Dee, do you use disposable needles?
That actually has been my problem. I haven’t ever seen that nor do I know of any in any of the cities where I have locations. I would like to see what that entails, it just seems to be something of a dying art. Everyone that I know who does electrolysis is getting close to retirement. It is kind of worrisome because there is a definite place for both modalities.
And by the way, I used your numbers for the cost effectiveness. I have heard of others taking much longer and charging much more to treat an upper lip.
Just putting in 2 cents about my personal treatments. For my upper lip, I only needed around 8 10-15 minute electrolysis treatments with microflash to be done completely. These cost around $15 each each. My hair was a mix of finer and darker black hair. I thought it was a better option for this area than laser in my case since
- it only treated the hairs I wanted gone and didn’t touch anything else on my face
- It was cheaper than laser would have been
- I didn’t have to deal with the pepperspots, waiting for shedding, shaving etc this highly visible area.
Thanks for your testimonal,lagirl. This is a common scenario if it is performed by a professionl that keeps growing and going forward.
SSLHR quote: “And by the way, I used your numbers for the cost effectiveness. I have heard of others taking much longer and charging much more to treat an upper lip.”
I will bet that is because they have not come of age and have not invested in the better computerized epilators, vision wear, lighting that allows for faster more complete treatments. One can go lightning fast if they would just set their offices up for success. The old ways of the past for doing electrolysis will work, but I keep saying that there other choices that satisfy consumers much better, for less cost in a shorter time frame.
I think electrolysis is a dying art, unfortunately. It’s hard to do and much more technical than laser, especially if one is using a computerized epilator with microflash or picoflash. It will just have to go where it goes in the future as I am only one person trying the best I can to bring good news about what is possible today with better tool choices. Hopefully, the schools that are training new electrologists are doing their part to turn out the best electrologists.
In the state of Ohio, as of December 2007, there are 174 active electrologists/cosmetic therapists for a state that has 10,000,000 people. Three or four years ago, there were 313 electrologists. Do the math. The bright spot in those gloomy numbers is a new electrolysis program is starting in the spring of 2009 in Ohio. It is an associates degree program that requires 774 hours of instruction over 54 weeks. After completion of the program, students will take the Ohio State Medical Board Examination for Cosmetic Therapy. I don’t know what the demand is for this program, but I sure hope there is a waiting list. Hopefully, the school will have more computerized epilators than Kree units. HEHE!
We need more MODERN electrologists. The hardest part about staying active on these forums is telling people what a good electrologist can do for them, but theymay not have any recommendations to follow up with in their locales. When they do find someone, they end up coming back here to ask if “this” or “that” is “normal” or they report that they are pleased, which is what we like to hear, of course.
Thanks.
When we have conversations, I don’t think we really disagree. I do firmly believe that there is a need for both electrolysis and lasers. The problem is that I understand lasers and how to use them and how to incorporate them into a modern business. The problem is how to incorporate electrolysis? Especially given the numbers you are quoting. And the problem is the same in Texas and I am sure everywhere else.
I’ve had the pleasure to speak several times at electrolysis conventions in Texas. They tell me that in the “old” days there had hundreds of people in the audience. Now they have a fraction of that in the audience. And I look out over the group and realize that practically none of them will be there in ten years. Mostly because they are close to retiring. I have some serious concerns about this. I just am not sure what can be done.
One of the things I think is that we may have to think out of the box. Unfortunately, if it really takes that long to properly train an electrologist and there is no way to shorten that, then I think there are going to be some serious problems. But these are just my thoughts.
Whoops! must have missed this, so sorry. Yes, I do use disposable probes. Gold is my favorite, followed by insulated.
Hi sslhr.
Just to correct something: I just saw on another source that Ohio has 174 licensed cosmetic therapists/electrologists and 31 restricted cosmetic therapists/electrologists. I just called the state medical board and asked what the “restricted” part means because I haven’t seen that classification before. I was told that these are CT’s/elctrologists that are not allow to do massage from the shoulders up because they have not taken the state board section on massage. So,we really have 205 electrologists in the state of Ohio, which sounds a little better! Even though I am licensed to offer massage to my clients, I do not desire to do this as I’m busy enough.
Electrolysis can be incorporated into your laser practice,sslhr. You can offer to send a willing employee to a licensed electrolysis school with special contracted details of how you can be compensated in return for future employment in your offices. The school here in Ohio runs about $9,000. Having a laser tech, who is also a licensed electrologist on your staff would cover all bases for those gray, blond, clear hairs that laser cannot “see”.
In the past, I was offered work in a physicians office to do laser, but he wanted me especially for my electrolysis expertise. The doctor would pay for my laser training and malpractice. (Some of my electrolysis colleagues have been offered positions with the same deal.) Problem is, I was not willing to give a percentage of my electrolysis receipts. Been there, and I don’t like that arrangement, so I would never agree to that again. I see the value of laser hair reduction, but having a good electrologist on hand would complete the circle and the consumer would love doing busines with you.
Not all electrolysis programs are associate degree programs (2 years). This is a new standard for Ohio. It took me a little over a year before I was able to take my state boards. My program was 600 hours over 54 weeks. The hours have been increased and I’m not sure why, unless they added more massage therapy to the mix or perhaps they have included 50 hours of laser??? I hope to find out more specifics.
Dee