Professional ethics refer to appropriate conduct in the workplace. Unethical actions include making false claims and inconsistent pricing. Continuing education through conferences and online courses helps professionals stay up-to-date. Membership in professional organizations provides benefits like standards, literature, credentials and discounts while inspiring trust. Proper hygiene, attire, supplies and client discussions demonstrate professionalism.

1. Professional Ethics, Professional
Organizations, and Continuing Education

2. Learning Objectives
1.) Understand the importance of being professional.
2.) Define ethics.
3.) Appreciate the importance of keeping up on the latest
technologies in the field.
4.) Explain the importance of joining professional
organizations.
5.) Understand the importance of earning continuing
education credits.

3. Key Terms
Continuing-education
Ethics
Professionalism

4. Professionalism
Skill, competence, and character expected of a member of a
trained profession
Characterized by:
Punctuality
Dress code
Language

5. Punctuality
Means arriving with enough time to complete ALL
necessary tasks before greeting the first client.
Stocking supplies (razors, gauze, cleanser, gloves)
Putting ice & gel in ice chest
Turning on and calibrating laser
Getting chair ready
Check voicemail and email from previous night

6. Dress
Dress appropriately
No cleavage or offensive tattoos showing
Clean lab coat
Hygiene
Clean
Hair neatly off the face
Aware of body odor and breath (mints between clients)
Nails (short and clean)
Careful of perfumes

7. Politeness
Cheerful greeting, use patient’s name
Things to Avoid:
Expletives, religious words, sensitive subjects, gossip, personal
problems
Things to Discuss:
Client progress, upcoming occasions, REMEMBER DETAILS

8. Conduct
Provide a drape
Leave while client undresses
Knock before re-entering
Avoid crude and tasteless jokes (excessive hair growth in
bikini area)
Do not discuss the service or health issues in front of
others

9. Ethics
Moral standards and principles governing appropriate
conduct for an individual or group.
Professional Ethics is what is right and wrong morally in
conduct in the work environment.

10. Example of Moral Ethics
You work part time in a clinic and also offer services out of
your house.
A client who regularly sees you in the clinic finds out that you
offer services at a lower rate in your home.
She asks to start going to your home.
Ethically you are bound to say no since that person was
brought into the clinic first.

11. Example of Ethics
Do not make unsubstantiated claims or promises
Be honest about the expected results
DO NOT say “You’ll get 100% permanent removal.”
DO NOT say “Sure, I can remove that gray hair for you.”

12. Continuing Education
You must keep abreast of the latest technology and
information.
Clients are researching and learning more
Be prepared to answer questions in an educated and informed
manner.
If you don’t know, admit it and then research the answer.

13. How can you stay at the top of your game?
Reading books
Researching online
Attending conferences, conventions, seminars, and trade
shows.

14. Benefits of Professional Organizations
Abide by the standards and ethics that are set forth
Improve techniques, continue education
Provide literature – inform & educate
Helps instill trust and confidence, shows you have the training
needed
Online directories, advertising
Legal counsel, discounted insurance
Advanced credentialing

15. The Society for Clinical and Medical Hair
Removal, Inc.
Has aggressive platform of promoting the benefits of laser
hair removal as a method of permanent hair reduction.
National Certification Exam:
http://www.scmhr.org/clinicians/certified-laser.php

16. American Society for Laser Medicine and
Surgery, Inc.
http://www.aslms.org/
Mission: Promotes excellence in patient care by advancing
biomedical application of lasers and other related
technologies worldwide.

17. Continuing Education
Classes offered at conventions
Manufacturers put them on and focus on their products, often
complimentary
Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)
Lectures given by leaders and experts in the industry.
Online courses
Many professional organizations require CEUs.

18. 1.) What is meant by the term “professional
ethics”?
What is right and wrong morally in conduct in the work
environment.

19. 2.) Give an example of unethical behavior.
Making false promises or claims.
Inconsistency in pricing of services.

20. 3.) Name 4 unprofessional actions.
Dressing inappropriately
Being late
Bad hygiene (body odor, breath, hair, nails)
Gossiping and discussing other sensitive subjects

21. 4.) List 4 benefits of membership in a
professional organization.
Raises our level of standards/ethics
Improvement of techniques/knowledge
Literature
Inspires trust and confidence
Online directories – advertising
Legal counsel, discount insurance
Credentials

22. 5.) What are some things you will need
to do prior to your 1st appointment for the
day ?
Stocking supplies (razors, gauze, cleanser, gloves)
Putting ice & gel in ice chest
Turning on and calibrating laser
Getting chair ready
Check voicemail and email from previous night

23. 6.) What are some topics that should be
discussed with the client?
Their progress
Upcoming occasions
The topic of THEM!! Not you!

24. 7.) How can you stay on top of new
technology and information?
Reading books
Researching online
Attending conferences, conventions, seminars, and trade
shows

25. 8.) If working on the bikini area, what are 3
important things you should do?
Provide a drape
Leave while client undresses
Knock before re-entering