I have to second that motion. It is possible to tell a client exactly what is needed to obtain the stated desired result, and make an honest living in this business. Sure, some people will drop out saying that the project requires more time and or money than they were willing to put towards the project, but others (most others in my experience) just smile and say, "Thanks for telling me."

I have always had a bad taste in my mouth for the practitioners who never answered my questions on how to go about getting my face done in the best way possible, as it is their fault that I did not know how to proceed until I became an electrologist myself. Of course, then, I had little time to work on it due to my self inflicted work schedule.

My average client was born male, and understands that what we are going to do will require at least 100 hours, and they know that the first day we speak. It has not slowed the appointments from being made.

I will grant you this, however. Women are another kettle of fish all together. They don't listen to you about how to get the best results in the shortest time, they don't do their post treatment care, they slather makeup on the freshly treated area, and as much as you explain that you need at least 9 months where they come in on the schedule dictated by the problem that one is seeking to solve, they just won't co-operate. Of course, when they still have hair 2 years later, they rest all the blame on the practitioner. It is people like this who cause many electrologists to simply answer all questions about what is requried with a vague "Just let me know when you can come in, and how much time you want to put towards it."

Well, I'll answer part my own question that I posed to lefty. I'm still looking for another piece and will report back if I find it.


R.Rox Anderson, M.D. is a Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School and he is the director of The Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. He's like the "father of laser hair removal", but he doesn't work exclusively on research for laser hair removal. He researches and develops many kinds of lasers for many types of problems. This piece is taken from hairfacts.com titled "Laser hair removal history and current issues". Citations [6] and [7] are from years 2000 and 2001, respectively. My question remains, does Dr. R. Rox Anderson hold these same conclusions about laser hair reduction today in 2008?? A lot has happened since he was involved with Ruby laser hair removal/reduction.

"Current laser consumer issues: "A big problem brewing"

This quote is taken from a letter by Rox Anderson M.D., one of the major figures in medical laser research. He has written extensively on lasers in dermatology [6] and in hair removal in particular. I have quoted extensively from his comments below:

"Unfortunately, there is relatively little good, hypothesis-driven research on lasers in dermatology. These studies are expensive and slow to perform, analyze, present, and publish. The laser companies are quick to promote their new devices and procedures, even before efficacy and safety are well established, and before a specific FDA clearance is given."

"Self-promotion is also common among laser practitioners, especially after laying out a small fortune for some new device. In the long run, their reputations (and ours) will suffer. Fooling the public into buying something of little value, is a very old trick."

"Hippocrates knew this when making his famous oath... Does "first, do no harm'' extend to a prospective patient's bank account? Does it include the loss of trust suffered after receiving a series of costly, ineffective treatments? The answer is, yes."

"When poorly researched before use on patients, cosmetic lasers or anything else are no different than the infamous patent medicines of the 19th century... But, what can be done about the decrepit standards for quality of introducing new aesthetic laser applications?... Specifically, I think companies should find it difficult to get a "general'' [FDA] 510k clearance and then sell a device for some specific, unproven new procedure."

"But the problem lies mainly with us, the professionals. We should simply refuse to believe infomercials over peer-reviewed studies." [7]"

James you won't believe how many times I've heard the " Just let me know when you want your next appointment " line. If I'm paying for treatments from someone who is supposedily trained in that department, then I want them to tell me when I should be coming in and what I should be aiming for at what stage. I'm almost to scared to mention that I read these boards, as soon as I do....I've had Electrologists go cold on me, or quiet simply poo poo what I've read. An Electrologist that is not open to disscussion and change, is just as bad as a client not following a tailored treatment plan.

Oh, they may come around eventually. It's hard for people to try new approaches,unlearn and re-learn new things and change things up. We're not about stepping on toes and starting controversy and upsetting the electrology establishment in the UK or anywhere else, just want to share observations about what works really well in a helping tone. Why shouldn't you know this information? Heck, some electrologists in the US are not sold on medical grade magnification, better epilators and light sources. Of course, they haven't tried the better tools, so how do they form an opinion about that? Other concepts seem foreign to some electrologists such as first clearance and scheduling, but these are definitely important concepts to employ for a successful outcome within a doable timeframe so one is not bankrupted. So why shouldn't you know that?

If you and Benji boy became electrologists, you could run your business they way you want, choose the equipment you want and you would be very successful without a doubt. Hint.Hint.

Dee

I can empathize with Max. I've noticed more than a few electrologists are intimidated by my knowledge and research of the field. I will almost always get a call back when calling around looking for that good local practitioner to supplement my phenomenal long distance one when I simply leave my name and number, but every time I ask my top questions inquiring about magnification and lighting equipment used, etc. via voicemail I NEVER get a call back. Its like they would rather give up my potential business than deal with me.

Note: The good electrologist that I see a few hours away welcomes Q's but she is literally one in many.