Career, honest replies please...

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Hello gang,

I am currently a massage therapist, having been certified about a year now and do enjoy it. But from the beginning, even before becoming certified knew that massage wasn’t something I wanted to do full-time forever as it very physical/mentally exhausing if done hours and hours a day back-to-back so I want to do something along with it. I was thinking about persuing a career in electrolysis, since I know that it works, but with the industry leaning the way that it is towards laser, do you think it honestly worth it to try to go to a career in electrolysis. I’m just really nervous to be honest. In virginia a certification is not required but it seems like the electrologist who are doing well are certified out of state. So for me to go through with this endeaver would mean time, relocation for me and my boyfriend, and lots of money spent. The only thing I do know is that there aren’t that many modern electrologists in Virginia, at least down in the Richmond area. I have to travel 2 hours up north to the DC area, because I did a consultation with 2 places down here one had decent machinery but was very slow and I wasn’t confident in her work so I tried another place who left my skin looking like a mess. The reason I think that it’s so difficult is because Richmond’s economy I don’t think is the greatest and even though there wouldn’t be that much competition I think would still be easier in somewhere like northern va/dc area where there is plenty of money to be spent/plenty of people. How long do you think it would take to build a practise? Are there any tips for marketing/starting a business because with the amount that will be spent making money as soon as possible would be great. I feel that another issue would be it seems like most electrogist have been doing this for over 10 years, but really it seems close to 20, do you think a new girl will have a chance to do well… Any commentary would be appreciated… tips about going with school, business, whatever. :eek:

Do you think electrolysis is a career that is easy to burn out from or do you still enjoy it to this day? =]

#2

Hi Hairy, you wrote:
“I am currently a massage therapist, having been certified about a year now and do enjoy it. But from the beginning, even before becoming certified knew that [color:#FF6666]massage wasn’t something I wanted to do full-time forever as it very physical/mentally exhausing [/color]if done hours and hours a day back-to-back so I want to do something along with it. I was thinking about persuing a career in electrolysis…”

Hairy, you want an honest reply so here goes darling…
Electrologists will tell you that they thought about becoming massage therapists thinking that it would not be as physically and mentally exhausting as electrolysis.

Go into electrolysis if you have a passion for it. Since a school is not nearby, take the online courses and then visit a school for hands on education and testing. http://www.aielectrology.com/

#3

I do realize why electrolysis would be both physically/mentally demanding… I can imagine carpal-tunnel syndrome and upper/lower back pain is probably quite common, but I still feel like I would enjoy it a lot. I do love massage and plan on doing it for as long as my body allow, but I feel like I need to break up the hours in my day with another passion as not to burn out.

I was talking to my boyfriend today about persuing electrolysis and the different methods… galvanic, blend, thermolysis and what not… he was like “caroline, you complain about having a terrible memory and not being intelligent enough, but that’s a lie, because you just leave room in your brain for what you’re passionate about.” Being fuzzy has always bothered me since I was little, it made me feel different, so if I could open my own business. I would call it Mind, Body Synergy. Combing the mental and physical benifits of massage therapy and electrolysis… Are there any other certifcations you feel would go well with massage and electro, I love school and wouldn’t mind beling multi-disciplined.

I’ll definitely check out aie… Did you go to school there or know if it’s a good program?

#4

The current person who I see, who does both massage and electro, also does waxing, facials, and scrubs. I have no idea if you would need a certificate for that, nor do I have any idea if what I just posted added any insight into what you were talking about (I need substantially more sleep right now).

#5

Hi Hairy,

I suggested the aie online program because you indicated that you did not have a school close by. I went to The New York Institute in Manhattan about 25 years ago. I think that the best school nearest to you is in MA.
http://www.electrologyinstitute.com

If your state does not have mandatory licensing, you should still go to a certified and approved school because you should get your education. I doubt that you would even be able to get business-liability-malpractice insurance without it and if your clients realize you are not formally educated, they might move on to someone who is.

I am licensed in NY to administer facials and massage in the context of my skin care license. Once you become highly skilled in any of the one areas, you will be in demand for that particular service. Since there is a demand for good electrologists, the electrolysis keeps me too busy for much else.

Good luck.

#6

Arlene, thank you for the responses, it means a lot.

I definitely want to be educated, plus I think the fact that Virginia requires no certifcation would benefit me in the way that I don’t think there would be much/if any competition in certain areas. I’m just really suprised by the fact that Virginia isn’t so strict about it, but with massage therapy I not only need a State approval, but many cities/counties do as well. I’ll look into the schools, Manhatten would be amazing, but I don’t think I could afford Manhatten cost of living. lol I’ll look into the one in Califnoria, leaving Virginia alone for a while would be an experience in its self. I’m still really nervous about it though…

#7

Did any other electrologists have any comments/tips?

#8

The electrologists read and watch the boards but are very busy.
If a question is addressed, few feel the need to be redundant anymore.

Good Luck!

#9

I just saw this and would be glad to offer comments as soon as I get a chance not to rush it, HairyBe.

Dee

#10

I will just say here that statistically speaking 9 out of 10 people have hair some place where they wish they did not have it. Your challenge is educating them that it is possible to remove it permanently, and convincing them that your method of doing that is the correct answer for them, both financially and health-wise.

There is a lot of misinformation out there to overcome.

In general, if you keep your monthly overhead low, you should get into the black in a short time and get on cruise control in no time.

#11

Thank you for the responses Arlene, Dfahey, and James.

James, I think convincing people will be the hard part, especially with all the laser info out but a lot of people not realizing/believe the negative side effects.

Dfahey, looking forward to it. =]

#12

Time to ramble.

A professional electrologist enjoys a special niche in this big hairy world. There are not many that can successfully remove hair with precision and care, compared to the number of people that need such special services. Laser is great, but it can not see all or cure all unwanted hair in any place on the face and body like electrolysis can. That is why electrologists are busier than ever. The day a product is discovered that can permanently affect hair at a cellular level, in the privacy of your home, inexpensively and safely, that will be the day that electrolysis will not be in demand. That day is not around the corner and may never be?

Massage therapists have physical problems, as you said. Thumbs come to mind. I hear a lot of complaints about “blown out thumbs” from massage therapists, so thinking ahead toward another specialty is a smart idea.

Starting a business in a good demographic location is certainly a boost. You can be busy soon after you start if you can do great insertions and keep true to the principles of hair removal. I believe in investing in the best equipment and getting training with that equipment. Social networking can help launch your business. A catchy name will get attention, perhaps? My unrefined side has been toying with a DBA name change to express my inner determination to “kill” hair - what does everybody think of ‘DIE! BITCH! DIE! Electrolysis’? Lastly, mentoring is the core to finding success. Find someone that will take you under her/his wing. MENTORING - It uplifts the whole profession if master electrologists share and show the neophyte electrologists what they do. Mentoring should be pledge number one in the Electrologists (Hippocratic) Oath.

Some people see good full time employment within six months and some practices may take three years. It is about impressing new clients with your care and concern for their skin while “killing” the hair. You can incorporate other services, but you may not have time to perform those services if you are too busy removing hair.

I enjoy my work and I am holding up very well. Sometimes my back hurts if I don’t pay strict attention to my ergonomics. I changed my chair recently and all is much better. You won’t last in this profession if you you are not siting correctly, etc. Many do burn out within five years, that is why you need the passion bug to bite you. You have to really like what you are doing for others. The hugs you get from grateful clients is really rewarding.

I agree with Arlene and James’ comments.

May you sort out all this!

#13

I quite like the new name!

#14

Thank you Dfahey, I definitely do know the importance of correct body-mechanics. I try to emphasize it to my clients almost every day actually. lol I just hope to make the right decision if I do go through with it, because burning out after only/less than 5 years would be awful. All I know is excess hair is awful and to help someone’s self esteem with something they physically have no control over(unlike weight, acne, ect.) would be awesome. I’m just nervous about that in the next 15 years something might come out that has the ease of laser, but works well on all types of hair and on all types of skin care. Just going into another speciality vs going for a bachelors/masters degree that allows me to at least consider different careers paths is sort of scary. But when I think of other careers a lot of them don’t interest me. The main reason I’m trying to work on another specialty is because the massage industry has changed a lot. After a lot of massage chains that took over that undercut the massage therapist in pay it’s hard for therapists to make a decent living without killing their back doing hours and hours of massage back to back. There are spas that pay decently still doing well, but as these membership chains keep popping up it seems like the whole industry is taking a toll. There are a ton of massage schools now and it seems the industry is over saturated, which does make it seem like the fact that there aren’t a ton of electrolysis schools a positive.

#15

I would like to answer your question based on 32 years experience as a practicing electrologist. The reason there are few electrolysis schools is because the industry was slammed in the late 90’s and into the 2000’s by laser hair removal. The demand for electrolysis fell due to the public’s erroneous conclusion that laser hair removal was superior and that it was replacing electrolysis as the hair removal method of choice. Sadly, laser manufacturers, physicians and big money did more to promote laser hair removal in a 10 year period than the entire electrolysis industry did in over 100. The cost of developing and promoting a brand new industry was enormous and they needed a return on investment. Now the reality is setting in and electrolysis is enjoying a comeback but with the current economic downturn it might take a while for the industry to reach full potential. Some electrologists are so busy now they are not taking any new clients however they tend to be in large metropolitan areas or regions that are affluent. The average electrologist is more than likely having a hard go of it but things are looking up. Your success will be determined by skill, geographical location, and sheer brute force determination to succeed. Please check your private messages. Good luck in your journey!

#16

This is perfect and 100% accurate, thanks Hairadicator. What’s a “hairadicator?” (Beate: Habst du Idee?)

#17

It is one that “eradicates” hair!

#18

Thank you for the hairadicator, your response was the reasoning I had for maybe not going into this career. It’s really hard for me to decide if I want to do this, I’m going to think about it for a little while longer before jumping into anything.