Hello everyone!
It’s been mighty long time since i was here(i had most horrible time of my life), but what happened today made me so angry that i had to find some free time to come here and post this.
My daughter finally reached 14, and it’s time to take her to get her upper lip done. This bothers her a lot and kids now days are way to cruel to just leave the hairs alone. My super great electrologist Ruthann Cruz closed her practice and went to work with special needs children, so i have been having very tough time finding electrologist in Phoenix. Most of them do galvanic treatments only, which is something i went thru during my uneducated period, and i wouldn’t wish on biggest enemy, let alone on my daughter.
I called Gail Walker, and when i asked what kind of electrolysis they do in her office, she proceeded to tell me that they have a machine that can do, ahem, Electrolysis. When i asked if they do thermolysis, she said that they probably can. Then she informed me that if my daughter has dark hairs she won’ do electrolysis, but laser only, because electrolysis is only for blonde hairs. I told her that i finished electrology school, and i am about to cry and i hung up. Gee.
So i finally stumbled upon Affordable Laser and skin transformations, and i called them. They said that they do thermolysis only, since galvanic is so barbaric and painful, they told me what they charged per hour, and asked me if i think my daughter is ready to go thru the pain of electrolysis. I said yes, we scheduled appointment, and that was it.
So my husband took her to appointment today, their business is 55 minutes away, they sat down and waited. Finally someone resembling my arch enemy Kimberly of boston electrolysis, comes out, with whole lots of attitude and rudeness, just to tell them that they do not do electrolysis at all.
This person named G.C. then tried to persuade my daughter into having laser, which now makes me believe that their web site and their staff is offering electrolysis falsely, just to have people come in and then try to change their mind about laser treatments
I don’t get angry easily, but for some strange reason, this really got me going and i thought that any prospective client from Phoenix should know about them and their rude behavior and poor business practice, assuming they stumble across this forum first.
Now my daughter has another appointment with electrologist that i found by pure luck, and i will post here on Thursday after we come home. She is bit on expensive side, but she does thermolysis only and have been doing electrolysis for 30 years now.
So in any case, avoid Affordable laser and skin treatments from Tempe, AZ.
Cheap is not always good.
Hey! Sanny! Welcome back!
Am I missing something here? You are now an electrologist, I remember that you purchased a Silhouet-Tone VMC model epilator, one of the greats, so why are you not doing elecrolysis for your own daughter?
Secondly, the name “Affordable Laser and skin transformations” made me take a double look. The name does not imply that electrolysis is offered and Gail Walker probably was a “receptionist” that was confused and probably didn’t understand what you were asking or how she should reply. Sounds like a total mix up to me. Does the website advertise electrolysis as a service they offer?
Hello Dee!
Yes their website actually advertises electrolysis both on the front page and under the tab marked “services”. Also when i called them to schedule appointment they explained to me how thermolysis works and what i can expect as far as results go. I actually captured the screen of their web site showing electrolysis offered, but here is the link to their web site:
http://affordablelaser.com/electrolysis.htm
As far as Gail Walker goes, that was far from misunderstanding. She confirmed twice what she said, because first time she mentioned that electrolysis isn’t supposed to be done on dark hairs, i couldn’t believe what i am hearing, so i asked her to repeat it.
Sadly we are very limited when it comes to good electrologists in Phoenix.
Also, electrology never stuck with me. When i finished my two weeks of training and came home, i couldn’t find anyone to practice on. Pretty soon i realized that school director just wanted to take 4500.00 from me, and it was obvious that two weeks of training will not do, especially considering that everyone at that school was doing the state required minimum of 4 months.
I am hoping that i will be able to go to school again, this time in Las Vegas, if this economy ever fixes itself. I learned a lot in theory, but in practice i lack way more, and without proper schooling i will never be able to do this by myself…
My Dear Sanny, the only thing you lack is practice. I submit to you that going back to school again will cost you more money, and other than give you people to work on daily, won’t give you much more than you got before.
What equipment do you have?
I submit to you that if you start working on your daughter’s legs, (or start on your own legs until you feel more confident in your insertions) and move on from there, you will be able to do good work in a short time.
Maybe you need to spend the next 4 months making the legs of your daughter and husband hair free, to get the feel and confidence up. To a person, I don’t know a single soul who went to an electrolysis school and came out thinking they knew all there was to know about doing this. In fact, most come out feeling like they are still uncomfortable with the idea of working on “real people.”
SUPER DITTO’S to what James said. I was pitiful at doing proper insertions when I graduated and I had a 600 hour course that was spread out a little over a year. You have to DO in order to RECEIVE. Grab that husband of yours, give him a beer, put on an action movie and start working on his legs, arms, back, unibrow… Hopefully, your precious daughter will allow you to do the same.
Have you tried this place? Although, I think they only do galvanic.
Maria Denicola
Arizona Laser, Electrolysis, & Skin Care
5702 N. 19th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85015
602-246-1966 info@arizonaelectrolysis.com
This link has an extensive list of places you can call:
LAgirl, i was a cash cow for Maria Denicola’s office for close to a year, while going thru extreme amount of pain by having galvanic treatments done by a total amateur.After over 9 months of treatments, i realized that my upper lip looks gross and it still has same amount of hairs, so i decided to look for someone else. When i found Ruthann Cruz, and scheduled my first appointment, she said that hairs on my upper lip look shaved, and show no traces of electrolysis done. In three treatments with Ruthann i had my first clearance ever, and pretty soon i was required to go only once a month, for 30 minutes. I am still hair free:)
My experience with Arizona Laser was gruesome, and the sole fact that their office is refusing any other treatment but galvanic, should serve as a guide and make everyone look elsewhere.It was painful to the point of torture ( and i am heavily tattooed so i can really endure the pain), and it was time consuming and it was expensive, plus it was done by someone who used the needle to break the hair clear off, instead kill it. I think it took her almost 8 seconds to do one hair, so imagine the process and results.
James, i actually sold all my equipment, we had tough time and needed every cent to save the house, so for now electrolysis is on hold until better times.
Dee, my daughter and my husband both,din’t want to get near me once i finished school:) I tried one hair on my husband’s leg before he had enough and said he will never let me try that again.I guess i was bound to fail…
BTW, i found someone for my daughter yesterday, her name is Suzanne and she has office alongside her house, she is not overpriced and seems to have experience working on teenagers. I have appointment scheduled on Saturday, and i will report here after it.
Thanks for the feedback. This is good to know. We do have several good reports about Maria’s laser services and she uses good machines, but it sounds like electrolysis is not their strongsuit. Maybe that’s why they added laser to their practice!
Oh, I am a little distressed to hear about your life circumstances, sanny. I hope Suzanne works out well for your daughter. Come back and update us on her progress. I wish I could help in some way.
Dee
Hi My name is Maria DeNicola I have been practing Electrolysis for over 29 years, for me to sit here and be accused of being someone cash cow, amateurish, amateur, and cruel to name a few is just about all I can bare.
First of all I had excessive hairiness starting at age 12 year old girl with the same problem your daughter has, I was teased mercilessly at school. I endured hours of electrolysis and after awhile realized that this would be my lifelong passion.
My dad wanted me to go to college but instead I chose electrolysis school.
NOW SOME REAL FACTS!
I was taught the profession by Betty Williams in 1982 who had one of the first schools in Arizona Her school was called Arizona State School of Electrolysis
Where I was taught every modality of electrolysis…
Thank you Lagirl for trying to refer… Yes I do all modality everyday!
It was very kind of you to suggest my services. Electrolysis is my strong suit. I have a full Med Spa with many excellent professional. We were voted one of Phoenix top 5 Med Spas two years in a row. Right now voting is under way to possibly #1 in Phoenix.
I am proud of my profession and all the people we help, I reach out to all electrologist all over the country. I reached out to James this past year trying to do a conference together, we are not competitor we lived many states away…it didn’t happen, but I try.
I am Past President and Vice President of the Arizona Association of Electrologists having served for on the board for many years. You Mention Gail Walker a very dear friend of mine for 29 years who I’m still very close to. Gail Walker to me is a mother of Electrology was a past president of the same AAE. She served before me .She also owned an excellent electrolysis school named Arizona Institute of Electrolysis. Gail Walker has long been retired and sold her practice. She has not worked in any clinic in years.
Ruthanne Cruz is another good friend of mine for at least the past 17 years and you are correct in this point she has retired and is teaching school. She sold her practice to Affordable laser and skin transformations and worked for them until she retired. Some of Ruthanne clients stayed on with them until they find a replacement for electrolysis so if there is any fact to what you said then they must be still looking for a replacement, but since most of everything you said is so far off from reality… I wonder.
Ruthanne is referring some of her clients to me that needed only electrolysis. so in a nutshell… I treat many of her patients that she refers to me. She remains my friend! Ruthanne is able to do any of her clients she want to at my office my doors are always open to her!!!
Actually over the years I have open my doors to colleagues who needed a place to do a client for whatever reason.
Affordable laser and skin transformations has just been sold The owner Roxanne Cortell who also has been a colleagues for over 20 years husband past away a few months ago and she decided to sell her practice.
Kimberly Williams does not work at Affordable laser and skin transformations never has…Kimberly is very much against laser hair removal for anymore info on her Just google her name if you care to know more.
Sanny you accuse me through a blog of so many thing where can I start?
If you where unhappy with my service I wish you would have said so at the time. I would have bent over backwards to try to please you. I have been in business since 1982 I have a clinic that employs 4 full time electrologist.
You have the audacity to judge anonymously. You know who I am. Who are you?
You accuse me of being barbaric yet I employ a Doctor and a nurse who can administer pain management if needed. The fact of my clinic is that electrolysis is my strong suit…I do all modality of electrolysis every day I am excellent in my field.
Let me just state here that hair removal is my passion and has been my entire life.
There are countless beards that I have eliminated. I have countless testimonies.
Please know that you have offended me with your anonymous tactless fact less opinions. There must be something else in your life going on…I feel very sorry for you, to have to pick on me. If you ever ever really came into my office you would know that I’m am not a uneducated amateur you claim I am. You would know That I have compassion, kindness and most of all professional experience to everyone. I am a excellent electrologist who’s patients and my relationship with my peers mean everything to me!!
I am thankful you are not my patient.
I would never speak about anyone like you have posted about me.I don’t have to wonder if you would talk to another human being like you have talk about me…I guess I really don’t have to wonder, you did. One more thing even though I don’t know Suzanne I know she will try and serve you her best as all professional electrologist do.
You Post…“Winners are willing to do what losers won’t”
Really
I truly hope you go get some help…I am not your problem!
Defending my integrity!
Maria De Nicola with Senza Pelo Med Spa
aka Arizona Laser, Electrolysis, & Skin Care
www.SenzaPelo.com 602-246-1966
We made the top 5 Med Spa…
Thank-you for your vote of confidence!!
Hi Maria,
I was not aware of this thread. I am sorry I did not respond sooner. “My bad.”
Sometimes an electrologist knows another electrologist only by “friendship.” This is not the case with me. Let me simply state categorically that I DO know the level of your work and it is at the highest level our profession can attain.
Indeed, you treated two of my patients (Tony and Peter), with fantastic success. You are one of the top professionals in our field and I very much “know your work.” I’m actually proud of you!
The internet world is a dangerous place. Impressions and reputations are made that can often be baseless. I get political “shit” emailed to me every day that is often totally false! Just think about how long the “Obama is a Muslim/Nazi/anti-Christ/Communist” went on. And then the “birther” thing, etc. How pathetic?
The internet is a great place for information, but it’s also a great place for misinformation and outright vindictiveness. A total “sicko” can appear as credible as a University professor. Skepticism is the only attitude to have when reading anything on the internet. (Luckily I was “born” skeptical and iconoclastic.)
Again, with no equivocation: Maria you are a TOP provider in our field and I honor you and respect you. Be Well.
(I seriously need to get to Phoenix, because it’s “freezing” here on the coast! Where did the sun go this summer at the beach? I need to see “my Cumba brothers” too!)
I have received Maria’s personal message which is about the same as her reply to this original post i made. Once again, i want to state what i wrote to her last night: I said that i was a cash cow for Maria’s office, or ,rather, place of business. Person’s name who was working on me was Sofia. I went to my appointments twice a week, for nine months, which added up to about 120 dollars a week. We didn’t make much back then, as a matter of a fact, i was stay at home mom, who couldn’t find the strength to go and look for a job, due to hairy upper lip.
Pain was beyond anything i can describe, and since i was informing these wonderful people here of my progress, i was told that the pain comes from the galvanic current, which is ruthless and unnecessary at this time and age. Maria’s office did NOT offer thermolysis, which is quicker and almost painless,and i was such a novice at the time that i thought that was my only option. Suffering continued for months. I would take pictures of my upper lip right after my appointment, and then another one 5 days later, and stubble was clearly there. These were not new hairs, but actually the same ones that got treated, and cut just a bit under the skin. I felt every single hair being plucked, and got about 30-40 hairs removed per 60 minutes of appointment (yes, i counted the beeps). In nine months, i have never once saw my upper lip completely cleared, not even a half of it, not even remotely close. Swelling would stay for about two days, and then scab heavily. Upon returning to this forum, my dear friends James and Dee, advised me to go for consultation with someone else, because electrolysis is not all about suffering with no results, which is exacly what i did. I went and saw Ruthann Cruz, who found it unbelievable that my upper lip looked the way it did after 9 months of treatments, and so much money spent. I had two sessions with her, each one hour long and i was amazed. She not only managed to clear my upper lip completely, but she also started on few black hairs i had on my chin, and second time i actually fell asleep, while she was doing THERMOLYSIS, and right under my nose. It was painless, it was quick and most important it was working. 4 months later, i was able to go see Ruthann once a month, for 30 minutes, and it’s been a year and a half now, since i am hair free and not seeing anyone. I also finished electrology school in Long Beach California, we worked with Apilus mashines there, if i remember correctly that was Apilus Platinum, or something along the lines, and once i received a treatment there, i remembered what dear James said about importance of providing only the best for your clients. Best in my book doesn’t onvolve any form of galvanic current which takes 4 times longer and induces 4 times more pain. That says to me : You are my cash cow, and i will milk you dry.If it wasn’t for these great people here god knows if i would ever be hair free. I would imagine that, as a consumer, i have a right to review a local business and state my experience. I can not say anything about Maria personally, since i was always denied an appointment with her, even though i requested one several times, after being unhappy with my current results. But even then, it is my opinion that machines should be updated to reflect the times, and if i was able to purchase Apilus as a stay at home mom, a business that’s been up and running for years, should be able to do so as well.
Affordable laser i mention here is not the one that Ruthann was running, by the way, it’s the laser place from Tempe, Az, that on their web site claims they do electrolysis, let’s you call them and MAKE AN ELECTROLYSIS APPOINTMENT, and once you drive there (42 miles one way for me), try to talk you into having laser treatments, because they do not even have an electrologist on staff.
Susanne was actually pretty good when she did work on me, but i am guessing that since she didn’t do any work on kids prior to Bianca, she felt little unsure, and could not adjust her modality correctly nor pace herself in a way where it’s affordable for me. Gail Walker, ahem, never met her, nor i wanted to, since who ever answered the phone couldn’t give me any info whatsoever. When i asked if they do thermolysis, her answer was: Ummm, i don’t know what is that, we do only electrolysis here. So yeah…I wish James and Dee are closer to me though, and once again, i thank you both for all your help with my hair removal and school issues i had at the time !
~Winners are willing to do what losers won`t~
Maria, this quote implies that i got the courage to get up and leave my husband and my daughter, so i can go to California on my own, and attend electrology school.Nothing wicked behind it. I know you implied i had a problem because of my review, but heck,that’s the nature of having a business. I have online store on ebay and Amazon, and i can’t keep everyone happy even though my hubby and i strive to do the best. But i never once went on to defend my integrity, as you put it.
I read the post about Maria DeNicola and I find it hard to believe that anyone who has had any electrolysis training at all would not have recognized a “total amateur.” I know that Maria does not have “total amateur” associates working in her office. If the galvanic modality was so extremely painful, you could request another modality. I find that hard to believe that they would not do any other method on you. All of Maria’s employee are adept at all modalities, I know this because I have been to her office many times and seen these modern machines in use by her employees. Maria works limited hours meaning very early in the morning so she can be home for her family however her office is open till late at night. I have sold her machines, I even the sold her a total galvanic multi needle method which she has long sold. All Maria machines are state of the Art New Machines doing all modality. I’m sorry but I cannot buy into the “almost a year of extreme amount of pain.” The Phoenix area has several qualified electrologists and you could have moved on at any time.
I have read Maria’s response to this post and I totally agree with everything she has stated. She was honest in her response. I have been acquainted with Maria both professionally and personally for 29 years. There were two electrology schools in the Phoenix area, I owned one, The Arizona Institute of Electrolysis, and although Maria did not graduated from my school she sought me out for professional friendship. We have consulted with each other on many occasions.
Maria is a past President of the Arizona Association of Electrologist and she had been quite active in the International, American Electrology Association. Maria is the recipient of the prestigious “Golden Probe” award. This award must be earned and approved by a vote of her peers, only one or two “Golden Probe” awards are awarded in a given year.
To anyone looking for a truly professional hair removal clinic, you will find it at Maria DeNicola office. I have known all of her associates and you can be assured of excellent and professional service.
Michael Bono Thank-you for speaking up for Maria.
I’m retired so I came here to speak up for Maria and her staff.
Gail Walker-Ransom
WOW!!!, Maria has excellent defenders.
I guess this is the result of a brilliant career and a superior job.
Ms. Gail, can you use your influence to convince Maria to participate more often here? I guess she did not have much time, but it would be extraordinary to have her advices and experience .
The owner of a needle of gold (this is perhaps equivalent to the Oscar in Electrolysis?) she must have thousands of successful cases.
The invitation is extended to you. My God, I never could imagine finding so many professionals and teachers with a level of excellence is as high as here in Hairtell.
I definitely would have been born on the other side of the Atlantic.
Hi Gail,
It’s wonderful to see you posting here. You know, all of us eventually get an unhappy client. I think the frustrating thing is when we are not allowed to ameliorate the situation. Here’s an example. I had a wonderful woman who had spent about $10,000 on laser for her legs and it completely failed. Luckily she got her money back (it’s a California thing), and then started with me. For the love of God, I don’t know why her case took so long, but it was absolutely the most unsuccessful case I have ever had! She had no problem with “fast” body-technic (hair out in 1-2 seconds) so the thing should have been finished within the normal time. It was not.
When I got to the point that I didn’t think I was succeeding, I finished her for free. She is a physician and argued with me (she wanted to pay). I let her pay a bit, but I would work 2 hours and charge her for one. (Sometimes I would erase her hours on our patient records card so I could charge her less). The point is I was able to work with her! I understood that I did not do a proper job. (It was odd, because the hairs released perfectly … I still don’t know what went wrong). Oh yeah, job is finished.
Today, she is a dear friend … because we worked together. We never became adversarial. What’s the point in that? Patients must give their therapist the opportunity to correct a situation and at least hear the problems. Ranting to others makes no sense.
Another example: Dr. Chapple recently did a blepharoplasty on one of my clients. She “freaked out” after the procedure. Luckily, I was there to talk her though her normal post-treatment bruising. Afterward, she developed a tiny bump of adipose tissue under her eye (this almost never happens, but it did). Again, she freaked out all over the floor. Again, I simply told her to talk to the doctor and he can easily correct the thing. This was not a “mistake,” he is not “the worst doctor in the world,” it’s the nature (risk) of any surgical procedure. The surgeon corrected the thing, but to tell you the truth all her unnecessary “drama” irked me “big time.”
Although we gave her all the details for her post surgery, she really didn’t listen and expected to walk home from surgery looking like a model. She also applied all kinds of “stuff” after surgery and got herself into more trouble. She’s okay now, but at least — eventually — she gave us the opportunity to work with her. She really is a sweet person, but not easy to work with. Funny that she never “freaked” over the electrolysis and I did tons of work on her. Maybe because I told her over and over what to expect.
By the way (I know I should NOT say this), but the first time I met Gail Walker she literally “took my breath away!” What folks on Hairtell don’t know is that Gail is “drop dead” beautiful. She could have been a movie star or model. Yeah, I know, I shouldn’t say these things. But, “Holy Hairtell, Batman!”
I dont really like taking on post laser cases, because we tend to be blamed for regrowth, that can emerge many months later. Do you think this was the case with your client, Michael and the reason that treatment took longer than expected?
Gail, you do not have to buy into “almost a year of pain and suffering”. It should still be in Maria’s client records, and it’s on my bank statements as well, and i would be happy to provide them. There is also my husband and my extensive family, bearing witnesses to days long swelling. Maria’s office could not offer different treatment, because only thing they do there is modern galvanic current, and that is also clearly stated on her website.
Once again, i was a total novice and very embarrassed by my facial hair, which is the reason why i trusted them and did not seek another advice and different electrologist.
Once i realized that their treatments do nothing but shave the hairs, i found this forum, and was told by people who have no need to defend their integrity (because they do great job by offering their clients painless methods that work) to seek another electrologist. By a grace of God, i found wonderful Ruthann Cruz, whose integrity is intact due to professionalism and care.
Maybe Sofia’s skills are much improved now, considering it’s been years, but at the time they were seriously lacking and i paid the price. Plus, i would not call galvanic current a modern one, even if machines were made in 2011.
You know what (Christine? O’Connell) you could be right. Why didn’t I think of that? What a “stoop” I am. Indeed, I started her about 3 months after her last laser treatment (she had had 15 to 20 treatment, I think). Maybe that’s why the hairs came out so easily? They really gave me a “false” impression that I was treating the hairs. Anyway, she is done and I also did her underarms (that only took 5 hours total), her bikini and her, well, culito. Yeah, I think you are right. I still think I did a bad job, however. I was embarrassing.
Seems like we have 2 conversations going on here … oh, well, what the heck. And Sanny … I’m thinking about moving to Phoenix; save me some hairs!
You got it Michael! I have a 15 year old daughter who needs electrolysis as well. Since Ruthann Cruz retired, Phoenix is in a dire need of a good electrologist. You are more than welcome!