Permanent hair removal by a California State Board Examiner of Electrology

Who Am I

Greetings,

Please, let me introduce myself. My name is Robin Harris. I am the California State Board Certified Examiner of Electrology in Southern California and a Professional Electrologist at Charlotte-James Skin Clinic, with over 18 years of experience. I am a former Electrolysis instructor at the American Institute of Education in Southern California, where I spent 13 years training new students in the art of permanent hair removal. Today I mentor new practitioners in the field.

I am aware that the choices in hair removal can be confusing. Whether it is from the face, the back or any other part of the body, most women and men want hair removal to be fast, painless and permanent. The usual choice is between laser treatments and electrolysis. It is essential to understand that laser only reduces hair, whereas electrolysis ensures permanent removal.

Electrolysis has been in use for more than 100 years and is the only permanent hair removal procedure recognized and approved by the FDA. It works efficiently on any type of hair and skin color because it targets individual hairs. (Laser, by contrast, works well only for people with very dark hair on very fair skin, and it carries a risk of injury if the technician is not experienced.)

I use only the latest equipment, with microchip technology and increased megahertz for faster, more comfortable delivery. This lets me remove ingrown hairs and curved hair follicles with ease. Those are common in the bikini line and in ethnic skin types. I also remove ultra-fine, colorless hair. My modern equipment gives me a choice of several techniques (Thermolysis, Galvanic and Blend) for even greater efficiency.

You will feel a quick sensation, but not discomfort. That is why I cordially invite you to make an appointment at 310-478-5100 for a free consultation and a 15-minute trial.

The Charlotte-James Skin Clinic is conveniently located at 2211 Corinth Ave, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Besides Electrolysis, our clinic offers the finest clinical facial treatments, anti-aging services and specialized custom skin care product lines. Our professional facility is within the dermatology clinic headed by Dr. James H. Sternberg, MD, and his associates. Convenient parking is available in the building.

I hope to have the honor and the pleasure of your visit in the near future.

Sincerely,
Robin Harris
Electrologist, R.E., C.P.E.
Esthetician, L.E.
California State Certified Electrolysis Instructor

What Is Electrolysis?

Electrolysis is the removal of unwanted facial or body hair with a tiny needle, or probe, that conducts an electric current. In California, only state-licensed electrologists working in state-licensed salons or barbershops may legally perform electrology services. Cosmetologists and estheticians may not remove unwanted body or facial hair by electrolysis, although they may remove superfluous hair by several other means. (Those other means do not include laser hair removal devices or any other device that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labels a “medical device.”)

Are there different methods of electrolysis?

There are three modalities (methods) of electrolysis:

• Thermolysis (high frequency): heat destroys the hair root (papilla).
• Galvanic (direct current): a chemical action destroys the hair root.
• Blend: combines the two, so heat and chemical action destroy the hair root at the same time.

In-home services

California state law allows a licensed electrologist to provide in-home services only when illness or another physical or mental incapacity prevents the client from visiting an office. If you need in-home services, please call my secretary for an appointment and explain the nature of your physical care. My available days for in-home treatment are Tuesday and Thursday.

How to tell whether you have a good electrologist

The establishment and its electrologists must display current licenses issued by the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. All operators must display their licenses in plain view at their workstations. The license must be an original, not a copy. Check that the name on the license matches your electrologist. If you do not see a license and none is shown to you when you ask, walk out and find someone else.

• Did the operator place a clean sheet of table paper, or a clean laundered sheet, along the full length of the bed?
• Are clean towels stored in a closed, clean cabinet? Are soiled towels and sheets placed in a covered receptacle?
• Does the operator sterilize reusable needles, probes and tweezers in a steam sterilizer (autoclave) or an FDA-approved dry heat sterilizer? Some electrologists use disposable needles and probes and throw them away after each client. Ask the operator.
• Besides sterilizing tools and instruments, operators must wash their hands before starting a client’s service and at the end of the treatment.
• Insist that your operator wears disposable gloves during the treatment.
• Is the shop clean overall? Are the sinks dirty? Are the trash cans overflowing?
• Are clean items stored separately from soiled ones, and labeled as clean or dirty?
• Is a current establishment license posted in clear view in the reception area of the salon or barbershop? Is the Health and Safety Poster displayed there?
• Did you see the operator disinfect contact surfaces with an EPA-registered disinfectant that has demonstrated bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal activity? Ask the operator which products they use.
• Did your operator immediately throw away soiled cotton balls, cosmetic pads, applicators (Q-Tips) and cotton gauze after use?

For more consumer information, visit the Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Barbering and Cosmetology at www.barbercosmo.ca.gov.

After electrolysis, the skin is usually slightly red and irritated for up to several hours. If you have more severe symptoms, such as large scabs or blistering, or if symptoms last for several weeks, check with your doctor. Make sure the service you are paying for is actually electrolysis and not simply electronic tweezing, which may not remove the hair permanently. Licensed electrologists may not give any type of medication for pain control.

To check a license, call the Department of Consumer Affairs at 800-952-5210.

Press

October 29, 2012

Electrologist Robin Harris has been named

“The State of California Board Examiner of Electrology in Southern California”

October 2011

I am pleased to announce that I was invited as a guest speaker at the American Electrology Association Conference held in October 2011. The topic was “How to treat and understand ethnic skin, and techniques for removing ingrown hairs.”