Electrolysis Unplugged

What does it really take to build an electrology school, and who decides what qualifies someone to practice? In this episode of Electrolysis Unplugged , Stephanie Shields sits down with special guest Eileen Collins, CPE, for a conversation about professional education, state oversight, and the challenges of creating meaningful standards in an industry where regulations vary dramatically. Eileen sh...

SEASON 3 FINALE 🎙️ Step-by-Step: How to Open Your Electrolysis Business You learned how to treat the follicle. Now what? For our Season 3 finale of Electrolysis Unplugged , Stephanie and Joanie are taking the conversation beyond the treatment table and walking through what it actually takes to turn your electrology education into a working business. Whether your future looks like a home studio, sa...

In this episode of Electrolysis Unplugged , we take a simple question — “How long should redness, swelling, or tingling last after treatment?” — and unpack the deeper biology behind it. We explain why electrolysis is a controlled dermal injury, how the skin moves through the phases of wound healing, and why inflammation is not a complication — it’s part of repair. We break down what’s normal (redn...

From the Archives: Superbills, Skin Reactions, Stubborn Hairs & Menopause — Real-World Dilemmas in Electrology What happens when the questions electrologists face in practice don’t have simple answers? In this archive episode of Electrolysis Unplugged , Stephanie Shields and Joanie Gonella revisit a Mentorship Hour packed with real questions submitted by practicing electrologists. From navigat...

What really determines an effective electrolysis treatment—the machine, the frequency, the filament…or the electrologist using them? In this episode of Electrolysis Unplugged: An After Hours Chat, Stephanie Shields and Joanie Gonella get technical about two often-discussed pieces of electrolysis treatment: filaments and megahertz. We break down filament sizing, taper, insulation, and materials, an...

Healthy skin supports successful treatment outcomes. In this episode, Stephanie and Joanie are joined by a seasoned esthetician and electrologist to discuss skincare considerations for electrolysis clients. Topics include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, wound healing, controlled tissue response, skincare routines, and practical recommendations that can help practitioners support optimal clien...

Special guest Carine Angelillo joins the conversation to discuss advancements in laser technology and the evolving relationship between laser hair removal and electrolysis. The discussion explores new technologies, professional training, industry innovation, and opportunities for practitioners to integrate emerging tools and techniques into their treatment offerings while maintaining a strong foun...

In this special international Q&A episode of Electrolysis Unplugged — An After Hours Chat , Stephanie and Joanie connect with the Australian electrology community, brought together by Kelly Dermody of Dermaskin Training , to tackle three questions that come up constantly in real-world electrolysis practice. Why do clients continue to see hair even when they are coming in for consistent weekly...

This drop glitched last Sunday so we are dropping today! Running a successful electrology practice requires more than technical skill. Stephanie and Joanie discuss no-show policies, cancellations, hidden business expenses, difficult client situations, burnout prevention, and strategies for maintaining professional boundaries. This episode offers practical guidance for protecting your time, energy,...

Join Stephanie and Joanie as they review real-world case studies submitted by practitioners. This episode examines treatment planning, probe selection, setting adjustments, client communication, and total treatment time considerations. Through practical examples, listeners gain insight into clinical decision-making and learn how to customize treatment approaches for a variety of client presentatio...

Professional standards are critical to the future of electrology. This episode explores NIC and IBEC testing, licensing, certification, consultations, treatment planning, and the role professionalism plays in building client trust. Stephanie and Joanie discuss how education and credentialing support practitioner growth while strengthening the credibility of the profession as a whole.

Why does electrolysis feel different from one person to another—and even from one body area to another? We dive into the science of sensation, discussing nerve response, stress levels, hydration, tissue characteristics, and environmental influences that impact treatment comfort. Learn practical strategies to help clients manage discomfort while gaining a deeper understanding of the biological fact...

Hair growth cycles are one of the most important concepts in electrolysis, yet they are often misunderstood by both practitioners and clients. In this episode, Stephanie and Joanie explore fascinating hair growth facts, answer frequently asked questions, discuss consultation strategies, and debunk common myths surrounding permanent hair removal. Whether you're new to electrology or a seasoned...

AES 2026 was last week and we (meaning me forgot to hit that precious post button ...). This breach from the Mentorship Hour archives last year, focused on the foundational systems that help electrologists build professional, sustainable practices. Stephanie and Joanie discuss creating effective consent and intake forms, determining what information is truly necessary, and maintaining compliance w...

Whatever you call it the probe is a valuable tool of the Electrologist... so today join Stephanie Shields and Joanie Gonella as they sit down with Henry Ash from Ballet International to discuss probe design, manufacturing precision, practitioner feedback, innovation, and the future of electrology. From insertion feedback and flexibility to gender-affirming care and treatment efficiency, this conve...

The Legacy of Clareblend: Innovation, Reliability & the Future of Electrolysis In this special episode of Electrolysis Unplugged , Stephanie and Joanie sit down with Carl Ghedin of Clareblend to explore the history, evolution, and continued innovation of one of electrology's longest-standing equipment manufacturers. From the early days of galvanic and blend technology to today's modern...

In this episode of Electrolysis Unplugged , Stephanie Shields and Joanie Gonella dive into the details that transform a treatment space from “just another clinic” into a trusted, professional experience clients remember. From branding consistency and clinic atmosphere to automations, SOAP note efficiency, and the small comfort touches that build long-term trust, this conversation explores how prof...

In this archived episode of Electrolysis Unplugged , Stephanie & Joanie break down how to build the perfect intake and consultation flow without overwhelming your clients or yourself. From setting realistic expectations and establishing clear clinic policies to reducing anxiety during those first conversations, this episode explores practical systems that create smoother experiences for both p...

We’re a day late thanks to one little zapper forgetting to hit “upload” before heading off for Mother’s Day camping… but around here the motto is: never late, always awesome. 🤦‍♀️⚡️ This week’s archived gem is one worth the wait. In this episode of Electrolysis Unplugged, Stephanie and Joanie dive into one of the most important—and misunderstood—parts of successful electrolysis treatment: skin c...

In this rare solo moment, we’re pulling an archive episode where Stephanie breaks down what really drives client sensation—nerve response, environment, stress levels, hydration, and body-area variability. More importantly, she translates it into practice: How we adjust. How we communicate. How we create a treatment experience that’s not just effective, but comfortable, predictable, and client-cent...

In this episode, Stephanie Shields and Joanie Gonella unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in hair removal: paradoxical hypertrichosis . Sparked by a listener question, they dive deep into the assumptions surrounding “peach fuzz,” laser hair removal, and unexpected hair growth, breaking down what’s actually happening beneath the skin. This conversation challenges common industry myths and s...

In this episode, Defining Electrology as a Health-Adjacent, Education-Governed Profession , Stephanie Shields sits down with special guest Eileen Collins, Director of MEEC, to begin an important and long-overdue conversation about redefining our field. Together, they explore what it means to position electrology within a health-adjacent framework; one that is grounded in education, standards, and...

In this deep-dive episode of Electrolysis Unplugged , Stephanie Shields and Joanie Gonella take the science of hair removal one step further—unpacking one of the most common (and frustrating) questions in electrology: If we’re destroying the growth center, why does hair seem to come back? Building on their previous discussion of follicular anatomy, they explore the hair follicle as a highly resili...

In this episode of Electrolysis Unplugged, I’m joined by guest speaker LaTrina Gray for an important conversation on working safely, effectively, and ethically with melinated skin in electrology practice. Together, we break down why melinated skin is not a specialty or an “advanced topic,” but a core competency every electrologist should understand. We move past common myths and fear-based approac...

A lively, insight-packed tour through the science of hair growth, this episode dives into the fundamentals every electrologist should master—while breaking down some of the most common myths we hear in practice. We’ll tackle frequently asked questions from clients, clarify misconceptions around growth cycles and treatment expectations, and explore how to elevate your consultations for better outco...