Electrology Committee

​ABOUT THE COMMITTEE

Maryland is one of several states that regulates electrologists.  The practice of Electrology has been regulated since 1978.

Duties of the Electrology Practice Committee include advising the Board on regulatory changes, recommending approved Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and consulting on disciplinary cases, if requested. 

The committee has three (3) members: two (2) must be licensed electrologists, with at least five years of experience immediately prior to appointment to the committee and one (1) member must be a consumer with no financial affiliation to any person regulated by the committee.  Electrology Practice Committee members serve four years and may serve no more than two terms, though all are required to serve until a successor is named.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Debra Larson, LE – Chair
Elizabeth Spagnolo, LE, CPE – Member
Michele Sperato – Consumer Member

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Board Room at the Maryland Board of Nursing, 4140 Patterson Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215.

Individuals seeking to present matters before the committee should contact them at the above address. Please submit a brief statement explaining the reason for appearing before the committee and include any supporting documents. You will be notified of a hearing date. 

Meetings start at 10:00 a.m. and end at 12:00 p.m.

DIRECTIONS

The Electrology Practice Committee is located at the Maryland Board of Nursing. Click here for directions.

CONTACT BY EMAIL
mbon.electrology@maryland.gov

DEFINITION OF ELECTROLOGY

Electrology, the science of permanent hair removal utilizing only solid needle or probe devices, has been practiced since 1869.  A fine sterile needle or probe is inserted into the hair follicle and a small amount of electrical energy is discharged and destroys hair growth tissue.  The hair is then removed with sterile forceps and the area is left to heal.  When competently and skillfully accomplished, the regenerative ability of the hair follicle is permanently eliminated.

Three basic methods are used in the practice of electrology: electrolysis, thermolysis, and the blend.  Electrolysis uses direct current (DC) to achieve chemical destruction of the hair follicle.  One or more sterile needles or probes are used with electrolysis, Thermolysis uses alternating current (AC), sometimes referred to as high frequency or short-wave, to create heat which destroys the hair follicle.  One sterile needle or probe is used for thermolysis.  The blend (also referred to as dual modality) uses both of the above currents simultaneously or sequentially to achieve dual action destruction of the hair follicle.  Most often, a single sterile needle or probe is used for this procedure.