Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1545716
20 ASCP Skin Deep Summer 2026 IF YOU KNOW MUCH about the inner workings of the US government, you know that the more local the governmental body, the greater the impact it can have on your professional life. For example, your city council could pass an ordinance tomorrow that levies a fee so high that your business shuts down in a matter of months. The federal government, however, would take years to pass a similar measure, and the odds of it succeeding are much lower. This is largely because local governments are smaller and answer to fewer constituents. That means they can move more nimbly and pass new ordinances that go into eff ect far more quickly than state or federal actions. So, for many of us, the goings-on in Washington, D.C., are often deemed less worthy of our attention. But in the past few years, the federal government has been uncharacteristically active when it comes to issues that aff ect estheticians and spas. The world of esthetics has been shaken up by Congress, the offi ce of the president, and the US Department of Education (ED). Let's break down what changes the federal government has made that could impact esthetics. WHAT HAS D.C. BEEN UP TO? The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) passed through congress in July 2025. The sprawling bill contained some big changes in federal aid eligibility for postsecondary students and schools. The intent, much like the 100% Rule, was to make programs more aff ordable for students and protect them from getting stuck with loans they can't pay back. But the way ED interpreted it had some unintended consequences. The proposed rules issued in January would disproportionately impact esthetician and beauty schools, leaving students without access to Title IV funds and potentially leading to the closure of many of these programs. Other fi elds would be similarly impacted, including cosmetology and massage therapy programs. Most schools in our industry are eligible for Pell grants and direct loans, and the loss of that money would be devastating for enrollment. Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) has been hard at work with other associations, school owners, and professionals to fi ght the implementation of these rules as written. At the GETTY IMAGES What's Up in D.C.? Bold moves are impacting the esthetics industry by Laura Puryear ASCP ADVOCACY