It isn’t necessary to have the cool air feature but nevertheless, we have it here.
Regarding music, the sound that comforts most people who come to our facility is soft spa music. Classical can get a little too intense.
Regarding the blend; about 20 years ago, I preferred blend as a client and that led me to my preference for administering blend when I became a practitioner.
However, with todays modern thermolysis equipment that enables us to release energy at thousanths of a second, treatment is more comfortable and tissue trauma is minimized. Today, with modern equipment, I prefer thermolysis (micro/pico flash).
I am looking forward to reading your posts about your experiences.
This is one of those songs that has countless versions and is a crossover piece for a lot of modern day music offerings. Having researched this, it has been stated that, the chord progression of Pachelbel’s Canon in D has either been used in or has influenced many, many, many modern day music pieces such as “You Are Always On My Mind” > Willie Nelson (More noticeable in The Pet Shop Boys dance version), “In My Life” > The Beatles, “Go West” > Village People, “Basket Case” > Green Day and was even used in a Coca~Cola commercial last year or so. Football fans in Europe chant some kind of version of this, as well. How many weddings have you been to where Canon in D is played? sigh…
I’m sure many people would have liked to have strangled Pachelbel in utero as Canon in D is the most over-played songs ever. Maybe I should switch to campfire songs like “Turkey in the Straw” or “Do Your Ears Hang Low” for my clients.
There is a comedian/songwriter named Rob Paravonian (sp?) who used to be a cellist and he plays this tune on his guitar comparing it to a bunch modern day songs.
Did he also make up the “Tacobel Canon in D” version of Pachelbel or was that somebody else? Anybody know?
One of the things that I have to say about this thread is that there is a lot of good input, but we are still going back to the basics. When choosing which epilator to have oneself worked on by, the answer is the one in the hands of the most skilled operator.
Having spent hundreds of hours on one side or the other of the epilator probe, I do know that an operator with an older machine using blend will generally be more comfortable than a newer machine using manual thermolysis. This is especially true with a blend operator who not only knows how to set the machine, but has the equipment to properly see, enabling them to make good insertions prior to applying the power.
The newer machines do provide a lot of new features than enable much quicker and safer treatments, if the operator has the desire and ability to read, understand, apply the instructions and then work at getting the techniques down. Like everything else in life, there are fry cooks and chefs out there. If one goes to a fry cook, they will get substantial work done at a reasonable cost. If they can find a chef, the quality of the work will be excellent and fast as well.
At the risk of sounding redundent, it is up to the individual to try as many operators as possible to get the best possible value and care for their dollar. Anything else is merely a matter of being a less than ideal consumer. Don’t expect to get the best if you are not willing to do your part to search it out.
As much as we talk about this subject (until we are blue in the face) it seems that the consumers just ignore the thing we start out with, (You need to go see everyone in town so that you know what is available to you, instead of going with the first person who can fit you into the schedule.) and insist on looking for some short cut, like what pretty piece of paper on the wall should I look for, or what shiney machines costing more than the car I have in the parking lot should I look for.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU MUST ACCEPT THE FACT THAT WITHOUT SAMPLING EVERYONE YOU CAN, YOU WON’T KNOW WHO THE BEST PRACTITIONERS IN TOWN ARE!
I want to second the opinion that the electrologist is the most important factor in getting quality hair removal performed. As one who has used the Apilus Platinum, and decided against the purchase not because of cost, but because it cannot perform slow thermolysis. Everything is geared for fast Hi Freq hair removal, but there are instances when the skin conditions cannot handle the super fast pulses. So to be able to handle all skin types, it would mean having to have two different machines available.
While I was in class, I did manage to make tables of what power settings etc the the different apilus machines are using for their respective body hairs. My own beliefs are that the 27mhz is mostly hype from the manufacturer.
Reasons for my beliefs are as follows. It is not the probe that heats up but in reality it is the cells in the body trying to match the RF energy that causes the heat. This reactions is not instantaneous but has a little lag time. So while the machine can turn on and off at thousands of a second, the body does not respond as quickly.
Is there likely to be much of a change between using 13.5 mhz vs 27 mhz? They advertise that it does, saying it is twice as fast, but in reality, the cells have a time trying to keep up with 13.5 mhz leave alone 27Mhz. When compared to a Microwave oven which operates at about 3000 Mhz the change is minimal.
Also when recording the machines settings, I found the power level slightly reduced, but the timing was vertually identincal to there other 13.5 Mhz machines. This indicating that time is the same, but maybe a little less power being used.
Another factor to consider, is that if the machine were that much faster, it would also lead to damaging the skin that much faster, meaning that only those extremely well trained with that particular machine should even try using it. I find that I believe most of the advantace are hype in trying to get people to shell out the big bucks for the machine.
I still maintain that the skill of the electrologist is the single most important factor.
There has never been a debate concerning your last statement. It is one of those statements that you don’t have to weigh in on because it is a fact, not an opinion, that we all share and have expressed until we are cyanotic.
I agree, that we all will reach accord on the FACT that the practitioner’s skill is the key, after that, the machine only allows more possibilities. The machine can make up for some of a practitioner’s short comings (like having pre-sets) and can make more comfortable and faster treatments possible.
The “high end machines” can be used in a backwards compatable way to mimic the older equipment if one knows how to program them. I have even been able to make an Apilus SX-500 act like an Instantron Elite Spectum for a friend who has only ever used one of them and did not want to come out of the comfort zone.
Of course, I agree, that a person who buys one of these things and doesn’t learn to use it well, can do MUCH MORE damage since the machine is more powerful. Of course, in the case of the Platinum, the machine has a “governor” that won’t allow one to dial up a treatment that is past a certain energy without confirming that you understand that you are exceeding safety limites. One also has to learn how to do that well enough to make it happen
Finally I find myself back home in sunny Los Angeles, California from plain old boring San Antonio, Texas and of course with a new electrologist. Before I left Texas I had a total of 3 hour long sessions. One of them was using blend by my newest former electrologist, and two of the flash with my most former electrologist.
I am by no means an expert consumer, but because I have to travel all over the world, and the fact that I am very determined to rid myself of those nasty little hairs, I have been unwittingly educated in how electrolysis is performed from place to place.
It seems that California, the capital of hair removal, the preferred method of electrolysis is the blend as opposed to the flashy East coast. My newest electrologist is no exception to that standard. Today she performed blend with an older AR Hinkel Machine accompanied with a silver ballet tip. I also had the chance for the first time ever to experience the soothing waterfall breeze of it’s air flow setting. I was amazed.
Beyond the fact that the airflow was audibly pleasing, it was also effective in relieving the pain more then ever. The air seems to have cooling effect on the surface area being treated; that area being my upper lip. I have suffered torturous upper lip treatments once to twice a week for nearly a year under 5 different electrologists. This session by far was the least painful of all time. I didn’t even cry. To my joy, there is also very little redness or swelling, and it seemed like just as many hairs were being killed. Yea!
Since last year, I have had the same areas treated by an higher end RA Fischer, Instantron, Sofblend, Clareblend, and an AR Hinkel using all three methods. I will also include the flimsy One Touch Galvanic unit that I use on myself at home.
So far I will conclude with 2 points:
The advances made in electrolysis machines in the last several years are not necessarily worth the price of a good electrologist.
Though flash AKA thermolysis is maybe a just a little bit faster, there is also a greater chance of more pain, redness and swelling.
Here is just a little bit of information about epilators and regions of the country. First off, most of the manufacturers of Flash and Fast Thermolysis Epilators are on the East Coast, whereas Most of the Manufacturers of Blend Epilators are on the West Coast. That is a big reason for the differences, especially when many get their initial training from the manufacturers. That does not mean anything in regards to one method being better over the other.
As a sidenote - I just got notification and Certificate for passing the Certified Clinical Electrologist Exam, and now can use the initials CCE after my name. It seems there are a number of organizations that test electrologists, and at least initially, I choose to join the SCMHR and their version of the test is administered by the "International Commission for Hair Removal Certification, otherwise known as ICHRC.
I am contimplating taking the CPE exam in San Francisco later this year, but I understand they only administer their exams once a year, and I did not wish to wait to become certified.
Anyway, the possibility exists that I may be able to travel to San Fran. in November of this year.
I would appreciate hear from others who have attended the conferences to find out if they are worthy of the expense.
Congrats! I enjoy attending the professional conventions and seminars but I do not go to each and every one of them as they tend to be redundant and by the time NEWS hits the convention, it isn’t news anymore.
I am a member of the two major credentialling organizations (AEA/SCMHR)and the difference between them is that one focuses more on electrolysis and the other devotes a lot of time to laser.
Most electrologists do not attend conventions and most are not certified by one of the credentialling organizations and it isn’t necessary to participate in these gatherings to be a good practitioner however it is an opportunity to interact with industry leaders and vendors, it is an opportunity to hear lectures that might be interesting or helpful, it is an opportunity to share thoughts, to share ideas and to share experiences with colleagues who you might not have otherwise had an opportunity to meet. It is also an opportunity to get on a plane, stay in a hotel, have someone else make your bed for you, have someone else empty your trash can, not have to cook your own meals or cook for anyone else, and take home itsy bitsy bottles of shampoo and conditioner but ah, there is a heavy pricetag to pay.
Since my last posting of this message, I am not so sure the blend is my favorite modality anymore. Since I have completely switched over, it seems that there is more hair on my face at any given time. In fact it seems like I may have to start seeing an electrologist 2 times a week instead of once. This really pisses me off (please,excuse my profanity) I am so F@@@ing tired of getting treated. It’s like these hairs never stop, and it’s almost a year. I am not working anymore, treatments are not cheap and but my hair doesn’t care. To make matters worse, it always grows tenaciously on my upper lip. I am thinking of taking hormones to make it slow down. I am so sick of this hair… I have probably logged about 100 or more hours. God! When does it End?
I’m sorry you are experiencing such frustration with your treatments. I have a feeling that it should start to improve
for you really soon.
I did about 130-135 hours on my face so far, following 9 laser sessions. Right now I have so few facial hairs left that I am just doing cleanup which takes about 1/2 hour every second week.
If your upper lip is an area that really bothers you I would be sure to get that cleared each session.
For the record 99% of my electrolysis work was done with thermolysis method.
I can understand your frustration though since I felt it too at times.
If you are not a memeber of the AEA, may I copy and paste your post on the AEA discussion forum? I naturally agree with your suggestion to have hands on time with the newer epilators. Best yet, a course for credit would be a great step in the right direction for this profession.
Even though this thread has really gone off the topic, I want to respond to Kara’s post:
I was also at that convention and found Naomi Tickle to be highly offensive. Also, at this writing, there is no evidence that she has a PhD in anything. Where did you get that information on her credential?
Essentially, Naomi Tickle focuses on how to judge people by the shape of their - heads - noses - lips - eyes, etc.
She showed a picture of a large nosed person and told us that this person is not a money spender. She then showed a picture of a person with a cute button nose and said that the person with this sort of nose will spend money. The speaker told us that we could learn alot about our clients by their facial features and this would help us in business.
I found that lecture to be so offensive that it made me question the sanity of the American Electrology Association’s decision makers in giving her a forum. As a teacher, I would NEVER encourage any student to make a determination about a client’s character by the distance between their eyes or the thickness of their lips.
During that lecture, I was surrounded by colleagues as they examined the shapes of eachother’s lips as they made comments like, “Oh yes, the shape of your upper lip tells me that you hold your feelings in…”
It was a Twilight Zone experience for me.
Is there no awareness of the negative implications of making assumptions about a person based on the shape of their nose?
Shame on the American Electrology Association for giving that speaker a platform.
http://breierhairremovalandskincare.com
Arlene Batz, CPE
Board Certified Electrologist
New York State Licensed Esthetician - Skin Care Specialist
New York State Licensed Teacher - Electrolysis
