Eyebrow and eyelash tinting are ILLEGAL in certain US states - so how do beauty salons get away with it?
- Eyebrow and eyelash tinting are banned in certain states including New York
- FEMAIL spoke to experts about how to make sure tinting is a safe experience
- READ MORE: How to GUARANTEE your makeup won't smudge this summer
Eyebrow and eyelash tinting might be wildly popular, but did you know they're actually banned in certain states, including New York?
The United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved eyelash and eyebrow tinting because of the risks associated with them, but that doesn't stop many practitioners from embracing the beauty technique.
The wildly popular beauty service is actually prohibited in New York State, and has been since 1994 according to the New York Department of State.
FEMAIL spoke to experts to find out how salons are still able to do the procedure after New York City brow superstar Sabria revealed that while she doesn't do the verboten beauty service, others still secretly tint their client's eyebrows.
Plus, if you're still looking to make an eyelash or eyebrow tinting appointment, here's what you need to look out for to make sure it's a safe experience.
FEMAIL spoke to experts to find out how salons are still able to do the procedure after New York City brow superstar Sabria revealed that while she doesn't do the beauty service, others still secretly tint their client's eyebrows
Brow tinting, the wildly popular beauty service shown above, is prohibited in New York State, and has been since 1994 according to the New York Department of State (stock image)
The United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved eyelash and eyebrow tinting because of the risks associated with them (stock image)
On Reddit, New York estheticians complained about the rule that they weren't allowed to tint, especially since people can easily buy kits to do their own at home.
'I'm sick to my stomach over it because I lost half of my income and I'm gonna be even more p**sed if they keep the services for only benefit,' one person wrote.
Sharon, a clinical aesthetician with almost 30 years of experience, explained the small risk associated with tinting
Another appalled commenter responded, 'I could not imagine not tinting my brows. They give my eyebrows emphasis on my eyes,' before explaining their sneaky workaround: 'In the salon, sometimes it 'accidently' ends up on the clients eyebrows... I don't do it personally for my clients, but I've seen other stylists.'
In a separate Reddit thread about the controversy that many people need a specific license to tint that requires hours of education, one person wrote, 'While brow tinting is done under an Esthetics or Cosmetologist license in CA, up until the last couple of years, there was no legal tint or dye we were allowed to use,' warning people could be fined if they're caught.
Sharon McEntee, a clinical aesthetician with almost 30 years of experience working in medical spas and with dermatology practices in Miami, Florida and New England, told FEMAIL, 'Most states do allow lash tinting because it's semi-permanent.'
'Semi-permanent brow tinting is also allowed in most states, but the use of permanent color is banned in some states, including Massachusetts and California,' Sharon continued.
Sharon, who now owns Embody Medspa in North Reading, Massachusetts, and developed PHI Skincare, explained, 'The reason for this is the small risk of skin irritation, eye irritation, or in rare instances blindness.'
'The permanent colors contain ingredients like ammonia which are not to be used anywhere near the eye area,' Sharon advised.
'Semi-permanent brow tinting is allowed in most states, but the use of permanent color is banned in some, including Massachusetts and California,' Sharon McEntree told DailyMail.com
On Reddit, New York estheticians complained about the rules that they weren't allowed to tint, especially since people can easily buy kits to do their own at home
'When getting an eyelash or eyebrow tint, the provider should be using dyes that are FDA cleared for those uses.'
Wendy Vaughan is a board certified nurse practitioner and one of the top three per cent of elite injectors in the country.
Wendy, who owns Stay Beautiful Medspa based in Woburn, Massachusetts, offers injectables, facials, lash lift and tint, brow tinting and more.
'Practitioners can seek guidance from the Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering, which oversees cosmetology, barbering, and electrology practices to determine if lash and brow tinting are legal in their state,' Wendy advised.
Wendy explained that there are lash lift and tint courses that teach the fundaments, including eye anatomy, eye conditions and diseases, safety and sanitation and more.
She said if you're looking to get tinted, go to a reputable salon and make sure to communicate with your provider throughout the process.
'Let them know if you have any skin sensitivities or have had previous reactions to hair dye or tinting formulas,' Wendy said.
'During your consultation, consider requesting a patch test from the provider to ensure you won't have an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the tinting products.'
