Need specific details of electrolysis please

Hair Removal Methods Do-It-Yourself Electrolysis
#1

Thank you for the wonderful forum.

I have a few questions before getting started for the first time

-How do I complete the circuit?
I read about a method using a salt-water soaked sponge attached to the leg. Could I just wrap a piece of wire around instead or grab a home made chunk of metal?

-When inserting the needle what am I feeling for? Should it stop at the bottom of the follicle?

-How do I know the hair I’m treating is done? From my research lye gasses escape during treatment, so would a lack of those gasses indicate a stopping point?

I have a few more questions but don’t want to get too far ahead myself.

#2

What epilator are you using? What’s your set-up like? Did you do a lot of reading about this first?

A circuit is completed when the client holds the indifferent electrode that plugs into the epilator, followed by the needle holder being plugged into the epilator, followed by the probe being inserted into the hair follicle at the right depth. Only then is the circuit completed.

It takes practice to feel the bottom of the follicle. Not all people can do that even after years of practice.

The hair should slide if it was treated properly, but a hair can still be treated thoroughly when it is lifted out if other sensations are felt.

#3

The epilator Im using is home built. It is a simple galvanic device utilizing Uniprobe sylus and needles.

So the needle does infact need to go to the bottom of the follicle? If I insert past this will I puncture the skin and bleed? Im having a hard time understanding how it is difficult feeling for the bottom, as I’m picturing the needle having resistance…a sure sign of reaching the bottom, correct?

I read that electrolysis is most effective when the hair is in growth. Should I wax or shave the hair before starting or does that matter?

#4

The best thing you can do for determining where the bottom of the follicle is, is to read in your book about how to gauge the depth of the follicle. You need a light touch when probing a follicle. You may feel the anchor of the hair and when you do, you need to push a little pass that blockage. If you puncture the wall, then you will see a little bleeding.

Hair needs to be in the growing stage, although there is a technique called the S.I.M.P.L.E. technique that claims to affect any stage of hair. Do a search here on hairtell, if you are curious, as we have already discussed S.I.M.P.L.E in good depth.

I like shaving three days before a treatment, although I ask my “arm” clients to wax one time only and then commence treatments around week three when new, fragile hair starts to emerge. From that point on, we go at any new groups of hair that come forth over the next 6-9 months and they are usually completed around month 12 if they stick to a proper schedule.

I’d like to follow your progress, so come on back. I really wish you luck with this endeavor because electrolysis is technically very difficult to master, especially if you do it on yourself.

Dee

#5

I tried electrolysis for the first time yesterday.

Here is my experience.
-Drank 2 tall glasses of water an hour before starting
-Took a shower and immediately started after
-Wiped area with alcohol soaked cotton swab

The needle is really small and looks to be the same size as my hair (size .003). It seems to almost fall into the follicle…I’m a bit surprised how easy it was to insert. I found holding the probe parallel to the hair always positioned the probe over the follicle.

I didn’t get a 100% kill rate but I was only working between 100-180 micro amps to start with, and was treating for short periods of time starting with ~10 sec. stopping, pulling the hair, reinserting applying current, stopping, eventually working up to ~30-40 sec.

I also didnt wax or shave before, and even though I was getting hairs with the clear sheath with zero pull resistance Im not sure if they are permanently removed or not.

Pain was minimal, and the sensation felt like an itch. I got what looked like bug bites with redness to the skin in the area I was working, with the swelling (bug bites) reduced to tiny red dots an hour later and redness on the skin disappearing completely. At almost 24 hours later the red dots are still present with atleast 80% intensity as previously noted.

No magnification was used. For light source I have a fluorescent lamp that is more of a projection type than a radiating type that worked very well. I used a Fluke multimeter to monitor current and the machine is a homemade galvanic device. The area I was treating was my upper arm.

#6

dfahey,

-Is there a reason you prefer waxing over shaving for your arm patients? Is it just a personal preference with shaving yeilding the same results?

-Should I use some sort of after treatment oil/moisturizer?
-If I don’t do I run the risk of permanent damage.
-What should I get, and where can I get it?

Thank you for all your help

#7

Oh, one more question;

The method I was using to complete the circuit is not producing consistent current each time so it looks like I need to use the salt-water sponge method.

Could someone give the formula for the salt to water ratio.

Thanks

#8

It would be a weak solution of salt water, about 1 teaspoon in a cup of water. Use a sponge. Cut it if you have to.

Dee

#9

Will do,

Could you answer the shaving vs waxing and after treatment question. I know your time is valuable and I appreciate your taking the time to offer your expertise

#10

It is often recommended that one apply a tea tree oil product (pure oil or gel) on the treated area afterward. I use a gel immediately afterward, and then pure oil on the treated area before bed. It works great for me.

So far, it sounds like you are doing a great job. I wish I had picked it up that fast when I first started :slight_smile:

The idea of waxing before electrolysis is that once all of the hair in an area is removed, any hair that regrows there will be in anagen (growing) stage. It saves time because you are then only treating hairs in anagen. (Did I get that right Dee? :slight_smile: )

#11

Could you give some brand names of the oil/gel products and where to pick them up at.

Is it necessary to treat only anagen stage hairs, or is it just easier?
It would be a shame to waste lots of time treating hairs that will grow back anyway, however I waxed one spot of my chest years ago and it HURTS a LOT so would really rather not do it if its not really necessary. If it is I will do what ever it takes.

#12

Yes, you did, sweet Vickie. Thanks for helping out.

Dee

#13

The questions you are asking indicate to me that you are experimenting on yourself. That might have been a noble idea when it involved a new vaccine that could save millions of lives, however, I do not think it is a clever idea when it involves scarring and the pain of burns. I have to guess here but you are probably not working on your own face. If you are working on somebody else be sure to get a RELEASE to avoid a lawsuit because you do not have malpractice insurance.

I read a question here asking about the safety of using a piece of wire wrapped around the leg to complete the circuit. If the current is weak nothing will happen, however, if the current is correct for electrolysis, you will get a mild shock for a short time because you will react due to your reflexes trying to protect you. You might get a burn, however, I will not try to guess how serious it would be. Professional equipment has devices on it to protect the client and electrologist. In school we work on each other. We also work on various body parts to get to feel what the client feels and all have students work on us as opposed to experienced operators. There is a difference.

Thermolysis (high frequency) uses automatic shut offs each time we step on the foot switch so that you are protected. You describe a complete circuit, therefore, I believe you are describing electrolysis in its original form. Thermolysis does not use a return wire as no circuit has to be completed. I have seen many patients retreat very fast from the idea of any electricity traveling through their body. If it was too bad we would not have much business. The biggest problem we have now is explaining to the patient what has to be done and trying to explain why it takes so long when she has a medical or genetic problem that keeps making new hair. She believes we are not effective but has no way of knowing how serious her problem is. She comes to us after trying all sorts of gadgets creams and nostrums but they only remove the hair showing above the skin that leaves everything below untouched.

#14

Other than surface area I don’t see any difference between using a salt-water sponge to complete the circuit and a wire or metal object to do the same.

Matter fact I am using a wire wrapped around a stainless dumbell and stepping on the dumbell with my bare foot to complete the circuit. As I figured it works fine, except this method does not offer consistent current probably due to the resistance being different on different areas of my foot. I noticed if I press my toes on I get more current and can vary the current by relaxing the pressure of my toes. I would rather use a potentiometer to dial in consistent current every time so will try the sponge/switch method next.

I don’t see electrolysis as rocket science, although I do respect the dangers involved and plan to proceed slowly with caution as I learn. It would be helpful to get answers to some questions I have, but if I don’t Ill research it out and continue the DIY route regardless.
Pain is something I have been living with for MANY years…the pain of being hairy and feeling awkward. I’m ready to do something about it!

#15

You might want to buy a handheld electrode, the same type used with pro electrolysis machines. They are less than $20, have a banana plug connector, and you can buy sponges that fit over the electrode perfectly. You can also use electrode gel instead and see if that works better for you. There is also quicksilver patches, that you attach to your skin and plug into an electrolysis machine, they are about $10 for 100.

I use my electrode bare, and usually put it under my thigh while I am sitting. Since there is a minute amount of hydrochloric acid produced around the ground, some people will find it irritates their skin.

It also might be a better idea to get a used professional machine to start. If you watch ebay carefully, you might just find a working machine with all of the attachments (including an electrode) for less than $200. It probably won’t have all the latest and greatest features of a modern machine, but it will give you galvanic, thermolysis and blend, and can grow with you as your skills improve.

#16

The indiffernet electrode should be moved every 15 or 20 minutes so as not to irritate the skin with the hydrochloric acid.

#17

I’m still unsure of what brand of tea tree oil I should use and where to get it. I browsed Walmart but didn’t see a single thing that said tea tree oil.
I bought some lotion that says “green tea lotion” and “enriched with green tea and vitamins A&E”
Is that what I’m looking for?

#18

The tea tree oil is located in the vitamin section on the bottom shelf in a little brown bottle. Make sure it says pharmaceutical grade. Sometimes they are out of it. A lot of people like it! It’s about $7.00 in my parts. Target’s tea tree oil is located in the vitamin section as well, on the bottom shelf. Look for a little brown bottle. Same price. I would use the tea tree oil, not the other stuff you bought.

Dee

#19

Wal-Mart’s brand is called Spring Valley if I remember correctly. “NOW” brand is a good one found in health food stores. Of course, the mail order company Melaleuca brand’s T40-C3 oil is the caviar of Tea Tree Oils (it naturally has less scent as well).

#20

Thank you for the replies.
Just yesterday before anyone replied I took back the stuff I had and asked about “Tea Tree Oil”
I was told it was in the beauty section of Wal Mart.
In the hair and ethnic section I found a small bottle brown cap clear bottle, the oil is yellow.

The brand is “Hollywood Beauty”
In big letters it says “Tea Tree Oil”
Under that in small font it says “skin and scalp treatment”
and under that it has 4 bullet points saying:
-Dry itchy scalp
-Vitamin E
-Aloe Vera
-Fungus Fighter

The ingredients show this is not pure tea tree oil, but also includes many things like soybean oil, carrot extract, aloe vera extract and about 10 other things.
Im writing all this to help others with my failed hair removing adventures

I assume this is not what I want.
If so I guess I will be taking back yet another thing…uhhh
If it will work I will use it until I run out and by the pure tea tree oil.

What do you think?