Hydration

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Here is an interesting study that brought an idea to my head (I don’t know if this has been discussed here before):

“Drinking caffeinated beverages such as tea and coffee do not lead to dehydration, said Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, a nephrologist at the University of Pennsylvania”

So what I’m interested in is this: it seems to be commonly discussed here (and with some electrologists I’ve been to) that hydration is the key to reducing electrolysis discomfort, but since this study suggests that we don’t need to drink as much water as we felt we do, is the “pain reduction” really just a psychological phenomenon instead of a scientific proof?

Then again, one could just use xylocaine injections and the hydration issue no longer matters, but I was just curious on peoples’ thoughts.

#2

I have also seen Michael Bono say that it is good to have protein-rich meals the day of the treatments as well.

#3

There is a notion that you have to drink copious amounts of water and take additional electrolytes so that the current will work properly. That’s a pretty silly idea. Your skin does not “dry out” very easily.

Are clients so dehydrated that they will “experience more pain?’ Probably not a big issue in the overly-fed American population. (Usually no need to take additional vitamins or minerals either.)

However, I’m certainly not against any of this …
I do think (too much) caffein increases pain.

I like the client to eat protein-rich snacks throughout the whole day (for LONG all-day sessions). I think that keeping blood sugar levels at a good level is beneficial. Protein, unlike simple carbs, will cause a more even blood sugar level and not cause a “spike” (and drop) as with sugar and carbs.

My client coming in tomorrow is on the “Paleo diet” (cave man?) and that’s just perfect. I’m heading out to get fresh veggies and meat. No sugar, no bread … nice! That works for me too. Are there any mammoths still around? I wonder what they taste like?

#4

Oh THANKS Brenton for the article … good going!

#5

You’re welcome Mike. I haven’t heard of an electrologist advising additional electrolytes for it to work, though I have heard some say to ingest a lot of water to ease the pain, though I’m wondering now if that’s more psychological than physical.

The caffeine increasing pain to me is interesting (mostly because I know some people actually can ease a headache by having some caffeine – withdrawl symptoms maybe??) It also seems to be that caffeine can act and enhance pain relievers:

http://www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22495

#6

I’m hoping I can add some clarity to this subject by speaking to it from an engineering point of view.

E=IxR…ohm’s law…where E is voltage, I is current and R is resistance. Current does the work and voltage causes the pain the patient experiences. Therefore if one can deliver the same current while minimizing voltage, one can deliver the treatment while minimizing patient discomfort.

The operator has control over the current delivered by the settings on their unit. They have limited control over how moist the follicle is. More moisture = less resistance and therefore less voltage developed across that resistance at a given current flow. Less voltage = less sensation for the client.

How best to insure the hydration I’ll leave to the pro’s here but this one reason the IBP works like it does. The point where the most moisture is always to be found is the bottom of the root sheath where coincidentally the treatment needs to be concentrated. We focus our energy release to that area and not the drier part of the upper root sheath. This is also the reason why the IBP requires much less power be used for a given task.

#7

That is a really good explanation. I’m going to remember that.
I have a question,( is it Mike?)
Mike, if we are also targeting the Bulge, then does the pulse half way down not cancel out the moisture advantage?
June x

#8

PS
sorry, i meant Laurier Mike as my question refers to the point about the IBP.

#9

This is why we are so concerned with the exposed tip length June. Our standard tip length is intended for the proportions of the anagen follicle and machines with much less control than what you are using today. The new “Kelly tips” are made with a reduced exposure to allow you to pinpoint your energy release when multiple pulses are used and to contain the upper part of the release when working with vellus/shallow insertions.

#10

I should also add, that a gentle energy release actually draws moisture to the Probe to some extent.

#11

Hmmmm yes, as a math person, I like Ohm’s Law (it’s also the first time I’ve seen someone write it as E = IR instead of V = IR… most physicists would kill you for using E.)

It sounds to be then that hair needs a minimum value of I for it to be destroyed, in which case, the electrologist is limited in reducing pain since R would be approximately fixed for a given person. Also seems like one could in theory experience less pain on a humid day. Of course, how the nerves are wired to where the hair follicle is would affect pain as well.

In general though, it doesn’t sound like one can do too much to lower their skin’s resistance or get it more hydrated enough to notice a very large pain difference (perhaps using a moisturizer that’s advertised to hydrate and seal in moisture?)

#12

Yes, caffeine does benefit many pain relievers. (I usually take coffee with Advil … it works better.) Caffeine also has opposite effects on some people: coffee actually calms me down! (I think I could be a bit “hyper-active” and that’s what I’ve been told is a typical reaction in folks like me).

I think if you get jittery from caffeine, then perhaps pain is increased. Again, this could only be psychological.

Interesting about voltage and pain. I’m not sure I “buy” the concept that voltage alone causes pain (I’m checking it out). In the older machines (DC only) there was no “auto-voltage regulator.” For example, if the meter “shot up” we knew the client was sweating (better conductivity), or squeezing the indifferent electrode (because of pain). The shooting-up DC meter meant she was experiencing more pain. When the meter dropped, we knew she was either feeling less pain, or the electrode was drying out.

The “constant current” feature on new machines BOOSTS (or lowers) the voltage to keep the current constant. Problem is, we lost this “bio-feedback” feature. Also, people got WAY too lazy and stopped using a really wet electrode. (We used to use heavy salt water in the sponge electrode to create an excellent contact.)

For years, I have wanted a couple manufacturers to put a +/- meter-indicator on the machine to show when the voltage is being boosted (or reduced). This would be a nice “bio-feedback” feature.

In the old days, I would say: “Oh, I think you are experiencing a bit more pain than normal?” The client thought I was psychic. I was just watching the DC meter!