Author Mary Reed-Johnson’s New Book, Salon Safety Handbook

Portage, MI, August 24, 2024 –Mary Reed-Johnson, a dynamic beauty professional (DBP), has completed her new book, “Salon Safety Handbook: A Safety-Focused Activity Book for Salon Professionals”: an educational work that provides practical guidance that beauty professionals can implement into their salon practices.

Years before COVID-19, author Mary Reed-Johnson encouraged her students to wear masks to filter fumes and particles, maintain purifiers for better air quality, get Tdap and other vaccinations, understand hazard labels, and wear finger cots and gloves to assess scalp conditions before rendering service. Her goal was to help them develop a first line-of-defense mentality when offering 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 served as a cosmetology instructor, manager, operator, and artisan.

Her advocacy efforts in legislature and across several boards brought the needs of immigrants, gig and contract workers, and other fringe populations to the discussions. 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 broad range of communities to bring you a unique reference that you can utilize throughout your career.

Reed-Johnson shares, “Beauty is an inherently risky business. Constant exposure to toxins absorbed through the skin and breathing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can lead to chronic health problems for many service providers.

“If you provide services for pay as a hair braider, traditional stylist, barber, blow-dry specialist, nail technician, aesthetician, or similar, often too late, you discover you are not adequately prepared for your career to end.

“You matter. My mission is to help beauty professionals develop a holistic health and safety culture no matter how or where they practice. Early recognition and planning will help you dramatically increase the likelihood of a positive career outcome. Do you, safely.”