Consider Writing for the AEA Bulletin

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
1

At my electrologist today I had a chance to peek inside the recent AEA bulletin. With all the good stuff you pros post on tips, techniques, client concerns, and general health here daily , the AEA bulletin desperately could use your help. The thing was about eight pages long: One page had a crossword, another had a word search, half of another had answers to the crossword puzzle, there were about five full page ads, and one page had actual staff writing. You guys gotta get it hooked up with them, contribute as a roundtable collective on different topics. You could put as a footnote that you are members of Hairtell, a non-profit website to answer questions. That would be great.

Please kick the idea around, they need assistance.

Mantaray

2

You made me smile, Mantaray.

I will take a guess that those who are active and aware in the AEA and who contribute to the electrologist only AEA forum are aware of who dedicates their time here on hairtell to answer consumer questions. I personally have posted on the AEA forum many times and have mentioned to my dear colleagues that hairtell is a great way to reach the consumer who is all confused by what exactly a professional electrologist can do for those with unwanted hair. Or, if they, as electrologists, do not want to contribute to hairtell in helpful ways, at least take the time to read hairtell so one can moniter the “pulse” of the consumer and have a good feel for what issues the consumer is facing when they go to an electrologist in their locale.

The bigger issue about us “pro’s” here on hairtell providing tips, techniques and client concerns in the AEA bulletin, is a good idea and I’m sure many colleagues would gravitate to that page of the bulletin immediately when it arrives in the mail, wink, wink. However, we can already communicate with each other through the internet forum at www.electrology.com . The majority of the memebership do not use this forum. It’s always the same few people that bop in here and there. It’s frustrating that there isn’t more interchange between electrologists, but you find this complaint with any institution or group. I personally e-mail the people that seem to be as interested as I am in hair removal and we share ideas and other stuff.

Maybe the AEA membership do not feel they need asssistance from the likes of me, James, Arlene, Barbara, Lisa, Joanie. In fact, they would look at someone like me and think, why the heck is a non-CPE giving me advise? I’m licensed in my state and meet the continuing education guidelines to keep my license, but I’m not CPE-ized by my national association. That’s a personal choice one has to make when the test is offered once a year. One must travel to the convention to take the test. I do not like to travel, so I have stymied myself.

So, yes, I can do without the crossword puzzle stuff and your suggestions are excellent. I see the bulletin and gain information and appreciate the efforts of those that put it all together. I also know it would not be fair or correct to complain about what it is missing and how it can be improved. People that think they can do it better, need to get involved with their ideas and work hard. Most are not willing to make the sacrifice to work harder when their lives are already so busy.

Do you have any desire to become an electrologist, Mantaray? I think you would be a great one with your educational background and enthusiastic interest.

Dee

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I believe they published an article of mine some years ago.

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Personnally, I have little experience with AEA, being as I choose to become a member of SCMHR instead. At least here in Washington State, I have not been impressed in the least by members of the AEA. I hope that the national organization is better than the state organization. When I was told about technique by someone who states they are leaders in the local group and they tell me about the poor technique that they like to use, it does not give me any confidence. Then when they state that they really wish they could afford to attend the school that I went to, that kind of takes the cake for me. I decided, that I did not want to learn technique via that path. It seems that many of my clients have had laser treatments before coming to see me, and I find it very helpful to know something about what they have been through. While I doubt very much, that I would want to be someone operating a laser wand, now that is a different story. When I read of so many people being scared by lasers, it makes me cringe. I want to help my clients, not disfigure them. So being a part of a organization that is not limited to just electrolysis gives me input from other means of hair removal as well. That is why I choose SCMHR instead of the AEA as an organization. Yes, I know it is possible to be a member of both, but it seems that every time, I consider joining the AEA, something inside me just has me back away.
Being from a state that does not have any real regulations regarding becoming an electrologist, I felt that I should have a certification to separate myself from just someone who purchased and epilator and set up shop without any training. I took and passed the Certified Clinical Electrologist (CCE) exam and passed it the first time, without even using their study guide. I believe this says a whole lot about the training that I received. I would highly recommend the American Institute of Education in Long Beach for those who are wanting a education in electrology.
I honestly hope, someone with experience can change my opinion of the AEA, as I really hope that the organization is better than my impression. At least with the CCE exam, I was able to pay a proctoring fee to the local College and have them administer it to me, instead of having to travel to a Convention to take it. It makes me wonder if that is about the only way, they can get people to attend the conventions. Make them show up in order to take an exam? Do they believe they are better able to administer an exam than being proctored by a university?

5

I will only speak to one issue that you brought up, the exam.

The official word is that AEA and the company that administers the exam (what ever they are calling themselves this year) will only allow the exam to be administered by that company. Now it is the same company that owns and administers the SAT, and that test seems to be delivered to hundreds of thousands of places at a time, (and rumor has it they are talking about what the possibilities of returning to such a multi-test site set up might be, as the CPE used to be administered in many places world wide) but when I asked about the cost and permission to set up an alternate test on the opposite US coast that I was offering to find financing for, I got the stone wall. Although they would repeat that it would be very expensive, no one would ever answer the plain question, how expensive would it be, and if someone wrote you a check for that amount, would you give permission for it to take place?

<shrug> :confused: :frowning:

Hopefully the rumor will materialize as a truth in the near future, and taking the CPE will become easier than spending $1,000 on a trip to whereever they are holding it that year.

6

I, and several of my Ohioan colleagues, would take the CPE exam if it were offered even on a regional basis. We have discussed this issue before. However, if the AEA leadership cannot or will not offer the exam to reach as many electrologists as possible, we can only ask why and hope for a change of heart.

Until then, I’m still doing just fine with the my state licensure initials.

Thanks everybody!

Dee

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Thank You James for your explanation.
It just re-inforces my view that what it really boils down to is the MONEY. The only reason that it is administered only at the convention is self imposed. It is not about making the test available to be taken easily by their Clients the electrologists. It is about how they can make the most MONEY. No concern is being given about those who wish to take their test in the least. The cost to have the local college administer my exam amounted to $25.00. No body but themselves set up the requirement they only certain people can administer the test, and have decided to keep the entire amount in house so to speak. You come to the convention or else you cannot take the exam, does not make it easy for those who wish to take the exam to be able to do so easily. Therefore, they are not serving their clients, the electrologist who wish to take the exam any service.

8

Well, now, let’s just say that hypothetically speaking, a new electrolysis practitioner, or one who has been practicing without a CPE or any other affiliation not required by the state in which that person practices should decide to get a CPE.

Well, the test is in what ever city it is in that year, but let’s just say that the city of the year is Las Vegas, as it more often than not is hosted there. The person starts out with the proposition of spending plus or minus $500 on the air fare. The test starts at a time of day that makes one need to arrive the day before and take the test the next day. Budget $200 for the airport shuttle, cab, hotel and meals. The Test costs $325 for non-AEA members, but $275 for AEA members. So you see, you are at plus or minus $1,000 for just going, taking the test and getting back on the plane. No gambling, no shows, and no classes.

Oh, did I mention that the test is given at the annual AEA convention? Well, you are going to be there for the first day of the convention so you can be there for the test, and you could actually do the second day of the convention before you have to leave for the airport, so you may as well just go to the convention, since you are already going to be there for it anyway. They charge $375 for the convention if you are a non-member, but $250 if you are a member buying the early bird ticket. Your hotel room will cost 20% - 50% less if you are an AEA member attending the convention so that has to be a difference of $30 to $50 a day. Pretty soon, the person looking at it, sees that one will be spending the same money for joining the AEA and attending the convention, even if one doesn’t join the AEA and attend the convention, especially when the day pass for two days to a non-member equals an AEA member’s full convention rate.

Once a person has a CPE one must either take the test every 5 years, (see above math) or get 7.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s, not to be confused with the so-called “Certified Educational Upgrade”) towards keeping it. The convention the test is given at offers 1.5 of the 7.5 CEU’s you need right there! You may take any approved classes for CEU’s, but if they are not done at the AEA convention, you must get them certified, and pay Recording and Processing fees which will amount to somewhere between $200 and $300, Even more expensive if you are not an AEA member. It is assumed that the place giving the class or training will charge for their services as well, so when you total it up, you once again have paid the same amount of money, and did not get a vacation to an exciting city like Las Vegas, San Francisco, or Honolulu.

The AEA can disallow a proposed CEU credit that you submit, and can, at its descretion “short” you CEU hours based on their appraisal of the coursework. Of course, you have already paid for, attended the class, and paid the recording and processing fees. I guess it is just safer to just go to the convention.

CPE’s put a lot of time and money into obtaining and keeping those letters after their name.

9

It’s funny how a person gets a bias toward or against something, then runs with it.

I have had experience with both organizations and both certifications. I have also been involved with the exam writing for several different exams. Many years ago, I took and passed, at first try, the CCE and CPE exams. I was not impressed with the CCE exam, nor the organization who was behind it. They sent the CCE exam to an electrologist in my state and she proctored the exam. It should have been done through someone who is not in the profession. The CPE exam is given under very specific conditions by an employee of the company who administers it. Electrologists and electrology consumers can be very well assured that this exam is of the highest quality available. Every 5 years, the exam is reviewed and revised at great expense to the AEA.

So, what I’m saying here is that my bias is for the AEA and the CPE exam. I’m a midwesterner, and early on in my practice, I was told by experienced electrologists to stay away from the AEA because they were all easterners! (Can you believe that?) After having been a member of the other organizations and being disenchanted by their communications and general practices, I have chosen the AEA. I definately get more for my money from the AEA!

The original post was about giving articles to the AEA, and I think that’s a great idea. I would imagine that both organizations would be happy to receive such input.

10

As a member of both the AEA and SCMHR, I find that the SCMHR folks are much easier to interact with and they accept your choices of continuing educational projects far more readily and with fewer restrictions than the AEA. You might assume that the strictness of the AEA means higher standards but after attending AEA conventions, I do not see higher standards in the area of education. In fact, their continuing education tends to be boring, redundant, and a bit reactionary.

The SCMHR has more progressive and interesting continuing education so I suspect that you will have a much more worthwhile experience as a SCHMR member. If you can only choose one, I think you made a good choice.

11

With this limited ability to edit, I want to note that the above post is in response to MarthaJoy.

Also, I want to respond directly to Mantaray’s comments.

The newsletters are written by volunteers and pretty much simply keep us informed of meetings. However, the hard core research articles are printed in the industry journals and the AEA produces a good one.

Regarding sharing information and tips: from my experience, most adults are not that interested in learning because it requires that they think a little and stray from their limited “boxes”. There is very little satisfaction in sharing “outside the box” information with folks who are already established.

Regarding submitting work to the industry publications… well, I did that by writing and editing the AEA’s local publication for the New York Electrolysis Association. The thing is, if you don’t do things like those in power want, you are ousted. During that time, while I was devoting about 25 hours a week writing html for the AEA’s website (templates back then were too restrictive), I interacted with Dr. Schuster, Dr. Richards, Mike Bono and others in the industry and got their work on the AEA website where I stressed education. Those articles are no longer at the website and believe me, they are not outdated. In any event, these days, I choose not to volunteer but instead find satisfaction in teaching electrology students, many of whom are hungry to learn and as students, have not yet established such a small frame to reference from.

I suspect that some of the folks who represent themselves as pro AEA and anti SCMHR might also be among those AEA volunteers who get lots of hefty AEA perks which might very well cloud their judgement.

12

I wish to thank everyone who has submitted their views about the two organizations. I am still considering taking the CPE exam when it is administered next November, but if I do, it will not be to just make a trip to San Francisco for the test. A week later our Daughter is to Graduate from College in S. California, and we will drive down for that, and San Francisco would be be a stop along the way. But still I question why I need it, since I have already passed the CCE exam.
It will probably boil down to whether or not my own opinions change in the mean time. But unless someone pro AEA showing me how there organization will benefit myself and those who come to me for help, I am not inclined to join just to pay fees without any benefit. As paying fees increases expenses, which somehow must be re-imbursed in some way, which is usually more fees for the patients, customers or however you view your clientele. I realize how expensive permanent hair removal can cost and aim to try and keep my cost as minimal as possible for those who wish to come and have me help them.
So, I guess I leave it at that, Does AEA really strive to help electrologists, or is the AEA really there just to make a few bucks off of their members?

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Arlene Batz;
I want to express thankfulness to instructors like yourself who wish to pass along the skills they have learned over the years to those just starting out. Often teaching is a thankless job, but I very much appreciate the skills that others have passed on to me. My clients are much better off because of the help they gave to me. I am very thankful for that.
I know there is still a lot of information that is available that I have not learned yet and will strive to find the information the best I can. I am lucky to still have funds available from my last employer that can be used for more education. I very much plan on taking advantage of that information resource.
I count this Forum as something very benefitual for myself and my clients. I therefore have no problems of any kind trying to support the work it is doing. But as an electrologist who wishes to keep cost affordable, I cannot just throw money to the wind and hopes it somehow makes its way back sometime.
Maybe my view of the AEA has flaws, but as I am somewhat new, nothing has shown to me how the AEA is there to help my clients or myself. Hopefully, I am wrong with that opinion.

14

Just to be clear, I endorse you taking the CPE, after all, you will be going there anyway. One of the benefits to taking the CPE is that for those who do look into these things, it will prove that you met the higher standard in taking and passing that test.

15

Martha, I think James is suggesting that getting your CPE credential would be a useful marketing tool as some clients will look for it and feel more confident in your abilities. I am not sure what he means by the higher standards as neither test is difficult for someone who has done their homework.

Is the way the test is administered the issue?

In any event, passing both or neither of these tests is not going to make you a good electrologist especially since neither tests skill.

If your goal is to join an organization that offers opportunities to learn more, then look at the meeting/convention speaker lists and topics and then decide for yourself.

If your goal is to learn more, well then, keep an open mind, track and monitor your work, interact with a small group of your peers with whom you trust, watch, read and reference Schuster, Mike Bono, Richards and Meharg, and you will be fine.

If your goal is to join an organization that will help you to market yourself, then taking the CPE is a good idea. As James suggested, some people will look for it.

If the added credential is going to make you feel more confident, go for it! If the added credential is going to make you feel that you have an edge in marketing, go for it! Remember, you can take the exam, get your added credential and just not take any of the CPE approved continuing education. That is how some folks do it, right James?