Professional Grade Machine for use at Home?

Hair Removal Methods Do-It-Yourself Electrolysis
#1

Hello Hairtell! I am back with another one of my threads!

My mom and I have been going to our electrologist for quite some time now, and have had a number of areas successfully treated! However, with the fact that we do in fact go a lot, it is quite taxing on our wallets. My mom just recently ordered an electrologist’s magazine (called the Texas Electrolysis Supply) that lists many professional grade machines that we may be able to use at home.

I am merely wondering what machines you professionals may recommend? My mom would possibly aspire to become an electrologist, but she’s not entirely sure just yet (she’s currently a nurse). But for now, the main uses would be on myself and her (eyebrows, arms, possibly legs, chest, stomach, abdomen, etc…). I will list a few of the machines in this magazine but I also want to hear a bit of advice from whomever is a professional or who is on the same path. I’d really appreciate it!

Please note that we would like to stay under 1200$ if possible (we see a few here for 600-1200). If not, that’s okay! I’d just like to explore our options and hear some recommendations before we’re off into God knows what we’re doing.

  1. Autoblend Lite (EP3) - $425.00
  2. Uni-Probe Auto Blend Touch (EP5AA) - $1, 349.00
  3. Hinkel Electro-Blend Classic (1 pedal: $1,049.00) (2 pedal: $1, 1099.00)

Of the above machines, would we be fine using these? Are there any other machines in the same price range as the above that will deliver professional results? What are your recommendations! I’d really appreciate it :slight_smile:

Thanks!
Connor

#2

This is so cute! A mother and son hair removal adventure. Any of those epilators would be fine. There are many used professional epilators for sale. Texas electrolysis has a Dr. Heimlich that is like an electrolysis guru that you should talk to. His number has been listed on hairtell many times, so do a search. You can get a nice ultra Clareblend in or under your price range. it should suit your purposes.

As a former nurse, born to become an electrologist, I must say that your Mom may find much happiness with a career change. Heck, both of you can go to school together! We need more men in this profession, Conner! I know you are young, but think about it. There are many college genius’s who are unemployed because they have degrees that are not in demand. A good electrologist is always in demand.

Working on each other will help with a decision. This isn’t as easy to do as many think it is, but it becomes easier with much practice, like most things technical.

#3

If you keep a sharp eye out on ebay, you can get a better machine than the ones you listed, for less money. Start with setting up a Paypal account, customize an ebay search that would weed-out the One Touches, and include the Silhouet Tones and Apilus machines, and search daily. It may take a few months, but something usually appears for about $600 or $700.

Getting an Apilus would give you the advantage of having machine preseted power and delivery levels. This is really good for beginners as well as just about anybody that uses their machine alot. Beside, if you became good enough to actually “consider” doing facial work on your mom (Please do proceed with great caution), presets would guide you helpfully in this task.
Hope this helped :slight_smile:

#4

Thanks a lot dfahey and Mantaray. :slight_smile:

Yeah, I could always go into Electrolysis - but I do think I want to continue with my dad’s business (Financial Advisor). I could always do Electrolysis as a “part time” job during school to offset my costs, but then again, I don’t have much to pay for thanks to my parents!

Would the Autoblend Lite be okay? I find it so difficult to find personal and professional reviews online on machines solely because the electrolysis industry is so minuscule in scope to the laser one.

I pulled this up: http://www.electricspa.com/product/Uni-Probe-Lite-Epilator.html

Would that work? Like said before, it will be for removing hairs on myself and mom. We need something simple and straightforward, so less is more! haha

Do you think that after me having lurked and partially participated on this site for over a year, would I have yielded enough info in order to “skip” a course altogether? I think I know the process pretty well to the tee. I can of course always ream my errors out with some research.

Mantaray - are you able to edit the “voltage” on the Apilus? Isn’t that a standard feature on most units? If the “Autoblend Lite” doesn’t have the functionality of controlled voltage, I think I’d jump that unit and bump my price range up a little. I want to be able to control the power of it, if anything.

Like said before, thanks for the opinions guys - you two were actually among a small “group” I wanted to have reply! :stuck_out_tongue:

Thanks a lot!
Connor

#5

The uni probe would be better than owning a One Touch. It is a thermolysis only unit and it is very simple. Watching this hair site for a year may help a little, but you may still find removing hair quite frustrating. If this little baby epilator doesn’t work out for you, you are only out $400 bucks and can sell it on eBay or Craigs List perhaps. It’s a starting point and worth a try, Connor.

Dee

#6

I’m trying to cut my costs here as tight as I can just because my teacher just hit me with a “You need a DSLR camera for this class.” I just got off of Bestbuy.ca’s website with a $1000 bill. haha.

Anyway, I really want a blend machine just because I know those work best. Not only are we “newbs” but being so, I would like to be reassured that we’re actually eliminating the problem rather than plucking away. In that case, would the Hinkel work out? I believe it’s listed for 1049.

Thanks a lot Dee. :slight_smile:

#7

And I know someone who has an Apilus Senior for $1,000 plus shipping if you are interested.

#8

You could get the Uni-Probe but it’s not going to be a machine you can really grow into or use custom settings on the fly, and it’s not really a “mainstream” machine. Uni-probe is known, but not like Apilis or Silhouet Tone. The Less is More thing in electrolysis is kinda upside down, the reason is that, the more primitive the machine, the more you should know your science theory because everything is dialed in manually, over and over. Advanced machines are actually more user friendly because of the way voltages and timings are preset by experts.

After lurking here and getting familiar, I’d say you got your feet wet. The best thing is you get connected to scources, opinions, issues. As for actually doing electrolysis, a course isn’t necessary (I’m a hardcore DIYer, I’ll say that, but I can’t blame the pros for disagreeing with me), but there’s no replacing reading Bono’s the book cover to cover. That’s a must. You have to know what’s going on inside the follicle when applying voltage and where to deliver pulses, and why. I have a science background, but I think most can undeerstand anatomy good enough to follow along.

On the Apilis Senior, yes, you can vary the AC and DC voltage (like any machine), but you can also grow into it with other settings. Varying the timing, pulse timing, auto insert timing delay, interval between rapid (chain) pulses, etc., allow you to get faster and more efficient at clearing as time goes on and you get the basics down. I never thought I would ever get to using these features, but found myself growing into them in the first year, and it makes a big difference in speed.

Anyway, hope it helped
:slight_smile:

ps: I wonder if the description of that Uni-probe website is accurate …? Thermolysis? AC and DC ? Both? with only two knobs and one pedal? Hmm. Calling it a autoblend machine? Looks like the knob on the left says “Time” under it, ummm… so that leaves one knob for the voltages.
:confused:

#9

The uni-probe lite is thermolysis only. This would be money better spent as seen on Prestge electrolysis’s site:

August 11, 2011

Clareblend Ultrablend Epilator
SALE PRICE - $499

Purchased in 1998

Excellent condition, used as back-up epilator

Includes carrying case, manual and accessories including:
1 needlecord
1 round foot pedal
2 cataphoresis rollers

For more information or shipping, please email liz@advanced-electrolysis.com

#10

James, that is within budget and I’m assuming it’s a fairly decent machine (if not top-notch) from what I’ve read. I’ve discussed it with my mom and she’s comfortable with that price range, but we’re gonna see what else there is available.

And Manta (do you have a name I can call you? haha), my professional electrologist uses a green (more turquoise?) and white/grey machine that says Silhouet Tone and the logo is shaped similarly to a swan. She has a fairly decent machine, and by the looks of it, it’s completely digital. Thank you so much for your insightful information! :slight_smile: Really, REALLY helps putting things into perspective!

Dee, is this machine reputable? I remember Manta saying something about perhaps looking into a ClareBlend, and this seems to be one. In terms of pricing, functionality, ease of use, etc, would you recommend it? Would it be a machine that my mom could use should she decide to go out and perform professional electrolysis? I’m assuming it’s a “Blend” machine by the name (just want to be clear)? Reliability with used machines (I work in electronics retail so warranties are like my bible)? We were not too keen on buying something used but if the machine is in good condition and working order, we did agree that we would give it a look. Is it expensive to repair an electrolysis machine?

Sorry for all of my questions! I’m just trying to flatten out any bumps I may have further on down the road. I REALLY appreciate all of your guys’ insight and help :slight_smile:

Thanks a lot everyone!
Connor (and my Mom says thanks too!) and Shelley.

#11

Your practitioner’s machine sounds like it is the Silhouet-Tone VMC. A very good machine indeed.

#12

I second that emotion! Very nice epilator.

#13

Another quick question! I believe I have found a machine I think I’m going to buy!

I just need to know… is there any questions I should be asking? I have a small list that I could post, but I want to know if I’m covering the basics.

Do electrolysis machines “break down” like laptops and desktops do? I work in computer retail (Business Depot) and I see a lot of laptops come in and out - although they are completely different ball games, I’m just curious.

Thanks a lot everyone!

#14

No, they never break. The weakest part is the needle holder and cable for the indifferent electrode. You should have spares on hand so treatments are not interrupted.

#15

So we bought it! For original asking price, which is fine since I really like the machine so far. The hairs are sliding out perfectly for the ones we treat properly! Obviously there’s a lot of “tweezing” going on right now, but I figure it’ll all come with practise.

The machine is the Silhouet-Tone ST-250. It is fully automatic and we’re practising on blend right now. The cataphoresis is AWESOME. I’m loving the fact that we don’t have to rub any potentially painful topical lotions!

Any tips and/or pointers for us newbies? Our seller practised for a few years before she sold her unit (to us - the unit was used for less than 20 hours.) She photocopied about twenty pages of her notes from when she went to school for things to read. Any websites or anything you recommend?

Thanks a lot!
Connor