Kristie Robertson expressed her surprise at the absence of regulations governing personal-care services in Prince Edward Island. While the Hairdressers Act in the province covers hairdressing services, areas like skin care, nail care, and hair removal remain unregulated, allowing providers to operate without licenses or credentials.
This gap in legislation has raised concerns among individuals like Robertson, who emphasized the need for comprehensive regulations to ensure consistency and safety across all beauty and personal care services. The issue has prompted the government to seek feedback from Islanders through an online survey open until November 19, as part of a review of current regulations to potentially update or establish a new regulatory framework that aligns with the evolving landscape of cosmetology services on the island.
The P.E.I. Hairdressers Association has long advocated for the regulation of cosmetology services, with the executive director, Sherri Runighan, proposing the establishment of a new association, Cosmetology of Prince Edward Island, to encompass all beauty and personal-care services on the island. Runighan highlighted the importance of public safety through regular inspections to ensure compliance with standards and credentials among service providers.
Stephanie Gallant, an esthetics teacher in P.E.I., emphasized the significance of proper education and regulations in preventing cross-contamination and ensuring quality services for customers. She underscored the necessity of infection control in the industry and the potential benefits of regulating esthetics and cosmetology services for enhancing professionalism and customer satisfaction.
While expanding regulations to cover more service providers poses challenges in terms of time and resources, the P.E.I. Hairdressers Association remains committed to upholding minimum standards to guarantee public safety and confidence in the services offered. The association, which has been operational since 1959, aims to educate service providers on regulatory compliance to uphold quality and safety standards in the industry.
In parallel, the Department of Health and Wellness in P.E.I. is developing regulations for personal services to enhance infection control measures and mitigate health risks associated with various procedures. The department conducts inspections on establishments offering specific services to ensure compliance with guidelines and standards, with plans for public consultation on proposed regulations slated to begin in December, leading to full implementation by early 2026.