Islanders ‘more protected’ with new rules for personal-service businesses, owner says

As of Feb. 1, businesses on P.E.I. that deal in hair and nail care, esthetics and tattoo services, among others, are subject to new regulations focused on standardizing infection-control practices.

Some of those who offer those personal services are welcoming the changes.

Monica Ramsay, store manager at Magicuts in Charlottetown and a hair instructor at the Private Institute of Hair and Design Aesthetics, said the new rules will be positive for both customers and staff.

“I think for the consumer, they’re going to feel more protected knowing that if they go in for a personal service that the establishment … is going to be regulated and going to be clean,” she said. 

In a news release, P.E.I.’s Chief Public Health Office said that while many personal-service businesses follow voluntary safety guidelines, there was a need “for formal oversight to ensure consistent infection control.”

The regulations focus on standardizing practices for equipment sterilization and record-keeping, and were developed after consultation with businesses and the public.

Owners of personal-care businesses will need to register every three years at a cost of $100.

Ramsay said she had a painful experience with personal services when she went to get eyelash extensions. After she complained, she said not much was done beyond an apology.

“That to me was very unsettling. So I’m very happy that the government is finally doing something,” she said. 

“I don’t want to see anyone closed down or anything, but I would like to see more protocols put in place to protect the consumer and also to protect the service provider.”

“Sue” Phuong Nguyen of Royal Nails and Beauty Supply agrees the new regulations are positive, saying the need for proper sanitation is vital for customers.

“If you do not sanitize the equipment, it’s not good and will make, like, fungus on the nails,” she said. “That’s really good to have the regulations [for] the correct way to do things.”

When it comes to personal services, employees work around skin, eyes and nails, sometimes with chemicals.

The protocols will ensure cleanliness and use of proper tools, Ramsay said. 

“As a consumer myself, I like to go into an establishment knowing that the person that’s working on me is trained to do what they’re doing and not just watching an online course.”

‘As safe as you can make it’

Jeff Wilson, owner of Infinite Expressions Tattoo Studio in Charlottetown, doesn’t see much change coming his way as a result of the new regulations.

He said the shop is already regularly inspected and the products he uses are disposable.

“We’ve got our regular protocol and I’ve been doing it so long … I don’t really think about it anymore. It’s kind of become automatic,” he said. “It’s about as safe as you can make it.”

Wilson said legitimate tattoo and piercing studios will have no problems with the new regulations.

But in any industry where there is a risk of spreading disease, regulations can be positive. 

“If it makes the customers feel safe, then absolutely,” he said. “If it makes them safe, that’s even better.”