So here’s my issue right now. I started electrolysis and have been happy with it so far. Only problem is the place I go is downtown so it’s about a 15-20 minute drive, then it’s $10 on average for parking etc. I also got into helping her with some computer and marketing things so now when I go for a 30 minute session it turns into 2 hours since it’s really hard to leave when they’re asking me for help with things. (I’ve got a couple free sessions out of it so it’s not all that bad). The GOOD thing is she’s really fast, around 17 hairs a minute.
My problem is that when I first tried electrolysis a year or so ago, the person was sooooo slow, using whatever mode it is that removes maybe 3 hairs a minute. I want to see if there’s somewhere closer by me, but literally every place I found on google doesn’t have a website! Can’t even believe that. So I can call them and I suppose go for a consultation but just a waste of time if they are going to go slow as well.
Just wondering if there’s anything I can ask on the phone to help determine their speed at all? I figure I’ll probably get the “it depends on your skin, hair type” etc type responses but not sure. Just not sure if that’s a normal question to ask how fast they are or what my best approach might be… Thanks!
Like we have been saying for years (a decade?) here;
Nothing can take the place of doing the leg work of getting as many consultations and sample treatments as you can, and then making your decision on who to give the job of being your personal electrolysist.
No amount of paper on the walls, stars on their bellies, marble on the floors, or even web sites on the net, can tell you better than getting an actual treatment to see (and feel) for yourself.
I’ll call around and see, I just find it shocking they don’t have websites where you can at least email to make an appointment. Half the places you call don’t even answer since they’re with customers and 3 of them so far have voicemails that are the phone company’s generic “Please leave a message after the tone” so you don’t even know if you have the right company.
It’s so easy/cheap to have a 1 page website talking about your background and history, just can’t believe a reputable business wouldn’t have a website…
Most of them are a one-person operation, and their reputation is that one person’s skill, knowledge, integrity, and business administration abilities. Not everyone who is good at killing hair is just as good at promoting himself, and vice versa.
It is often the electrologist without the website who complains that they don’t have business…(hmmm, I wonder why?)
Regarding the speed of the electrologist (hairs per minute): This should not be a factor in the selection. The removal of 400 hairs per minute (an exaggeration) does not mean that those hairs are PERMANENTLY removed. Good equipment and good technique means permanence. The number per minute/hour removed does not.
I would tend to agree with Barbara here. Electrolysis is more like typing. What good is it to hire a Secretary whose tested speed is 125 words per minute, if that same Secretary only delivers 40 Corrected Words Per Minute! (which means, how many words per minute are typed without errors as opposed to total typed.)
Of course, over time, one would think that someone’s speed would increase while not sacrificing accuracy. That brings us back to the same place, however; which is, you need to get as many sample treatments as possible, in order to know what is available in your area.
My dentist, accountant, hairdresser… they don’t have websites although they are still listed in phone and business directories under those categories.
You have the directory here and the AEA directory. Are you in Canada? They have listings too.
Have you been leaving phone messages and getting any return calls?
Just a pointer here - if they detect disrespect in your voice, they might not return your call.
You can ask how many hairs they can do in a 15 minute appointment if that is what you are looking for. If that is your single criteria, you might be disappointed. My favorite electrologist was slower as she preferred using a little bit of galvanic in her treatments which for me, worked better.
James has it right. Visit as many as you can, get short treatments from those who seem professional and start comparing.
You might finally find the right fit or like some folks, hyper critical of absolutely everyone and everything and never be happy and you might actually alienate the better professionals.
as a side comment, this is why i said before that it will be interesting to see how much regrowth you get after 3 months. since your electrologist cleared everything, the regrowth you get at 3 months will be an indication of her ‘kill rate’ so to speak. let’s say you get a high % of regrowth after 3 months - then it doesn’t matter that she moves fast. i doubt that will happen though.
if she gives you quick treatment and permanent hair removal, you’re good.
When starting out those things were important to me, too. Now only actual results matter. Websites, certificates, decorations etc. all completely secondary.
I wouldn’t even rely too much on other people’s recommendation. Only on the results of a big enough test patch on my own skin. (And if it’s for the face, choose a test area similar to that.)
I agree with stopit’s comment, just want to add, you’ll get the best indication of the practitioners kill rate if you haven’t touched the hair for at least 4 months before treatment and wait 3-4 months afterwards.
Remember to also leave a control patch because if their kill rate is at the 20%-30% range each time, it might not seem like much at first if you have nothing to compare it with.
I definitely get all that thanks! The thing is the first electrologist I went to 2 years ago removed maybe 3 hairs per minute. I did a 30 minute session and when I left it looked like nothing had changed, so regardless of how good she is I’d be spending like $500 to get a full clearance so that’s what I want to avoid again is all. Not sure how my current one compares but just wanted to avoid someone being that slow again.
Maybe the website thing is different for younger people I don’t know. For me personally I don’t go anywhere unless I can read about you on your website. I just got braces and the place I went to was one of the first ads that came up on Google. Their website had pictures of their office, their staff, the products they use, what to expect etc. I mean even with laser hair removal so many people say they’re a laser clinic but they use IPL, even if their name is something like “Beaches Laser Spa”. If I can go to your website and eliminate you, or qualify you it just makes it much easier than spending the time to go for a consultation to find out they don’t do what I want is all.
So do I get to see stars on my future electrologists’ bellies if I ask nicely?
As for websites- I am kind of the same way- more for the ability to be able to send by email as it’s an easier form of communication for me. I can do voice phone but it tends to be difficult sometimes depending on how my hearing is that day, the other person’s voice/accent, speed and tone. Already have a few in mind to try- all of them over an hour away bleah (unless I move again lol)
I do agree though that a website does not make the man- or woman… or business. You could have a great website but terrible service, a HORRIBLE looking website but the best and topnotch business around for miles… you have to take EVERYTHING into consideration on your final analysis. And only what fits YOUR criteria the best.
I’m the same way with the internet and take full advantage of its convenience. Everyone uses it yet it amazes me how some businesses haven’t yet. I don’t always believe everything I read but it does help to weigh the pros and cons of things when evaluating a type of service. I’m in my 30’s and rely on the internet for numbers and addresses, I can only imagine how the younger generations react when they hear, “where’s the phone book.” In fact, when we got our newest sets it went straight to recycle ;( Good luck on finding a good fit for you.
The quality of the website isn’t that important it’s more the info on it. Like I said using laser as an example, if I go to a website for HairFree Laser Centre and then it goes on and on about how “using the latest IPL technology…” I’m not going to even call for a consultation, there’s no way.
Like I said as well, I just got braces and I found the place by searching for orthodontists in my area on Google. I checked the websites for the first 3 places, called them all and the 2nd was able to take me in right away. I also was able to check and see to make sure they offered the clear braces that I’m looking for. I’m not about to start looking through the phone book (Toronto doesn’t even have a phone book anymore since it’s online) and start calling orthodontists without websites. Electrolysis to me isn’t really that much different.
In the thread I started about choosing your electrologist, I mentioned I based it on website information. I know those in the field disagree with me on this, and that’s fine… but websites are important for long term business. You might have a full client list right now, but the customers my age and younger will depend on your websites in determining whether or not you’re worth trying out.
When I go to my electrologist, I notice from clients there before or after me that they are mostly 50 years or older; for that age range (usually) websites aren’t going to matter as much.
This subject is so sensitive for so many people, the more information we can get from a business website, the better. It will help us gain a little knowledge about the electrologist and in return it will help us feel more comfortable about making that phone call or sending an initial email.
Since several people in the business responded to my question about choosing an electrologist, I decided to take a risk and email another electrologist closer to home. I emailed the one with a webpage (but doesn’t have a lot of information on it). I will be seeing her in a couple weeks. So I will let you know how it goes.
Okay. I agree with you about the website information. Let’s not forget FaceBook, as well. Those fifty year olds have daughters and nieces and neighbors and co-workers. I’m sure my colleagues can relate, but when a young nurse or young teacher visits me, I can almost predict that I will see an upsurge in nurses and teachers, within a few months time. They talk to each other.
Many women below the age of 40 have never heard of electrolysis, but they do know about LASER hair reduction. The American Electrolysis Association is working very hard to educate the public. Erica Frankel and Barbara Greathouse are keeping things active and forward-moving on Facebook. I commend you both for your most excellent effort.
We, electrologists, smile and know that eventually the consumer will stumble in our direction after they have exhausted every avenue possible for their hair problem, but we shouldn’t rest and wait for that to happen. Some of us purposely keep a low profile because we have as much work as we can handle. Many of us are one trick ponies. We don’t have anyone that can pick up the slack when too many phone calls, e-mails or text messages come in wanting appointments.
With all that said, a website is very helpful, agreed.
I completely agree with you, Dee! My electrologist works alone, and she has more clients than she can handle. She did mention she doesn’t like to turn anybody away though because when laser first came out she ended up losing a ton of business and struggled to make ends meet.
I know some women talk and word of mouth is by far the best advertisement. I personally am very selective on who I talk to about this. For me it is extremely embarrassing, even though I know there is nothing I could have done about it (other than not pluck when the hairs came in, but at the time I didn’t know).
I do believe this forum is where I first heard about electrolysis. I am among the under 40 crowd and was considering laser treatments… good thing I came across the site though. Knowing my luck the laser would cause adverse results. I’m not much of a risk taker
Well, I am very glad you found HairTell, too. I wish we had more laser specialists contributing here. We have a good number of professional electrologists educating the public, but we need more laser professionals as well. I’m working on that!
Laser hair reduction is an excellent modality, but it is not all purpose or all seeing for some? many? situations. I don’t like laser bashing and though I don’t do laser, I am very supportive if it will help the hairy in any way possible. If it can’t help certain people, then we know that electrolysis can because it is an all “seeing” modality.
Right, I am not bashing it at all, in fact I have at times been so tempted to try it and see if it would work for me because electrolysis is soooooo slow… but I am scared of even the slightest possibility that it would later create a bigger problem than I had to begin with.
I would probably be an ideal candidate for it…really light skin with very dark hairs. I think because I am so sensitive about this and my self esteem has been shot since this became a problem, I just knew for my sanity going the longer, slower, but definite route was the way for me… it will always be in the back of my mind though on whether or not I could have had this done and over with by now if I went the other route.
So do I get to see stars on my future electrologists’ bellies if I ask nicely?