Hey all! I’m new to electrolysis and I want to see if anyone has any recommendations for electrologists in the DC-area. I saw an electrologist today for the first time, and she charges $90 an hour, which seems kind of steep, especially considering that I’ll be needing at least an hour a week to start. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Just in case it’s relevant, I’m female, middle-eastern, with pale skin and black/very dark facial hair.
Thanks in advance!
have you looked at the sticky post “how to find an electrologist” and used all the provided links?
Hey! I have, and I called around asking about rates, etc., but everyone would like me to come in for a consultation in order to see their rates, and I would really love to narrow the list down based on personal recommendations.
I would definitely start with personal recomendations, BUT it wouldn’t hurt to experience the sensation and healing scenario that others can offer you. Skill and the use of up-to-date machinery and vision wear are CRITICAL. It means the difference between achieving results in a timely manner and skin healing outcome. If others offer free consultations, go for it. If there is a nominal charge, it’s still worth it. Don’t be hung up on price only. You may find the best for less actually if you go on the hunt.
I personally like microflash thermolysis for your described situation. I hardly ever use blend on cases like yours, except toward the end, if there are only a few scattered diehard hairs left. Getting an area cleared is the mission at hand and keeping it cleared everytime one walks out the door is the goal. You need to give the electrologist the time up front to do this and she/he can accomplish first clearance and maintained clearance, if the right tools and strategies are used.
I feel for the consumer who has to go on the hunt for such a practitioner, but at least you have another opinion about what to look for and can decide for yourself what plan works best.
There is a lot of hope for you and your hair problem. Electrologist fee’s are set in conjunction with overhead. D.C.'s cost of living is high, but decisions about which practitioners to use, based on hourly’s, shouldn’t be the sole criteria in choosing. SKILL, modality used, equipment used, hygiene standards, results based on clents like yourself, should be first and foremost in your mind. For added peace of mind, you may ask the practitioner if she can provide you with a couple references of clients, like yourself, who are finished and happy. She will have to get their permission first, unless she has a running list of clients in her file that have already given her the go ahead to use them as a reference.
P.S. I wouldn’t use zinc oxide after treatment and leave it on for 24 hours. I saw that in anther post of yours. Witch hazel, aloe vera gel during the day and a little dab of tea tree oil at night for the firt 3 days is nice. Get an aloe vera plant and snip a little section and squeeze the gel onto a clean finger and rub it in. Now that’s pure. I like Thayer’s Witch Hazel in Lemon or Peach scents. Thayer’s medicated witch hazel if you have oily skin. It’s more expensive and can usually be found where you buy organic foods, Trader Joe’s, Wild Oats,etc., but it is very nice stuff.
Dee
dfahey - Thank you so much for your recommendations! I’ve been calling around all morning and I think I have some promising consultations coming up. I will ask all the questions you’ve brought up about the machinery and any former clients that are willing to let me know how their experiences were. I’m going to go to Whole Foods to get the witch hazel and to my mom’s house to “borrow” an aloe plant 
you can also buy pure aloe vera at a drug store in the sunblock section. it’s the clear gel stuff. they have regular witch hazel there as well. both are about $4-6 for a big bottle. i prefer witch hazel as it’s not sticky.
I agree. Sample treatments. That’s most important. Ask what machine and methods they’re using too. Good luck.