In my study I’ve noticed a trend, something I have also noticed when having my own electrolysist work on me as well. I’ve noticed that many electrolysists seem to work with a bent probe . I assume this is to assist with the angle of insertion, but I’m wondering if that is all it is. How common is this? Do most electrolysists do it? Is there something I’m missing besides the angle of insertion being easier?
Seana
Some schools discourage bend the needle. The reason they gave me is that some amount of current is lost when it has to make the curve. In practice, this makes no sense, I tend to bend the probe almost always, and I have never needed up the intensity because of this reason. The problem with a straight needle is that in some areas where the hair has an angle less than 45 degrees, you need much force your wrist to make a correct insertion. And also increases the risk of passing through the walls of the follicle.
I thought you might like to see this, Seana. This shows the coagulation pattern of HF in different sizes and lengths of exposed tips with the Insulated Bulbous Probes.
(Apart from some colleagues, you are the first to see this image. Hope you like it as much as me) 
I almost always use a “bent needle” and my insertion technique could be called “back-hand.” I was also told (at school) that “bending the needle disrupts the current” … but I think that’s utter nonsense.
I was originally “left-handed” and got switched at school. I still write like a “lefty” and backhand is very natural for me. Also, using the two-handed technique was VERY easy for me to learn. (Playing piano didn’t hurt either.)
I may try bending a probe in my practise insertions just to see if it makes a difference.The reason I asked is I did think it would make some of the angles less awkward to work with. I cant apply current at the moment anyway, at least until the seller finds the meory card for my new machine , or I buy a new one which is likely to cost more than I can afford ( $250) . So practise insertions it is.
@ depilacionelectr that is a good representation! I’m assuming that pattern is with blend( never mind, dumb question I just re-read your post…duh…I suppose no sleep makes a difference) ? It gives me a whole new apreciation for why some of the training stuff recommends thinning rather than total clearance to prevent overtreatment in the area , since the “bubble” overlapping by doing nearby hairs probably isnt a good thing.
Seana
I bent a probe and did some insertions with it this afternoon, and I have to admit, it does make it alot easier. I did have one bad insertion out of maybe 40 or 50 that did puncture a folicle somewhere, but I think I just went too deep with it.I also tried several left handed, and was finding I did almost as well left handed as I do right. It’s given me enough confidence I may even try and do some thinning on my arms once I get a memory card for this machine.
I also tried something I hadnt done yet, and tried inserting once into my face, in a magnifying mirror. Whether it was the reversed movements or whether the mirror wasnt strong enough, I dont know, but I definitely see what you all mean about that.I never did get a single clean insertion there.Definitely something I’ll be trading off with others for.
This time I used one of the new ballet gold #3 probes. I must say I like the thicker probe better, it makes insertions easier . That said, it’s just a little TOO thick for some of my arm hairs and will probably stick to a #2 for that.
Seana
In further practise insertions, I’m finding something a bit weird. On some hairs, I’m never feeling the bottom of the follicle on my arm. I can literally bottom out a regular length
probe , without seeing the skin indent or any other indication such as bleeding that might indicate I went past the bottom of the folicle. On others I Do feel it. I’m wondering if it’s because I’m just not noticing it or feeling it, or if my arm hairs just have incredibly deep folicles. I did pluck a few and the length seems to be about where I’d expect it to be, roughly 2/3 the probe, so I suspect I have actually punctured the bottom of the folicle, but dont have any explanation as to why I am unable to notice or feel it .I suppose the other possibility is these are hairs that are telogen with just really deep folicles, but my suspicion is I’m missing the bottom and going strait through.
Seana
In high frequency microwave systems (GHz) tight bends can create signal loss due to the “skin effect” of the signal. As you go higher in transmitted frequency the signal runs along the outside diameter of the conductor, which is why these systems use hollow conductor with dehumidifiers to pull the moisture out of the inside of the line. The radii pushes the signal to a small portion of the outside curve. Technically this would happen with an electrolysis probe however since the frequency is much lower and we are not trying to transmit huge amounts of power the loss in radiation at the tip of the needle is likely insignificant and so small it cannot be measured. If this was significant the extra radiation transmitted or lost at the bend would be expelled in the form of heat that probably could be measured. Until the day someone actually conducts a scientific experiment and quantifies the loss I would akin this to unjustified assumption.
One could probably run an experiment by bending the needle and submerging it in egg white (like the picture above) then run the machine on a high setting for a long period of time and see if any egg white coagulates at the bend.
I am glad to have a regular person confirm what we have been saying for years; ‘If you know what you are doing, you would much rather trade off work with someone else, than do slow, inaccurate insertions on your own face.’ Even if one was not worried about poor insertions making pock marks and scars, one would just rather get 4 to 10 hairs per minute, than one hair per minute — to say nothing of the fatigue of trying to balance everything you need to do reverse insertions and attempt to see what you are doing.
On the probe size, you will appreciate this, as the magnification used increases in quality, one can get larger and larger probes into the same follicles. I bet I could drop a 4 in your arm hairs, if I don’t miss my guess. Of course, I would be using a Zeiss operating room surgical stereo microscope with 20 to 40 times life size magnification.
On the probe bend, I have been doing this for decades, and never had any problem with excess treatment energy at the bend. If it is happening, it is not enough of a difference to effect the treatments. Of course, I rest assured there will be those who want us to never use this technique until many peer reviewed studies have been filed by “reliable establishment sources”. 
well when I did bend the probe to see if it made a difference in the insertion, it was of course unpowered, and I wont be doing any thermolysis for a while. I think I will do the test as you suggest though just to see what happens. Also one tends to bend the probe near to the probe holder, so that opart rarely see’s skin anyway, that is, unless I get a “bottomless pit” folicle.
James, I have no doubt with better magnification you could do this. I can get a f3 probe in with my 5 diopter loop, and my eyesight has definitely diminished over the years, I use reading glasses.
I bent more probes this afternoon…though frankly, none of them on purpose! More insertion practice going on today, and more scheduled for tonight and tommorrow.i am fining some hairs shallower in the same area than others.
