New cosmetology rules in effect for Minnesota's 5,500 beauty salons

Hundreds of new rules are in effect for the cosmetologists who work in Minnesota's 5,500 beauty salons.

The Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners says it met with hundreds of business owners and practitioners to shape new rules that hadn't been updated in more than 30 years.

The board's executive director, Gina Fast, says there were a growing number of health and safety issues that arose over the last several years that needed to be addressed.

Industry experts say many of the old rules governing the industry were vague, inconsistent, and didn't reflect current practices.

For example, previously vague infection control rules have been replaced with clear steps on how practitioners can keep themselves and their clients safe. The new rules are a "how-to-guide" for practices like disinfection.