PROTECTION CONVERGENCE

Purpose: Semi-permanent makeup in Korea has become an essential beauty treatment for people of all ages and genders. However, due to the invasive nature of some semi-permanent makeup procedures, there is a risk of infection, and systematic regulations and education systems to prevent this risk are lacking. Therefore, this qualitative study was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of how semi-permanent makeup professionals are implementing infection prevention and ongoing management strategies. Method: This study employed the Colaizzi method, a phenomenological research method. Specifically, semi-permanent makeup practitioners with over 15 years of experience were selected as participants for data collection. To enhance theoretical orientation, data were systematically analyzed using Colaizzi's six-step analysis method. Results: The study identified key themes in the infection prevention category, including workplace management, infection cases and response methods, and education and information acquisition. The ongoing management strategy category highlighted the need for post-procedure management and safety guidelines. Furthermore, the professional pathway category highlighted the importance of reliable information and the need for ongoing retraining. Conclusion: This study confirmed that thorough adherence to basic hygiene practices can effectively prevent infection risks. Specifically, basic elements such as thorough hand hygiene before and after procedures, sterilization and disinfection of equipment, proper use of personal protective equipment, and maintaining a clean work environment were identified as key factors in infection prevention. It is hoped that these findings will serve as valuable data for enhancing safety and enhancing hygiene management expertise in the Korean semi-permanent makeup market, which is expected to undergo significant changes.

Purpose: This study systematically explored research on beauty and massage services provided and utilized by seniors aged 60 and older in Korean society through a scoping review to map research trends and key issues. Specifically, the study aimed to comprehensively identify the need and significance of beauty services in older adults, perceptions and attitudes toward appearance management, usage patterns, and supply and delivery systems. These systems include market, welfare, long-term care, and home-based services. Furthermore, the study aimed to suggest future directions for policy, education, and service model development. Specifically, this study sought to highlight older adults not only as welfare recipients but also as active users and consumers who pursue self-care, social participation, and an improved quality of life through appearance management. Method: This study employed a scoping review design to comprehensively summarize the scope and characteristics of the literature on beauty services for older adults. Based on the PCC framework, inclusion and exclusion criteria were established and domestic academic papers and reviews were selected. The PCC framework comprises the following components: Participants were elderly individuals aged 60 years or older. The concept encompasses beauty services, including hair, skin care and aesthetics, makeup, nail and foot care, massage, and manual therapy. The context encompasses local communities, private markets, welfare institutions, long-term care facilities, and home-visiting services within Korean society. Results: Research on domestic elderly beauty services was categorized into seven themes. Specifically, first, concerns about appearance and the perception and meaning of beauty in old age were identified. Second, appearance management behaviors and service use characteristics were identified. These service use characteristics included frequency, expenditure, decision-making, and location of use. Third, service quality and related factors, satisfaction, and intention to continue use were identified. Fourth, psychological and emotional effects were identified. These psychological and emotional effects included reduced depression, improved self-esteem, and improved life satisfaction. Fifth, physiological and functional effects and the diversification of measurement indicators were identified. Sixth, gaps in access to the local community, market, welfare, long-term care, home-visiting delivery systems were identified. Gaps in access included information insufficient, the presence of local systems, and mobility restrictions. Seventh, the research was organized into policy, education, standardization, and service model innovation, including public-private partnerships and technology-based customized care. Conclusion: The results of this comprehensive exploration of research on beauty services for seniors aged 60 and older in Korean society confirmed that they are justified by multifaceted needs, and expectations of professionalism were prominent in usage patterns and selection factors. Furthermore, beauty welfare services targeting vulnerable groups were strongly characterized by public nature, linked to the care system. This study presents practical implications that integrate the public and market aspects of beauty services for seniors. However, causal inference and cross-study comparability are limited due to the female-dominated sample, cross-sectional design bias, and heterogeneity in outcome indicators and measurement.

Purpose: This study applied grounded theory, a qualitative research method, to identify the essence and constitutive factors of beauty and health multishop usage experiences perceived by the MZ generation, a key consumer group in today's rapidly changing society. Ten participants were selected, five men and five women, using both purposeful and snowball sampling. Method: Data collection began with a preliminary interview to establish a theoretical sample, followed by a second round of in-depth interviews. All interview data were transcribed and cross-referenced with the raw data to ensure reliability. Data analysis was conducted in a step-by-step manner, following the procedures proposed by Strauss A & Corbin, including open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. Results: As a result of the analysis, ‘Genderless perception of appearance management and shift in perception of beauty and health multi-shops’ were derived as the core categories, and three types were identified based on usage experience and acceptance attitude: ‘appearance management-centered type’, ‘experiential consumption type’, and ‘convenience-seeking type’. Conclusion: This study theorized the MZ generation’s experience of using beauty and health multi-shops as a processual structure in which perception and attitude are formed through experience accumulation, rather than as a simple consumption choice. Through this, it aims to present the changing beauty consumption paradigm of Korean society in depth from an experiential perspective and to contribute to expanding the understanding of overseas researchers interested in K-beauty and Korean consumer culture.

Purpose: This study explores how artistic engagement empowers individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to reframe their identities, enhance social connections, and reclaim their dignity. It proposes a conceptual model of "Artistic Protection," advocating for a paradigm shift from viewing people with PD solely as clinical subjects to recognizing them as creative agents. Method: A narrative review was conducted, synthesizing interdisciplinary literature on art-based interventions–including visual art, clay therapy, group singing, and mind-body practices such as Tai Chi, Qigong, and Argentine Tango–alongside neurobiological and psychosocial theories of vulnerability. Results: The medical gaze often reduces PD to a cluster of pathological deficits, exacerbating the erosion of self-worth and social isolation. In contrast, artistic engagement provides a potential space that mediates between biological reality and subjective experience. Biological insights into selective neuronal vulnerability and the psychosocial vulnerable self are reframed through art as sources of authentic expression rather than functional failure. Specifically, rhythmic interventions like Tai Chi and tango demonstrate superior efficacy in improving postural stability and motor scores by re-contextualizing clinical symptoms into aesthetic choices within a shared social interstice. This shift redefines protection as a relational act of mutual recognition and safe exposure through aesthetic distance. Conclusion: Reframing individuals with PD as artists facilitates a transformative pathway toward identity re-construction and existential resilience. By integrating artistic expression as a vital component of positive protection, this paradigm moves beyond symptom management toward a holistic framework of care. Ultimately, it affirms the radical freedom of individuals to be seen as whole human beings, fostering a more inclusive and com-passionate community for those living with chronic neurodegeneration.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze occupational health risks associated with ammonia inhalation exposure among beauty industry workers and to propose integrated safety management strategies. Although ammonia-based products are frequently used in small, enclosed beauty salons, systematic occupational health assessments remain insufficient. This study therefore examines the physiological effects of ammonia expo-sure and identifies practical control measures, including engineering controls and standardized operating procedures(SOPs). Method: A comprehensive literature review and case analysis of epidemiological studies on ammonia expo-sure in the hairdressing industry were conducted. International safety standards from organizations such as ACGIH and NIOSH were reviewed alongside toxicological data on respiratory and mucosal effects. In addition, current work-place practices in beauty salons were analyzed to identify gaps between existing guidelines and actual field conditions, particularly regarding ventilation and personal protective equipment. Results: The analysis indicated that chronic inhalation of ammonia in poorly ventilated environments is associated with respiratory disorders such as chronic bronchitis and reduced lung function. While acute mucosal irritation is well documented, long-term exposure presents an elevated risk of occupational asthma among stylists. Many salons were found to lack localized exhaust ventilation and adequate chemical-resistant protective equipment, under-scoring deficiencies in current safety practices. Conclusion: Mitigating ammonia exposure in the beauty industry requires an integrated approach combining engineering controls, worker education, and institutionalized safety policies. The implementation of localized exhaust ventilation(LEV) and clear SOPs is essential for reducing inhalation risks. Regular safety training to improve hazard awareness is also critical. These measures provide a foundational framework for promoting sustainable and healthy working environments in the beauty industry.

Purpose: On September 25, 2025, the Tattoo Law was passed, allowing non-medical professionals to practice tattooing. The purpose of this study is to examine the positive and negative functions (problems) of the Tattoo Law and discuss future improvement measures. Method: This study's methodology is to examine Supreme Court precedents and Constitutional Court decisions regarding the reasons for past tattoo bans and to explore solutions for future tattooing. Therefore, this study will analyze past research papers on current tattooing practices and examine the laws governing tattooing in each country. Results: Tattooing, previously considered a medical practice following a 1992 Supreme Court ruling, was legalized with the enactment of the Tattooist Act. Licensed tattooists, or "tattooists," who pass the national exam are now permitted to perform tattoos and use over-the-counter medications within the scope set forth in the Ministry of Health and Welfare Ordinance. This measure aims to bridge the gap between law and reality and ensure the safety of those receiving tattoos. While tattoo laws can bring about various benefits, such as maintaining social order, resolving disputes, and promoting public welfare, they can also have negative consequences due to problems in the legislative process or unexpected side effects, and we must seek ways to improve them. Conclusion: The law and system have failed to reflect the reality that tattooing by non-medical professionals has become popular. However, the Tattoo Law was enacted after a long period of social discussion and deliberation, and has laid the foundation for the tattoo industry to operate safely and soundly within an institutional framework and for the rights of users and practitioners to be protected. However, even before implementation, various issues remain, including conflicts with the medical community and insufficient detailed standards, raising the need for improvement. These improvements should be considered to ensure the Tattoo Law becomes a reality, protect the rights of tattooists, and safeguard the public's health and safety.