I’ve been thinking about this for some time and the concept I’ve come up with could be called: “Modality creates its own Strategy.” Yesterday, I had a long conversation with Jim Paisner (Ballet needles) about this; we have chatted about this for years. Here’s how this works.
An electrologist learns a particular methodology, say, blend, multiple needle, manual thermolysis, or the many forms of “computerized” thermolysis. With this modality, she begins her career. Within a period of time, she discovers that a specific strategy works best. She begins to see better and better results and begins to formulate a “master strategy” that really works.
I have seen all kinds of different strategies that work well. For example, I have (somewhat) studied Lucy Peter’s strategy, and it’s well thought out and elegant in many ways. Still, hers is not my (blend) strategy. I have also looked at several people that use multiple needle; again a different strategy emerged. (Actually, the best end-result for beard work, I’ve ever seen, was from multiple needle. It’s a brilliant, albeit difficult, modality.)
I have thought about James’s “every six week clearance” technique, and I cannot fault his application of modality and the resulting strategy. However, I don’t do this at all. His strategy is especially valid because it perfectly fits his targeted patient base. Indeed, part of any good strategy is a plan that works for the patient: it gives them what they want.
Where we get in trouble is when we believe that our “strategy” is the ONLY strategy and that it can be applied to other modalities. It cannot! For example, to create less pain sensation, many “blenders” will work contiguous hairs. This strategy absolutely cannot be done using multiple needle. For me, were I to clear-off an entire man’s beard in a few days (with manual blend), the swelling would be horrific. With beard work I follow a different strategy as outlined in my book: the “clear & wait” for body work (a long 3-month wait), and the “maintain & advance” for face. But the strategies in my book apply mostly to blend and manual thermolysis.
My greatest discovery, having been part of the Hairtell dialogue, is what happens with the application of local anesthetic. The use of anesthetic itself creates its own strategy … no matter what modality you are using. My “manual blend” really has become “very fast thermolysis.” Jossie’s use of her “computerized” machine has evolved a strategy identical to mine: a “very fast thermolysis.” (I have also spoken to others that use very different machines, but all have “hit on” the identical strategy.)
Anyway, that’s my thought for the day: “Modality creates its own Strategy.” Again, as I often recite, the real determining factor for permanent hair removal is “TTT” total treatment time, and “condition of the skin” when you are finished. (YES, to the patients! it does “get finished.”)
