I have a questions for all electrologists on the forum. I am purchasing rest of the equipment i will be needing ( i already have my VMC 
yay!), and i got confused when it came to magnifying lamps. I was thinking that 5 x magnification would sufice, i already knew there was 3 x as well, but i just came across 8 x magnifying lamp which i never heard of before. It has T5 22W energy saving circular fluorescent lamp and 8 diopter with 5 inch lens.
Now i have no clue what will do the best job and what`s my best option. Thanks in advance.
Sanny, I never liked magnifying lamps, but many use them with no trouble. I prefer a halogen light while wearing surgical loupes.
When I had a circular magnification light it was a three diopter. My glasses are 5X magnification and I also have 2.5X mags as well. The higher the magnification the smaller the field of vision. If you can’t afford surgical loupes right now, then you will have to settle on a lamp apparatus. Do save for some custom surgical loupes, though.
It would be nice for other electrologists to share their preferences with you.
Thank you for your reply, Dee. Since no one else chimed in, ill have to go ahead and purchase a lamp for now, and i also checked out loupes as well. pricing isnt so bad, they range anywhere from 100 to 350, so i will keep that on my mind. I really need to start practicing, i dont want to head off to school without knowing how to do anything, so lamp will do for now. I will purchase 5 diopter. I am kinda disapointed that James didnt offer his advice though 
Thank you once again.
There are different price ranges for loupes. Mine cost $1,800. I’m sure your school will guide you as well. Congratulations on finally starting your electrolysis program. This is a huge sacrifice, traveling from Phoenix to Long Beach??? I forgot where the school is located in California. Much luck to you, but as some wise old sage once said, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”
Dee
I have a 5 diopter lamp that I started with. It worked to start. Many of the electrologist in my area use that and only that. I also have 2.6x loupes, I like them much better than the lamp. But then I have a medical microscope that I purchase with 15x magnification and three more power adjustments. The 15x was a bit much so I purchased 10x lenses for it and now I really like it. The field of vision is very restricted but you can almost see inside of the folicle. Even James was impressed with my microscope and I got a screaming great deal on it.
What does the school you are going to want you to have? I was told I didn’t anything as far as optics at the school I a planning on going to.
Willie
Yes Dee, my school is in Long beach, Ca, and it is going to be very difficult for me and my husband to make arrangments while i am gone since i dont have any family here. Most likely he will have to take unpaid leave and stay home with our daughter, which will cost us even more in the end. But we think its worth it, and yes, it will be hard. Even so, i am thrilled with school, and tests i am currently doing, and i find electrology to be much more interesting than i previously thought.
Willie, everyone here in Phoenix uses lamp too, ive seen my electrologist with loupes only once and she told me she was much more comfortable working with lamp. I guess i can always upgrade down the road, but i dont think id be any more comfortable with loupes than she is, since i cant even handle sunglasses while i m driving. Maybe its possible to get used to having them on your head, i dont know.
My school didn`t express anything in regards to magnification yet, so i am buying it on my own.