Shaving Illegal in Wisconsin!

[badgerstate]

Its true (partly)
I bought an old straight in good condition last week, thinking I might have it refurbished. So last night one of my regular customers was in the restaurant, she's a beautician and teaches in a beauty school. I thought I'd ask her where I might take it. She said beauticians can't use straight razors anymore. Illegal. It is also now against the law for her to teach anyone how to use one. I asked about barbers, like how do they shave people? She said they can't. It is against the law. It seems the law makers of Wisconsin are obsessed about any activity that could possibly draw blood. Fear of AIDS. I know of a local dentist who contracted hepatitis from a patient via blood transfer and died so I know its no small matter. but still... The State practically encourages citizens to carry concealed guns, but they're afraid of a razor in the hand of a barber. Why don't I feel safer?

 

[JazzyJ]

A lot of states don't allow traditional straights now, but barbers can still use shavettes with disposable blades. Any chance that's the case? Or can they not use shavettes either?

 

[lowjax]

I know two barbers in the Milwaukee area that use Shavettes. Have had a great shave by one of them just a few months ago.

 

[cb91710]

Yup.
Even though a dip in Barbicide is going to take care of any issues since there aren't any places in a straight for blood to hide (unlike a shavette), the politicians are as usual ignorant of the facts and decide what is best for all of us.

Now... it is NOT illegal for her to teach someone how to use a straight, and I suspect that it would be legal for her to shave you using your own equipment.

But down to nuts and bolts....

We hear it time and again. Someone pays for a straight shave and the experience is terrible. Somewhere in the conversation, "she" is mentioned.

There are very few barbers under 60 that can handle a straight razor (and very few of them work for AoS).
Of the few few under 60 that can handle a straight, even fewer are women.
Sadly, except for a few boutique shops like Elliot & Co, the use of a straight has become a lot art.
Kids graduate from cosmetology school with no experience with them and get a job at Supercuts, where they continue to refine their mediocrity until they are skilled enough to land a job at a decent salon.

Women do not shave their face every day.
Male barbers generally do not use a straight on themselves. It's either going to be a cart or an electric 999 times out of 1000.

I would not allow a woman to shave my face any more than I would feel comfortable shaving the parts of a woman that a woman typically shaves.
You want to find a blue-hair. His name will likely be Tony, or Bobby, or Jimmy, or Angelo. It won't be Chad, or Todd, or Jaymz. He likely learned his trade in "The Big House"

 

[badgerstate]

Busted! I guess I could have thought more about the topic first. But seriously, does any government need to legislate how a shave is performed? I'll check on shavettes.

 

[The Dean]

Busted! I guess I could have thought more about the topic first. But seriously, does any government need to legislate how a shave is performed? I'll check on shavettes.

I seriously doubt the gov't is legislating how a shave is performed. I'd bet donuts to dollars (I'm too poor to do it the other way around) they have banned the use of real straight razors due to health concerns. The gov't certainly has an interest in protecting the public health. I'm not suggesting they got it right here (or wrong) but you can be pretty sure the issue of how you get shaved wasn't the real concern.

I can't remember where I was living, but when I went to get a manicure in one place, you had to buy your own setup (or bring one in). There are many cases of fungal infections being spread in nail salons.

 

[mblakele]

In Wisconsin the current reference seems to be http://www.drl.wisconsin.gov/Docume...ERING and COSMETOLOGY (Book) OCTOBER 2012.pdf dated October 2012. I had a look for mentions of shaving, razors, disposable, and blades. These appear to be the relevant passages:

Disinfection. (1) Unless sterilized, disinfection is required prior to reuse on another patron of any personal care instruments, including scissors, razors, clipper blades and tweezers, excluding tweezers used in electrolysis.

(2) Disinfection for scissors, razors, clipper blades and tweezers shall consist of cleaning with soap and water to remove all organic material, wiping with or soaking in a disinfectant as defined in s. BC 1.01, and air−drying.

Procedure for exposure to blood. (1) When any patron or licensee is exposed to blood by scissors cut, razor cut, needle stick, laceration or other exposure to broken skin or a mucous membrane, the licensee shall stop, thoroughly wash the exposed area or wound on the patron’s or the licensee’s body with soap and water, and disinfect the exposed area or wound with a topical antiseptic such as iodine, 70% isopropyl alcohol, or 6% stabilized hydrogen peroxide or equivalent. In the case of mucous membrane exposure, the licensee shall wash or rinse the affected area with plenty of water.

This seems pretty clear: razors are acceptable - if disinfected. If Wisconsin wanted to require disposable razors only, there would be no need to disinfect them. Using a straight razor under those rules ought to be possible. But it would take extra time. It might be easier to simply tell anyone who asks that it is "illegal".

 

[JeremySeattle]

Yup.
Even though a dip in Barbicide is going to take care of any issues since there aren't any places in a straight for blood to hide (unlike a shavette), the politicians are as usual ignorant of the facts and decide what is best for all of us.

Now... it is NOT illegal for her to teach someone how to use a straight, and I suspect that it would be legal for her to shave you using your own equipment.

But down to nuts and bolts....

I have an appointment for a straight shave in Seattle for my birthday next week. I had a suspicion that they would have to use a cheap brush to apply lather due to to sanitation issues with the brush. I was planning on bringing my own brush until I read the law in Washington State:

RCW 308-20-110 (8)(d)

(d) A client's personal tools and instruments must not be used in the establishment except when prescribed by a physician.

Huh!? ***!?

They can't use my tools at the barbershop unless I have a prescription from my physician!


-J

 

[rickboone1]

What's funny is barbers reuse disposables.

If you need a place to send your razor, let me know. I may be able to do it.

 

[graysonhenryrussell]

Been this way in n.c. since the 80s but you can bring your own equipment. My barber still shaves his patrons but he's over 60 & most will not do it anymore. I suspect because they don't know how.

 

[Fidem Scit]

Wisconsin being my home state of my childhood, this sorta surprised me, but yet didn't shock me.

 

[smalltank]

hey..its illegal here in So Cali and in the UK as well to have a REAL straight shave...perhaps unless you hire a private barber to come to your home....

 

[dpmtherrien]

I think most states won't allow regular straights anymore, but shavettes can, and are, being used.

Keep in mind that a shavette is still a straight, it just has a disposable blade. Like a regular straight the shavette is an open blade razor.

 

[The Dean]

hey..its illegal here in So Cali and in the UK as well to have a REAL straight shave...perhaps unless you hire a private barber to come to your home....

There are AOS barber spas in So Cal. Do they use shavettes? I had straight razor shaves in CA, but that was 8-10 years ago.

I have been told by many that real straights are illegal in Florida, yet I had a real straight razor shave a couple months ago in Jacksonville.

 

[mblakele]

hey..its illegal here in So Cali and in the UK as well to have a REAL straight shave...perhaps unless you hire a private barber to come to your home....

California? Please show me where http://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/laws_regs/art12.shtml says that. What it does say is this:

979. Disinfecting Non-Electrical Instruments and Equipment

(a) Before use upon a patron, all non-electrical instruments shall be disinfected in the following manner:

(1) Clean with soap or detergent and water.

(2) Then totally immerse in an EPA-registered disinfectant with demonstrated bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal activity, used according to manufacturer's instructions.

(b) The disinfectant solutions specified in subdivision (a) shall:

(1) Remain covered at all times.

(2) Be changed at least once per week or whenever visibly cloudy or dirty.

(c) All instruments that have been used on a patron or soiled in any manner shall be placed in a properly labeled receptacle.

(d) All disinfected instruments shall be stored in a clean, covered place which is labeled as such.

(e) If instruments and equipment specified in this section are sterilized in accordance with the requirements outlined in Section 982, the requirements of this section will be deemed to have been met.

 

[The Dean]

I have been told, at one time or another, by someone in just about every state I ever lived that straight razor shaving was "illegal". Yet I have received a straight shave in all of those states. So either some are breaking the law (a decent possibility) or some are simply uninformed about the law. I suspect it is an easy out for some to say "illegal" when they mean "there are a bunch of health regulations and insurance issues--oh, and I don't know how to do it".

Quick marginally related story. A good friend of mine (mid-60 year old NYC Italian) says a friend of his just opened his own barbershop down the street from me and invites me to meet him there to check it out while he gets a haircut. This barber is also a mid-60 NYC dago (hey I can say that!). Nice little shop.

We start to talking and I inquire as to whether he gives shaves. BIG mistake. This guy goes from Jekyll to Hyde in a split second. I thought he was going to have a heart attack. Loudly and aggressively he tells me he doesn't want to do shaves. It's a giant pain in the neck and every guy wants these fancy pencil beards---they only want to pay $10---they want to just walk in and get a shave---etc. (Of course, me being me, I mention he could clearly post whatever price he wanted to charge and require an appt---just to see how far I could push him. I've never killed a guy before just by taking to him.) That just makes him crazier---the liability issue involved---"bad element" clientele, and so on. The he says something completely bizarre. "Every time a barber opens a shop everyone assume you do shaves." "Really?" I replied. What age is this guy living in? How many barbers give shaves anymore? I think this guy's mindset is way in the past.

Anyway, the guy apologies for going off the deep end (he really is a nice guy, sorta) and then tells me, if I want to make an appt he will give me a shave. I couldn't stop laughing. Sure, I want a guy who obviously doesn't want to give shaves, and clearly doesn't do it often (I wonder when he last gave a customer a shave) to put metal to my face. Yes, that's an IDEAL situation.

Wait--why did I start this story? Oh, yes. When I asked what he would use to save me, he said "straight razor". I said "real straight or shavette?" He said, "What's a shavette?' When I explained he said, "Oh yes, disposable straight blade. It's illegal to use a real straight." I told him I had recently had a real straight shave one town over a month earlier--just to tweak him a bit (it is true though). Sometimes I just can't help myself.

 

[cb91710]

I have an appointment for a straight shave in Seattle for my birthday next week. I had a suspicion that they would have to use a cheap brush to apply lather due to to sanitation issues with the brush. I was planning on bringing my own brush until I read the law in Washington State:

You would also have to provide your own mug and soap, because using your brush in their soap would still pose a potential contamination issue.

Never mind the fact that they don't use soap. They use heated canned foam.

 

[weizemanner]

In Washington there is no law against the use of straight razors of any kind nor badger brushes and soap. However everything must be sanitized in a specific order between clients.

The barber school I am about to graduate from has been teaching for years that it is illegal to use traditional straight razors because you can't sanitize the strop. The trick is to sanitize the razor AFTER stropping.

Little details like that can get you a hefty fine which many barbers don't want to risk.

 

[smalltank]

My apologies....California law doesn't say it's "illegal" but sanitary precautions must be implemented....though when I inquired from a barber about an hour from where I lived..his reply "we use disposable blades due to our state law"...

 

[Ron Scott]

If I could cut my hair as well as I shave my face I would never darken the door of a barber again…