Electrolysis Exam Secrets ... warning!

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I ordered and I’m now reviewing a book called “Electrolysis Exam Secrets” a study guide and test review for the Certified Professional Electrologist (CPE) exam (Mometrix, Inc.).

I have only looked at the thing here and there. However, there are horrible errors in nearly every paragraph! Honestly were a person to buy this thing; they would probably do WORSE on the CPE exam.

Clearly the person that put this together knows zero about our field. They have gotten hold of a couple (out dated) books and misinterpreted the out-dated material.

Here are three statements in only three paragraphs:

  1. High frequencies should not be used on the facial area. (Page 74)

  2. " [with the blend, DC] can cause tissue fragments back upwards resulting in skin lesions, trapping of gasses in the follicle … where galvanic is performed first." (Page 75 … no sense to this statement at all")

  3. Pre-shaving … is the desired effect since it is impossible to prevent re-growth during the resting telogen stage. (Page 75)

They talk about “rheostats” controlling the HF. I don’t think rheostats have been used since the 1980s?

THIS BOOK SHOULD COME WITH A WARNING! If the association wants me to, I will write a critique of this silly twaddle.

WARNING … this book will screw you up and is of no value whatsoever.

1 Like
#2

This means that thanks to this guide you will be a Certified Poor Electrologist? he he

Sorry, I could not help it.

#3

Hi Michael, I remember that you said you had collaborated in the writing of texts for access to CPE? if so, where I can get it? I’m really not interested in the examination, or the certificate. Only in the text.

#4

I am interesting to the text too because I would like to study electrolysis. It will be great if I could get access to these texts.

#5

You can purchase the CPE book from the AEA … $65.00.

I have the newest copy and it’s quite excellent. You will not, however, learn how to do electrolysis from the book.

The CPE book will also guide you to some other useful books. (However, they don’t mention a few books that would be very useful … if you actually want to learn this practice.)

#6

I thought it was an “unpublished” text by you.

In this case, thanks, but I’m not interested in buying this guide.

#7

If I remember correctly, the CPE book did have an article or so that I wrote. However, since I no longer have the “CPE credential,” my contributions were deleted (and my books not mentioned as “recommended”).

If you are an electrologist, but not a CPE, you cannot speak or write for the group. It’s the rule.

All of this is fine and I support their idea to some degree.

Still, none of my work is for anything except for the CLIENT (first and foremost) … and also for the actual working electrologist. I’m only hopeful that something I have learned along the way, and written about, can be helpful to my fellow electrologists AND my fellow hairy “brothers and sisters.”

The reason that I’m still (and only) here on Hairtell is that the owner has the correct idea: information for everyone … all for free and in a totally open forum.

Censorship, or preferential treatment … whatever the rationale … never really works and is the basis of all authoritarian entities that eventually fail.

#8

Here! Here! Hip! Hip! to your words, Michael.

Maiakochka,

I see you are from France. Can you describe what electrolysis is like in France? Who can do electrolysis there? What are the training programs like? How long? Where do people go to get good electrolysis care? Anything you can tell me about it would be most helpful.

#9

Yes indeed, I am French. Actually in France a law from 1962 said that only physicians are allowed to remove hair with other methods wich are not wax and plucking. Namely only physicians (dermatologists) can perform electrolysis in France, according to the law.

However, as I know there is absolutely not electrolysis training program here. I don’t have a clue where French dermatologists (only few because the big majority prefer performing laser…) are learning and practicing electrolysis because electrolysis training doesn’t exist in medecin university.

Thus, that is the French paradox : only physicians can perform electrolysis here but if they do wrong, it is not a problem… (I am thinking about the clinic du Mantois near to Paris)

So I decided to register in the Institute of Malaga and I am going to practice electrolysis with Josefa. Moreover this Institute can give me a diploma wich is recognized in all European Union (except France as you understand).

#10

Good thing I was lying down when I read this. Incredible.

The short video I saw a while back of a person doing electrolysis in France made me cringe. The poor patient was being fried like an egg. Good thing I was sitting down then when I saw it. It was that bad.

Being that they tax the hell out of their citizens there, you would think they would want to create more taxpayers by allowing non-physicians to perform electrolysis. I heard the French are hairy people, so there would be a huge market to tap.

Maybe you could lobby the lawmakers to re-think this insanely stupid law. As it stands now, if you are hairy, you better be married to a dermatologist that performs electrolysis well. (I’m laughing when I say that because it sounds like there are none.)

I asked the question above because I have been contacted by a person from Paris asking me to remove gray hair that was left after laser in a couple of areas. This person visits their relatives in the United States, a place near me, so it would be a doable thing. Too bad they just can’t go to someone in France.

Thank you for the information, Maia. I really appreciate it!

#11

I don’t know how it is NOW, but when I was an officer for the AEA (2008-2013) we changed the “rule” about only allowing CPEs lecture (and surely contribute - but I don’t recall your writings ever being deleted). There are many people without the certification who have much experience and knowledge to share with the profession and our decision was made out of respect for you and other professionals. Of course, that may have changed in the last 2 years…

#12

Yes I tkink too that this situation in France is unfair and this law is stupid.
However I can’t lobby lawmakers only by myself. But I don’t give up hope, maybe one day this law could change !

#13

In the 1980s when I was doing a lot of work in the Netherlands, a young physician (25) from Paris attended one of my week-long classes in Alkmaar, Noord-Holland.

He gave me real insight about “electrolysis in France” … because there was (at that time NO training). Physicians thought that doing electrolysis was EASY and they usually just put a fine needle on their “hyfrecator or Bovie” and then BURNED the hell out of patients.

Sadly, I have no contact with this physician (he would be about 55) and can’t remember his name. I have real difficulty with pronouncing French! (My nephew is fluent in French … German too … and laughs at me struggling with French.)

But I CAN say, “Je Suis Charlie!”

#14

I don’t remember too well either Barbara. (I know one chapter was included. But, “big deal.”)

I DO remember that I put together the entire “first edition” of the “Guide” … I scanned all the graphics, formatted the text and converted it to PDF (using Pagemaker). That graphic of the world and flags (with above writing) was one of my drawings … still in the new version too!

I don’t know why AEA pays anyone to do this … I’d still do it for free! Nobody asks any more.

I may be “out” but not forgotten? he he he I suppose if I got my CPE, then I would be okay again?

#15

That is the point, some french physicians think that electrolysis is easy and perform it in the bad way, some other think that it doesn’t work… in the end they give a bad picture of electrolysis. But I hope it will change !

American accent is pretty difficult too for a stranger !

#16

There have been some very weird versions of the publication. Leigh Henry did a great job on it, though.

Someone gets paid to do this? I never got paid for any of my volunteer time. (I have heard that some think the AEA volunteers get rich off the AEA coffers but I am pretty sure that is not true.) Reimbursement for travel and related expenses, but none for the hours of research or lost work hours.

I thought you were quite okay as you are.

#17

Submitting articles is not the same as preparing something for publication (by the way Barbara, YOUR articles are GREAT!) …

I think that the person doing the websites also puts the publications together? If I remember correctly, that’s what Patsy told me. The person would have to use such programs as “InDesign” … not all that simple these days (requires a “near” expert in the field).

It would be super to have such material on-line in video form (and free).

#18

A few months back, I had considered joining the AEA… reached out to all of the contact emails on the website and every one of them bounced. Tried to join their FB group and got nothing, fb messaged the head of membership and no reply.

I’m not overly thrilled with the AEA trying to lobby for licensing to begin with, as I believe it does nothing to help the profession, but only exists to keep new people from joining it… and I think the 320 requirement for the CPE is overkill (either you know the information or you don’t).

Add in friends that belong to some of the state affiliates talking about how they’re anything BUT professional and how some have paid clients to try to blackball other electrologists with the various government agencies and, yeah… I’m not sure the AEA is looking good at all right now and, given my talks with several people and my own experience trying to contact the AEA, I’m not sure I could see myself joining anymore. It’s a shame, as they could be doing much good for the profession instead.

#19

I suppose I’m talking with a “forked tongue,” because I’m not an AEA member and no longer have my CPE. … HOWEVER …

I do support licensing in all 50 States, and a big part of me will always be loyal to the AEA. Licensing has always been a major issue for the AEA. In New York, it’s shocking to realize that such a modern State has NO licensing. I mean, you can just buy a machine and start working on people! Look, there are a few real “nasties” out there and without licensing a consumer is pretty much out of luck to get any relief.

Of course I don’t support capricious rules either … and that often happens with State boards. I would like every electrologist to look into what they do in Holland … in their “ANBOS.” If AEA took that position, the industry would be WAY ahead and the association would flourish.

I have talked about the “Dutch way” for YEARS … until I’m blue, green and purple in the face. Association members just look at me with blank stares. At some point I will write this out … maybe in another thread. Probably more blank stares?

Damn Americans, we always think we have to INVENT everything ourselves; we always think, “we know better.” Well, we don’t! Lots of times, other countries are doing things MUCH better, and we don’t even bother to look (e.g., the medical system in Switzerland. And, the hydraulic system in Holland.)

#20

I use to be an AEA member and that’s all will say.

Emancipated,

Did you join Electrology International Facebook? I think I added you to the group? You can learn a lot there. Barbara Greathouse is the powerhouse force behind EI. We are so fortunate to have her contributions there.