I know that electrolysis is permanent with any machine as long as the operator is skilled. But I have a couple of questions regarding different machines. I have been worked on with the Apilus Platinum by my previous electrologist, and I liked it. Yesterday, I went to an electrologist that uses an Apilus, but I don’t know what level. I know it’s not the Senior nor the Platinum. But I liked it as well. I didn’t find it too uncomfortable and I really liked the operator. She cauterized each hair at least twice and was at least as fast, if not faster than my other electrologist (I changed because my previous electrologist was always booked solid).
My question is, has anyone noticed a difference in the “permanency” of differing machines? Does the Platinum yield more permanent results that other machines, or is it simply that if the electrologist is skilled and the hair is cauterized and released, it’s gone…forever? My previous electrologist said that each hair should be treated once and only once…that it shouldn’t come back. Is this true with every machine? If it’s true with any machine, why is the Platinum recommended so often? Is it a matter of comfort?
Also, during my session yesterday with the regular Apilus, she was working at 90%. Then for the upper lip, she went down to 70%. She started working on the sides at 70% and the hairs released just fine. She said that she would like to go down to 80% next time so that I would have even less skin reaction since they were releasing fine. Is that okay to do? Or is more likely that the more heat, the more damaging to the follicle?
I guess I am just apprehensive to keep getting treatments with any other machine other than the Platinum because I keep hearing how it is so much more superior than any other machine.
And just as a side note, for those of you just starting treatment, I know it’s so hard to see results in the beginning. I have been on/off with electrolysis for several years since I am at least 3 hours from the nearest operator, but I have been consistent and VERY aggressive for the last 9 months and it has been well worth it. I haven’t shaved in at least 2 months. I still have hair, but it’s not noticeable and I feel like I am achieving progress. So, there’s hope…and it works!!!
The Platinum is simply the most comfortable electrolysis machine at the moment. The efficacy of your treatments is entirely the scope of the skill of the person doing the work, and the regularity of your treatment schedule.
You only need to treat the hair at the perfect level. Since we don’t have a way to judge that from eyeballing it beforehand, some just go “hotter is better” and go for it. The truth is, if you can find the razor’s edge between good treatment and undertreatment and ride that ridge, you are doing the best you can do without the client enduring unneeded discomfort.
So just to say it again, A spark gap Kree from 1920 will deliver permanent hair removal, it just won’t be as comfortable or as fast as an Apilus Platinum.
Thanks telling everyone again that consistency brings results. Too many women decide to “save money” by getting work done only when they have a picture taking event, or public event scheduled. This only serves to make the treatment last for years, and can even assure one of spending MORE money than would have been needed if one had just hit hard and on schedule from the beginning to the end.
Thank you so much, James! Electrolysis has been a frustrating, time consuming (considering my travel time) and expensive option for me…but it has been WORTH it. I am hopeful that I will only need touch-ups by the end of the year. The last thing I want to do it mess up the progress I have made.
I just know that there are SO many people out there who are undergoing treatments and wondering, “Is this really working”? So they go online, come this forum and they don’t see many success stories in comparison to the many frustrated posts out there. I do believe it’s working for me and I know it has worked for others. Patience (and consistency) is key. 
I am curious about the difference in treatment with the Apilus Platinum also. I plan on scheduling a treatment with Dee here in the next month to try it out. Unfortunately, she is over an hour drive away from me. So I will be continuing my weekly treatments with my present electrolysis provider.
My interest is more in the speed this epilator can remove hair than the comfort level it provides. I have been receiving weekly treatments (2 hours each) for almost 4 months now with a Clareblend Elegance. And I am very happy with the results! And the slight sensation I feel from it, just now and then, doesn’t bother me at all. My provider seems to be pretty quick also. But she is the only one I have ever been to. So I really don’t really have anyone else to compare her to.
I think she sensed me getting a little frustrated at my last appointment at the time the whole process is taking. So she suggested maybe I try other providers, just to compare. Which says to me, that she is pretty confident about her work. And I admire that.
So like I said, I plan on making an appointment to feed my curiosity about the Apilus Platinum. Not to mention, I’ll finally get to meet Dee Fahey!
The difference in speed with the Platinum is based on operator skill enhancement. I have not ever used the Elegance, and both Dee and I have wanted to get a chance to give it a test run, but I can say that in autosensor mode, the Platinum allows a practitioner to have an insertion delay of 0.1 seconds, if they can equal that insertion speed. Other machines either don’t have an automated treatment mode, or have insertion delays that don’t go lower than 1 second. This feature alone, IF USED PROPERLY, can allow a user of The Apilus Platinum to one day increase the speed of hair removal to the point of doubling their previous pace with a manual footpedal machine. Add to this the gains made in being able to do multiple insertions, because the client no longer requires rest time in between treatment bursts, and you can really pull ahead of some other machines.
But with all this, I must remind you of the analogy that I always make about the superior equipment, "If you and Dale Earnhardt had a race, and Dale is given a Yugo GV, and You are given a Formula One Racer, You will be in the lead until you crash the car, because you don’t know what you are doing. Give Dale the Formula one, and you the Yugo, and you don’t have a prayer of winning, no matter how much experience you have shifting that Yugo GV. So it is, with electrolysis.
Can all of the Apilus machines do a delay in tenths of a second, or just the SM/SX-500 and the Platinum?
Off the top of my head, I don’t know when they instituted that capability. I know that the current models have the insertion delay as standard, but I don’t know if an older Cleo model would have that or not. I do know, however, that all SM-500, SX-500 and Platinums have always had it.
