Getting "Played?"

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I wonder how many negative post-op manifestations an electrologist should divulge to potential patients? If you “tell all,” the client will probably get spooked and not even do it. Case in point: ME!

I’ve been unable to work since January: retina problem right eye. The surgery is tricky and has a 16% possibility of blindness (on the internet and my own physician). So, I opted to go to the top specialist in this procedure at UCLA (Jules Stein Eye Institute).

After the evaluation and appointment, I requested the normal pre-op and post-op instructions. The physician said … no problem, we’ll give you instructions after the surgery. I was not satisfied. The office help was similarly vague. I wrote several emails, several phone calls, and an actual “snail mail” letter. No response.

Yesterday we drove down to UCLA (2-hours on the freeway) and I had the office give me the pre- and post-op instructions, because I micro-manage and I’m OCD. (THREE PAGES of all sorts of brutal complications, and a 6 - 8 week recovery time.) After reading this shit, I don’t want to have the surgery. I’m totally FREAKED OUT!

Of course, I know I won’t experience all of these difficulties. I know (sort of) I won’t die from the procedure. However, NOW I know why I was not given these lovely details!

So, back to electrologists. I wonder if we told clients all of the possibilities if we’d have any clients at all! Still, I feel we owe clients “full disclosure.” What do you think?

#2

Complicated question (not just for electrology), we could debate for a while about this, but I believe most people would rather be prepared for the worst than freak out over something relatively normal which could’ve been avoided by simply knowing.

Also for the legal system, it usually plays in the professional’s favour if they divulge the ‘‘complications’’ beforehand. Something to think about if you plan on creating a few scars!

I think the world needs to start treating electrolysis as a more important ‘‘medical operation’’ than it is now. There needs to be more a streamlined educational system (just think about the anagen only debate or permanent damage), since I believe anyone can easily become an electrologist these days (in most countries). All of which could be avoided if everyone had the same true information.

#3

Zapmyface … I’ve probably never read a statement I agree with more.

#4

I’ll take that 2500$ you promised for agreeing with you as free electro treatments now, thanks.

Just kidding!

#5

Okay …

How about 5 - 6 free hours (once I get my eye fixed) so you can do your scientific paper on electrolysis?

#6

What about 12 hours if you only use one eye?

I don’t think I’m equipped to do a scientific paper, but I’ll keep that offer in mind (if it was serious)!

#7

Funny guy. The jokes are worth a couple more hours alone.
But sure … why not?

#8

I prefer informing the best I can the client about electrolysis post-op manifestations in order to avoid further problems with the client.
If the potential client is afraid of these post op effects and don’t want to do electrolysis, that’s better: we are avoing problems for both client and electrologists.

Electrolysis hair removal is for everyone as long as you accept the normal "side-effects’.

#9

I dont know. Let me show an example.

Some months ago, last july or so I think, I had a client come to me who had done some serious plucking around the eyebrows.They had much deeper eyebrow hairs as a result than I’m used to.The treatment was going wellwhen I noted a small pocket of blood forming around the corner of the brow. I had nicked a small capillary and caused a minor hemotoma.Since the client was on blood thinners this happened easily.

The client, is still a client, and happy with her treatment. She joked with me for a while that her husband “had some serious explainiing to do” but the issue resolved without complicatiion other than a small bruise which went away.
All would be fine, except a week ago, the same thing happened on another client, also on blood thinners, this time on the upper cheek.
Does this mean I now have to warn all of my clients ( including all 750 odd who I’ve treated in between) of this potential complication, even though it occurs in less than 1/7 of 1% of cases? What would be the point other than putting a new concern into their already skittish and nervous minds that really has only a small likelihood of occurring?

Seana

#10

Agreed.

Maybe in our increasingly litigious society, these post-op documents that require the patient’s consent are a way to stave off lawsuits? Probably so.

I know of one electrologist in Los Angeles who has a devastating document, listing every difficulty under-the-sun (and some I’ve never heard of) that she requires her clients to sign. I’ve had some of her clients and the document scared the “bejesus” out of them. (She also requires photos that may be used without consent!)

The document I got from my eye surgeon was one of those “oh my God” documents and I’m ONLY proceeding with the surgery because Dr. Chapple had the same surgery from the same physician. And, if I don’t have the surgery, I’ll be blind. But, I’m DAMNED uncomfortable. I still might cancel.

#11

I would say that twice in my career I caused over-treatment. Would those “odds” require a lengthy discussion of over-treatment? I don’t think so.

#12

Before I started doing treatments myself on genital area, I had multiple sessions between 2 electrologists. During the course of treatments by the pros, there were situations of bleeding, bruising, swelling, black and blue formations from thermolysis.

One electrologist was better at communicating of this possibility than the other. Even after being on Hairtell for so long and having read so many topics on side effects, I was still worried when I was seeing and experiencing myself. I came back here to consult the pros in private just to reassure myself that everything was going to be ok.
So my point is it’s important for practitioners to be open, honest, knowledgeable and reassuring to the client about all possible side effects so that there isn’t surprise and anxiety when scabs don’t go away after a week, when swelling and bruising forms and lasts days, when there is pain involved etc…

Only thanks to shared knowledge on hairtell, I was able to be comfortable with the side effects I was experiencing and continue treatments without fear.

#13

Talking about it is fine, but most people don’t remember very well, especially if they haven’t experienced it yet.

What if a simple pamphlet, letter or e-mail was sent before the first session citing the reactions (normal and extreme), complications and most asked questions about length, pain, etc. I’m sure if everyone here chimed in, we would have a 3 paragraph concise text that could be used by every single electrologist on this planet.

#14

3 concise paragraphs to cover all that? Are you really thinking this is within the realm of possibility? cover all faq questions and possible complications no matter how unlikely? Really? Ok, do it. I put you in charge zapmyface of researching the content and coming up with the three concise paragraphs. Because I dont think it can be done!Just try and get three of us to agree on anything!

Ok, I’m being a little forceful, but I think zapmyface can see my point and seems pretty tough to me.

#15

I’m trying to figure out how I would phrase this; There’s a .002 percent chance your husband may have some splaining to do if you also take blood thinners.

#16

Challenge accepted!

For starters, I would put that bruise/hematoma/blood thing that happened in the category of ‘‘minor complication/reaction that will 100% come back to normal after X time’’.

At the top of my head, I’d categorize most (if not all) reactions in only 2-3 different groups like minor/expected, major and extreme, maybe?

A list doesn’t take much space and people will only catch on to the ones that are scary or important to them.

Obviously the vocabulary needs to be improved and this is all just a rough brainstorm, but I’m convinced we can all agree on the most important stuff. I’d be happy to ‘‘organize’’ the writing of this thing, I’ll go work on that now! Everyone shoot me ideas please!

#17

Even if it is rare, I inform client about bruising/hematoma especially when we work on eyebrows area.

#18

Giving informations of usual post op reaction like redness, scabs, bumps, hyperpigmentation is good. The client know what to expect. If you can show pictures of typical skin reactions before the person undergo the treatment it is even better.

#19

An insertion that is a little less than perfect can cause a bruise on the delicate eyebrow area. Using a probe that is too big for the follicle can definitely cause bruising. Just the fact that we can see the little capillary network under the translucent skin above the upper orbit of the eye, means that we have to warn the client that if we see any signs of “blueing” below the skin, we will apply pressure for about 90 seconds and then apply ice for a couple minutes. They appreciate when you are honest with them. If someone gets nervous about what can happen, then they don’t have to do their eyebrows. There is risk with anything.

#20

Indeed, I also inform my clients of the possible “blue eye shadow” if I treat their brows. It’s only happened once to me in 11 years and it was my daughter! But yes, clients appreciate honesty and keep reminding them of this possible reaction as you keep treating as people forget easily. For the first 2 months of starting a treatment plan, I always reiterate my consultation as I work on the client (they can’t speak often time so they have to listen!)It’s amazing how many people will say "Oh, I did not know that! when you just told them last week and they signed saying they were told! Always protect yourself and ultimately your precious clients!