I was wondering if there is any reason an electrologist should not bend their needle. The woman I regularly see says she does so to allow for insertions without putting a strain on her back and wrist. However, after being treated by someone else who keeps their needle unbent, I seem to notice a difference in pain. Could there be a reason for this or is it all in my head?
( I am using the word, “probe” instead of “needle”)
Bending probes are common practice and does not cause more discomfort if the treatment is administered with skill. The technician also needs to bend the probe at the shank and not bend it too often as the probe can break.
The pain might have to do with the angle of the probe insertion and how it is entering and exiting the follicle. Working with a bent probe requires more attention to insertion and exit. Can you recall if it is more uncomfortable when inserting, or exiting or both?
During my training, we had a marvelous instructor who spend quite a bit of time giving us individual instruction in the use of the bent-probe technique - but only after we had become quite proficient at making proper insertions!
The technique does make it a lot easier on the operator’s back when working some areas, and once properly learned, allows one to work more comfortably at the same speed. Remember, it is absolutely essential that the electrologist be in a position where they are comfortable. They spend many hours a day in that chair. Failure to properly support their back will lead to an early end to their career and a lot of pain.
There are three things that can add to the discomfort of a treatment. 1. is the type of probe being used. 2. Is the skill and consistency of the operator, and the 3rd is the amount of power being applied.
In the case of the probes, if your operator is using an insulated probe and making good insetions, you will have minimal discomfort. If the operator is using non-insultaed, gold-plated probes, you will experience more discomfort during the power application. The reason for this is that the high frequencies used in thermolysis travel on the outside of the probe (this is known as the skin effect by those who work with radio frequency equipment). As gold is the best natural conductor of electricity, it will feel hotter.
Items 2 and 3 are usually linked to each other. If the operator is making improper insertions, the tendency on the part of a lot of operators is to increase the power to gain hair release. This has the potential to lead to over treatment. One thing to consider on this though. Are you properly hydrated? Improper hydration also requires raising the power levels to release the hair. Make sure that you are doing your part prior to treratment!
If you are feeling discomfort during either insertion or extraction, then you might want to let your operator know what you are feeling. If the operator is incapable of making the required adjustment, you might want to consider another electrologist.
If you are feeling the insertions, chances are good that you are not getting proper insertions which means that you might not be getting proper elimination of the regenerative tissues in the follicles. This is particularly true if you are feeling the hair removals.
If you are feeling tweezing upon epilation, then the hair has been under-treated, either because of improper insertion or the misapplication of power - or both. Properly treated, hairs come out like they are buttered.
That’s my take on the subject.
Best regards,
Joanie, R.E.
Thank you both for your replies!
One thing to consider on this though. Are you properly hydrated? Improper hydration also requires raising the power levels to release the hair. Make sure that you are doing your part prior to treratment!
As far as hydration, I drink plenty of water every day. I don’t think that’s really an issue for me, though I’ve certainly considered it before. I increased my consumption of water for awhile but didn’t notice any difference in pain.
The pain might have to do with the angle of the probe insertion and how it is entering and exiting the follicle. Working with a bent probe requires more attention to insertion and exit. Can you recall if it is more uncomfortable when inserting, or exiting or both?
During an appointment, I seem to remember feeling a burning sensation as the probe is being inserted and then a sharp pain as the current is applied. I guess that means she uses a non-insulated probe, per JoanieH’s explanation? I’ll ask her today and pay close attention to the onset of pain.
If you are feeling tweezing upon epilation, then the hair has been under-treated, either because of improper insertion or the misapplication of power - or both. Properly treated, hairs come out like they are buttered.
The whole “you should never have the feeling that a hair is being tweezed” forewarning has caused me some distress. After a hair has been treated, it definitely does not come out “like butter,” but it doesn’t feel quite the same as tweezing either. I’ve worried for some time that because I use an application of a generic EMLA prior to an appointment, the hairs are actually being tweezed out and it’s just harder to tell because the skin is numbed. However, I’m a guy and my facial hair (at least on my upper lip) is pretty coarse. I’ve heard that it’s not necessarily something to worry about if you feel a slight tugging sensation, as a coarse hair’s bulb is larger than the pore it’s being pulled out of. Is that right and could this be the case with me?
If this is your first clearance, you surely have bulbs larger than your pores. In later clearances, you would have both easier epilations, and less sensation during the treatment.
I am not sure if your practitioner is practicing “live probing” or if the insertion is too deep. Based on your description of warm burning feeling during the insertion, either are possible.
Of course, we always advise everyone here to at least have as many consults with as many local practitioners as possible before settling on one person to do all your work. You would be amazed at the difference between practitioner’s work.
It is Electrolysis (read micro-surgery) not an Oil Change. You can’t open the phone book, and stick your finger in blindly and find the best available technician. In oil changing, most shops are equal, in electrolysis, the variances can be a gulf.
Like butter? I read it as buttered, a little lubed for an easy slip. Now if that butter has been on a hot table all day no doubt your skin has been burned.
but if that butter is a little chilled, well anything will slip out of it. If that butter is frozen then well there was no current applyed.
Too much left to interpritation. Choose words carefully when advising. And I am sure Joanie said butter like a lubricant to help it slide out.
I used “like butter” when talking to a fellow electrologist. she said 'like butter sounds like the skin is burned. I prefer aldenta!" ( and I like my pasta a little more done) humm
And as for describing the sensation that is even more confusing. Tread lightly.
In the case of the probes, if your operator is using an insulated probe and making good insetions, you will have minimal discomfort. If the operator is using non-insultaed, gold-plated probes, you will experience more discomfort during the power application. The reason for this is that the high frequencies used in thermolysis travel on the outside of the probe (this is known as the skin effect by those who work with radio frequency equipment). As gold is the best natural conductor of electricity, it will feel hotter.
My electrologist said she uses a gold probe. I asked her if it was insulated and she told me it was not, that gold probes never are. She went on to explain that she only uses gold now, after taking on clients that were allergic to the nickel used to cut the steel ones.
Like butter? I read it as buttered, a little lubed for an easy slip. Now if that butter has been on a hot table all day no doubt your skin has been burned.
As far as the “butter” description, I interpreted it as the follicle coming out easily with little or no resistance. Sorry if I confused anyone.
I tried to pay close attention to the sensations when the probe was inserted and pulled out, but it was difficult. It sometimes felt like I was being poked and I experienced some pain when certain hairs were removed with the tweezers.
I am not sure if your practitioner is practicing “live probing” or if the insertion is too deep. Based on your description of warm burning feeling during the insertion, either are possible.
I’m not sure what you mean by “live probing,” James. She steps on a pedal to apply current and, as far as I know, doesn’t hold it down during an insertion.
If this is your first clearance, you surely have bulbs larger than your pores. In later clearances, you would have both easier epilations, and less sensation during the treatment.
This isn’t my first clearance, but when I first started I was only going for fifteen-minute appointments. That was about a year ago. I figured that, since much of the hair wouldn’t have been destroyed during the growth stage at that time (there was a ton of hair), what I’m seeing now is regrowth from that cycle. Does that make sense?
Of course, we always advise everyone here to at least have as many consults with as many local practitioners as possible before settling on one person to do all your work. You would be amazed at the difference between practitioner’s work.
I’d like to be able to consult with other electrologists, if only to compare how she works, but there aren’t many others in the immediate area. It might sound silly, but gas prices are also really high here and I’m struggling to pay off the work I’m having done now as it is. The woman I’m seeing is about fifteen minutes away now (after having moved from a more convenient location) and I wouldn’t be able to drive any further than that at the frequency I do.