Electrology Schools in Colorado

Browse our directory of electrology schools in Colorado, or skip ahead to learn about the state's electrology licensing requirements and job outlook.

How to Become a Electrologist in Colorado

Electrologists have a special opportunity to interact with people around a particularly personal, often embarrassing problem that may involve intimate areas of the body. For individuals who are sensitive and discrete, and who wish to help people in an important and meaningful way, a career as an electrologist in Colorado may be a personally and professionally satisfying career choice. Electrologists practice the art and science of "electrolysis", which uses an electrical current inserted into an individual hair follicule to permanently remove unwanted hair.

State License Requirements

Colorado is one of many states that does not license electrologists. Even though certification is not required for practice in this state, it’s still important to get lots of training in this specialty before starting your career. Electrologists use highly specialized equipment, so hands-on practice is essential. Attending an electrolysis training program may give you the chance to work with various types of electrology equipment and technology.

Education Details

Electolysis utilizes three basic modalities to remove hair. These are known as galvanic, thermolytic, and blend. Galvanic electrolysis uses an electrical current to produce a chemical which in turn destroys the hair root and prevents the hair from regrowing. Thermolytic heats the hair matrix cells which causes electrocoagulation, also destroying the hair root and preventing regrowth. Blend is as it sounds: a combination of the two other modalities. It has many of the advantages of both galvanic and thermolytic electrolysis. Electrolysis is offered as a specialized program in many schools of cosmetology as well as some free-standing institutions. Some community colleges may also offer programs in electrolysis. You will study nuts-and-bolts skills such as working with the different kinds of electrolysis equipment, preparing skin for electrolysis, and caring for clients before and after treatment. You will also learn the practical skills you need to start and maintain a practice, including how to market your services, professional behavior with clients, increasing client satisfaction, maintaining databases, sending invoices, and working with insurance companies and other third-party payers. Programs also teach the business skills you may require if you run your own office. The state of Colorado does not currently require that individuals who practice electrology be licensed by the state. The American Electrology Association (AEA) upholds certain standards nationally, and offers a national certification for those seeking a credential that speaks to the quality of their work. Obtaining AEA certification demonstrates your level of professionalism and dedication to your clients, colleagues, and peers (www.electrology.com).

License Renewal

Because Colorado does not have standards for electrology licensure, you will need to attend an approved program by the American Electrology Association to impress employers in this state. If you receive your cosmetologist license as a way to supplement your training and qualifications, you will need to renew your license every two years, in odd-numbered years – no later than April 30^th. Your fee for renewal will be $32 when you submit your materials to the Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure.

Colorado Electrology Careers

Skin care specialists in the state of Colorado earned an average of $27,600 a year in 2013, according to O*Net statistics (www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-05094.000. Electrologists possess a very technical and specific skill that most skin care specialists do not, and hence, are in a position to command a considerably higher salary. Some electrologists practice in physician's or other health care provider's offices, and may earn a higher rate of pay. Other electrologists open their own practices, which can command a premium fee. Many are able to collect payments from third party payers such as insurance companies.

Running a busy electrolysis practice requires a wide range of skills. First and perhaps most importantly, it requires the maturity of a trained professional who is comfortable interacting with individuals who have a very private, sometimes embarrassing problem. They must be able to handle themselves appropriately and empathetically, and exercise discretion in every aspect of their work. This is a career that calls for considerable poise and emotional maturity. On top of this, you must possess top-notch technical skills, allowing you to choose the optimal modality for the circumstances, and being able to handle the equipment in a way that causes the least damage and pain to your client's skin. You will be called upon to remove unwanted hair from all areas of the face and some areas of the body, including intimate areas. You may also reshape eyebrows and sometimes the hairline. Of course, in addition, you must be able to handle all the business aspects of running an electrology practice. Electrologists work by appointment, and it often requires many sessions over a long period of time — weeks, months, or even years, in order to fully remove hair from a problem area. You will need to maintain a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of your clients. However, to a large extent you can set your own hours, and work part time or full time, working your hours. If you feel comfortable dealing with individual's sensitive needs, and you have a genuine desire to be of service to people and help them to look and feel better about themselves, and you yourself are a mature, discreet individual, a career as a cosmetologist may be a rewarding option for you. Contact the schools in your area to learn more!

Contact the Colorado State Board of Cosmetology

Expert beauty care is in high demand in Colorado, partly due to the expanded role of shops and salons. The state doesn’t have a licensing board devoted to electrology at present. However, there are a number of organizations that can help towards learning that skill.

Xenon Beauty Academy
Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure
International Salon and Spa Academy