How to become an electrologist
Becoming an electrologist can be a wonderful skill set to have for many reasons including:
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The ability to work flexible hours and the amount of hours that best fits your lifestyle.
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Joy and satisfaction from knowing you are helping someone solve a problem they otherwise might not be able to fix (having excess hair)
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Job security. There will always be a need for electrologists no matter what ‘promises’ laser hair businesses make. There are far too few skilled electrologists in all regions, not just the Lehigh Valley. Trust me, if you are skilled, compassionate, and can create a strong rapport with your clients, you will never be out of work!
So how exactly do you become an electrologist?!
The requirements to practice electrolysis vary depending on the state. Pennsylvania is a state that is unregulated, meaning there are no requirements or certifications needed to have a practice. With that said, being a skilled electrologist requires a lot of education in the anatomy of skin and hair, hair growth cycles, causes of hirsutism (excess hair), and the body systems that can affect hair growth. When it comes to the actual application or procedure, skill only develops through many hours of practice. Like a tattoo apprentice, you will learn by doing over and over again, learning from mistakes and gradually becoming more intuitive on how to treat different hair types and locations on the body. That is why generally an electrologist’s rates will be dependent on their skill/years of practice. When you first begin charging a fee for your service, they should be much lower than the standard rate as you will not be able to work at the same speed or accuracy as an electrologist with many years experience. As your experience increases, so can your hourly fee.
So how exactly do you become an electrologist?!
The requirements to practice electrolysis vary depending on the state. Pennsylvania is a state that is unregulated, meaning there are no requirements or certifications needed to have a practice. With that said, being a skilled electrologist requires a lot of education in the anatomy of skin and hair, hair growth cycles, causes of hirsutism (excess hair), and the body systems that can affect hair growth. When it comes to the actual application or procedure, skill only develops through many hours of practice. Like a tattoo apprentice, you will learn by doing over and over again, learning from mistakes and gradually becoming more intuitive on how to treat different hair types and locations on the body. That is why generally an electrologist’s rates will be dependent on their skill/years of practice. When you first begin charging a fee for your service, they should be much lower than the standard rate as you will not be able to work at the same speed or accuracy as an electrologist with many years experience. As your experience increases, so can your hourly fee.
So how exactly do you become an electrologist?!
The requirements to practice electrolysis vary depending on the state. Pennsylvania is a state that is unregulated, meaning there are no requirements or certifications needed to have a practice. With that said, being a skilled electrologist requires a lot of education in the anatomy of skin and hair, hair growth cycles, causes of hirsutism (excess hair), and the body systems that can affect hair growth. When it comes to the actual application or procedure, skill only develops through many hours of practice. Like a tattoo apprentice, you will learn by doing over and over again, learning from mistakes and gradually becoming more intuitive on how to treat different hair types and locations on the body. That is why generally an electrologist’s rates will be dependent on their skill/years of practice. When you first begin charging a fee for your service, they should be much lower than the standard rate as you will not be able to work at the same speed or accuracy as an electrologist with many years experience. As your experience increases, so can your hourly fee.
Accredited SChools
The two best options one has to get on the path of becoming an electrologist is to either go through an accredited program through a school or to do an apprenticeship under an established Certified Professional Electrologist. Unfortunately there are not any programs local to the Lehigh Valley.
The Berkowitz School in Queens NY has a program that will take about 4 weeks if done full time, but they also have part time available. They offer 120 hour courses, 320 hours, (required if you would like to become board certified) and 600 hours. For more information on their school and fees, see their website at http://www.berkowitsschool.com/
Another program to consider that is much closer to the Lehigh Valley is the Bucks County School of Beauty, though it seems to have more requirements and prerequisites than the Berkowitz School. More information on their program can be found at https://www.bcsbc.edu/electrolysis
Lehigh Valley Electrolysis Apprenticeship
Kerri Nigito, practice owner and board certified electrologist is offering an electrology apprenticeship for the Summer 2024 training session. Apprenticeship includes 3 phases. 50 hours of complimentary treatments, followed by 150 hours of Level 1 training reduced rate treatments and then another 150 hours of Level 2 training. After the 350 hour training period, the apprentice may become a Junior Electrologist and an independent contractor for Lehigh Valley Electrolysis.
As the apprentice gains additional hours and experience, their skill and speed will increase, as will their hourly rate.
Electrologists can make anywhere from 20-50$/hr depending on experience and skill level. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming an electrologist through our apprentice program contact lvelectrolysis@gmail.com.