Concerned Electrologist

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Good morning!

I am a very new electrologist and I have only been seeing clients for a few months. Until now, I have not had any issues. I apprenticed with a local electrologist in my area, who has since retired. I am still in contact with her regularly and I am awaiting her reply regarding this issue. However, I wanted to reach out and see what you all think.

This was my first work on the bikini area and upper thighs. To get clearance I worked on her for 7 hours/7 sessions during April and May with the last treatment being May 30th. I was using high (just below flash on the machine) Thermolysis on a medium setting (unfortunately not being near my machine, I cannot tell you more regarding the setting), other than I am using a Fischer Compublend CB-X machine. After the first treatment, I also lowered the setting a bit due to the skin reaction/bumping.

During the first treatment I also used a size 4 ballet non-insulated probe. I did have trouble with the size 4 probe and having a smooth insertion. During the next session I tried a 3 and it was still difficult, so I opted for the size 2 and it worked well. I have used size 4 wires on other areas as lower legs, chest, and back without any issues.

During the treatment there seemed to be no adverse skin reaction. However, this client does have rheumatoid arthritis and is 60 years old. She opted for treatments at the time she did due to not being on any of her medications, which further limit her immune system. She says that she wants to finish the work, but I told her until she heals, I do not want to work on her again. I have also offered to return all of what she has paid, as well as to pay for her to see a dermatologist if she wants to do so.

My mentor told me to advise her to use sun screen if she goes out in the sun, which I have told the client repeatedly and to use Vitamin E oil to improve the skin. (This was a couple weeks ago).

Can you provide any guidance? Can you tell if what I have done will indeed heal and approximately how long?

If more information is needed, please let me know and I will be happy to divulge. I am very concerned and this is the first unhappy client I have had. She is also one that expects that the process will not take as long. I’ve tried to explain that it will take some time, but again, I do not want to treat her until the skin is resolved.

Thank you for any and all help! I enjoy this forum and sometimes I leave more confused than when I came in to look for something, but I know it’s all part of the learning process! :slight_smile:

#2

I see nothing in your photos that would concern me at all: just normal healing, because electrolysis is a wound. Nothing is WRONG!

Vitamin E oil can cause more problems … stop it.

I’m more concerned with this “unhappy client!” First, there is no need for a dermatologist and I wonder why she wants to take this to a medical level? And, I’m mostly concerned with your statement that “she is one that expects that the process will not take as long.”

Looking at these concerns (the client sees damage and thinks she needs medical intervention? She wants impossible results … AND you being very new to this … I see real danger ahead for YOU!

This could become a nightmare client. Because you are new to this, you are overly concerned and therefore tend to pamper and cave-in to client demands. Such clients can use this as a wedge to get more out of you than is reasonable.

My suggestion is to get out of this as best you can. It will probably be easier and less stressful if you return her money. I would not pay for any dermatology because there is nothing wrong AT ALL. Think about the “reasons for termination” but keep it simple.

Have your expert electrologist look at her area and give her absolute confidence that nothing went wrong.

#3

Furthermore, if she is taking medication such as Methotrexate, that is both a concern AND your “way out.”

What would I do? First, I would have her wait a month to “see how her skin is reacting.” I would have your expert reassure her that all is well (because it is). I would return her money now and say … “Let’s see what this looks like in a month and decide then.” After a month, when the areas looks fine, I would tell her that your medical advisors have told you not to work on her because of her medications.

Maybe I’m being too cautious … but in the beginning is when you easily get trapped by unreasonable clients. GOOD LUCK!

#4

Good morning!

Michael, thank you so much for your reply. I feel like I am responding to a celebrity right now!!:smiley:

Well, in my concern, I thought it would be a good idea to mention the dermatologist, but she did not indicate during our phone call that she was going to do that. She said she had her annual appointment coming up in August and would wait until then. I also do not think she wants her money back, she just wants the hair gone. Unfortunately with me also being new, I don’t have a specific answer to give her on how long it will take at this point.

I recently received a response from my expert (about 30 min ago) and she said she did not see anything wrong either and to advise the client to exfoliate and use cortisone cream. What are your thoughts on that?

The client told me yesterday that she’s going to have to buy some boy shorts so no one on the beach will notice, because if anyone saw these bumps, they would be like “oh my…what happened”!

Do you have some ideas for reasons for termination?

Also, I do feel some relief that you do not see any issues as well!! Hopefully my confidence will begin to soar soon! :slight_smile:

#5

You are sweet …

The key difficulty is that you don’t know the TTT on this person and cannot give an accurate estimate yet ( … after years of practice you will be able to do it).

I suppose I get into protective mode when I see a potential problem for a new electrologist. Also, women especially are overly helpful and, because of this, can get themselves into difficulty. Remember, you are not doing a charity and nobody ever died from unwanted hair. All of this is a luxury for us “first world dwellers.”

I’m still a little concerned with the “I need boy shorts” comment. She’s playing on your kindness and sensitivities. Try not to let that take hold. If you do, you’ll end up doing free treatments.

Be sure she knows that what she’s seeing is normal and she’s going to have to put up with it until the process is completed!

Just be sure you protect yourself. I’ll be happy to talk you through this as this episode unfolds for you (actually good training for you). You can use my personal email if you wish.

Everything’s going to be okay too! Try not to worry. You are doing fine. Clients sometimes “test the water” to see how much they can get.

#6

I’m in agreement with Michael on everything.
"you arent ready for or are overly anxious about the physical effects of electrolysis " is plenty a good reason to discontinue treatments. If you like you can advise them to maybe take some months to gather information on electrolysis, but then dont take them on as a client again.

THERE IS NOTHING wrong in that picture. However some clients might not be happy it is posted here, for that reason, I’d take it down.A good point of view on this exact issue can be seen here, in a conversation I had on reddit recently:

You’ll find consumers with this kind of anxiety are drawn like flies to new practitioners. IF their questions or concerns dont seem right, DONT TREAT THEM. You’ll put yourself in a world of hurt if you do. You may have committed yourself to the loss of income by saying you would return their money, and honestly there is no cause for them to see a dermatologist. If they ask for this, advise them to process the claim for that through your insurance.Insurance wont approve it given there is no damage.

#7

Ohhh … great suggestion I never thought about: having the client “process the claim through your insurance company!” Home-run on that idea!

#8

There was a real-life “electrologist to the stars” in Hollywood, years ago: Daniel Eastman. He called himself “D.E.” and even had custom wallpaper made with his “D.E.” logo. He really was a “kick!” At AEA meetings and lectures, he would show up with an entourage of celebrities and “drag queens.” All of us grey little electrologists amidst all those high heels and feathers! I loved it!

In lectures he outed all his famous clients including Cher and Elizabeth Taylor. At one meeting he said, “Oh my God, Elizabeth has such a mustache, she could look like Groucho Marx.” At the time, we were charging $40 per hours; Danny was charging $150 per hour.

When new clients asked him what the side effects of electrolysis would be, he simply stated (actual terms), “Honey, you will be a ‘horror story’!”

He was booked for several months out and never had a complaint. (He also never paid Hinkel for the several machines he “bought” … but Hinkel didn’t seem to mind.)

The point here (my suggestion only) is to let clients know up-front that electrolysis is no walk-in-the-park; and they are going to get boo boos! Okay, not a “horror story,” but if they expect problems they will be super happy when the effects are actually much less.

#9

Wow, that’s a name I haven’t heard in a very long time.

#10

Seana,

Thank you so much for your response! I will keep these ideas in mind if the client becomes more of a stress. As well as the whole insurance plan.

Based on your suggestion, I did have Andrea remove the photo. She sent me the photo, but I did not ask to post it here. I just know some of the best electrologists (like you) are here! Also, it feels a little more private than some of the Facebook groups!

Thank you again!

#11

Michael,

I love your story about Daniel Eastman (D.E.)! Sometimes I wish I could go back in time! It seems like things were more fun!

Thanks again for your additional input to my situation. Hopefully I can calm the client or at least get her to understand that electrolysis takes time!

#12

There certainly was more variety in everything. More ideas, more different applications, and many more manufacturers of machines.

#13

Kree, Hoffman, Sudonna, Proteus, Gentronics, Hinkel, Fischer, and small manufacturers such as Westrex, Mogilner, Juniper & Norris (and others) made epilators back in the day. All are gone.

#14

Regulations destroyed American industry.

The regulations got more-and-more extreme, and eventually not worth it! Such regulations can be somewhat averted by manufacturing outside the US. However, strict requirements must be met upon entry.

Add to that the pressure of laser and the loss of market and we have the reality of today.

Eventually, medical spas might see the future of electrolysis (one way or another) and start adapting. When that happens, we might see new industries emerge? Right now the “market” is too small for a dedicated “start-up.” The companies that DID survive diversified into other devices (such as beauty equipment).

Extreme State regulations have also greatly limited new electrologists coming into the field. For example, in California we had an apprentice program that required a full year of apprenticeship (already too long). NOW, the State requires TWO full years of full-time office (apprentice) instruction to qualify for a license. (Going to a school, you can qualify in 3-months.)

Money interests are always behind so-called “safety” regulations.