What Services Can a Licensed Cosmetologist Offer in Kansas?

If you’re considering an exciting career path in the field of cosmetology, you may be wondering which beauty services a cosmetology license allows you to perform. Cosmetology is a bit of an umbrella term, and can encompass services related to hair, skin, and nails.Read on to discover exactly which beauty options you can offer your clients when practicing cosmetology in the state of Kansas. If you are interested in becoming a cosmetologist, the first step is attending a beauty school to help you prepare for your state licensing exam.

What is a cosmetologist?

According to the Kansas Board of Cosmetology a cosmetologist is “any person, other than a manicurist or esthetician, who practices the profession of cosmetology for compensation.” While there may be some overlap in the training programs for cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology, the corresponding professions each require field-specific training.

Cosmetology Services

If you have completed all the hours of your state-mandated cosmetology training at an accredited institution and passed the associated exam, you may be eligible to receive your cosmetology license. If you are successful in your licensing exam, you will be able to perform services involving hairstyling, the application of make-up, skincare, and nail care in a wide range of different working environments, including salons, spas, and medical practices specializing in cosmetic services.

Hairstyling

As a licensed cosmetologist in Kansas, you could perform a variety of services relating to hairstyling. These may include:
Arranging
Dressing
Permanently curling
Curling
Waving
Cleansing
Temporarily or permanently coloring
Bleaching
Relaxing
Conditioning or cutting the hair

Examples of these services can range from giving haircuts to styling wedding updos to highlighting a client’s hair to applying deep conditioning treatments. Cosmetologists are not licensed to provide body piercings, tattoos, or other permanent physical modifications.

Skincare

The Kansas Board of Cosmetology allows licensed cosmetologists to perform the “cleansing, stimulating or performing any other noninvasive beautifying process on any skin surface by means of hands or mechanical or electrical appliances, other than electric needles, provided for esthetic rather than medical purposes.” This includes make-up application and temporary hair removal that does not use electric needles. These services must be purely cosmetic, as opposed to medically necessary.

Nail Care

In Kansas, cosmetologists are licensed to provide nail care that includes ​​“manicuring, pedicuring or sculpturing nails.” In addition to performing manicures and pedicures, they may also apply false nails and gel wraps. For the most part, a licensed cosmetologist is allowed to perform all the same services as a nail technician, because it is part of their overall training. The latter, however, may not provide any options that do not relate to nail care.

Estheticians and Nail Technicians

How do estheticians and nail technicians differ from cosmetologists? The primary distinction is that estheticians and nail techs are only allowed to perform the services that are specific to their field, i.e., an esthetician may provide facials, but may not style hair. A nail technician is certified to complete manicures, pedicures, and other nail care processes, but are not licensed to perform any sort of skincare that does not directly relate to nails. For example, applying cuticle treatments to the hands as part of a manicure would not count as ‘esthetics’. Cosmetologists offer a greater range of services, allowing them to work in a wider set of different environments from hair salons to med spas to their own beauty salons.

Specialized Training

While estheticians and nail technicians are not licensed to perform many common cosmetological services, their fields often necessitate specialized training that delves into further detail than a regular cosmetology program. To become a licensed esthetician in Kansas, you must complete the specified number of hours of training with an accredited institution. Nail technicians are required to complete their own number of hours of training.

Our Programs

At Crave Beauty Academy in Wichita, KS, we offer three fully accredited training programs that can help you gain the skills you need to obtain your cosmetology license. If you are looking to work as a hair stylist or make-up artist, our cosmetology program may be perfect for you. In addition to hair and make-up, you will also learn about skincare and nail technology. If you are interested in solely pursuing the fields of esthetics or nail technology, we also offer field-specific programs that can let you concentrate on your chosen area of expertise. Our classes start several times a year, so be sure to visit our website for admissions requirements and future program start dates.

Are you ready to start your education in the fabulous field of cosmetology? Our accredited programs at Crave Beauty Academy campus in Wichita, KS can help you learn the ins and outs of providing cosmetological care. For more information on our selection of cosmetology programs or to book a tour today, call (316) 943-5516 or request a brochure here.