I’m curious to know how much probe size matters. I have pretty fine hair on my upper lip which is the area I’m getting treated so is .002 (not sure if that’s even correct) the best probe size to be using? I have not asked what size my electrologist is using or if it matters greatly. Will a larger probe used on finer hair make any difference to the pore? New with all of this so just trying to figure everything out. Also, they use gold probes when asked/necessary, is that something I should try out as well?
A size .002 probe sounds good for very fine hair on the upper lip. I’m sure your electrologist , who can see you, knows best what you need. Gold probes are lovely. Don’t worry about this. Frequently, I use a size 2 or 3 probe for these tiny hairs. The Laurier “Kelly” tip Probes are wonderful for upper lip hair. Ask your electrologist if she has heard if them. They are fairly new and maybe she would be interested in trying them.
Im excited to try the Laurier probes this week!
The wonderful E, who I have met all too late during my time here, has been experimenting on my skin . We tried a regular needle, then the post reaction was even better when she tried gold , then we tried insulated and was so much better yet. Next we are trying Laurier !
I love that she is totally into and open to this testing . I am going to miss this E so much when I leave soon ! We are becoming fast friends and I have to work hard not to laugh uncontrollably thru our appointments cuz we get into some really hilarious conversations!
I will ask if she has heard of the Laurier Kelly tip probes. This will be the 3rd electrologist that I see and the previous ones never went into depth about probe sizes or even mentioned it… maybe they figure not many people read up on this stuff when they aren’t doing it themselves. I think I’ve read too much and now I’m very aware of things that I didn’t even know existed. I think it’s good to be informed but I don’t want to be overbearing in my requests. Since I’ve been at this for a while now, I am going to be nothing short of that without being rude. Let’s hope this electrologist is a keeper.
I dont feel i have ever “micro managed” , been controlling or overbearing with any electro I’ve seen.
It is good to be informed and there is no shame in learning and sharing/asking.
There is alot of time to chat when under their needle. So sometimes I bring up some of what ive learned /seen discussed on this forum with my E.
The RARE E is actually interested and appreciates the research and we might get into a good talk. The even RARER E might even want to check the links or test the products.
Ive never pushed anything, why the hell would i do that when i am just grateful to have found someone who hopefully can do the work!! Just finding someone is an accomplishment, one tends to not do anything to rock the boat for fear of losing them.
HOWEVER ,After years of having my eyebrows plucked at full E rates, I am not going to be shy now to ask some questions !!
Honestly though ,one thing I have found is that despite all the great work posted here , I have found it incredibly difficult to encounter those professionals so far in Canada .
It is YOUR BODY in their HANDS , and your cash you are forking over so ask your questions!
My two cents worth:
I have found that if too large a needle size is used on the upper lip it causes discomfort. For the chin and neck too large needle size can cause bruising.
On the other hand if a needle that is too small is used it makes the treatment less effective in killing the follicle.
I encourage clients to ask questions, and am happy to answer. I don’t understand why a practitioner would be offended by questions.
I don’t either. Electrologists should naturally know that questions are going to be asked and most are likely to feel that no question is too dumb or inconsequential. Neophyte electrolysis consumers have high anxiety about their first sessions, so we need to educate and reassure them early and often.
My thoughts about probe choice always leans toward using the biggest probe possible. Like Carmella said, a smaller probe might be less effective and regrowth potential is too much. If the probe is way too big for the follicle opening, it can also serve to push the hair backwards into the follicle and then there is no way to lift the hair out. Also, a smaller probe is a HOTTER probe. We want to keep the sensation levels tolerable for our clients or they may give up and never know the supreme joy of being hair-free. All these factors run through my mind before starting a session.
My favorite probe types now and forever are Ballet Gold and Laurier IBP’s. My list may grow longer when I try others brands.
Thanks for the replies, I definitely won’t shy away from asking any questions that I have. My appointment is on Saturday. Dfahey, since you are an electrologist yourself and are very knowledgeable, how do you treat hairs that are trapped beneath the surface of the skin? I know hairs have to be above the surface of the skin for electrolysis. I posted another thread talking about some hairs on my upper lip that are somewhat embedded in my follicles… they are not what you would think of as ingrown… no irritation or anything like that. It’s almost as if the hairs are too thin to push through the follicle and they result in noticeable black dots that are not pretty looking. Exfoliating doesn’t seem to help and I told my last electrologist to focus on this area and it seemed to help but the hairs grew back (she was doing a lot of pulling), so what would you suggest? I’m sure I’m being far too particular in my description and it’s nearly impossible to know what you would do without seeing me, but do you have any suggestions?
Had you been tweezing your upper lip hairs prior to starting electrolysis.
If an embedded hair is close enough to the skin surface and I can gently lift it out with a sterile lancet, that’s what I will do. If the hair is still attached in the follicle, I will zap it. If the embedded hair looks like it is too deep under the skin, I won’t “dig” at it so as to create a bad skin reaction. I do recommend exfoliation. Exfoliation is a slow process, but mostly works.
Yes, it is hard to know what is going on in your situation because I can’t look at your upper lip with my magnification.
Thanks Dfahey for your response. I have plucked in the past which I’m sure contributes to the problem that I have. I went in today for my appt and my electrologist was great. Every concern I had went away after asking all of my questions, she actually liked that I was asking questions. She used a size 2 probe and used flash thermolysis. I’m curious to know what type of machine is best for flash. I know it greatly depends on the skill of the electrologist, but is a newer machine better for flash? Prior to this electrologist I was getting blend so I’m getting used to thermolysis.
The machine best for flash is the machine (epilator) that is most skillfully used by the electrologist, so you were correct to mention the skill factor.
Are your hairs fine? A size 2 probe is for fine hairs.
I’m proud of you for asking her questions and I’m so glad that she was eager to answer your questions. That 's the beginning of a great partnership.
Yeah my hairs are fine, they are mostly blondish. I do have a few darker ones as well and those are fine too. I’m glad I asked her questions too. It’s most important for me to make sure I am 1,000 percent comfortable with my electrologist. I’m sure I will be sticking with her for a while. I’m only doing 15 minute sessions each time because my skin is on the more sensitive side and she’s able to get my problem areas worked on in that amount of time, especially using flash. Hopefully all works out well!