Emer O'Callaghan: Rules to abide by for beauty salons

I’m something of a perfectionist when it comes to my job, and I hate to hear about people having bad experiences when they engage with some people in the beauty industry.

Unfortunately, I believe parts of our industry are being hijacked by far too many poorly trained staff - not to mind the people on social media with no more training in beauty than the man on the moon!

I honestly do not know of any other profession where this is allowed.

I mean, I see no-one jumping on TikTok pretending to be a plumber or a solicitor, dishing out inaccurate advice and untruths, yet here we are in the 21st century and the beauty industry is being hijacked by every Tom, Dick, and Harry.

It’s alarming how many unqualified people are involved in it, and this is why those of us high up in our profession have been advocating for years for some sort of body to be set up, to get some rules and law and order into our profession.

Those of us who sat beauty exams - and 75% was a pass in my day - want this to happen. In my day, we did first year medicine anatomy and physiology, we worked so hard to get our certs that we proudly display now in our businesses.

I am always saying it, but you should always look for certificates of qualification, these are meant to be displayed in all premises doing any beauty treatments, otherwise you may as well get your facials and nails done by your Nanna!

I just hope the public will wake up to the fact that they are putting themselves at fierce risk when they lie up on a bed unsure of who is doing what to their face.

We have never had so many nail infections in Cork as we do today, in my opinion, to give one example of the risks out there.

So, this week I want to give you my top expert tips to be watching out for if you’re booking a beauty appointment.

CERTS ARE PROOF

All of us fully trained in our profession have our certs of qualification up in our businesses for every client to see.

Each therapist working there has to have a cert displayed, this is the only way you, the client, know that you are being treated by someone qualified to do it.

Ask the person treating you questions, such as where did you train? Did you go to a beauty college? How did you learn your trade?

We are far too quiet in Ireland, well, I can tell you this for certain, there is no French woman who would not be asking these very important questions.

Wake up, Cork, because you deserve better.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND REVIEWS

I don’t care what anyone says, you cannot beat word of mouth, and a good, old-fashioned client recommendation. Testimonials and reviews are all the go now, although I’d question if some reviews are legitimate.

Having said that, it is great to get a compliment from a client.

I got a lovely new client last month and that evening I got an email to say I had a new review. All she wrote was three key words “Best Facial Ever”, and for me it was the simplicity and accuracy I loved most!

CONSULTATION/AFTERCARE

You will know you are getting a gold standard treatment when you see the importance that is placed on consultation and aftercare.

I always need to know what medication a client is on, or any allergies they have - for example, an epileptic person cannot get electrolysis hair removal.

It’s essential, regardless of the treatment, you should always be given a consultation form to fill out and discuss. Please, always take the time to fill this in accurately.

The same goes for the after-care. Each of my clients is given an after- care sheet to take home after treatment. I tell them how they cannot wash their hair for 24 hours after a facial, and this is even highlighted as number one on the aftercare sheet. The ones that listen and read the sheet never have a problem.

TOUCH IS THE KEY

You know someone has the gift of touch when you feel their hands on you. I know my clients always tell me how they feel it in my touch, the instant relaxation and confidence I bring to every treatment.

This is why I have been saying for years that NO facial should ever be done wearing gloves.

Far too many today are putting on gloves doing facials and this is not best practice.

Some are doing this because they are using chemicals and products that are too harsh and they are protecting their own hands, and it is your face is getting it then!

Breaking touch contact in a massage is a big no-no, and a clear sign that many are getting very below par in their training today.

Oh, bring back the private beauty colleges fast please, the standard of expert training we got was the best.

To give one example, I can’t understand anyone going for a facial with noticeable spots that need extracting and then leaving with them intact.

That’s not a proper facial in my book.

If a client presents to me with spots ready for squeezing, I will always do them.

Certain hormonal spots are not squeezable so we leave those, but frequently a new client will say to me at the end of a facial: “Oh, thank God you squeezed my spots, the last few places I went to said they don’t do that.”

Well, now, that’s like a mechanic who doesn’t change your oil, it’s the basics, and, again, it’s the type of slap-dash standards we see too often.

As a multi-award winning beauty doctor and skin specialist, and the first Irish girl to ever win Irish Beauty Therapist of the Year in Ireland, and with 25 years experience in the beauty industry, this much I do know and am qualified to say: When you find such experiences and expertise as I have in the beauty profession, just know we are like hens’ teeth today.

Many clients have no idea that they are not experiencing proper facials or skin and beauty treatments, they are just following the crowd or being fooled by social media posts.

This is why I say every week in my weekly beauty videos - which you can watch on the Emerald Beauty Clinic Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages - that if you want the expert treatment and services, you will get that with me.

This is why I am so busy, because anyone who comes to me, and to experts like me, stays.

I have clients who are 22 years with me who believe they get the best service in Cork.

It’s time we, the professionals, took back our industry.

Emer O’Callaghan is a multi-award winning Beauty Doctor and Skin Specialist who won Irish Beauty Therapist of the year and works at Emerald Organic Beauty Products Ltd, trading as Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949 A Gold Standard Clinic 2008-2025, www.emeraldbeautyclinic.ie - follow on Facebook/instagram/TikTok now.

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