Threading Deregulated in Texas

Many don't know that Threading is a deregulated beauty service in Texas. This means that an artist who performs Threading, may freely practice without acquiring a Texas State Cosmetology License. There has been much controversy between those who are licensed, vs. those who are not. The differences are evident primarily in the price and the limitations of an unlicensed artist. I, a Texas Licensed Esthetician who performs Threading, feels the consumers should have a right to know, so they can confidently chose their artist and establishment, in which they prefer to receive their Threading services, regardless of licensure.

How does this affect you the Consumer? For starters, if you are not aware, you have been void of having a say in choosing the right artist for you. Secondly, safety and sanitation are compromised when any artist in the beauty trade, licensed or not, are not following proper protocols for cross-contamination, putting public health at risk. The purpose of a Cosmetology License is that we have proven to the state we can safely and sanitarily work on the public.

So why did Texas decide to deregulate Threading in the first place? Let me start with telling you how I found out! Back in late April of 2018, I contacted the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation. I was working at sloan/hall, a high-end boutique in Alamo Heights, and was put in a position to work independently as a beauty entity within their facility. Wanting to be compliant, I asked TDLR about the licensing I needed for my services. The rep said, ‘Texas deregulated Threading and Makeup Artistry and you don't need a license to do both in a retail setting’. Shocked and confused, I responded stating that I also tweeze, tint, use antiseptics, anesthetics and other skin care products to perform my services. I questioned... ‘Shouldn't I be licensed?’. The rep responded back with a clip of the state's Cosmetology Handbook proving the services I did, were indeed Cosmetology services and I needed a license to perform those services. What mind-boggled me was... I need a License to tweeze, but not to thread... yet they are both epilation services that remove hair from the root, a known Cosmetology practice?

Back to the original question... why the deregulation? A few years back, a small group of Indian entrepreneurs joined forces with the Institute for Justice, to challenge the state on this matter. Their fight was that the state was denying them the opportunity to work. They argued that Threading has been practiced safely in their culture for centuries, but in America, they are forced to spend thousands in training. Texas Cosmetology programs do not mention, nor teach one single thing about Threading. You can look up the case details here.

Now don't get me wrong... I'm all for people being entrepreneurs and contributing to our workforce and economy. But I, being a sanitation freak, can't help to think that people are at risk if they don't know! Yes Threading is safe when performed by a reputable artist, whether they are licensed or not... but the point is the consumer should have the right to know the difference between a licensed and unlicensed artist. Although TDLR gave me the green light to not be licensed, I choose to be because its given me endless opportunities and respect within the beauty trade. Not to mention I primarily work in salons, which are governed by TDLR.

Threading has always been ‘the underdog’ to waxing. I'll cover this topic in another post, but I always have to defend my trade because Threading has such a bad reputation! I honestly think the deregulation doesn't help elevate Threading to a more respectable beauty service. I vouch for Threading and believe its results are superior to waxing when done with well rounded artistry, quality and utmost care.

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