Starting Electrolysis!

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
21

This illustrates why continuing education and more controlled studies are important in all fields of work. As I said, Richard’s and Meharg’s book is a wee outdated in regard to some of the information as it was known in 1997, but they have done a great job trying to fairly correct some information.

In the second edition supplement on S2 in Chapter S1, this very subject is mentioned under, “Update on Our Recommendations Concerning the Relative Efficiencies of Thermolysis and The Blend”. In short, they are less ridgid in their position about blend being the prefered method of choice and have acknowledged that others, like Dr.James Shuster and Dr. William Danby who have studied all modalities, have concluded that all methods can give good results. Basically, Thermolysis is more difficult to use while The Blend leaves more room for operator error. They concluded that excellent and PERMANENT results can be obtained with thermolysis, with or without using an insulated probe. They like the computerized epilators for blend or thermolysis. So do I.

Your electrologist may only be comfortable with one modality because she knows how to do it well. No problem there. However, It is not right to poo-poo another modality that works with high capacity, especially if you, the consumer, desires getting the hair off fast and with as much “comfort” as possible.

If she can do microflash with her epilator, make perfect insertions or at least near perfect insertions 99% of the time, and use the correct probe size, she can give you the gift of permanent hair removal, using thermolysis, in all it’s glory and variation.

So, tip off your practitioner to pick up the 2nd edition of, “Cosmetic and Medical Electrolysis & Temporary Hair Removal” by Richards and Meharg, go to the supplement in the back of the book, page S2 and S3. Look for (Section B page 13) and it’s all there for her to read. I was taught all this good stuff about Blend when I went to school and actually started out as a blend electrologist for the first couple of years. I wasn’t lied to, but what is true today about thermolysis was not true back then. Computerized epilators with specific modes, insulated probes and special techniques have lifted thermolysis from a limited modality to a super star. Now, I have flipped from being a blender to being a picoflasher. There are no excuses for electrologists not knowing the good news about thermolysis in 2008. It’s all there for anyone to know and use. So, what you have read on this site is exactly correct, thermolysis is equally as effective as blend for those that apply it correctly with a modern, computerized epilator using the proper type of probe. Please tell your electrologist the good news and hopefully she will become curious make a move.

Dee

22

The REAL education comes AFTER finishing electrolysis school.

I think anyone in any profession has to keep their mind open to alternative ideas. In life, some new ideas prove better, and some ideas stand the test of time. Don’t shun an idea just because that’s not what you were taught x years ago. Get the facts.

This could be a case of reading between the lines…||My thermolysis skills are not up to par?||

23

I think I’ll try to talk to her about it. She seems pretty skilled at thermolysis, but then I have no idea how to tell if her insertions are accurate or not. Is there a way to tell? Also, what do what do you think of the thermolysis setting of 56 on the Fischer machine? That is what she used on me yesterday.

24

That “56” number matters none. Every client presents with a uniqueness that can only be addressed by the electrologist working on them at the particular time. We start low and work our way up on the intensity and timing as we observe the skin and the release of the hair.

Insertions should be not be felt or hardly felt.

25

One way to tell if the insertions are accurate is how they feel. The insertion itself should have very little sensation. A poor insertion would give you pain before the current is applied.

I use the Fischer and love it! The number 56 is only one part of the equation for your treatment. Epilator settings include intensity and timing - and on the Fischer you are only seeing one of those numbers.

26

Oooh! That is fantastic. I never know where the needle is until after she turns on the current. Its always a mystery and sometimes makes me nervous, as I assume that there is less pain when you know where its coming from. So I guess she has very accurate insertions, which is very reassuring.

Does the fact that it was on a medium setting help? So, it was a medium setting with the number 56 and she held the current on for about two seconds/pulses until it beeped!

27

I had two more sessions. One last week, and one yesterday. These two sessions we used thermolysis, and got lots more hair. however, yesterday she turned up the current, and I got quite a bit of scabbing! And I’ve got a date tomorrow :S well anyways I think shes still moving a bit too slow! Even with thermolysis. *sighs I really want this hair gone. THeres a bunch on my cheek I still need to get rid of. This is going to take forever.

6 sessions so far. No first full clearance yet. :frowning:

28

This is for everybody’s general knowledge:

With a newer computerized epilator, one doesn’t need a footswitch and can move along in a tick-tick fashion, still removing several hairs at a time with upmost care and accuracy. Correct probe size, correct intensity and timing, quality magnification and lighting and of course, skillful insertions allows the client to leave the office cleared and with the feeling that this is not going to take forever. This is important to know because in many ways, we are helping clients fight depression over their hair issues and the sooner the hair comes off the faster hope rises.

Any epilator will do the job of of removing hair permanently, but there are certain epilators available today that can allow a professional electrologist, who can insert a probe correctly to the target areas, to move along faster than we otherwise could with older technology. You will just have to be more patient if your electrologist has found her comfort level with the equipment she chooses to use. She will still bring you permanent hair removal.

This excludes a man’s back from neck to waistline where every hair is stimulated. It takes anywhere from several hours to months before a first clearance is obtained for larger areas. My reference to the above post is about facial hair. Facial electrolysis can be done without scabbing, but sometimes scabs are temporary side effects that will happen for a variety of reasons. This is the time for feedback, so do relate your healing issues to her, but do be reasonable, as we are invading a hair follicle and the body will react with temporary side effects, some barely noticable and some that are noticable for a week or so. If performed incorrectly, side effects can last for months, but one eventually heals. We always strive to minimize reactions that are noticable, so we need the client to help us along in those beginning sessions.

Dee

29

How long are your appointments right now? Do you think you need to make them longer to get to a full clearance?

30

Each appointment is 30 minutes long. I can’t make them longer because my upper lip would get too irritated! The scabs do go away with time though. I’d say, two/three days.

31

Ah, yes. For the upper lip, you need shorter treatment times. Though you can come back as soon as the skin is healed, which should be within a week or so, to get the rest.

32

Your healing outcome sounds good, jfreebody.

33

Thats good to hear! I’ve been going weekly, so since I last posted, I’ve had i think three sessions. Its all going pretty well, but I really want her to pick it up, and then maybe work on other parts of my face. *sighh. This is going to be a loonng ride.

34

Yes Barbara, it’s the same thing. Gee good guess. I don’t always use the textbook terminology. Sometimes I’m guilty of stirring up controversy or having to explain myself for those that can’t read my mind or see what my mind’s eye can see. I invent words too but that’ s another subject. Not eveyone reads the book but a gas pocket is a gas pocket. Luv ya all. Gotta go kill a hair. Pearl…

35

Even when we know the industry term, it is not always the right thing to use here, as the buying public would not understand the term. After all, what’s the problem with car repair manuals? They are written by mechanics for other mechanics :wink:

I know I am late to this thread, but, I will offer, that her name is G. Elizabeth Meharg, and everyone calls her Liz when they get to know her well enough. Since I do know her well enough, I also know not to tell what the G stands for unless I have been waterboarded for at least an hour.

Finally, although a Fischer can emulate an Apilus SX-500 and lower in many respects, Nothing can emulate an Apilus Platinum.