I have no clue, I used the AEA locator page to find my 1st lady to go to, should we ONLY use people who are in the AEA, in your opinions?
I’m asking cause I’m very cautious, but there’s barely any people near me in AEA other than 2 I’ve tried that I didn’t even like 
I just checked the AEA locator page, and mine isn’t on there even though she does phenomenal work, so no, AEA electrologists aren’t the only ones to pick. Maybe it’s a good place to start if you aren’t sure where to begin.
AEA means the electrologist took the CPE exam. While the effort shows that the electrologist took extra steps to become certified, I find the CPE does not mean a better trained or skilled electrologist. I was treated by CPEs and Non CPEs and skill level and results were similar. So don’t focus on AEA especially if you have limited options as is.
I had a CPE and was a superior electrologist. THEN, I didn’t keep up with the continuing education requirements and lost my CPE certification. Ever since I lost my CPE certification, I’m not good at electrolysis any more.
Being listed by the AEA doesn’t mean the electrologist took the CPE. It means they pay an annual fee to be a member of the AEA.
The CPE means they passed a single written exam, not that they’re any good at the practice of electrolysis or that they know what they’re actually doing.
I haven’t joined the AEA or sought out my CPE because I think both are pretty much useless as an indicator of quality. Word of mouth about the quality of my practice is all I have needed to continue to grow my business (now to the point where I’ve already hired another electrologist, since I have too much work to handle by myself.)
Ohh ok! I didn’t think you guys would say that, but that’s great to know. I did like how their site says like “follows infection control standards” just cause I’m really shy, and feel super awkward asking stuff like, sooo… what is your disinfection prodcedure? or something like that, because of course, this person is a stranger to me, I can’t just assume that they are careful with that.
AEA / CPE not necessarily a good measure of quality work or skill, but it might make the consumer feel better.
Pretty funny post, Michael.
Feel free to ask about our infection control procedures. My sterilizer is out in the open for anyone to see. My state doesn’t require me to test the sterilizer, but I do weekly tests anyway to prove that it is working properly, since that’s the right thing to do. You can watch me wash my hands, put on new gloves, take sterilized tools out of test tubes, throw away the probe I used on you and wipe down my table and other equipment that doesn’t go through the sterilizer with cavicide. It doesn’t bother me in the least.
It’s just as easy for someone in a state that is regulated or for someone that has a CPE to avoid or cheat on good practices too. At best, mandatory requirements keep honest people honest.
With regard to Dee’s point, someone making someone feel better because they joined the AEA or got a CPE doesn’t mean they are actually following protocols or doing a good job. I’ve worked on people that have been damaged by people with fancy credentials (be it a CPE or even a MD).
It is still the consumer’s responsibility to educate themselves and evaluate their practitioner, whether the practitioner has a credential or not. IMO, the CPE credential (and licensing in the states that do so) is actually less than worthless, since it gives people a false sense of confidence/security and, in the case of licensing, by raising the barrier of entry, keeps new, potentially better, electrologists out of the field to protect complacent, existing, grandfathered in practitioners.
Hahaha so funny Michael. I’m not a good electrologist either since I have never gotten my CPE. Thank goodness my clients’ hairs don’t know the difference or they would refuse to die…
The AEA markets itself as the sole face of electrology. They tell you, essentially, that electrologists who join the AEA (pay them for membership) are the only proper electrologists. A small number of customers hear and believe this message. The AEA steps up their marketing campaign.
I see two problems with this:
- I don’t like their racketeering approach to monopolizing the electrology world
- They do nothing to assess their members’ actual skill - you don’t need to know how to practically do electrolysis to be their “board certified” CPE. And many don’t…
here in canada, the CPE designation is the Industry Canada registered trademark of the FCEA ( Federation of Canadian Electrolysis Associations) and their provincial chapters.I can tell you even with the organization differences, the meaning of the certification is still about the same. It’s one of the reasons I havent sought the certification yet ( aside from not having the time with my business launch this year) .I didnt feel it added anything to my practise. You can have good CPE’s , and really poor ones ( and we’ve all heard about the poor ones).
I’ve often wondered why we as electrologists dont have an international standard and certification, but the answer as to why of course is that no one has the time or dedication on top of their busy careers to build such a thing.
Seana