Choosing between electrologists and machines.

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Hello everyone,
I started treatments a couple of weeks ago and have had two treatments with two electrologists.
First one:
She used a newer Apilus machine (I don’t remember the exact name). I heard beeps with each zap. She talks a lot. I don’t know if that impacts her speed. I did feel that some hairs were tweezed out but she said that sometime it feels like that.
She has over 10 years of experience. She is 15 minutes from my house. For aftercare, she suggested epsom salt compresses for swelling (but I didn’t need to use anything)

Second one:
I found one recommendation for her on these forums. The second uses an older machine (I neglected to see the name) but it definitely had an older look to it, brown boxy design with knobs. She has over 30 years of experience. I felt she worked very quickly and quietly. I didn’t hear any beeps but only taps (probably with the foot pedal?) and I felt NO hair were tweezed. She is an hour away from my house. For aftercare she said to clean skin with alcohol swabs twice a day for the next two days (I just did one day), and if that’s too drying then use witch hazel. I looked at #2’s planner while she was putting me down for next week and it was full. Apparently she is popular with the transgendered community as well.

Both use gloves, disposable needles, sterilize equipment.

Based on this information, would you be able to choose which one to go with? What difference does a newer machine make? Next time I go, I will make a note of the machine’s name. What else should I ask her.

Thanks so much!

#2

I would choose number two. Everything sounds A OK with her. Its worth the drive since you really dont have to go that often. Lucky you they both seem fine so youve got backup!

#3

Hi Cheni25,

I would vote for Option#2 based on the following:

  1. You don’t want to feel your hair being plucked while epilating. While a tiny tug may be felt for telogen hairs, it should not have the same feeling like when you were tweezing. Otherwise you are paying for an expensive plucking session. Some electrologists pluck because they either have poor technique and/or are increasing the number of sessions (and don’t realize that their client may be educated about electrolysis).

  2. The chatting may be a concern if it impacts her efficiency. I have had electrologists break and chat (or are on the phone) but still charge for the full time, which is unprofessional.

The 1 hour drive may be a nuisance, but it would probably be more cost effective in the long run.

Good luck!

Anamika.

#4

I vote for the same option as the previous two users, but making a small point, the telogen hair treatment is not an excuse to feel that the hair is being forced out.

In an ideal environment, hands and skill of the second electrologist with a quick flash, and equally effective.

#5

Thank you!
Actually I forgot to mention that #2 does take phone calls while she’s working. Having seen her planner, she probably doesn’t schedule extra time for phone calls. She continues to work while on the phone but will move away to put an appointment down in said planner. Would this be a deal breaker? Should I say something? She’s much older and obviously an expert in demand. Would she even listen to me?

#6

Talk to her politely, sure she’ll understand. This is one reason why I usually do a few extra minutes when the reserved time ends. Yes, the delay accumulates. An important call that can not wait, and you forgot to stop the clock of the machine, an interesting conversation with the customer that makes you lose concentration, two consecutive sneezing, etc… Sometimes, we need someone to remind us that the “taximeter” is running, tic-tac, tic-tac.

It would also be advisable for the clients to remember to turn off their phone before you start a session. I usually stop time when it happens, and I really do not care, but sometimes they can be 2 or 3 calls in one hour. This also affects the delay, and thus in time of third persons.

#7

It amazes me how some people expect me to stop the timer and not charge them while I am removing an ingrown hair from them, changing a probe, changing a setting or probe, or any number of other things that are actually a part of working on them, while also blanching at the timer continuing to run, while they yap on the phone thus presenting me with a moving target should I attempt to treat the hairs on the upper lip.

#8

For anything related to the treatment I consider part of the appointment. Electrologists are highly skilled professionals and clients are paying for our time, our fees are not generally exorbitant, in fact most of us keep our fees low to ensure clients can afford our services. Lawyers and other professions charge for their time, right down to each and every phone call.

I personally do not take calls or answer the door during an appointment, if I do have an interruption I will make up a bit of time at the end.

#9

Just for me, i’d personally choose #2 as long as it’s not leaving marks (which is my concern about machines) and if the speed is about equivilant. Just my personal opinion based on any tweezings going on. Full calendar is a yay, transgendered community liking her is a yay for me (i’m not transgendered but they are a tight community who are very serious about getting rid of that hair). My 2 favorite electrologists have taken a phone call here and there to make a quick appt “like hey, what about friday, blah blah, okay, an hour? okay”, they’ve always been quick about it and mindful of my time.

Although i’m confused about the no beeping, i can’t remember ever having no beeping. dunno.

i am not a professional practitioner of any kind. Just a formerly hairy person. ;). no idea what to ask BUT it’s important to me that i feel comfortable that the person is communicating with me back and forth and/or (not chatting about life, but about treatment). and i just personally like serious people, it’s just the way i am. Hard to describe i guess but you know it when you see it.

#10

Thank you for all the tips. FYI: My phone was off during the treatment.
Here’s a picture I just took (treatment was on thursday). Why do I have scabs? :frowning: I didn’t have any scabs from #1 last week!!
http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u547/cheni25/IMG_0083_zps179dd9db.jpg

Additional info that is slowly coming back to me. #1 uses blend and (something else). #2 uses thermolysis only. I just looked it up and Dr. Google says thermolysis is best suited for fine hair. And there’s all this likelihood of weird stuff happening to your skin. Great!

Now what?

#11

yikes. yeah, that’s what i would get 15 years ago with the old style machines. Still worked and the scabs went away, but i much prefer these days when i get maybe a few bumps or scabs after 15 mins.

#12

So what shall I do then? Keep looking? Or try a bit with #1?

#13

Gosh. I wish i had a good answer for you. It sounds like your choices are so limited over there. Hopefully one of the electrologists here know what the right answer is. Honestly, i’d still go with #2 as crazy as that sounds but only because i’m not a professional and have to make decisions based on desperation when it’s hard to find an amazing electrologist and i’m left being such a skeptic after having so many lame electrologist. Hopefully someone here knows. :).

When i was getting electrolysis originally and got scabs often i would put a warm-hot wet compress on and my scabbing was much much less.

#14

Thank you! I have also been hoping thy one of the experts will chime in. I have an hour long appointment on Friday and I am wondering if I should keep it.