Can cosmetologists diagnose scalp or hair-shaft infections?
- Admin
- Oct 7
- 5 min read
No. Across the U.S., cosmetology licenses are for beautification—not medicine. States either (a) explicitly forbid diagnosis/treatment or (b) limit services to non-medical cosmetic work and ban services on infected/inflamed skin/scalp. Examples:
New York – “No appearance enhancement licensee shall be authorized to diagnose or treat diseases… of the skin, hair and nails.”
California – Board Act/Regs make clear the license confers no authority to practice medicine and require infection-control/communicable-disease precautions.
Texas – Scope of practice pages + rules restrict what operators can do and address infectious/contagious disease prohibitions.
Non-medical trichologists may analyze hair/scalp and refer, but they do not medically diagnose or prescribe. (Professional trichology guidelines place diagnosis with physicians/dermatologists.)
Nevada
NAC 644A.775 – Salons/schools may not allow services on clients with infectious/communicable diseases or parasite infestations.
NAC 644A.790 – Lists prohibited invasive procedures (anything below stratum corneum, needles, sharp callus removal, etc.).
NRS 644A + NAC 644A – Nevada’s core cosmetology statutes/regs and the Board’s overview.
What to tell clients (plain English)
“We’re licensed for cosmetic services. Medical diagnosis/treatment of scalp or hair infections is for dermatologists/medical pros. If we see signs of infection, we’ll pause services and refer you to a doctor.”
50-state + DC links (official boards & law hubs)
Use these to pull the exact statute/scope page for any state. They’re consolidated directories from national/state education/board resources (each entry links onward to the state’s official board site or law page):
National directory & state board map (NIC) – jump to your state’s board page from the map.
Comprehensive state-by-state contact/website PDF – includes every U.S. jurisdiction with the official board website links (use those links to reach statute/scope pages).
Tip: once on a state’s board site, look for pages titled “Laws/Statutes,” “Administrative Code/Rules,” or “Scope of Practice.” (Example pages above for CA/NY/TX/NV show the kind of language you’ll find.)
Key roles & definitions
Cosmetologist: trained/licensed in beauty work (hair, scalp, styling, treatments) — non-medical.
Trichologist (non-medical): someone who studies hair and scalp issues from a hair biology / pathology perspective but is not a medical doctor.
Dermatologist: medical doctor specialized in skin, hair, and scalp disorders — can diagnose, prescribe, treat medically.
Legal & regulatory constraints
Prohibition on diagnosing medical conditions
Many state boards explicitly prohibit cosmetologists from diagnosing diseases.
For example, Wisconsin’s Cosmetology Board rules say: “No licensee may diagnose any disease of the skin.”
New York’s “Appearance Enhancement” law says appearance-enhancement licensees (which includes cosmetologists in many cases) shall not be authorized to diagnose or treat diseases, including diseases of the skin, hair and nails — that’s reserved for medicine.
In many states, cosmetology law is limited to performing cosmetic services (haircuts, styling, coloring, shampooing, scalp massages, etc.) for beautification, not medical diagnosis or treatment.
Scope of practice statutes
The “scope of practice” (what you can legally do with your license) almost universally excludes diagnosing or treating disease.
Some statutes or boards require cosmetologists to be aware of “common scalp or skin conditions” enough to refer out or refuse service rather than treat or diagnose them. (They are taught to recognize issues like dandruff, scabies, fungal infections, etc., so they know when to refuse or refer.)
In cosmetology laws, the permitted services are typically “cleansing, arranging, beautifying, shampooing, styling, applying lotions, massaging scalp (cosmetic, not therapeutic), etc.” — not diagnosing pathology.
Trichology’s limit (non-medical trichologist)
Many guidelines or organizations state that only medically trained professionals (i.e. physicians or dermatologists) may diagnose and medically treat scalp/hair diseases. Non-medical trichologists should avoid diagnosing or prescribing medical treatments.
In professional codes of ethics for trichologists, the limit is acknowledged: non-medical practitioners shouldn’t go beyond their scope.
What cosmetologists
can legally do (in most jurisdictions)
Recognize that something “doesn’t look right” (e.g. signs of infection, inflammation, lesions)
Refuse or decline services if there is a scalp/skin condition or open wounds
Recommend that the client see a medical professional
Provide non-medical cosmetic care (shampooing, conditioning, scalp massage, treatment with cosmetic products) only when scalp / skin is healthy or non-infected
Follow infection-control rules (sanitizing tools, not working on inflamed skin, etc.)
E.g. California prohibits licensees from performing services on skin or scalp that is inflamed, broken, or showing infection or eruption.
Why the restriction exists
Misdiagnosis risk – cosmetologists lack medical training to distinguish between many conditions
Liability & public safety
Regulation protects clients so that medical diagnosis & treatment remains in the hands of qualified medical providers
🔹 Cosmetology — beauty-focused, not medical
Purpose:
Cosmetology is a beauty industry license. It teaches you to enhance appearance through services like cutting, styling, coloring, shampooing, and applying cosmetic scalp or hair products.
Training focus:
Sanitation & safety (so you don’t spread infections)
Basic anatomy of skin and hair (structure, growth, types)
Recognizing visible signs of disorders (like dandruff, psoriasis, ringworm) — but not diagnosing them
Product chemistry, color theory, client consultation
Laws & business practices
Cosmetology schools briefly cover scalp disorders — mostly so you can identify when not to perform a service and refer the client to a doctor.
They do not go in-depth into:
Pathology or causes of scalp infections
Diagnostic methods
Microscopic or lab analysis
Medical treatments
License outcome:
After school and state exams, you get a Cosmetology License, regulated by a state board (like Nevada State Board of Cosmetology).
That license allows beautification services — not medical diagnosis or treatment.
🔹 Trichology — scalp & hair science specialization
Purpose:
Trichology is the science of the hair and scalp — it bridges dermatology and cosmetology.
It’s often taken up by cosmetologists after they’re licensed, to better understand scalp and hair disorders and how to manage or refer clients properly.
Training focus:
Hair & scalp biology
Hair loss causes (androgenic alopecia, telogen effluvium, etc.)
Scalp microbiome, inflammation, follicle disorders
Nutrition and internal health impacts on hair
Product formulation and safe non-medical treatments
Trichologists are trained to identify and interpret symptoms — but unless they are medically certified (like an MD), they cannot diagnose infections or prescribe medications.
They often work alongside dermatologists or refer clients to them for medical evaluation.
Certification outcome:
You earn a Trichology Certification (from institutes like the International Association of Trichologists, World Trichology Society, etc.) — not a state license.
It’s a professional credential, not a medical or cosmetology license.
🔹 Summary: Scope of Practice Difference
Field
Governing Body
Focus
Can Diagnose Scalp Infections?
Typical Work
Cosmetology
State Board of Cosmetology
Beauty services
❌ No
Haircuts, color, styling, scalp massages
Trichology
Private Certification (IAT, WTS, etc.)
Scalp & hair science
⚠️ Only if medically qualified
Scalp analysis, hair loss consulting, product guidance
Dermatology
Medical Board
Skin & scalp health (medical)
✅ Yes
Diagnosis, prescriptions, treatments
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