With their training in electrology, electrologists are more than qualified to quickly learn about and use an “aesthetic” laser for the removal of unwanted hair. A person who has received nothing more than basic training in the use of laser is not qualified to practice electrolysis.

Laser has quickly become an important addendum to the field of temporary hair removal, and in fact may soon displace waxing and shaving as the method of choice for clearing large areas of back or leg hair in a minimum time frame. Someday, with more research, laser could conceivably challenge electrolysis’ title as “the only method of permanent hair removal” (and have every electrologist in town scrambling for a piece of the cash cow). But that eventuality is nowhere in sight at this moment, and until it is, laser manufacturers, laser educators, licensing bodies, telephone directory salespersons, laser technicians, all the cosmetic dermatologists and some electrologists – should stop trying to slip the unproven, non-credentialed, Johnny-come-lately laser technique under the umbrella of the well-known, time-tested electrolysis method.

There is nothing wrong about an electrologist doing laser hair removal (some of Hair Route’s best friends are lasering). But there is something very wrong with trying to redefine electrolysis so that it can include laser as a fourth modality used by electrologists. Laser hair removal is not electrology. And laser hair removal does not become electrolysis when an electrologist performs it.

Electrologists in North America have fought gallantly, albeit not always successfully, to stop telephone companies from including the advertising of electronic tweezer and laser hair removal businesses in the electrolysis section of their directories. The task of educating government lawmakers has not been any easier. An example of this is the health care bill that Florida signed into law in June 2000. Among other things, this bill made it mandatory that “all protocols relating to electrolysis or electrology using laser or light-based hair removal or reduction by persons other than a physician” be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed physician.

In the latest news from Florida [page 14 in this issue of IHR], a state where electrologists are licensed under a medical board, we have laser manufacturers and laser hair removal educators pushing for legislation that would recognize laser hair removal as the sole domain of “electrologists” and part of every electrology student’s curriculum.

Meanwhile, two of the electrolysis profession’s national association leaders – both strong proponents of hair removal by laser – are flying hither and thither across the continent trying to persuade their needle-method colleagues (many of whom were hard hit by the laser phenomenon), that the “new technology” is an advanced system of electrolysis.

It would behoove these laser spokespersons within the electrologists’ circle to remember that they speak for only a portion of their respective associations and that they are only a very tiny part of the electrolysis community as a whole. There are thousands of electrologists who do not do laser. Who do not want laser; and who would prefer that their associations stop the laser wars and put their resources together to help curb the activities of those factions who are putting the entire hair removal profession in jeopardy.