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by MHarrah

I called the board of cosmetologists and barbers to see if I could rent a space in a salon and sure enough I can't...not without a cosmetologist license. So how are you guys doing it? If I get my own building and do peels and micro, am I still suppose to answer to the cosmetology board? I've heard some of you say you own spas. Who do you answer to? I know they control salons, but if I opened my very own place, does it have to be considered a salon? I know you guys are out their doing it and I would like to know how you got around the cosmetology board. Is my only other choice to work in a doctor's office? I really want my own place. The board of nursing said their is nothing in WV law that prohibits me doing these actual procedures on my own. I really hate to throw in the towel now after all the studying, work, time and money I have put into this. But more than that, it is just crushing my dreams :-( Please help.

[jer_sd]

Re: More aesthetic roadblocks

Well since you are licensed as a nurse you fall under the nursing board. As long as you are allowed to preform your procedures in your state you should not have to deal with the cosmetology board. Rent space solo or go into a doctors office, haev a buisness license, malpractice coverage and start marketing.

In california nurses are exempt from teh regulations governing cosmetologists as long as the nurse is preforming nursing functions. So in your charts you shoudl have a nursing diagnosis and care plan for all patients (altered body image) to support that you are preforming nursing. Each state is different so make sure you are functioning leagally.
Jeremy

Originally Posted by MHarrah

I called the board of cosmetologists and barbers to see if I could rent a space in a salon and sure enough I can't...not without a cosmetologist license. So how are you guys doing it? If I get my own building and do peels and micro, am I still suppose to answer to the cosmetology board? I've heard some of you say you own spas. Who do you answer to? I know they control salons, but if I opened my very own place, does it have to be considered a salon? I know you guys are out their doing it and I would like to know how you got around the cosmetology board. Is my only other choice to work in a doctor's office? I really want my own place. The board of nursing said their is nothing in WV law that prohibits me doing these actual procedures on my own. I really hate to throw in the towel now after all the studying, work, time and money I have put into this. But more than that, it is just crushing my dreams :-( Please help.

[BChapp3182]

Re: More aesthetic roadblocks

Your a nurse, even if your doing some borderline esthetician procedures. You answer to the nursing board. If you want to have your own facility it's opened the same way a doctor's office is. You have to be HIPPA compliant, compliant with the city (meaning since your a medical office you can only be in certain offices zoned for medical use), you'll need a license to generate medical waste and you'll have to contract with a medical waste disposal company. You do not need to get licensed with the board of cosmetology as a salon unless you employ or are a cosmetologist.

So, you need to find a place that is zoned for medical use.
Get your city and county occupational license.
Apply for a waste generator permit.
Hire a waste removal company.

It's not that difficult. You will need a medical director. If your doing medical grade peels pharmacy's will not sell to you without a rx. Some pharmacy's will not even sell to the MD if they are not a derm! If your microderm eqipment is rated medical grade you also need an MD. Performing medical tx without an MD is called practicing medicine without a license.

[oldfield]

Re: More aesthetic roadblocks

Is this true for a nurse practitioner as well?

[BChapp3182]

Re: More aesthetic roadblocks

As an NP you can practice medicine. You would open your own practice the same way a doctor would. I believe in most states you will still need a medical director. Now, if you plan to do facials and body wraps that's what estheticians are licensed to do. This could be a grey area for you. Simply call your nursing board and ask them, can I give a facial as a nurse?

There are esthetician services and medical services. Esthetician services are low grade chemical peels, low grade microderm, facials, waxing, and body wraps.

I'm not sure why you, as a nurse, would want to do a $80 facial when you could be injecting $500 worth of Restylane.

[Agnus]

Re: More aesthetic roadblocks

Originally Posted by BChapp3182

As an NP you can practice medicine. You would open your own practice the same way a doctor would. I believe in most states you will still need a medical director.

Sorry as a NP you practice advanced nursing not medicine. There is a huge difference and practicing medicine on a nurses lisense is not legal.

I understand there is a lot of cross over with Advanced practice nursing but it is still not medicine.

[BChapp3182]

Re: More aesthetic roadblocks

Well Agnus if you want to get technical yes your right. NPs don't practice medicine. What I was trying to convey was a catch all phrase showing that NPs are near equivalent to family docs and not under the legal constraints of other nurses. Therefore, NPs have an easier time opening a practice in the aesthetics field as opposed to other nurses.

[cosmetic tattooist]

Re: More aesthetic roadblocks

I am a permanent makeup clinician and instructor. I also perform skin treatments in the form of microderabrasion and dermaplannning and also work with the Lamprobe. In the state of CO we have the nurse practice act that contains an alogorythm to verify if you are practicing within scope of practice independantly. I have NO physician involvement. I have a restorative practice. I also belong to the DNA dermatology nurses ass. Much helpful in keeping abreast of skin care. Check your state BON to see what you may do. Most are vague. With regard to waste management there are red boxes sold on market with returnable boxes that will document your disposal for your health dept. hope that helps

[quinn97]

Re: More aesthetic roadblocks

I have been with a Plastic Surgeon for 14 yrs/ a RN injector for 11 yrs. Went out recently on my own with him being my medical director. He was fine with this, but after eight months his attorney has stated that he no longer wants the MD to be part of this. I was renting a room from him in his office. Is there a way in Illinois for an Rn to be out on her own with a medical director overseeing her? What are the requirements? Do they need to see charts, be within a certain distance from the office if needed? I haven't found alot on RN's in this situation? Please advise

[healthyhere]

Re: More aesthetic roadblocks

First - Each state has different regulations when it comes to medical aesthetics and what falls under it, as well as who can perform it.
In most (not all, as recognized above) you need a Medical Director (physician). Again, depending on state regulations, this director can be simply a contracted position and most often need not even be in the same location (but within relative distance if pt need arises).

MHarrah, at this time, based on your initial comment/questions, I suggest REALLY doing some research as it does not appear that you've spent that much time, money or effort in understanding the realm of aesthetic medicine and the requirements it entails. Im not trying to be negative, contrary, i simply dont want you to have unrealistic expectations in regards to investment when setting out to start your own business. Especially one that is regulated medically- NOT and i repeat, NOT by cosmotology. And with such, as a nurse you know that some heavy care needs to be put into administering treatments accordingly. At this time, my suggestion would be for you to first seek employment at a medical spa or aesthetic medical clinic and learn from experience what the business entails.

Im happy to answer any questions you may have... I wish you the best in your future success.