Hey Dee, I think it was mostly synchro, we had not gotten to the point of pico yet.
Thanks, T. That is an awesome modality! It 's the rat-a-tat-tat of all the thermolysis modes. Complete destruction guaranteed.
This has become my favourite modality. I totally agree Dee, I love it too.
Templje is one of those nightmare cases that you want to take pictures of and put in a text book 
We had to throw in the kitchen sink here and used Pico, Syncro, and in some areas Blend.
Of course, that gave us so much extra time to watch more documentaries and enjoy chat over more meal times. 
James, I am a bit disappointed, I thought you said I was perfect nightmare case for a textbook 
4000+ eL in synchro, argh!!
Hello,
Just wanted to add my electrolysis story
Started in February 2010 on the upper lip, just 10 minutes twice a month. The hair were fine with a light brown colour that gave a slight shadow. Within 6 month, the reduction was such that I did not need to bleach them anymore.
I kept going and added the nipples & belly to the process. It is addictive
After 1 year my sessions were only 10-15 minutes once a month and could cover all areas: upper lip touch-up, nipples & belly.
It has now been 20 months since I originally started on the upper lip and I still go back once a month to touch-up a few hairs but even my electrologist thinks it’s not worth it, the hair are just so sparse and fine now. Really happy!
So to me the results were amazing, it takes patience and commitment as for the past 20 months I never missed an appointment.
It also requires to find the right electrologist, I originally started with someone who was overtreating me and then tried someone else who is much more skilled.
What I like about electrolysis compare to laser is actually the fact that you only kill a certain amount of hairs at once. It is what a lot of people find difficult as they’d rather had quicker faster results.
But this slow process also means that, should you be in the wrong hands, the damages would never be that bad and would heal easily as it only concerns a few hair follicles instead of a large area.
I got burned by laser on my bikini and that was a totally different story! All good now and healing but electrolysis offer this safety in my books. It takes longer but its works and the risks of damages are much less in my experience.
Hope this helps
Well, good for you! Actually, if we calculate a little bit here, going twice a month for 10 minutes times 12 months equals 240 minutes divided by 60, equals 4 hours, followed by 15 minutes appointments once a month for 7 months equals 105 minutes divided by 60 equals 1.75 hours, which tells us that for three areas you invested 5.75 HOURS total time in 20 months time, of which two months, your electrologist was telling you no further treatment is necessary.
This does not sound like a long time to me. What makes electrolysis slow is the fact that we have to wait for ALL the hair that we want to remove, to come to the surface just one time. These hair growth cycles can be very frustrating, but because you were consistent and because you understood the reality of hair growth cycles, you made it to the finish line.
Your case does not sound severe. A person that has tougher hair structures and who may have tweezed, waxed or threaded for many years would have probably invested more time than this on their upper lip, abdomen, areola areas for a treatment session, but would have still finished, like you, in about 18 months. Eighteen months, totaling about SIX HOURS worth, out of a lifetime is still not a long time to invest in a permanent procedure.
Using the proper laser, along with the proper skill is great for bikini line hair. Sorry to hear that you got burned. I will say that the reduction can be fabulous, but it takes time as well for the same reason that electrolysis takes time - we have to get through those pesky hair growth cycles. It is common to get a 90% reduction, but some are not happy with that. They want it all gone. That is where electrolysis comes in to succeed in giving 100% removal.
Glad you are happy. It is good that you could stay local to get this accomplished. Hugs to my colleague, whoever she is!
I have discovered that with laser and the internet, few of my “target” patients come in as “virgins” any more! Well, I mean “hair virgins.”
It used to be that my male clients came in unshaved, unwaxed and unlasered. Now, I usually see them after all kinds of “failed attempts.” All of this screws up the whole electrolysis process. Sometimes, I don’t even want to do the treatment!
Today I’m starting on a 22-year old guy with back hair. He’s coming in a few weeks after being WAXED (lasered a year ago). Of course, he does not understand that I can’t finish him off in 3 clearings. Now, I really don’t know exactly what’s going to grow in. How many clearings? I don’t know: 4 or 5?
I’m going to have to spend another “hour” explaining cycles and what waxing has done to his hair. Of course, he disagrees and says that HIS hair is different and completely grows back in 2 weeks. Yeah, sure!
I also am not convinced that all the “internet junkies” are really doing themselves a favor. There is so much (mis)information out there, that most of these “over-informed” clients exhibit near paranoia about the treatment! I have to go through a litany of asinine questions that came from idiotic ideas that are all over the internet. (You know, explaining why ant oil is not a good idea? Does the blend really produce ACID in the follicle?)
I had a guy last week that was so “over-informed” I could barely touch him … total paranoia. I did a “test spot,” but have decided not to take this client. (After the treatment I got six phone calls … the last one at 1 AM in the morning. All concerned about, well, everything.
It’s getting more difficult; not better. Marshall McLuhan would have had a lot to say about this “new medium.”
Sorry, I sure was chatty this morning … too much coffee!
The internet isn’t ALL bad.
I refer you to the recent thread of “question for the pros”. This poster would never have found out that he was not receiving proper treatment if it wasn’t for this forum. The same forum that is often accused of providing too much and incorrect knowledge to consumers. I know at least two Laser practitioners who hate it.
Dee,
Loving the calculation
You’re absolutely right, I didn’t have a major issue with my hair mainly just wanted to improve things using a permanent method of hair removal instead of the usual tempprary methods.
You’re also absolutely spot on regarding the fact that, though it is a long process over time because of hair growth, the actual visits were not time consuming and most women around me spend much more time waxing & threading which are just temporary.
As I said in my post, to me it worked wonders!
And I am so glad this forum exists as it helped me throughout the process to make sure I was doing the right thing (for example when I was over treated).
Hopefully more success stories will follow!
Thanks Caro for telling your story. If your electrolologist would like her name added to the forum list of electrolologists, let me know.
I frequently get e-mails or phone calls from worried hair consumers. I first try to offer reassurance followed by my opinion and then ask them to come forth and get other opinions from my colleagues. Thanks to everybody for helping tr3y sort through all his concerns in the thread 'question for pro’s '.
That is unfortunate. If those two laser specialists would come forward and freely offer their expertise to help this young man, he may have decided to do both modalities. I hear from laser specialists who have been in business for many years that laser on the upper back may induce stimulatiion, but if it does, they can change some things to get the induced hair under control. I would be most pleased to learn more about these kinds of cases and hear from men who have actually experienced this. All that is desired is the provable truth no matter what modality is being used for permanent hair removal, coming forth, in a courteous and sharing atmosphere of cooperation. This is not an electrologist site only, laser specialists are always welcome.
I have not counted, but I would imagine that there are more questions and answers about LASER than Electrolysis on this site. If nothing else, the kiddie’s impression that the term LASER encompasses the electrolysis procedure sees to it that we get more questions asking about LASER, and Fitzpatrick Skin Types and such. Even when people call my office asking about electrolysis, often the first thing out of their mouth is to ask me if their color of hair can be treated on their color skin with my process. (for the record, electrolysis does not discriminate based on color, it permanently removes all hairs to which it is properly applied)
In fact, at this very moment, of the top ten threads on the active topics, 1 is a general share your feelings, 4 are LASER, and 5 are electrolysis… except that 3 of those electrolysis threads are about technical issues of interest only to those performing the procedure and one is about looking for a used machine. For consumer content, we are at this random freeze frame, 4 to 1 in LASER questions favor.
Electrolysis definitely works on PCOS.
Course and abundant facial hair is one of the telltales symptoms on females.
Continued treatment with the correct amount of current and skilled electrologist should get the job done. A treatment plan should be put into placed and discussed with the client as well as excellent aftertreatmentcare.
It’s been years since I’ve been on here and my electrologist fairy , Dee Fahey, will probably scold me for mentioning her name since she works so hard at giving unbiased advice, but I just really need to take this moment to give her a shout out and touch on just how hard it is to find an electrologist who fits your individual needs and how much it means to me to have found one.
The comment above about rocket scientists is what motivated me to write this because honestly a good electrologist is worth more to me than a rocket scientist. Just about the only thing that would interest me more would be he/she who finds the cure for cancer or AIDS.
I have seen countless electrologists over the past few years and only 2 HAVE REALLY MET MY NEEDS. oNE OF THEM DOESNT HAVE GOOD EYEWEAR OR LIGHTING AND CAN ONLY WORK ON ME FOR 1.5 HRS AT A TIME BUT SHE HAS EAGLE EYES AND A GREAT APILUS MACHINE SO SHE DOES fine for the fill ins in btwn driving 3 hours to see Dee. And I still drive almost an hour to see her every 2 weeks since no one has proved worth my time anywhere in my area, and I have tried them all. Most of them are nice enough people but they have crappy outdated equipment or only do Blend or they can’t see my fine numerous blond hairs on my face and neck, and/or they work VERY slowly and cause me lots of pain and redness. Some of these people don’t think those long blonde hairs are even important to get rid of and so don’t really care…well I DO!!! Some of these people also have the nerve to charge way more than Dee when their equipment and up keep has clearly cost them way less and is not even half as good or efficient This is what really urks me, but I don’t dwell on that b/c I have two great electrologists to turn to. (Dee even springs for wonderful smelling Thayers witch hazel- and I’m telling you it makes a difference! It’s calming aromatherapy.) It took me a long time to find them, but it was well worth the search, and even worth the long drives and gas $!! Someone mentioned above about establishing a relationship with their dutiful electrologist and this is exactly what I have: 2 great friends who I find almost double as therapists! I share things with them that no one else hears and I feel extremely comfortable with them and put all my trust in them and they do not let me down. I can truly call them my friends now and hope to finish one day and then just take them out to lunch once in a while to catch up.
It may be hard sometimes to find the right fit, but don’t give up and keep looking until you find who is right for you, because they are out there…but they are definitely not on every corner or may not be in your neighborhood so don’t be discouraged if you have to drive a little or spend some of your free time doing research. I have for sure seen improvement and electrolysis is my manicure, pedicure, massage, or hair coloring. I don’t splurge on those things but I am ok with it. I choose electrolysis. (altho i’m goin gray so i may need to rethink the no hair coloring ). I make sacrifices for my sanity in order to not be crippled by depression , as I once was, from debilitating facial hair growth-. Good loupes (eyewear), great lighting, a fast computerized epilator with a skilled person behind it, fun conversation and a caring heart keep me in my electrologists chair for up to 6 hours at a time…and I now know that I am blessed and very lucky she will work on me for that long because it is hard work and hard on her body and eyes. I feel relaxed with minimal pain and I always feel welcome…even talking about politics!!!
So here is a big thank you to all the great ones out there…
Its too bad you don’t have pictures to post for your before, during and after Alli. I know that would be both interesting, and in some cases inspirational for many.
Glad you found happiness.
Let’s hear it for Dee Fahey, Electrolysis Diva’s Champion! 
Hi, Deanna Stovall here. After being an avid reader of Hairtell for years this is my first posting. Dee Fahey has often encouraged me to add my thoughts and findings from my practice to the threads. She will probably die when she reads this (as this is not what she had in mind) but after reading Alli’s post about Dee, I wanted to tell about my experiences with Dee. I am a practicing electrologist (Powell Electrolysis) in Columbus, OH. Dee is truly a blessing to the profession and to this website, as I have learned so much from both.
I met Dee 2 1/2 years ago, at which time she introduced me to the Apilus Platinum. Before meeting with Dee, I had no intention of replacing my 1yr. old (purchased new) epilator with the epilator Dee was raving about. One month later I owned my very own Apilus Platinum. A great day!
Since that time, Dee has become a special friend and mentor to me. There has been countless emails, phone calls and many sessions working on each other where Dee shared with me her “bag of tricks.” Not only is Dee good at what she does, but she is dedicated to making this profession stronger by educating both clients and practitioners.
I want to thank the contributors of this site. Hairtell passes along great information to those in need of electrolysis and laser services, and it helps practitioners become better practitioners. I have learned and benefitted from Chewbacca’s skin reaction thread to Josefa’s awesome videos. The Laurier probe thread (and probe) has been amazing as well. There really is a wealth of information contained in these threads!
One last shout out: James Walker is incredible as well! He not only lets me poke him (hopefully, I only did that once or twice) when he comes to town, he gives great tips. Working on someone with James’ hair structure is not routine in my practice. He has some of the most challenging hairs, requiring settings I have never used before (way outside the preset parameters). This is the kind of training you don’t get in school and the kind that often takes years and years to figure out on your own. It was incredibly “freeing” to see and experience the settings needed for these tough hairs and also to see the skin reaction at such levels. My most difficult clients are now served with confidence because of the help of those associated with Hairtell.
Thanks to all of the Dees, James and those who contribute to this site with photos and questions, etc. You are reaching many more people than you know and helping to create better electrologists, setting the standard higher for a great service!
1 Like
Deanna, thank you for your post! Just curios, what epilator did you use before Apilus Platinum?
And where did you and Dee find each other?
Also out of curiosity, Deanna, what were the settings you used on the tough hairs?
ekade, before my Platinum I used the Clareblend Ultra. I actually had it for about 18 months before replacing it. I purchased one of the last available. Clareblend’s new Elegance epilator had just come out.
This model epilator was used in my training program and gives a very good blend treatment. I had great training using the blend technique and had read all of Michael Bono’s books. There is incredible information in these books and I highly recommend them if you are interested in the profession. I was ready to start my blend practice and did.
Then Dee’s appearance in my life - a good thing! DPP - I heard about Dee through a mutual friend and called her. Dee answered my questions and invited me over to try the Platinum. I took my daughters with me to Dee’s and after experiencing the treatment and hearing of Dee’s results with this epilator their comment to me was, “Mom, you need that epilator.”
The Ultrablend gave a good treatment, but starting out in practice I wanted to offer the best treatment that I could offer. A 6-10 second facial epilation time just did not cut-it. Practitioners up the street were offering a faster treatment (although no one in close vicinity has the Platinum). People want fast and as little discomfort and skin reaction as possible. I did not like replacing an 18 month old epilator, but it was what I needed to do to offer the treatment that I wanted to offer.
Needless to say I had a lot of work to do, it was a whole new ballgame! A training class in California helped immensely. Dee, as I have said, has been a God send. Emails to the training center in California (which were welcomed and answered), Hairtell and many hours of friends letting me try different settings on them, were my training. I also attended the Apilus Symposium in Quebec City last summer (was awesome)- gathering information from practitioners and other resources, trusting your instincts and an open mind to learn is essential. It was hard work, but very much worth the transition. I am doing what I love and am getting the results I had hoped for - happy clients!
The last time I worked on James I believe I used pico .068 seconds with 99% intensity. El’s were probably @675. My notes are at work, but these numbers are very close to the setting that was used (els may not be exact, but they are close). I used a Ballet 6 gold probe. I know from James’ posts and talking with him that even higher settings are needed at times. Obviously, 99% is maximum on intensity, so other parameters must change to accommodate the needed energy. Watching skin reaction is critical. You can see it and feel it immediately when the setting is too high.
Thank you for your reply!
By the way, what electrolysis school did you attend before?
If you knew that if would buy Apilus Platinum, would you choose to go to http://www.aielectrology.com/ school, which learn Apilus Platinum?