Electrologists are trained professionals who can safely perform electrolysis procedures. When choosing an electrologist, ask about: Qualifications: Many states require licensing or certification for electrologists.
Electrologists are beauty or medical technicians who specialize in treating unwanted hair by destroying the growth centers of individual hairs. They insert a fine needle into the natural opening of the hair follicle in order to destroy hair growth cells, a process known as electrolysis.
CALIFORNIA STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE (9409)(a)(6)
17 years of age. Completion of the 12th grade from an accredited high school course of study or its equivalent (GED certificate) Completed a 600-hour course in electrology from an approved school. A Social Security Number is required to take the Electrology exam.
The Certified Professional Electrologist (CPE) credential signifies that your knowledge has been tested and measured against a national standard of excellence. Your commitment to keeping the credential, through ongoing continuing education, exemplifies the highest degree of professionalism.
As of Mar 14, 2025, the average annual pay for an Electrologist in Los Angeles is $83,482 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $40.14 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,605/week or $6,956/month.
Heart disease: Electrolysis may be unsuitable for people with heart disease, due to the electrical currents used. Wearing metal devices: Avoid electrolysis if you wear a copper IUD or any type of metal implant. These devices can interact with electrolysis, resulting in undesirable effects.
The Certified Professional Electrologist (CPE) credential signifies that the electrologist has taken the Certified Professional Electrologist examination and successfully passed it. Many electrologists sit for the CPE exam above and beyond the their State licensure exam.
Water electrolysis requires a minimum potential difference of 1.23 volts, although at that voltage external heat is also required. Typically 1.5 volts is required. Electrolysis is rare in industrial applications since hydrogen can be produced less expensively from fossil fuels.
Electrolysis Cost
Electrolysis offers a more permanent solution to hair removal. For a full body treatment, you're looking at roughly $35 to $100 per hour. Because each hair is treated one at a time, it takes many sessions. You might spend 15 to 30 hours in total.
In California, electrology services may be legally performed only by State-licensed electrologists in State-licensed salons.
Please note: Most insurance companies require a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria to qualify for electrolysis coverage. There are also some insurance companies allowing a medical diagnosis of PCOS (hormonal disorder related) to qualify for electrolysis coverage.
Electrolysis Cons
It's a time-consuming procedure requiring multiple sessions. Skin discoloration is a possibility. The electricity in the device can actually destroy the capillaries in the surrounding areas. It can be very painful.
Celebrities donning this look include Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian and supermodel Cara Delevingne. But even bold eyebrows require maintenance and upkeep. Electrolysis is an excellent grooming choice because it permanently removes the pesky, unwanted hairs individually while keeping the fullness that you desire.
MtF genital electrolysis is a pubic hair removal process and is the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal.
What degree do you need for electrolysis? You don't need a degree, but you must complete a state-approved electrolysis program and obtain certification from a recognized body.
One of the best reasons to become an electrologist is that in as little as five months you can be earning anywhere from $60 to $120 per hour as a respected and licensed professional electrologist.
It's good for sensitive areas of the body, like the face or bikini line. The main disadvantage to electrolysis is the length of time needed to achieve permanent hair removal.
Electrolysis is not as popular as laser hair removal for a few reasons: Longer Treatment Time: As mentioned, treating each hair follicle individually makes electrolysis take much longer. Laser hair removal often takes 10 minutes or less for smaller areas.
This is creating some momentum in the industrial sector, particularly for projects aiming to deploy electrolysis capacity. The sum of all national targets for the deployment of electrolysis capacity has reached around 185-360 GW, about 10% increase from 2023.
At What Age Can Teens Get Electrolysis? Many clients ask us what is the earliest age a teen can get electrolysis treatments. Girls and boys as young as 12 years old are acceptable candidates for electrolysis treatments. The most important factor is whether or not their body or facial hair is done growing in.
A one-hour session can range anywhere from $50 to $200, depending on the area being treated. Electrolysis hair removal is often more expensive compared to other methods, but it is more effective in the long run as the results are permanent.
The cost for electrolysis and laser hair removal varies depending on the provider, size of treated areas, and amount of sessions. However, laser hair removal is typically more affordable than electrolysis.