I wanted to start a new thread in a more appropriate spot regarding some comments I started on the post: “shaving affecting hair texture” thread regarding what kind of person my electrologist is, what she offers, what another electrologist offers, and what I see as ideal. This post will compare 2 very different experiences with 2 skilled electrologists whom approach their services in different ways… (I feel like I’m writing an intro to a research paper here!!)----
My original electrologist is a caring individual who is skilled at what she does, given the poor mag/lighting equipment that she has, and is compassionate in her own way. She has been doing electrolysis for 38 yrs and she’s set in her ways, which on one hand I understand, but on the other hand, as a consumer, sometimes it rubs me the wrong way and literally scares me b/c I am relying so much on her and don’t have other resources anywhere near where I live so I have to deal with some of my needs not being met. She’s friendly but abrupt and intimidating at the same time…I know that may sound contradictive but it is the true dynamic of what she embodies.
She is very friendly and chatty and you can tell she cares about her customers. She’s even given me a hug once. She does answer the phone EVERY time it rings, though, and gets out her appointment book to schedule ppl in while we are in the middle of treatment. This can happen a few times a session. It’s frustrating b/c she is so busy that the next appt is waiting in the lobby always so its like cutting into our time.I hope the machine is not still counting during these times, but I don’t know how to tell and even if I could I’d be too scared to say anything so its a moot point. She is very busy and does not NEED my business even though I come faithfully every week, so that is probably a factor. I need her more than she needs me and that is the most difficult part as the consumer- the old supply and demand.
She does a fantastic job on my dark hairs with a new Apilus Machine, uses microflash and gives me a comfortable treatment- so THAT is what I don’t want to give up. She uses a mag-lamp with a flourescent light and cannot see many of the long, blonde vellus hairs that I point out and/or request to be removed and I have LOTS of these so this is a problem. When I asked her in the beginning if she used loupes her response was that ‘she didn’t have time for that’, which is the truth. Why would she waste the time and the money to get better equipment when her schedule is always full and she probably even turns ppl away and its worked for almost 40 yrs this way? At least she has a newer, computerized epilator.
I wish more electrologists were as concerned about top of the line equipment and meeting the clients’ needs as much as Dee and James are but it is simply not the case. I can’t find anyone else in my area that does microflash except for one lady who has an older Instantron machine. Most electrologists I call in this area lecture me on the dangers of pitting, scarring, and burning the skin with microflash and ask me why I’m doing it. I don’t even bother trying to school THEM the basics about operator skill. Microflash has been great on my skin and I prefer it.So basically, I don’t want to give up the good that i recognize in my current practitioner and trade that for not as skilled microflash with an old machine or manual thermolysis.
I have been lucky enough to find another electrologist who I call “my electrologist fairy” because she exemplifies the ideal electrologist in every way: new computerized machine, loupes and halogen lighting,offers all modalities, super sweet and acommodating etc, etc, etc. She answers every question with a smile, is never abrupt, never acts irritated to answer any question at all, and is incredibly compassionate. She even has me bring my “favorite” magnification mirror and has me look at her work every so often and tell her if I want more hair taken off and show her exactly where and she will move the light at all different angles until she sees it. She NEVER gives up or gets frustrated and her demeanor stays as sweet and as unintimidating as ever the whole session. I feel very comfortable pointing out the hairs I want treated since she asks ME first before I have to ask HER in contrast to the almost begging manner in which I ask my original electrologist if I may show her some hairs in the mirror and say:“can u try and get these hairs if you can see them?” I wouldn’t dare bring the mirror back up to check her work b/c the environment lets me know that such persistence wouldn’t be received well, whereas the second lady encourages such “checking”, which is so alleviating.
One might say, “what is the issue then?” Well- she’s almost 3 hours away and I currently don’t have a vehicle so I can only borrow a car once every 2 weeks to go see her and it is worth it. She will clear her entire schedule for the days I come down and we just go at it while listening to music, which is a great addition, and stop for potty/stretch/water breaks. The first time we did 3.5 hrs and this last time we did 5.5 hours on my cheeks, chin, and throat.I even learned some politics from her while we listened to the radio after exhausting the cds!!
So while I don’t have the ideal set-up, I have managed to put together a combo of my Saviour Lady of Electrology and my tuff love lady!!! It is true what Dee mentioned a while back on another post- that some electrologists dont have flowery personalities but can still be good at what they do- Touche.It is extremely frustrating for me that when I leave the office of the first electrologist, tho one only 45 min away, I feel defeated b/c the long blonde hairs are still present, as opposed to the great relief I feel when leaving the second electrologist’s office, the one 3 hrs away. The entire vibe is just incredibly different. One lifts me up while the other feeds on the negativity I already have about myself and this hairy problem.
I really wish more electrologists would get good mag/lighting equipment and newer machines so that we all could have an electrologist fairy near us. For those of us who are dealing with such a hugely personal, often embarassing, and possibly even life-debilitating issue, someone who is compassionate, considerate, helpful, and mindful of how it is affecting us makes all the difference in the world. That and some damn good magnification/lighting equipment !
