Adding hair removal to your menu of services could mean adding extra income to your pocket. However, to succeed and thrive in the mass market of hair removal, you must be the best of the best. We are here to help you achieve that goal!
Each year, AIA sponsors the Professional Hair Removal Conference (PHRC) at an International Congress of Esthetics & Spa (ICES). This year’s conference will be held in Dallas on May 14th to 16th at the Sheraton Arlington Hotel. This conference is offering 18 “live” continuing education hours on topics such as sanitation, HIV/AIDS, OSHA compliance, LHR rules and regulations, hair removal on ethnic skin, and much more.
Having coordinated the last five PHRC events, I constantly learn about the hair removal industry. First, most electrologists do not embrace any other forms of hair removal. This past year, I had several PHRC attendees confront me about our schedule and lineup of topics. They were completely beside themselves that we would offer waxing and sugaring demonstrations at our conference (prior to 2015, we focused our topics on lasers and electrolysis). After 10 minutes of debate, I convinced the lovely ladies to keep an open mind and give the new topics a chance. After all, if they did not want to attend the class they could enjoy the tradeshow that was going on just steps from the classroom (another perk of hosting PHRC on the same weekend as ICES)! At the end of the three-day conference, the ladies came back to me to apologize for their words and actions; they were very impressed by the professionalism of the presenters and learned the difference between sugaring and waxing. They also discovered that sugaring can benefit the laser and electrolysis process. The point is that they learned something new.
Lastly, I have learned that it is pertinent to continue your education, no matter what field of business you are in. Whether you are an aesthetician, a hair removal specialist, or a cosmetologist, you need to know what is out there. And moreover, you should understand your clients’ options. Do not limit yourself by only learning one modality or method of hair removal. Further your education! Prove to your clients that you are passionate about your work! In the end, they will trust you and your advice and you will build a relationship with a client that can last a lifetime.

Melissa Lawrence
Membership Director