residue. The floor must be completely dry before placement of the mat. Placing on top of residue or moisture may cause sticking to the floor causing damage when lifted.

2. When removing the new mat from the box, do not roll backwards to force the mat to lie flat. Lay the mat on the floor and allow to flatten on its own. Rolling the mat backwards may split the foam and cause damage. If the mat must be rolled for short-term storage, it should always be rolled with the underside foam core to the inside with shiny top surface to the outside. This allows for the mat to lie properly when unrolled to be used again.

With proper care your styling mats will provide years of service with long lasting positive benefits to your health and workspace.

Beauty Salon Safety & Sanitation Rules

Keller International — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:31:06 GMT

Operating a salon requires a great deal of care and consideration into everyday aspects of the business. Whether you provide hair care, nail care, or body care services, it is expected that you are aware of the safety & sanitation procedures needed to conduct the best services possible. In order to ensure proper care of your clients, employees, and the establishment itself, there needs to be attention paid to these procedures on a day-to-day basis.

Beauty Salon Safety

Keeping your establishment safe should be a priority for you and your staff as it communicates the trustworthiness your clients should have towards your salon. Practicing safe procedures also ensures that you make the most of your salon equipment's life and that you keep your business running as long as you possibly can. In the salon business, there are several major hazards that you will need to caution yourself against and those are: fire-related incidents, burglary, and accidents within the salon space.

In order to protect your salon furniture and salon equipment from fire-related incidents, there are several factors to consider: Set up an intruder alarm detection system with codes for your establishment.

When deciding to put combustible materials (aerosol cans of hairspray, solutions containing alcohol, etc.) in waste bins, make certain that these bins are a good distance from regularly used electrical equipment. Have your staff of employees undergo fire hazard training.
Make certain that they know where the fire extinguisher is located as well as procedures to follow when a fire does arise. Prohibit smoking indoors. If your establishment allows smoking on the facade of the business, provide a metal-lidded bin for their disposal of ashtray contents.
Unplug salon equipment not currently in use to avoid short-circuiting. Do this when you close the salon every night. Have a qualified electrician come by regularly for maintenance purposes.
Avoid using portable heaters with naked flames or exposed, radiant, hot surfaces.
Never directly heat alcoholic solutions like acetone to make them work faster--instead, use a warm bowl of water to do the heating indirectly.
Keep all combustible materials not currently being used, in a locked, dry cabinet.

Protecting your salon from crime can be easy if all staff members are aware of safety procedures and abide by them on a regular basis. Care and caution every day can lessen your chances of being burglarized. Here are some helpful tips:

Set up an intruder alarm detection system with codes for your establishment.
Ensure your locks are working with a locksmith on a monthly basis. Permit key duplication with your own personal discretion.
Put away any costly electronic equipment that may tempt intruders in back storage closets in order to make your space less appealing to intruders.
Have at least two employees open and close the business every day.
Install a surveillance camera behind the cash register.
Keep a low balance in the cash register. When making a bank deposit, vary the times that this is done.

Little accidents are common to most businesses, but you will want to work to lessen these instances as there is likely to be a great deal of foot traffic flowing in and out of your salon. Protecting your clients & staff from accidents is possible with the following tips:

Keep the floors as neat and tidy as possible. Encourage your staff to clean after each client has left. If this is not possible because of the traffic your establishment receives on a regular basis, have one of your staff members be designated to manage the floor that particular day (this works best on a rotation).
Repair damaged floor coverings immediately--this is not only a major safety risk, it is unsightly for everyone (especially your clients!).
Have on hand a first-aid kit at all times.
Post safety procedures on a discreet wall of your establishment and ensure that your staff know the necessary steps.
Repair or replace (if necessary) damaged salon equipment in order to avoid accidents. You will want to uphold the best safety standards possible in your establishment and keeping your salon equipment in amazing shape is a large part of that.

Beauty Salon Sanitation

Cleaning and general upkeep should be a part of your everyday operations, however, there are aspects of sanitation within a service-oriented business that even the most careful business owners overlook. Sanitation is important for your ratings as a business, but most importantly, it is important for your clients, your team of staff, and the salon equipment itself. Your attention to the client's health is crucial because it reassures their confidence in your establishment. If they are aware of the high standards you set, they will likely come back as well as recommend their friends. Here are some pointers on how to better communicate the dedication you have towards your client's health:

Talk through with your client the sanitation and disinfection procedures as you perform them; this encourages your client to be more knowledgeable and build their confidence in your part regarding their personal safety.
Clean & disinfect tools between clients with EPA approved disinfectants. Use disposable tools and towels when possible and give them to your clients upon departure. This keeps processes clean and they leave with a token of your salon.
Maintain regular cleaning procedures with your staff and have them record dates of completion. This enables you to obtain better control on what standards your establishment is able to uphold.
Foot spas should be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed after the use of each client (read more on how to, below under salon equipment care).
Use techniques and processes that prevent cross-contamination of creams, lotions, make-up products, wax pots, etc. For example, using a pump to dispense the lotion lowers the risk of contamination.

A team of strong, healthy staff members is something every salon can pride itself on. Protecting your staff's health is a large part of your responsibility as the owner and you can easily set great examples by providing the initial framework for safety at work.

When applicable, have your staff wear protective eyewear and facemasks during certain procedures in order to ensure that there is no transmission of germs.
Practice good personal hygienic habits like frequent hand washing.
If they have injuries like cuts on their hands, make it a requirement to wear nitrile gloves (as latex & vinyl are permeable to many nail product ingredients) for their safety and the client's. Change these gloves after every client.
Have exhaust vent systems embedded in your work tables as well as wall or ceiling-mounted exhaust systems in order to exchange indoor air with fresh air. This should remedy most of the problem with harmful inhalation of chemicals.
Transfer bulk cosmetic products to smaller, manageable containers in order to protect staff members against exposures to large amounts of chemicals often. This also reduces the instance of spillage.
Prohibit eating & drinking at the stations. Instead, provide a designated break room for dining.

Protecting the life of your salon equipment

When washing tools with soap & water, make certain that the residue of soap is gone before putting the tools in Barbicide, as it tends to work less effectively.
Using an autoclave is becoming more and more commonplace in establishments. An autoclave is a tool that is commonly used by medical professionals as it sterilizes tools using heat and pressure. The autoclave removes all air from the chamber and heats up to 250 degrees, killing all viruses, spores, and bacteria.
To disinfect and treat portable and whirlpool footbaths, Sani tablets make the job all the more easy. It also reduces hard water deposits, which extends the life of your spa machine. Sani tablets are EPA approved and will not harm the skin or cause discoloration.

Lastly, there are several regulations needed to have your salon pass its safety and sanitation guidelines. The regulations usually vary state by state, so you can find that information by clicking here. Additionally, there is an important nail salon guide posted by the EPA that is worth reviewing. You can find that document by clicking here.

If you would like information about salon licensing within the state of New York, click here. Prominently display your certificates and inspection reports on the walls of your establishment so that salon goers will be aware of what an immaculate space you keep and how dedicated you are to your work, your staff, and the clients.

Check this month’s Clearance & Specials section to purchase sanitation products like Barbicide at a low cost.