2.6 Salon Prohibitions, Intoxicants & General Practice Requirements
Key Takeaways
Methyl methacrylate (MMA) liquid monomer, formalin tablets and liquids, and other fumigants are prohibited substances in Minnesota salons (Minn. Stat. 155A.355; Minn. R. 2105.0377).
Credo blades, razor-type callus shavers, rasps and graters may not even be present in a salon, and their presence in the work area is prima facie evidence of use.
Roll-on wax and UV sterilizers or light boxes are prohibited, although single-use roll-on wax cartridges and UV lamps used to cure nail products are allowed.
Licensees must not perform cosmetology services while consuming or under the influence of an intoxicant or controlled substance (Minn. R. 2105.0510).
When a manufacturer recommends or requires a patch test, the licensee must offer the test and tell the client about the risk of adverse reactions (Minn. R. 2105.0375, subp. 7, item F).
Why this section matters
Salon prohibitions, intoxicants and controlled substances, and general practice requirements are three of the six Practice Requirements topics on the state exam. Prohibitions are high-yield because two of them (single-use items and callus tools) carry automatic $500 inspection penalties.
Prohibited substances and implements
In statute (Minn. Stat. 155A.355)
| Subdivision | Prohibition | Evidence rule and penalty |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Single-use items | Items made of paper, wood or other porous materials may be used for one client only | Used articles in the work area are prima facie evidence of reuse; penalty up to $500 |
| 2. Skin-cutting equipment | Razor-type callus shavers, rasps or graters, including credo blades, are prohibited | Presence in the work area is prima facie evidence of use; penalty up to $500 |
| 3. Substances | Licensees must not use methyl methacrylate liquid monomer (MMA) or fumigants, including formalin tablets or liquids | Disciplinary action and civil penalties under 155A.33 |
"Prima facie evidence" means the item's presence alone is enough to establish the violation unless the licensee can prove otherwise. A credo blade "kept for personal use" in a station drawer is still a violation.
In rule (Minn. R. 2105.0377)
- A. MMA liquid monomers, formalin tablets, formalin liquids and other fumigants are prohibited substances.
- B. Skin-cutting equipment, including razor-type callus shavers, credo blades, rasps and graters that cut below the skin surface, is prohibited and must not be present in a salon.
- C. Roll-on wax is prohibited. Single-use roll-on wax cartridges are acceptable but must be discarded right after the service; cartridges warming in a heater must have an intact seal, and the heater must be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
- D. UV sterilizers or light boxes are not acceptable infection-control devices and must not be present. UV dryers and lamps used to dry or cure nail products are allowed.
- E. Autoclave packaging of tools is prohibited unless an autoclave is used and the spore-testing rules are met.
- F. Electric or battery-operated files or drills not made for use on humans are prohibited.
- G. Tools brought by customers may be used only after the practitioner cleans and disinfects or sterilizes them; prohibited customer tools are removed from the premises; customer-supplied single-use items must be new.
- H. Salons must not store a customer's tools.
- I. Only single-use sterile lancets may be used.
Why MMA is banned
MMA monomer produces an extremely hard enhancement that does not break before the natural nail does, so trauma can tear the plate from the nail bed. It bonds poorly, so technicians over-file the natural nail to make it stick, and it is very hard to remove with acetone. Ethyl methacrylate (EMA) based systems are the professional standard (Section 9.3).
Intoxicants and controlled substances (Minn. R. 2105.0510)
Licensees must not perform cosmetology services while consuming or under the influence of an intoxicant or controlled substance. The same conduct is a ground for discipline under Minn. Stat. 155A.33, subd. 4(8).
General practice requirements
The outline cites Minn. R. 2105.0190, 2105.0375, 2105.0305, 2105.0390, 2105.0115 and 2105.0110 for this topic. Together they set the everyday duties of every licensee.
| Duty | Source |
|---|---|
| Confirm your salon or school holds an active license; follow all statutes and rules | 2105.0190, subp. 1 |
| Before a new product, technique or device: confirm scope, follow manufacturer directions and contraindications, keep training records while you use it, attest to your competence | 2105.0190, subp. 1a |
| Follow manufacturer directions for every product and machine; keep instructions and manuals on the premises | 2105.0375, subp. 7, item F |
| Offer a patch test whenever the manufacturer recommends, advises or requires one, and tell the client about the risk of adverse reactions | 2105.0375, subp. 7, item F(1) |
| Do not serve a client with open wounds or sores in the area to be serviced | 2105.0375, subp. 7, item G |
| No animals in the salon, except service animals under the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the ADA | 2105.0375, subp. 7, item H |
| No live fish, leeches, snails or other living creatures in any cosmetic service | 2105.0375, subp. 7, item I |
| No uncovered food or drink near uncovered disinfectant, or while disinfectant is mixed, disposed of or sprayed | 2105.0375, subp. 7, item J |
| No eating or smoking, including e-cigarettes, while performing services; a licensee's beverage must be covered with a lid during any service | 2105.0375, subp. 7, item K |
| Wig blocks have nonabsorbent covers that are cleaned and disinfected after each wig; wigs accepted for service are stored in individual clean containers or new bags; new plastic wrap or another clean covering goes over a customer's hair when trying on wigs | 2105.0375, subp. 7, item N |
| Owner and DLSM ensure every practitioner, including non-employees, is licensed and compliant | 2105.0305 and 2105.0390 |
| Cooperate with inspections and carry photo ID | 2105.0115 and 2105.0370 |
| Advertise only under licensed names and titles | 2105.0110 |
Scenario practice
- A client brings her own credo blade and asks you to use it. It is a prohibited tool; do not use it, and it must be removed from the premises immediately.
- A client brings a personal metal nipper. You may use it only after cleaning and disinfecting (or sterilizing) it, and the salon may not keep it for her next visit.
- A coworker has had two glasses of wine at lunch and has an afternoon color client. Performing services while under the influence of an intoxicant violates Minn. R. 2105.0510 and is grounds for discipline.
- A color line's directions recommend a 48-hour skin test. You must offer the test and explain the risk of reactions; refusing to mention it violates the rule.
Which item is prohibited from being present in a Minnesota salon?
A single-use roll-on wax cartridge disposed of after the service
A glass nail file
A credo blade
A UV lamp used to cure gel polish
Which substance is specifically banned in Minnesota salons by both statute and rule?
Ethyl methacrylate monomer
Methyl methacrylate liquid monomer
Hydrogen peroxide developer
Acetone
A product's directions recommend a patch test before use. What does Minn. R. 2105.0375, subp. 7 require of the licensee?
Offer the patch test and give the client information about the risk of adverse reactions
Nothing; patch tests are optional in Minnesota
Perform the patch test only for clients under 18
Perform the service only after the client brings a physician's note stating that a patch test is unnecessary
Which statement about customer-supplied tools is correct under Minnesota rules?
Salons may store a regular client's personal tools in a labeled drawer as long as they are disinfected before each visit
Customer-supplied single-use items may be reused if the client agrees
Customer tools may be used without disinfection because they belong to the client
They may be used only after being cleaned and then disinfected or sterilized, and salons may not store them
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.