Years before COVID-19, author Mary Reed-Johnson encouraged her students to wear masks to filter fumes and particles, use air purifiers for better air quality, get Tdap and other vaccinations, understand hazard warnings, and wear finger cots and gloves to assess scalp conditions before treatment. Her goal was to help them develop a first-line-of-defense mentality when providing hair care services.
She began her career as a salon owner in Michigan. She became one of the first licensed natural hair care specialists in New York. In Minnesota and Michigan, she worked as a cosmetology instructor, manager, operator and artisan.
Her advocacy work in the legislature and on multiple boards has brought the needs of immigrants, gig and contract workers, and other marginalized groups into the conversation. Memberships with the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the National Safety Council (NSC) help her build bridges that increase safety awareness. She combines over three decades of experience from a wide range of communities to provide you with a unique credential you can use throughout your career.
Reed-Johnson explains: “The beauty industry is inherently a risky business. Constant exposure to toxins absorbed through the skin and inhalation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can lead to chronic health problems for many service providers.
“Anyone who works as a hairdresser, stylist, barber, blow-dry specialist, nail designer, beautician or in a similar industry and is paid for it often realizes too late that they were not adequately prepared for the end of their career.
“They matter. My mission is to help beauty professionals develop a holistic health and safety culture, no matter how or where they work. Identifying and planning early will help you dramatically increase the likelihood of a positive career trajectory. Do it, and do it safely.”
Published by Page Publishing, Mary Reed-Johnson’s incisive work explains the “why” behind various health and safety practices and highlights the importance of prioritizing cleanliness and preventative measures.
Readers who would like to try this useful tool can purchase Salon Safety Handbook: A Safety-Focused Activity Book for Salon Professionals at all bookstores or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.
For more information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.
Information about page publication:
Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publisher that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors’ books, including distribution in the world’s largest retail stores and generating royalties. Page Publishing understands that authors need the freedom to be creative and should not be mired in logistics such as eBook conversion, setting up wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, etc. Page’s experienced author and publishing professionals enable authors to leave these complex and time-consuming issues behind and focus on their passion: writing and creating. For more information, visit www.pagepublishing.com.
