My Electrolysis Journey

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I had laser 3 years ago in my upper lip and chin area and I do think the hair is less dense. I had 6 sessions. I felt that electrolysis is my next step to eliminate those hairs. I have talked to 3 electrologists in my area

Debra Tamblyn, Cassandra Mc Cabe and Grace. I decided to go with Cassandra. She charges 25 per 15 min sessions. She answered my questions and gave me a test patch for a few mins. She has the following equipment

Apilus Platinum using foot pedal
Disposable needles
2700 mh??? She mentioned this in my consultation but I cant remember what this is
What else do I need to know?

Also, is it normal that actual treatement is less than the actual time scheduled? Per Cassandra Actual treatment ends 5 to 8 mins prior to scheduled time for post treatment care, payments, scheduling next appointment. So for examples, 25 minutes of actual treatment in a 30 minute schedule

#2

Hi arfulgencio,

Some electrologists use 2 to 5 minutes of your treatment time to prep. or clean up or reschedule you. Some start the clock with the first insertion and end your 30 minute appointment with the last insertion and use their own time for prep and clean up, etc. Either way, its all being done.

Her equipment is the best and it is up to her to use her foot pedal or not.
What else do you need to know?
Sanitary - would be good to observe.
Healing tissue - observe.

#3

Thanks Arlene
Im surprised that electrolysis is not as painful as laser maybe because its one hair at a time. I feel some pain but I am not in tears like in laser.

Im trying to figure out if there are factors that can contribute to a quicker elimination of the hair eg needle size? settings, the stronger the settings the higher the efficacy? Im on a tight budget so I want to optimize it as much as I can without of course compromising the process.

How can I verify if someone is really certified as they say there are? can i call these groups and give them the electrologist name?

#4
#5

So I had my first 45 min session yesterday and heres what it looks like today, are those red marks normal after a session? I had it with Cassandra Mc Cabe, its $25 per 15 mins. She used the Apilus Platinum. This was far less painful than my laser treatment a couple of years back. My hair is less dense now after the laser but I want to get rid of the rest for good.

I am scheduled to do another 30 mins next week for my upper lip, i have less hair there after laser. If these red marks dont go away id be skeptical about that next session

qwerty Attachments

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electro1.JPG

#6

Honestly… I don’t like what I’m seeing. And that’s coming from someone who has become a lot forgiving towards the effects of treatment.

#7

Can you elaborate on your thoughts?

#8

Those marks look like they will heal, after what will seem a dreadfully long time, but they should NEVER be be the norm of facial treatments. In fact they should NEVER happen in the face, particularly with an Apilus Platinum, there is no need for it.

This is a perfect example of why a machine does not the electrologist make.

What is your aftercare?

You said there was a test patch, where was it done, did it also have red marks?

PS. Feel free to pick up the phone and cancel the next session.

#9

Hi
The test patch did seem reddish at first but went away after a few days. During the session I did feel there were times that she was pinching the skin as if pricking a zit. Why do you think this happened? Is the intensity too strong? Her timing too fast? any ideas?

This is what her response is after I sent her the pictures…

START
It is common but I will need to adjust my machine next time to help prevent that. In the mean time, keep the area clean. Do not put anything oily on, starting tomorrow night put Vitamin E in your skin. Do not pick.

It will take a few days more to clear. Use your witch hazel and ice if needed.
END

I did use ice for the first few hours after my session yesterday. I use Dickinsons original witch hazel toner after i wash my face, morning, afternoon and before i go to bed. I will resume my workout tomorrow. I havent used my normal moisturizer in that area. I will do the vitamin E tomorrow evening.

My next appointment is Wednesday, I will see what happens through the weekend, if it doesnt get better then I may look for a different electrologist. Too bad I really like her. I just hope this doesnt scar, they seem very shallow like the scabs I get when I prick a zit :slight_smile:

#10

Ditto everything impossable said.

Good work can be done without causing this and with an epilator like that, (used properly) there she be even less such reaction.

This is why I keep suggesting that people should book a few 15 min appointments before deciding on an electrologist. The electrologists on HairTell may not agree but as a client, I think this is sensible. Unless we have personal recommendations, we just have no idea what to expect (having a high tech machine really isn’t saying anything) and we need to safeguard ourselves. If the first 15 min session doesn’t go great, you can give the electrologist a chance to adjust his/her work. If things don’t improve then you don’t need to continue. In my mind, it’s better than ending up with 45 mins straight off leading the above photos.

For aftercare, I would keep it simple. Keep the area always clean with simple soap and water. You can use a pure witch hazel distillation (water) and swipe over the area with cotton. And then apply a protective layer of aloe vera. Try not to touch it otherwise, don’t wear makeup.

Maybe the electrologists can recommend some creams that will prevent infection.

#11

I just read your reply. It’s good she has acknowledged that she needs to make adjustments.

I’d wait until the redness and swelling go down until I use any moisturiser.

If they are scabbing, let the scabs form. Be careful not to disturb them and they should drop off after a week or two on their own.

#12

This is a good question. I don’t have a watch and I haven’t spotted a clock in the office so I don’t know the time until I reach my car. The past two appts I noticed that when I get in my car is when my hour is up or about to be up. I also use the bathroom before I leave because of the long drive. I’m thinking that she performs 45 mins of actual work and 15 mins of prep now that you mentioned the above. I do notice that if there’s no one right after me that she goes a little longer. Makes sense and its cool that yours requires less prep time and more actual treatment time. I still appreciate my electrologist regardless =) Best wishes to you on your journey and hope you’re healing well.

#13

Please understand, that while what you are looking to purchase is the look and condition of your skin for the rest of your life, what we, the hair removal specialist have to sell is our time. It is the main perishable inventory that we trade. Once taken off the shelf, so to speak, we can’t put it back on the shelf, and if we are tightly scheduled, we really must shoe-horn our clients, and our lives into the time we have available.

I have heard tell of a practice that has the client punch in with clocking in time cards, and they pay from the time they arrive, to the time they leave.

Every business is different on how they figure the “Billable Hours”. It would do you well to at least understand how the practice you are patronizing goes about figuring your billables.

#14

My electrologist was close to the number of minutes she pretty much worked througout the time specified maybe just a couple of minutes early. The only reason I asked that question is to set my expectation. If you tell me that the clock starts as soon as I walk in, I wouldnt be chatting up and just get the work started. Thats all

Im more concerned with results which from the pics I posted didnt seem good

#15

Hi arfulgencio,

Since we were not sitting with your electrologist while the work was being administered nor did we follow you around to watch what your life is like, we don’t know why you experienced a strong reaction.

What does the area look like now, 3 days later?

The soap that you use should be gentle and come in a pump bottle, not a bar of soap. If you skin is generally oily, try dabbing a little bit of pure tea tree oil on it. Use a q-tip to apply the tea tree and do not double dip as that will diminish the potency of the tea tree active ingredient. Then, apply your clear aloe vera gel as often as you like with clean hands.

See if that makes a difference.

The tissue should not be worked on until the irritation is gone.

Continue to communicate with your electrologist and if you do not see progress, move on and interview others.

I always advise new clients to do very short treatments with new electrologists - especially if they do not come from personal referrals.

If the area is not healing, perhaps a visit to a dermatologist is a good idea.

Good luck.

#16

I have posted pics as of today. I have been using just water to wash my face and witch hazel toner. I have not user moisturizer in that area or makeup. I will get myself aloe vera today as it is drying up and peeling. I plan to wear foundation today as I think everything is dry and nothing is open to infection. Thoughts???

I will post pics of my upper lip which is the next area that I wanted to get treated this coming wednesday but this time I will just do 15 mins. As you can see from my upper lip, it is less dense as a result of laser I had 3 years ago. the chin area had much more hair than my upper lip. Is this a good plan? Is there anything she can do to improve her treatment procedure that I can suggest

Thanks so much for everyones feedback.

qwerty Attachments

After 3 days of electrolysis chin area
72hrs.JPG
After 3 days of electrolysis chin area
72hrs1.JPG

#17

Here are pics of my upper lip before electrolysis, this is what it looks like after not shaving for a whole week

qwerty Attachments

upper lip
upper1.JPG

upper.JPG

#18

I feel faint just looking at the chin pictures.

If you must go back then maybe have her treat the side of the face instead of the upper lip. Don’t let anyone near your upper lip unless you are perfectly sure they’ve "finally gotten their adjustments right."

Which I think is just a sad excuse IMHO.

#19

Funny how things usually look much worse in a photo.
Yeah, a bit “zapped out” but it should be okay.

(Please don’t assume that my work looks like this … I have gotten some amazing emails lately. I’m trying to be rational/dispassionate and comfort the patient … Nicely, your hairs are far apart and that lends itself to less long-term damage.) Gigantic hairs too!

#20

This kind of outcome is not necessary. At least she knows and has verbalized that she needs to make some adjustments. Heal completely and then start again with the understanding that you do not desire this to happen again.