here in Germany there are no “compounding pharmacies” (well actually all pharmacies here should be able to mix drug). The problem is that no one will honestly tell You what’s possible and what not.
Yes, we have the same issue in Ireland. No compounding pharmacies. I get mine all the way from New Zealand.
I decided to go ahead and drink my morning coffee anyway. It occurred to me that the lidocaine shots have adrenalin in them … so a little caffeine couldn’t possibly matter!
Well, now that you mention it … well, actually you didn’t. But what the hell!
The tiny little secret is that the lidocaine is 99.5% WATER! AHA!
So, what happens when you add water to the skin? Yep, the thermolysis becomes much more active (in moisture-induced skin).
Furthermore, the epi is a vasoconstricter and temporarily “shuts-down” the tiny capillaries in the skin. Thus, the skin cannot “cool itself” as normal (like a car’s radiator) … so again the HF reacts more violently.
For this reason, many inexperienced electrologists (working normally) get themselves in big trouble because the HF reacts more violently and yet they are not seeing this reaction BECAUSE of the lidocaine! Indeed, a very bad prescription.
As your therapist has obviously discovered he/she is using much less HF and achieving the same result. Well, probably even better: having water “injected” into the skin enhances the HF treatment “big time!”
Tip: in such cases, use at least 30% less HF for the same result.
Problems should not occur when an Electrologist closely observes the process and the skin reaction. The she will notice when to reduce the setting.
And Yes, You are right, people using EMLA, especially those keeping it under enclosure for a long time, can be treated with a smaller setting. “can” is always equivalent to “needs to be” - but i see that more a chance and less an obligation.
Most important: regardless on the epilation mode. Electrolysis always depends on the presence of water, galvanics as well as thermolysis.
Beate: Problems should not occur when an Electrologist closely observes the process and the skin reaction. Then she will notice when to reduce the setting.
Yes, but the point I was making is that the anesthetic somewhat masks the skin’s reaction. Indeed, the experienced therapist who is used to working this way CAN see reactions … but the inexperienced person often misses “the skin reaction” because of the anesthetic.
Beate: Most important: regardless on the epilation mode. Electrolysis always depends on the presence of water, galvanics as well as thermolysis.
Also true of course. However for galvanic-DC, whatever the moisture content of the skin, your machine will make voltage adjustments to keep the current whatever you have selected. If you select, say, 0.3 then the current will stay at that level regardless of skin moisture, and you will produce the same result in the skin.
This is not the case with thermolysis. Your HF setting will yield different “skin” results (using the same setting) due to the increased skin moisture. Essentially, the machine produces the HF output you select, and the “skin result” depends on the patient’s skin moisture … there is no “machine feed-back” so careful observation is, as you say, important.
Ah shucks … trying to find the post with our friend in Thailand regarding the “Japanese machine.” (I’m too lazy to sift throught all the posts.)
Information today from my Japanese friends at Tokyo Beauty Centers:
Indeed, this is an HF-only machine developed by plastic surgeon Toshio Kobayashi. The needle is INSULATED and made in Japan and so is the unit. The unit was specifically designed for use with LOCAL ANESTHETIC and is “only used in clinical setting, not salons.”
Dr. Kobayashi died a few years ago and it seems the unit is no longer made (but still in use however). Needles are still made.
Keiko (TBC) also sent me an “abstract” that appeared in “Dermatology, Surgical Oncology,” 11:10 October 1985. This is a PDF and I don’t think I can post this on Hairtell. If you wish to read the abstract, contact me via my private email and I will send it to you.
He has made many of the same conclusions all of you have made … using HF and insulated probes. It’s always nice to see confirmation of your findings coming from a completely different source!
That is true for my Apilus machines (these have voltage sources), but AFAIK the Instantron Elite Spectrum has a regulated output which will keep the current constant.
Good old SKIP at Instantron … he’s making some great units these days. Good going Skip! (The guy totally “rips” at the piano too.)
With Jossie’s help, we will make a video illustrating the point I’m trying to make.
I always thought he played the Sax?
The Elite Spectrum is on my list for at least training purposes.
Here in Germany i find doing business with all distributors of Epilator machines a bit difficult, but the Apilus distributors are clearly worst.
Thanks for this info, though it’s mostly over my head. What is “HF”? Are they using thermolysis or galvanic? Thanks.
HF “is” thermolysis. It’s like this …
HF means “High Frequency” … the actual “current” being used.
“Thermolysis” is the biological reaction from the HF.
“Thermo(s)” meaning heat, and “Lysis” … meaning to take apart, or specifically: the “breaking down a of a cell.”
So, the skin cells are being broken down by heat (from the HF).
Technically, none of us USE Thermolysis. We use High Frequency and create “thermolysis.” The current itself is not “thermolysis.” But, it really doesn’t matter at all 'cause “Thermolysis” is the term we use.
Funny, but “us” English speakers actually say these key words incorrectly … well, the accent.
We SHOULD say, “Thermo-LYsis” … but we say, “TherMOL-a-sis.”
We should say "Electro … LYsis … but we say, “ElecTROL … a …sis.”
Europeans say it better (more accurately). I’m probably the only one who cares … I’m sure of that.
Did I screw you up even more? DAMN!
Bottom line: looks like you are getting some great treatment.
Thanks for the explanation! I guess that’s why the charge so much for it.