Average price and speed?

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I’ve recently started electrolysis and found a electrolysist I really like who was highly recommended to me. After a few sessions with her, I’ve started researching other electrolysists in the area to get a feel for other prices and it seems like hers are high (she charges $160 an hour and everything else I’ve seen is around $100). Does that price seem high?

I am in a city, so I know prices will be higher here, but if anybody could advise me or PM a recommendation for an electrolysist in NYC I would be so appreciative!

I was also wondering if there was an average speed I should be looking for? She told me she can do 500 hairs an hour on my legs and she estimated each leg would take around 15 hours to complete. I know everybody’s case is different, but I’ve read about people on here having total clearance on their legs in 7-8 hours, so I was shocked she thought it would take that long. My legs don’t seem particularly hairy to me, although the hair is coarse

My last session with her, I didn’t see too much of a difference and now that I’ve realized how expensive it is, I’m torn between looking somewhere else and staying… I read one of the experts on this forum say she did 900 hairs an hour unless it was a difficult area - are legs difficult? I’m just worried she’s slow and expensive, and I’m wasting my money :frowning:

Thank you everybody! This forum has been such a great source of information for me and I look forward to being a member xxx

#2

There is no “average price and speed” to go by unfortunately. Electrologists’ work is influenced by their skill, equipment(especially vision aid) and physical ability. The fact that you found an electrologist in NYC that has given you an proximate estimate is already a good sign because it is rare to find electrologists that can answer estimate and speed questions directly. $160-100 sounds fairly standard rate in NYC and outside of NYC. In some boroughs rates are about 85$ per hour.

#3

Geez, these hourly rates make me grab my heart. Hourly rates depend on overhead, at least they should.

Leg hair cases depend on how much hair you have. One recent case I had, I was able to clear all her hair from the knee down in about four hours for one leg. She was an older woman, so her hair count was sparse. Another woman required 7 hours per leg and another client required 13 hours. So, the average range can fall between 4 - 15 hours per leg. If you are pretty sensitive to the current, then it may take longer. If you want the top of your feet and toes done as well, then add between 1-2 hours.

Nine hundred insertions per hour is not difficult to do when you have a large flat area with a client who tolerates the sensation really well.

#4

Thanks for the replies!

fenix - In the research I’ve done since my last appointment, I haven’t found anything higher than $120… If $160 meant higher price, higher quality, I’d continue, but I feel like I’m being ripped off. I’ve seen places for $80 an hour, which is a huge difference. Got to count the pennies if I want to get it all done!

dfahey - She works out of a studio apartment and it’s a pretty basic set up (I can’t say anything about the equipment, but the space itself isn’t a spa or anything) so I don’t think the overhead is what’s driving the prices the so high. I can handle the pain (lol) so it’s not like I need breaks and I don’t need the toes/feet done… I tried to calculate how long it would take using the size she said 500 hairs was (then guessing around how big 900 was on my leg) and I guessed closer to 8 hours per leg, but I could be totally off. Still, 15 seems extreme. I’ve never waxed them and I’m short, so that has to make it faster! I’m down to do long sessions, just need to find the right person I guess

I’m just starting to feel like it was a waste of money. For the hours I’ve spent with her, I should see a reduction in hair (500 an hour should be nearly 1500 hairs zapped) and although I see scabbing, the amount of hair looks the pretty much same as when I went in :frowning:

900 and 500 hairs is a huge difference… Guess it’s time to look for somebody else. So upsetting, but I just have to remember it will be worth it in the end… It’s hard not to feel discouraged though. If anybody has a recommendation for NYC I’d love to hear! Regular or marathon lol, I’ll take any type that people had success with

#5

Arlene Batz in Queens.

#6

I find that such an odd statement. How could any business thrive if they only charged based on overhead? The apilus platinum surely doesn’t cost $8000+ to produce, even if you factor in R&D. And don’t even get me started on any apple products, we all know how overpriced they are.

Electrologists are skilled labourers just like plumbers, electricians, contractors and, dare i say, even doctors! Why is the average hourly rate so low, and why baulk at people who feel they are worth more than most other electrologists?

I guarantee if all of us were “referred” by doctors, no one would complain of a 100/hr price tag because we’d have the medical establishment seal of approval.

I feel so strongly that this profession is not given the respect it’s due and part of that is in the haggling about the price. Sure $150 an hour for 100+hours of back work is steep but you negotiate for those cases.

Anyway, I think price should be set according to kill rate adn to a lesser extent, insertions per hour (but that ties into the first one in order for it to be a reliable gauge)

#7

There are people who dont earn that amount of money for a full day of work (hard work!). You make quite a very dissent money for only one hour of work.
Be glad to be able to help people with theire problems, not to rub theme!

#8

Average price and speed:

Charging for services depends a lot of each individual practitioner: this is an independent profession and therefore there are no regulations on price (well, the market, of course).

My website says $90 per hour, but I have yet to charge that (still at $70). I think a lot has to do with my “target” group of patients. I enjoy working on younger people with significant problems. Young people have less money and that’s the basis of my fees.

Speed: I average one hair removed every 1 to 1.5 seconds. “High manual blend technique.” But I’m NOT counting hairs … you can do that! he he he

Luckily I have pretty much everything “paid off” and pay very little for my office space: so good deals all around. I pass this on. I believe in “how much do I need,” as opposed to “how much can I get.” (Well, my old car just died, so I will need another one soon. Maybe then … No, I will get another old “clunker” … )

I’ve learned (the hard way) that pumping-up my income only means higher taxes! The year I was selling medical units I made a bunch of money. I had big attorney fees (for product safety and trademarks), and I got hammered in taxes. You know what? It was NOT worth it! I also like “sleeping at night” and I take a LOT of time enjoying life and all the wonders in this world.

I never worked very hard at electrolysis and was careful about picking clients that would really appreciate (need) my work (I still do this) … also, I pick cases that I’m certain will have spectacular results! (These are always the big cases.) My real reward is the gratitude and friendship that I have received all these wonderful years.

Parenthetically, I’ve discovered that the seemingly “easy” cases (i.e., eyebrows, tiny amounts of facial hair) usually end up difficult! The person is frustrated by the MANY short treatments necessary and I ALWAYS end up doing eyebrows and scant facial hair for FREE! I cave-in to the complaints: “Why do these hairs keep coming back?” I just stop arguing and do it for free. My only way out is to never do these cases. Nicely, I refer these folks to Karen Stathis who is a terrific operator. This woman IS worth traveling to see!

#9

i_love_pink - I was referred by my doctor, which is why I’m reluctant to switch but at $160 an hour, I just can’t afford it

Michael Bono - Too bad you’re not in NY, I’m young and broke haha

Laurier - Thanks! I’ll call this coming week