I am curious about all of the male electrologists on this site and that I am hearing about in other posts. Does it inhibit some clients? Has it ever been a problem? Is it a “plus” in some situations? Or, is gender a neutral factor? Thanks!
Those women who would have a problem with a male electrologist don’t bother calling them on the phone. Those who don’t know you are a male electrologist don’t book an appointment with you when they talk to you on the phone. Those who come to your office, either have gotten over it, or will before they leave.
Where it is a bonus is IF you are willing to do male treatments in more private areas, you will get male clients who would rather not have to reveal themselves to a woman.
Of course, some of those men want to be doubly assured that you are a card carrying heterosexual with a valid registration in the non-homosexual club before their first appointment. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
Hi:
Personally I would prefer a woman electrolgist, no offence to James however. It is a matter of personal preference in most cases and for some it doesn’t matter.
For me they are easier for me to talk to and relate to.
As for James comment on some male clients being homophobic. In general men can be homophobic. I have known some guys who got upset if they got a guy doing their hair at a hair salon. Then there is the case of men going to get a massage and ending up with a man doing the massage.
“It’s a guy thing”.
Alicia
No offense was intended, and none was taken.
It is a simple truth about people. When it comes to any service industry, the majority of people want a woman serving them. Women want another woman to serve them, and men almost always want a woman serving them.
It is a very small niche market that prefers men for any service. That is why retail stores hire more women than men. There may be 20 guys in the back warehouse, but the sales floor is predominantly female.
Hi James:
Interestingly though the majority of clients who see an electrolygist are women. Men can get away with having a moustache and sideburns, but women get gossiped about if they have that kind of facial hair.
Considering that women get embarassed admitting they have a hair problem, they may get even more so when dealing with a man as their electrolygist. If the hair is in a delicate area, even more so.
I think most women who get electrolysis probably like to keep quiet about the fact they are doing so.
Alicia
You are absolutely correct.
One of the things that keeps many women from seeing male electrologists is that by definition, seeing a male electrologist for treatment requires one to expose the problem requiring treatment to a man. It doesn’t matter that she would never have any interest in that man, nor he, in her, but no man can know that she has any flaws (because women don’t have flaws <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)
As I said, at first blush, the overwhelming majority of prospective clients will want a female practitioner if they have their desires met. It is only when they actually get many sample treatments that the male practitioners move up higher on the list for those who initially start out wanting a female.
The good news is that the typical person who is in that niche market that prefers male electrologists actually get more work done, such that they are equal to about 12 clients who seek female practitioners.
personally, I don’t care if it’s a man or a woman for this purpose since it’s someone who is a professional in the industry and sees all kinds of cases on an everyday basis, both men and women. My laser treatments on bikini were by a male doctor. While some women may have a problem with that, what I think is that he’s a doctor, he’s seen everything and that’s his job. Sort of similar to anyone at a hospital. I’m sure they become immune to nakedness anyways <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> So, personally to me, it doesn’t matter. The laser doctor I used does bring in his receptionish to sit in during the treatment. But I think that’s more done to avoid potential lawsuits so prominent in our country nowdays, especially since his office is in Beverly Hills <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
That is the reason for sure. I know a doctor who lost his license because a teenager who he had actually turned down sexual advances from got mad and reported him for groping her. It was nuts, as his practice was set up in such a way that his receptionist could see into the treatment room the whole time, and other waiting patients were on tables waiting for him in the same room, and her MOTHER was supposedly sleeping on the table next to her daughter while the alleged groping took place. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
It is a wonder male practioners don’t slam the phone down saying, “I don’t treat women! <click>”
Of course, some of those men want to be doubly assured that you are a card carrying heterosexual with a valid registration in the non-homosexual club before their first appointment. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
You’re too funny James. I personally find that as a male I feel more comfortable dealing with a female electrologist than a male one. I feel just a little weird if a guy is working on my special bits. No offense intended to male electrologists or gay people!
What is interesting is, in most cases where you might go for laser treatment, the tech is going to be a male if the bikini area is involved.
All electrologists I’ve run across are women.
Interesting.
I don’t claim to know what the ratio of male to female electrologists may be, however, when I go to conventions, I am one of 5 to 10 men in a room with 350 people, and some of those guys are just spouses of electrologists or electrolysis supply companies, and not actual electrologists themselves.
I don’t claim to know what the ratio of male to female electrologists may be, however, when I go to conventions, I am one of 5 to 10 men in a room with 350 people, and some of those guys are just spouses of electrologists or electrolysis supply companies, and not actual electrologists themselves.
freak.
(just kidding james). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I would tink there are also many mtf transsexuals in that room too James?
I suppose you would classify them as female though.
You would be correct I would classify them as female. And yes, there are a few of them at the conventions, and they are usually practicing electrologists.
Of course, some of those men want to be doubly assured that you are a card carrying heterosexual with a valid registration in the non-homosexual club before their first appointment. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
Where do I get my card? Hmmmm, if I don’t know, then I must have missed the meeting as I wasn’t invited so that means… Oh my! What do I tell my wife?!?
You’re too funny James. I personally find that as a male I feel more comfortable dealing with a female electrologist than a male one. I feel just a little weird if a guy is working on my special bits. No offense intended to male electrologists or gay people!
What is interesting is, in most cases where you might go for laser treatment, the tech is going to be a male if the bikini area is involved.
I’m male and have had only women laser me, full braz and all. She is good, is an RN, and I surely don’t mind. I must differ with the quote above, however, in that I have seen only females working the actual laser in many places here. Smooth Solutions has only women. Laser Perfect is the same (locally). I think this is to accomodate their primary client base of women. I’m sure its also practical since they must have two employees busy when they do my braz, but only one for the ladies…
Hi tembo,
As far as MtF’s getting into electrolysis, I think that James will find a lot more participation in the electrolysis community on the part of this group in the days ahead. And I am certain that they will appreciate his interpretation of their gender as well! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
As the possibilities of maintaining decent employment in the current economic climate has declined dramatically over the last few years, many of them are beginning to realize that becoming self-employed is almost an absolute necessity to being able to complete transition and maintain their level of income. Electrolysis offers excellent opportunities in this respect.
One thing that I have noted in my experience is that the skill and professionalism of any practitioner is far more important than their gender or perception of them as individuals. As James stated earlier, many people will come in for a consultation, have second thoughts about the person before them, but wind up leaving the office as a believer. This is more a matter of honesty and professional behavior than of appearances. First impressions will often give people pause but, after some interaction, one begins to see the individual behind the facade.
Joanie