I have been using the “old standard” 5x lamp. I have tried using diffrent types of magnification with no luck. I end up with HUGE headaches!!
I have great vision 20/25+. I want to make sure I’m using the best I can but I don’t wanna live on Tylenol.
Any ideas??
Also I don’t wanna break the bank I’ve seen magnifaction set ups for$12,000+.
Hi nanci,
Were you working with the 5 mag lamp when you were a student?
Schools usually use the 3. - 3.5 mag lamps.
How did you end up with the 5?
5x mag lamps are often used for skincare students who use it to examine skin, they also use it extracting congested pores. These procedures only take a few minutes so the 5x is suitable HOWEVER 5x mag lamps are not ideal for electrologists because the way these mag.lamps are constructed forces the tech. to bend back, waist, arms, in uncomfortable positions. Not only that, the client often feels that the tech. is practically working on top of them.
Did you join any of the trade organizations?
These groups, AEA, SCHMR, GUILD, have conventions where suppliers meet and you can actually try various types of magnification.
Hi Nanci,
I like these: Med Lites, 3.5 power
I used a couple things before settling on them. As for working with a mag lamp, I couldn’t work effectively with one. I need close-in stereo vision. I found these to be the best compromise of quality and price, because, yes, these things can get expensive. I would buy another pair in a heartbeat. They’re indispensable. The thing with optics, is that there’s no inexpensive way around good vision; you get what you pay for. The guy that sells them is great.
But try them out, or ones like them at an optics shop, first before you buy, both of my electrologists didn’t favor them over their regular 1.8 - 2.0 power single lens units (the kind that looks like a set of glasses with a lens mounted on a stick about three inches from the eyes. These single lens, lower power ones are also tried and true. many really good pros favor them. Maybe think about those to start. At about $80 bucks it’s a safe bet.
Whatever you do, don’t buy the big, clunky single lens types that have a headband and a visor like Bosch& Lombe. They are completely uncomfortable, and they made me sweat a lot. Go for the glasses-type frame like Eschenbach or Magni-Specs.
My closing advice on this is: Working distance effects posture. Using a six-inch focal length unit day in day out will effect one differently than using a seventeen-inch focal length unit where one can straighten their back.
Mantaray
i currently use the Designs for Vision - about $1000 although by the time I got revisions on them, modifications on them, they cost almost twice as much and they still aren’t right. Ugh. I am mad at that company and always feel like they are ripping me off.
Occassionally I use the Eschenbachs with interchangable lenses. The frame costs about $100 but then you need to buy the lens, you can pick and choose, get several different lenses and attach the ones that you want to use for only about $60 for each size.
Mantary, I would love to hear more about your MedLites. Especially if those specs are light weight. Which frame was your choice? I wonder which frame would fit most comfortably. Titanium sounds good. I looked at the website and was wondering where they are located as I would love to get a better look at them. I enjoy reading your posts.
Hi Arlene,
I have the 3.5x’s with the alloy (conventional looking) frame. It was kind of between choosing the 3.0x’s with the fashion frame, and a pair of 3.5x’s with the conventional alloy frame. My plan, now that I know they work well, has been to write Med-Lite for a Fashion Frame to attach myself. I think the hookup plate is universal with all three frame types.
My opinion was the fashion frame was the best, it’s less weight in the forward lens area, larger nose bridge rests, and a flexible frame to avoid damage. They also sell out of those the fastest. They look alot better in blue too! I felt the Titanium frame seemed too thin, and didn’t have enough side temple-wrap support to take the load off the bridge of the nose. So I got the alloy’s. And the alloys are a bit heavy on the bridge of the nose. I tighten the leash around my head a bit to keep them stable and to pull some of the weight back. I get the impression that the Fashion Frame wouldn’t be so front heavy.
The main mechanism is made of a high-grade plastic. I get the impression that no matter which brand is purchased, they’ll all be about the same weight, there’s only so much weight that can be spared without sacrificing adjustments; flip-up ability, pupil width, convergence angle. At first I wanted a heavy duty steel brand, like a certain german brand, but now I know that would be far too heavy. I think the big difference is what they’re mounted on.
The two electrologists that have tried them didn’t favor my own set for different reasons, both use Eschenbachs. Both loved the image and were impressed by the clarity. But the first was very used to leaning forward with arms and elbows resting on the table, the distance away these gave didn’t allow that so she said, ‘How am I supposed to rest my arms?’ So that was the first. The second felt that the natural contour of her nose wasn’t really effective in supporting the weight. But these alloy frames are really a man’s type frame, so it wasn’t a good match with her just by the nature of the frames. I think she want’s to try them again once I get the Fashion Frames put on, I think it’ll make a big difference. Both electrologists have been practicing for at least ten years.
Med-Lite is in Columbus, Ohio, home of The Buckeyes and our own Dee, but a little far from New York. Maybe you could contact them about a way to try them on. I certainly think it wise to try them out before purchasing. Hope all this helped.
Mantaray
I tried the 5x and found it too close to the patient to work with ease. How do you do that? I use a 3x for the extra room.
I would like to switch to a microscope…does anyone work with one or have suggestions on the best one?
How much are you ready to spend; more than $10,000 or less than $100?
What type of magnification did you use at school?
It appears that many are using the 5X and when I ask questions like, “What did you use at school”, there is no answer. I am wondering if you folks are actually electrologists who went through an electrology program.
I am concerned that people read this BB and then set up their own little businessess, illegally run and without any kind of licensing or school certification.
Hi Mantaray.
Gosh, you taught me something new. I didn’t know Medlite was here in Columbus. There is no address listed on their website and I can’t find any information in the yellow pages. Do you have specific information about where they are located in Columbus?
Their spec’s look pretty good. If I had known about this company, I may have ordered my surgical loupes locally. Do you know how long they have been in business?
Now for a little football talk: I’m more of a people watcher than a football watcher. In fact, when I go to the Ohio State games, my husband is nudging me frequently asking me if I’m even watching the game. When I reply with something like, “Look at that woman. How does a butt get that big”, I’m sure he is thinking that he wasted a ticket on me. Do I dare express my thoughts on the copious amount of hair protruding from the man’s ears sitting in front of me? Noooooo waaaayyy!
I must say that I adore #10 Troy Smith as a stand up person and then as a great athlete. He just won the Heisman this past weekend and when they did his bio, I was very touched by all he had to overcome in his younger years… AND!!! I JUST LOVE HIS CUTE LITTLE EYEBROWS. He is adorable. Check out those eyebrows on January 8th. Unlike former buckeye standout, Maurice Clarett who starts his prison sentence in Toldeo today, Troy made better decisions and is not an arrogant b%#^$&.
Dee
In my clinical I used a 3x. I say something about needing a stronger power and better lighting sooo… I went and bought the 5x. I don’t have a Electrolysis supply in my area so I rely on “salon products” at times. They sell these for facial equipment.
I ordered some 3.5 loupes so we’ll see how that works.
I was able to find most of these companies on ebay with a huge savings.
Thanks for your help!
Hey Dee,
I looked through my literature. And, although the guy that sells these lists himself as Columbus, here’s what I have:
Med-Lite
A Division of Education Innovation Ltd.
3852 Pleasantbrook Drive
Hilliard, OH
43026
So I’m not sure how close to Columbus that is, or even if it’s a storefront-type of business, or how long they have been operating. …So you were in the crowd as they beat my Hawkeyes huh? Oh the pain! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Nanci, let us know about your specs. This was my first, and only decent pair so it’s hard for me to compare. I’d like to know what else is out there.
Mantaray
It’s vacation time. Take care ya’ll.
Hilliard is a suburb of Columbus, and within 15 minutes of where I live. Thanks for that information, Mantaray. Pleasantbrook Drive sounds like a cutesy neighborhood home business,which is okay. I may give him a call.
I just asked my hub what happened in the Iowa / OSU game and he said it was a massacre. I apologize for his smug comment,but that’s what he said!
Have a nice vacation, Mantaray. We’ll miss ya’ll!
Dee
I love my Zeiss 2.3 X. They are light and they move with me. With them I use a halogen light.
My electrologist uses a desk lamp, something that you would clamp to a desk top with magnifying lens and and a round flourscent lamp built into it. Should I be looking for a new electrologist?
On the one hand, I would not ditch an electrologist due to her low power magnification alone. Results are the most important thing. On the other hand, the person with the best vision has what it takes to make the best insertions, and the most comfortable treatments, so it is more likely that the person with the better magnification might offer better results as well.
This is yet another reason why we advise everyone to see as many electrologists in their area, and perhaps some who are a little bit of a distance away, before choosing one’s primary practitioner. If one does this, one also knows who the best back up people are to go to when one can’t get an appointment for the days and hours one would like with the primary.
Who knows, one might even have information to offer us here, and help us out in answering the burning question of “Who is good in such and such area of the world.”
Thank you for the reply 
I looked at desk lamps on the internet to find out that they were typically 3 to 5 X magnification and I looked at surgical loupes and noticed that they were 3 to 4.5 magnification. So I started thinking that perhaps she was onto something but she has mentioned having trouble seeing the hairs and often times her insertions are tearing my skin so perhaps the magnification alone isn’t the real deal. That and I keep wondering when the desk lamp is going to strike me in the head or face, the way she whips it around.
It’s so hard to find electrologists around here.
You are making the same mistake most people make. Those desk arm things have magnification of 3 DIOPTER to 5 DIOPTER, this IS NOT EQUAL to 3x magnification and 5 Times Magnification. In fact, if you make them equal, 3 Diopter is equal to 1.5 times Magnification (yes, that is little better than looking with your naked eyes) and 5 Diopter is little more than two times life size. There is a LARGE difference between someone looking through a 5 DIOPTER Magnifying Lamp and someone looking through a 5 Times Magnification Pair of Loups.
One of the electrologists I spoke with said she doesn’t use loupes but she does use special glasses along with a mag lamp. Should I be skeptical?
No. If this covers her magnification needs well, then believe her. To really judge someones capabilities, one needs to sample one’s work, go home, follow aftercare instuctions and observe the healing.
Gotcha. What kind of “special glasses” wouldn’t be loupes? Aren’t most surgical glasses loupes? Would they just be glasses without the telescopes?
Surgical loupes are glasses that your doctor or dentist may wear onjust view TV shows like Discovery Health or Grey’s Anatomy. You’ll see some of hose doctors wearing surgical magnification with LED lights in some cases. We electrologists wear these glasses IF WE CHOOSE.
They are custom-fitted and the magnification varies depending on the needs of the individual. The view is amazing and anyone that uses those circular lamps don’t know what they are missing.