Jun where exactly are you thinking of having electrolysis done?
I’m in Texas. Have checked a few places in Dallas and waco
I meant, where on your body are looking to have electrolysis done.
Oh…haha, was thinking chin and lip areas to start
Ok so definitely the head and neck area.
So this is what I’m thinking your strategy should be at this point, and it’s identical to my previous advise, you shouldnt be doing anything ( galvanic or thermolysis) you should be getting guidance from the manufacturer of the device.
There’s good and bad points to doing this, the bad being, the manufacturer is likely to give the MOST RESTRICTIVE information possible. They pretty much get sued if they leave any margin for error.
For thermolysis ( or blend) the possibility for tissue damage is known, so I would not expect them to budge on this point.
The points on galvanic current seems to be more the capacity of the device to withstand the DC current. When we do galvanic electrolysis typically the anode is held in the hand and the only path for that current to travel ( from cathode to anode according to Michaels comments) I dont see how it could NOT travel through the neck area which it too close to the ear for my liking. I can tell you the amperage of this DC current is in the range usually of 0.6 to 0.65 Millamp but I dont know what the actual DC voltage would be. I’m theorizing its in the area of 9-12v since the one touch runs off a 9v battery, but I have never actually measured the voltage from my apilus with an ammeter.
The article you posted from great britain indicated they weere crossing the device with 200 V + but we do NOT know the amperage of that current. I would THINK that the amount created by electrolysis would be electrically insignificant in comparison, and therefore not a concern, but I would not be starting any electrolysis , unless I got the go ahead from the manufacturer that such a voltage is neither going to cause tissue damage surrounding the implant nor damage tot he electronics in the device. The article is good, but it’s still a third party opinion and the views in it should not be taken as license to go ahead.
The other thing the article suggests is that the doctors themselves installing this bit star trek cyborg implant gear are not knowledgeable about it’s effect with either radio frequency, or galvanic current damage. Therefore I dont think the doctors themselves are a reliable source for information on this, and frankly neither are anyone on this board, be they DIY’er or professional electrologist. The only source of confirmation you should be looking at , is the manufacturer themselves. If they say no, it may be the most ( please dont sue us Mrs Customer) response, but it’s probably the only opinion you should rely on.
I hope you get satisfaction on this matter. I dont think we can help much more. I would say though, if electrolysis is a complete no go, you could consider laser if there are no contra-indications with that , it uses no galvanic current and no radio frequency ( though there may be some EMI) . I think, this might be the only time I have EVER recommended laser to anyone, but there it is.
Best of luck,
Seana
Lluv…thank you so much for checking the articles out and giving me your honest opinion/advice. I am scared to try it since the company has said they don’t recommend. How could I ever face my audiologist if I went ahead and then something happened, after she told me not to risk it.
I don’t think laser will work for me as my hairs are blond colored. I have read there are some new lasers that are better for light hair tho. Maybe I’ll go read the laser forum now.
I did just receive another email from Hair Today Gone Tomorrow, saying they could absolutely treat me. I had emailed them way before. I wrote back and explained my confusion and asked for specifics on the method they want to use. Will let you know what they write back
If there’s any doubt … don’t do it!
I agree, don’t do it. And as for laser, if the hairs are blond, there is zero chance of success. Laser operators often misrepresent provided information to make it seem as if it will work on lighter hairs, but this is NOT factual. An example of this would be the “ME!” home ipl laser device which I put a thread on earlier this month in the DIY laser section which claims because it uses radio frequency in addition, it works on lighter hairs too. It DOESN’T! Physics don’t work like this! You are right to not seek laser if you have blond hair…sorry.
Seana
It comes down to the following two questions:
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Is it worth doing it and possibly destroying the device and any complications that come with it?
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Who is going to assume the liability in the event something goes wrong.
A professional shouldn’t want to take on #2 even if they are insured (as I am), because they shouldn’t have taken a job that all the documentation says is contraindicated for electrolysis. My insurance company would probably laugh at me and tell me good luck with the case.
A non-professional, particularly one with nothing to lose, doesn’t care much about liability since they have nothing to lose. You can sue and get a million dollar judgement that will get you nothing because you can’t get blood from a stone and it won’t hurt their business or reputation since they don’t have one.
If you’re willing to overlook those two questions and “damn the consequences,” I’m sure you can find someone to work on you, though I wouldn’t myself.
Laser works with a different technology where you don’t have to worry about the complications of applied electricity. Even with blonde hair, it may work for you. It also may not and you may end up with a worse hair problem because of it.
Ultimately, the question becomes “can you simply live with your hair?” and, if not, “is it worth damaging the cochlear device and/or possibly stimulating more hair growth in an attempt to tame what you have?”
Keep in mind that the vast majority of people have unwanted hair. It’s actually normal to not be perfect and, honestly, the vast majority of people looking at you even won’t care. I have clients that come in looking virtually hairless that want all of their vellus hair removed because it’s “horrifying” that, in just the right lighting, they can see it on themselves even if nobody else sees it at all. I’m not saying that your hair issue is as minor as that, since I haven’t seen it, but I am saying that many people get obsessed with things that other people don’t notice, just because they think everyone else will notice too.
Hi All,
This query has just come up for me with a potential new client. I asked her to check with her specialist and this is an excerpt from the info emailed to her today form her Audiologist’s clinic:
Background
Epilation uses an electrical current (DC or HF) to locally destroy a hair follicle. If the follicle is destroyed successfully, the hair can be removed and does not regrow.
The current may be induced through a needle electrode that is placed within the follicle. An indifferent electrode is usually held by the patient in the hand. Also bipolar surface electrode applicators are used.
Another form of epilation uses laser or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). Please see also to the section Laser’ within this document. There are also devices using a combination of electrical current and light.
Potential Interactions
Induced currents could flow over the implant site and have the potential to cause damage to the implant or to the cochlear tissue.
Recommendation
Devices using monopolar electrodes (e.g. needle electrodes with hand held indifferent electrode) must not be used on a patient’s head or neck, but may be used from the neck downwards. Devices using (laser) light and/or bipolar electrodes must not be used directly over the implant site but might be used with a distance of at least 1 cm from the implant site including the location of the ball electrode.
I hope that helps to clarify things
For liability purposes, I still suggest the electrologist get a signed waiver from the doctor.
Don’t take the risk. If there is no general answer to your question then it’s not worth risking it. I would look for an alternative for electrolysis in your case.