Needle Size Selection/Insertion

Hair Removal Methods Do-It-Yourself Electrolysis
#1

I am using a needle about the thickness of the hair, checked under magnification, as Bono says is the way to determine needle size. I am working on male leg hair, type III skin, with a size 4 needle. The 4 is closer in thickness to the hair than a 3.

Want I am curious about, is there a way one can tell if bad insertions are poor technique/misalignment with the right needle, or if/when it is appropriate to go down a size even if the needle is smaller than the hair?

Another quick question about insertion. I insert the needle into the follicle, slowly inserting smoothly. Then about halfway down sometimes I feel resistance (but no stick sensation), then suddenly feel a “pressure pop” and the needle pushes in (again with no sticking sensation or pain like a misaligned insertion.) Is this just from pushing past the anchor of the hair? I assume if I am poking through the follicle I assume I would feel a sticking/pain sensation?

#2

Proper insertion is more important than needle size. I’ve found that with good magnification a larger needle size can be used for even fine hair.

As for insertion depth - first note how deep the needle went. When removing the treated hair, place the tweezers right at the skin surface. Now compare the length of the hair that was below the skin surface with the depth of the insertion. The difference should be minimal (<1mm or so).

#3

That is how I tried to find the insertion depth, though until recently I still struggled with it :crazy: . I think I am getting the hang of the depth finally, though the telogen hairs seem to really throw me off (I think they are telogen hairs, since the hair length is shorter and they have no bulb on the end.)

Often I seem to get the angle of insertion right, but still end up poking the inside of the follicle and having to start over again. I thought it might be the size of the needle. Maybe I just need better magnification as you said.

I am still only averaging maybe 1 good kill out of 6 or so attempts :frowning: One will come out easily with the root sheath and dc foam bubbling out of the follicle, and the zapping feel is pretty consistant. The others don’t release at all, or are telogens, or I just can’t get the needle cleanly in them. Once in a while, one will go in ok, I turn on the current and I don’t feel much of anything for several seconds and then it suddenly turns painfully hot; then I stop and the still hair still won’t release :confused: