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Should Hair Dryers Have a Professional License in Virginia?

Elected officials are often known for their blow-dry hairdos. Now they are debating whether the people on the other side of the blow-dryers need professional licenses.

Delegate Mark Keam of Fairfax County says he wants big government out of his hair. Literally. He’s pushing a bill that would remove the requirement that people who blow dry hair should have professional licenses.

“You’re just styling hair. You’re not using razor blades or clippers. So there is a situation where you don’t need a license.”

Last year, Keam had a bill that creates a new licensing requirement for people who do laser hair removal. He says he draws the line at whether health and safety are put at risk. He says laser hair removal fits that description. But people who blow dry hair? No. But not everyone agrees. State Senator Monty Mason of Williamsburg says he received dozens of emails from people who work in the industry who want to keep the licenses. What happens when someone damages scalp or skin? Those people could no longer be reported to the Board of Barbers and Cosmetology.

“This would remove them from that consideration, and therefore anybody could set up on the corner to do this. And if you were harmed there's no one to make aware of the fact that there were problems at that establishment.”

The passed the House with a unanimous vote. And when it was heard in a Senate committee, it had only a hair of opposition. That means the final stop is a debate on the Senate floor before it heads over to the Executive Mansion.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Michael Pope is an author and journalist who lives in Old Town Alexandria.