Procedure Licensure Chart
This chart may be used to help identify procedures or services that may be performed by Appearance Enhancement licensees as outlined in Article 27 of the General Business Law (Licensing of Nail Specialty, Natural Hair Styling, Waxing, Esthetics and Cosmetology), § 400 – Definitions, which includes scope of licensure, or may be performed by licensees overseen by the New York State Education Department, or may be performed by licensees overseen by the New York State Department of Health, or are prohibited in New York State.
Please note that this list of procedures/services might not be all inclusive but will be updated on a periodic basis to help ensure accuracy and that the most current decisions and determinations are reflected on the below chart.
| Procedure / Service | NYS Dept. of State License | NYS Education Dept. License | NYS Dept. of Health License | Prohibited in NYS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acupressure (feet-head-back) Alternative medical technique that involves application of pressure (usually with fingers) to specific points on the body. | Massage Therapy | |||
| Aroma Touch Technique Clinical approach of applying essential oils along energy lines and reflexology points. | Massage Therapy | |||
| Aromatherapies (aroma wraps) Use of aromatic essential oils in treatments for therapeutic benefit. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Bleaching Hair Chemical hair dye technique that strips the color from hair strands. | Cosmetology | |||
| Body Contouring (wraps) Wraps designed to improve the texture and appearance of the skin by helping to rid the body of excess fluids and toxins. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Brazilian Bikini Wax Removal of pubic hair using a special wax, which can be hot or cold, that adheres to hairs and pulls them out when the wax is removed quickly from the skin. | Cosmetology or Esthetics or Waxing | |||
| Brow Lamination (with and without keratin) A treatment that uses chemicals to straighten and set eyebrow hairs in an upward direction. | Cosmetology | |||
| Carboxytherapy A non-surgical procedure that uses injections or transdermal application to infuse carbon dioxide (CO2) into the subcutaneous tissue to improve skin elasticity, stimulate collagen, and reduce cellulite. | Medical | |||
| Coloring, Hair (dyeing) Use of chemicals to change color of hair. | Cosmetology | |||
| Comedone Extraction Removal of blackheads (open comedones) using gentle pressure around the pore opening, and whiteheads (closed comedones). | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Cool Sculpting (deep down penetration to freeze) Non-surgical body contouring procedure that freezes and kills targeted fat cells, causing the body to naturally eliminate them. | Medical | |||
| Cryotherapy Treatment that exposes body to subzero temperatures using liquid nitrogen, nitrous oxide, or carbon dioxide (CO2). | Medical | |||
| CryoTouch Treatment to reduce fine lines and wrinkles using carbon dioxide and serums; Topical Carboxy Delivery (TCD) | Medical | |||
| Current, Faradic Application of electrical pulses, which are applied to stimulate the muscles to contract, resulting in a tightening and toning effect. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Current, Galvanic (Iontophoresis/ionotherapy) Cosmetic electrotherapy treatment for the skin used for infusing water-soluble substances into the skin to nourish and revive the skin. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Cuticle Cutting Cutting the delicate skin around the nails and removing hangnails to improve the appearance of the skin. | Cosmetology or Nail Specialty | |||
| Depilatory Lotion Cosmetic preparation used to remove unwanted hair from the skin. | Cosmetology or Esthetics or Waxing | |||
| Dermal Planing (Dermaplaning) A physical exfoliation method that uses a specialized blade (similar to a surgical scalpel) to remove dead skin and vellus hair (“peach fuzz”). | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Diathermy, RF (Cellutron) High-frequency electrical currents are used to heat deep muscular tissues for various therapeutic treatments. | Medical or Physical Therapy | |||
| Diathermy – Skin Treatment (broken capillaries) A procedural treatment used to eliminate vascular lesions, skin tags, and warts. Uses electrical current to produce heat; this heat is used to cauterize (seal or coagulate) tissue and blood vessels. | Medical | |||
| Ear Candling Alternative approach for earwax removal that involves placing a hollow, wax-covered candle in the ear and lighting one end of the cone to create a suction that pulls earwax out of the ear. | Medical | |||
| Electrodessication Non-surgical procedure that uses electrical impulses to destroy both benign and cancerous superficial skin growths. | Medical | |||
| Electromagnetic Energy (EmShape, SlimSculpt, etc.) Non-invasive toning procedure. This technology addresses fat to an extent, but mostly provokes muscle contractions that result in muscle building and body sculpting effects. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Endermologie Uses a combination of light suction and small body rollers that breaks up the fat cells under the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite and improve the overall skin appearance. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Enzyme Facial Treatments (exfoliant) Facial treatment that helps to rebalance and exfoliate skin by dissolving dead, flaky cells, promoting skin rejuvenation, stimulating collagen reproduction, brightening the skin, and building skin elasticity. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Eyebrow Extensions Process involves applying tiny synthetic brow hairs to existing eyebrows with medical-grade adhesive (glue) that is safe for skin. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Eyelash & Eyebrow Tinting No appearance enhancement licensee shall be authorized or permitted to apply dye not compliant with 19 NYCRR § 160.27(e), to tint eyelash or eyebrow. | Prohibited | |||
| Eyelash & Eyebrow Tinting (silver nitrate products only) Services that use products containing silver nitrate color additives to tint eyelash or eyebrow hair, as authorized by the Federal Food and Drug Administration, in accordance with 21 CFR, § 73.2550. | Cosmetology | |||
| Eyelash, False (including extensions) Strip lashes, or otherwise referred to as ‘falsies’, are non-permanent, false hairs attached to a strip which are then glued to the eyelid slightly above the lashes to add volume. Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent false lashes that are individually glued to the natural lashes to add lash volume. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Eyelash Lift with Keratin (excludes dyes/chemicals) Gives natural lashes a long-lasting curled effect using keratin to enhance natural eyelashes by lifting and curling each hair. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Eyelash Perm/Lift (using chemicals) Eyelash permanent wave, or more commonly called an eyelash perm, flips up eyelashes using hair perming technology. Treatment uses chemicals which are applied to eyelashes (wrapped around a cylindrical rod) to help break down the protein bonds in the lashes and form new ones around the curling rod, resulting in tightly curled lashes. | Prohibited | |||
| ‘Face Lift’, CompuLift Machine (microcurrent) Non-surgical facelift to reduce wrinkles and replenish elasticity using microcurrent (minute amounts of electrical current); the microcurrent passes through the skin to the tissue below to revitalize it. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Facial Lifting Treatment (ventouse stimulate) Non-invasive technique that lifts the skin by means of suction. A very light, gentle suction is applied to the surface of the skin via the ventouse which causes a lift. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Fillers (Injections of Sculptra, Radiesse, Restylane, etc.) Dermal fillers are substances designed to be injected beneath the surface of the skin to add volume and fullness. | Medical | |||
| Fish Pedicure (Garra rufa) Involves patrons dipping their feet in a tub of water filled with small fish called Garra rufa. The Garra rufa eat away dead skin found on peoples' feet, leaving newer skin exposed. | Prohibited | |||
| GLP1 (Tirzepatides, Semaglutides, Dulaglutide, Exenatide, Liraglutide etc.) GLP1s are a class of medicines that help lower blood sugar, support weight loss, reduce the risk of heart and kidney complications, and lower the risk of early death in people with type 2 diabetes | Medical | |||
| Hair Coloring (Dyeing) Use of chemicals to change color of hair. | Cosmetology | |||
| Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) HRT is a treatment that involves replacing hormones in the body commonly used to alleviate the symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances, particularly in menopausal or postmenopausal individuals | Medical | |||
| Hot Stone Facial (use with lotions to relax) Smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on the face to help aid relaxation and product absorption. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Hydrawand A wand that gently releases cool water and puffs of air onto the skin to exfoliate and hydrate the skin. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Hydrotherapy Treatments (water therapies) Hydrotherapy, or water therapy, is the use of water in various forms, including hot, cold, steam, or ice, to help relieve discomfort and promote physical well-being. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Injectable Neurotoxin (Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, Jeuveau, etc.) Injectable Neurotoxins are designed to be injected beneath the surface of the skin to smooth wrinkles by limited muscle movement. | Medical | |||
| Jet Plasma (Jet Cold, Root Cold Plasma) A device that procedures cool plasma that is transmitted by high voltage and electrical energy to the deepest layers of the skin for skin tightening, collagen regeneration, and cellular re-structuring. | Medical | |||
| Lancet, Single Use Sharp tool used for facial extractions such as removing blackheads and whiteheads. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Laser Hair Removal Process of hair removal by means of exposure to pulses of laser light that destroy the hair follicle. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Laser Procedures (all others) Type of surgery that uses special light beams instead of instruments for surgical procedures. | Medical | |||
| Liposuction (lipoplasty) Type of surgery that removes fat from specific areas using a thin tube (cannula) and suction. | Medical | |||
| Light Emitting Diode (LED) a.k.a. Low-level Light Therapy; may include Red Light Therapy (RLT); A skincare treatment that uses varying wavelengths of light, including red and blue, to help regenerate the skin from aging; it is also used for acne. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) (Note: Any laser use outside of light laser hair removal is the practice of medicine) A medical treatment modality that applies low-level lasers to the surface of the body; LLLT is used to treat a multitude of conditions. | Medical | |||
| Low-level Light Therapy aka LED; may include Red Light Therapy (RLT); A skincare treatment that uses varying wavelengths of light, including red and blue, to help regenerate the skin from aging; it is also used for acne. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Makeup Application Applying cosmetics to alter the appearance. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Manicure A cosmetic beauty treatment for the fingernails and hands. | Cosmetology or Nail Specialty | |||
| Manual Lymphatic Drainage (water removal; edema) A massage technique that works to encourage the natural movement of lymph fluid to help relieve swelling and improve health. | Massage Therapy | |||
| Massage, Deep Tissue A massage technique that involves applying sustained pressure using slow, deep strokes to target the inner layers of muscles and connective tissues. | Massage Therapy | |||
| Massage, Light (for application of product) Use of light touch (little pressure) to superficial layers of skin for beautification purposes only; used to help aid with the absorption of cosmetic products. | Cosmetology or Esthetics or Nail Specialty | |||
| Massage, Light (hand & foot only) Use of light touch (little pressure) to superficial layers of skin for beautification purposes only; used for the purpose of promoting relaxation when applying cosmetic products. | Cosmetology or Nail Specialty | |||
| Microblading (semi-permanent) A tattooing technique in which a small handheld tool made of several tiny needles is used to add semi-permanent pigment to the skin. | Body Art | *Consult local authorities (varies) (NYC example) | ||
| Microchanneling (ProCell) Cosmetic procedure that uses a stamping method to create microchannels in the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production; penetrates into the epidermis/upper dermis. | Acupuncture | |||
| Microdermabrasion Cosmetic procedure that exfoliates and removes the superficial layer of dry, dead skin cells to help diminish signs of aging. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Microneedling/Dermalrolling (Collagen Induction Therapy) Cosmetic procedure that involves repeatedly puncturing the skin with tiny, sterile needles to induce collagen and elastin production; penetrates into the deep dermis. | Acupuncture | |||
| Nano-needling (Nano-Fusion/Rezenerate Wand) Cosmetic procedure that uses silicone-tipped cones to create microscopic channels that increase product absorption to stimulate collagen and elastic production for smoother texture, reduced fine lines, pores, and pigmentation; penetrates into the epidermis. | Acupuncture | |||
| Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (NMT) A specialized form of manual massage in which digital pressure and friction are used to release areas of strain in a muscle; treatment for myofascial trigger points. | Massage Therapy | |||
| Ombre/Powdered Brows A semi-permanent method of shading the brow to perfect the shape, fill in sparse areas, and create a gradient effect using a machine (tool with a needle) to deposit color. | Body Art | *Consult local authorities (varies) (NYC example) | ||
| Oxygen Facial Treatment (nebulizer; to deliver product) Non-medical procedure to hydrate the skin. It involves a machine that is used for spraying highly concentrated molecules of oxygen right into the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). The oxygen that is applied is infused with vitamins, minerals, essential nutrients, and botanical extracts. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Paraffin Treatments Cosmetic procedure using liquified paraffin wax (often applied to the hands and feet) to help make skin supple and soft. | Cosmetology or Esthetics or Nail Specialty | |||
| Pedicure Cosmetic treatment of the feet and toenails done for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. Pedicures include care not only for the toenails; dead skin cells are rubbed off the bottom of the feet using a rough stone (often a pumice stone). | Cosmetology or Nail Specialty | |||
| Peels, Dermal Includes medium-depth chemical peels that remove the damaged outer layer of facial skin (dermis) and deep chemical peels (targets deeper layers of the skin), to help improve skin tone and complexion. | Medical | |||
| Peels, Superficial (limited to the epidermis) A light (superficial) chemical peel that removes the outer layer of skin (epidermis) used to treat fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone, and dryness. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Pen Treatment, Hyaluronic A needleless device that deposits Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers into the epidermal and upper dermal layers of the skin using an extreme amount of air pressure. | Medical | |||
| Pen Treatment, Plasma/Fibroblast Delivers tiny arcs of plasma created by an electrical discharge via a “plasma pen” to the skin, singeing the surface and tightening the underlying tissue. | Medical | |||
| Permanent Makeup (tattoo) Cosmetic technique which employs tattoos as a means of producing designs that resemble makeup, such as eye lining and other permanent enhancing colors to the skin of the face. | Body Art | *Consult local authorities (varies) (NYC example) | ||
| Plasma Skin Tightening Procedure in which plasma is used to heat and tighten the skin; uses radio frequency (RF) energy to convert gas into plasma. | Medical | |||
| Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) (plasma replacement or vampire facial) A therapy that uses injections of a concentration of a patient's own platelets to accelerate healing. | Medical | |||
Polydioxanone (PDO) (Thread Lift) A non-surgical procedure that lifts and tightens sagging skin on the face and neck using dissolvable polydioxanone threads. | Medical | |||
| Red Light Therapy (RLT) (may be used with LED or Low-level Light Therapy) A form of LED light therapy, red light therapy (RLT) is a therapeutic treatment that uses red LEDs to produce low-level wavelengths that penetrate the skin in a non-invasive way; RLT is used to treat a multitude of conditions. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| Radiofrequency (RF) Facial Skin tightening treatment that works by using heat to trigger collagen and elastin production in the skin's deeper layers; the introduction of energy alters the dermis. | Medical | |||
| Scalp Treatments Helps rid bacteria and debris from the scalp for healthier skin. A scalp treatment will involve some exfoliation to remove dead skin. Conditioner may be applied to lubricate and moisturize the scalp to help promote healthy hair growth. | Cosmetology | |||
| Sugaring/Sugar Waxing (hair removal) A method of hair removal similar to waxing (removes body hair by quickly pulling the hair from the root). The name for this method comes from the paste itself, which consists of lemon, water, and sugar. | Cosmetology or Esthetics or Waxing | |||
| Skin Sheek Clear Procedure Treats minor skin irregularities (broken capillaries, hyperplasia, etc.); works on the principle of attracting liquids through the application of heat. Special probes regulate the application of high frequency directly on the skin’s surface, without penetrating. | Medical | |||
| Skin Sheek Lift (HIFU) (ultrasound) Treatment that uses High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) to target various depths of the body's tissue for skin tightening, skin lifting, and body contouring. | Medical | |||
| Skin Tag Removal Procedure performed by a doctor to remove a skin tag (small flap of tissue that hangs off the skin). Skin tag removal can be accomplished via a number of different methods. | Medical | |||
| Synergy, Electrical Optical (elos) Combined-energy technology combining Infrared laser light and bi-polar (dual electrodes) RF energy with tissue mobilization and suction (pulsed vacuum). | Medical | |||
| Teeth Whitening/Bleaching The process of lightening the color of human teeth. A dentist can use several different methods to whiten teeth. | Dentistry | |||
| Thermage (excessive dermal & subdermal heating) A technology that uses a radio-frequency heating element to raise the skin’s temperature to create new collagen and elasticity. | Medical | |||
| Threading A method of hair removal; this technique consists of rolling twisted cotton thread over the hairs. Threading can remove short rows of hair in a single pass. | Cosmetology or Esthetics or Waxing | |||
| Tweezing (manual) Process of mechanically removing (plucking) unwanted hair, one at a time, with tweezers; usually done for personal grooming purposes. | Cosmetology or Esthetics or Waxing | |||
| Ultrasonic Cavitation (Cavi Lipo) Treatment that utilizes ultrasound waves to cause fat cells to rupture, emulsify, and be eliminated from the body. | Medical | |||
| Ultrasound (superficial) Treatment used to lift and tighten loose skin and minimize wrinkles using ultrasound energy to heat targeted tissue under the surface of the skin, triggering the natural production of collagen. | Medical | |||
| Vacuum Therapy Technique that helps to lift your skin via a mechanical device equipped with suction cups; sometimes used for the treatment of cellulite. | Cosmetology or Esthetics | |||
| VelaSmooth Medical device for cellulite reduction and body contouring. The VelaSmooth combines vacuum suction, mechanical rollers, and elos (electrical-optical-synergy) heating through infrared light and bipolar RF energy. | Medical | |||
| Vitamin Infusions/IV Therapy IVs used to give high concentrations of vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream. | Medical | |||
| Waxing (strip & non-strip) Process of hair removal from the root by using a covering of a sticky substance, such as wax, to adhere to body hair, and then removing this covering and pulling out the hair from the follicle. | Cosmetology or Esthetics or Waxing |
Revised 4/20/2026
The information contained above is provided for informational purposes only. The New York Department of State makes no warranties, guarantees, or representations of any kind as to the content, accuracy, or completeness of the information contained in herein, however, every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained on this site is up to date and accurate.
The information offered should not be used in lieu of seeking appropriate legal advice and is not intended to address every procedure that may be offered by licensed appearance enhancement licensees. This guidance is subject to change and licensed professionals should frequently visit this page for important updates based on future interpretations of the General Business Law by the courts.