Dear all,
I’ve been following this forum for a while and eventually I decided to go for electrolysis on my chin. I live in the US but due to circumstances I’ve been in Melbourne, Australia for the past few months and I decided to give it a try here. I could not find a referral at that time and went with whatever electrologist I found over the internet in the city. I went so far for 9 sessions over the past three months, and each time I had a full cleanup on the chin - not a whole lot to start with.
However, I must say that I am not too happy with the results, I just think and feel that it’s all coming back as it was within about 10 days of each session. My sessions are now every 2 weeks, and last for about 15 min. I have a picture of “before” which I keep as reference, and try to judge by that one. Whatever hair was coarse before still seems coarse. The machine the electrologist is using seems from last century, when compared with some pictures I’ve seen on this forum or other websites. It even seem to be kind of dirty and dusty, although I didn’t experience anything bad on my skin, apart from the usual redness/swollenness which goes away by next day.
Anyway, I am looking for some feedback of any kind. Maybe I just need to be more patient? Also, if anybody has any referral in Melbourne for electrolysis, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks a lot!
I wish we did have lots of information about Australia. Although we have had a few posters from there talk about the situation (they agree with your estimation) we don’t have much information on the whereabouts of the electrolysis providers who actually ARE in Australia.
If it makes you feel better, There happens to be an Aussie having work done with me today, because he felt it would be better to visit me in the USA than to continue with what he was getting down under. Unfortunately, he did not live in Melbourne, so I don’t know that he will be much help in getting info for you.
I will ask him when I see him today.
As for other things, you have to understand that this is a process that takes 9 to 18 months if you don’t have new hairs sprouting from previously non-hair growing follicles.
Have you looked at your famous growth chart thread in the DIY section?
http://www.hairtell.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/8979/all/Regrowth_charts.html
You can’t really judge yet if the treatments are not working since the hair is NOT actually “coming back” 10 days later. You’re seeing NEW hair in a different growth cycle. It takes 9-12 months of consistent treatments to judge results, and you really need to give it 5-6 months at least to see whether the sessions are becoming much shorter and spaced less frequently and if the hair is getting finer. Right now, it’s really too early to say that it’s not working. You need to be patient.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt to sample other electrologists, but keep the above things in mind. If you’re not feeling the hair being plucked, i.e. it slides out easily without resistance after being zapped, and you don’t have abnormal side effects, you’re most likely fine.
Thanks a lot for feedback. I’ll keep going the same path for a while and maybe come back with a followup.
Great forum, thanks again. 
It would be nice if you would get some consultations and sample treatments from the different practitioners in your area and report back here. We have so little info on your area.
I talked to my Aussie friend and he is from the Sydney area, so he has nothing to contribute regarding the Melbourne area.
Well, it’s so happen that I’ll be back to the US (San Diego) in two weeks for good. I know there are many referrals for San Diego, and thank you guys for that.
As for Melbourne, I used National Skin Institute on Collins St. They attracted me with the name and a good website with prices info. However, when I first arrived there, it was a disappointment, it was nothing like an institute. From the smell, it seem rather a waxing shop. 
I kept going for 3 months and 9 treatments, probably one more before I leave for the States. I should not judge on the effectiveness of the treatment as apparently was too short anyway. I will just say that I do not see any real improvement after this time and they are using really really old machines. The electrologists seemed nice but didn’t feel like they are interested in my long term treatment and results at all ( I used one lady primarely and another one in 3 more instances).
I am excited to start again in SD and see the difference.
Thanks everybody.
My name is Christine O’Connell and I am a British trained Sydney based electrologist. I qualified as a D.R.E. (diploma remedial electrolysis) in 1981 and have over 30 yrs of continuous experience in Ireland, New Zealand and Western Australia. Thermolysis is my specialty and I love clearing even vellus hair to perfection(if that is what my client wants) I am also a great fan of multiple needle galvanic (very popular here) for body hair. A bikini line or underarm can be completely finished in 8 to 12 months. I love this site and often refer cautious new clients to it for independent advice. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for posting Christine. It is wonderful that there are so many modalities associated under the broad umbrella of ‘electrolysis’. If you ever have the opportunity to try some of the faster forms of thermoysis, it would be great to hear some feedback. By chance are you using a digital multi-probe galvanic on a Gentronics epilator?
What is the name of your business in Sidney. Can you post your contact information for prospective clients?
I don’t know what the laser situation is like in Sidney. Even though I am an electrologist, I almost always advise my clients, who are good candidates with underarm and bikini work, to see a laser specialist. If they don’t want to, I can certainly handle those areas just fine with electrolysis. I just want to be honest and give them their options. Response rates with a good laser are extremely satisfying and they end up coming to me in the end for the final touch up on the ducky-down hairs that laser can’t “see”.
Thanks again for making all aware that you are “out there”. It is very frustrating not to be able to point posters to good electrologists in their area.
Dee
I am seriously thinking of a micro/pico flash as my next investment. I think it would be fantastic for training. I don,t know regarding speed- I’m pretty fast now. I am using a gentronics multi galvanic. My practise is called Clinical Electrolysis and is located at Suite 5, Level 2, 229, Macquarie Street, Sydney 2000. Tel (02) 9231 1903. Laser is very popular here and ipl is even more so. Clinics and client satisfaction vary a great deal. Many of my clients have already had it and like you I finish up for them in bikini and underarms. However in other areas like face and arms I’ve seen lots of “laser induced growths”
If you make an epilator purchase in the future, strongly consider purchasing the Apilus Platinum or Pure. Be sure and add the thermolysis program called ‘SYNCHRO’ if you get the Pure. I think it’s about $400 extra? I am familiar with this epilator because I use it in my practice. The customer service is exceptional. The people at Dectro California are most helpful and take much effort in providing the electrolgist with the support she/he needs.
I have a very busy electrolysis practice and I am convinced it is because of the tools I use (and maybe because of my wonderful personality, too. 
. There are other manufacturers that make good to decent epilators, but I can’t talk about those epilators or their customer service. I did use a Silhouet-Tone VMC prior to the Platinum and can attest that the VMC was a great epilator as well, but 9 out of 10 clients definitely notice a difference in sensation between the Platinum and the VMC. Other electrologists are certainly welcome to come on board to make their recommendations.
You are using a great modality, but do explore beyond that if you ever get a chance to do so. It’s hard to leave what you know well and works, but the newer technology works just as well and you may appreciate not having to sterilize 16 needles after every session and minding 16 different wires.
Thanks for your contact information!
Dee
I have been looking into buying a platinum pure,and seemingly we have no distributer in Australia which poses a few problems especially re training. I gather that this is a highly computerised unit, and it does not come with video instruction. Hense I am nervous. Any thoughts, ideas. I have only ever used manually operated units. Would I be as well off to get an sx 500.I would really apreciate your viewpoint Dee.
Just got back from Chicago, so sorry for the delay in answering this.
Dectro does not supply an instructional video / DVD with the Apilus Platinum or Pure and they have their reasons for this. I live in Ohio and it is difficult for me to fly out to Dectro California or any other training centers to take advantage of their free hands on instruction, so I understand why you are hesitant to purchase this living in Australia. It would still be a great purchase and you would certainly be a one of a kind electrologist in your area. In my opinion, learning the Apilus language is intuitive. If that is not enough, the professionals at Dectro are great at answering your questions via phone or e-mail anytime after you purchase their products. The customer service has been fantastic from my viewpoint.
I learned how to use the Platinum without formal instruction from a Dectro location near me and all has gone well. I have recently talked to a new electrologist several times. She lives locally and I did encourage her to bring it up to 27 megahertz with either the Platinum or Pure. She purchased the Pure with Synchro and she is finding her way with this epilator. Even so, she is flying to California in two weeks and then we will meet up with each other after that so she can tell me what she learned! I do wish that an instructional video was included and have suggested that on occassion. I think more electrologists would not be so hesitant to purchase it if they had that reassurance.
I would encourage you to explore this further and get more information. The person you want to contact is Jean-Louis in Santa Ana, California - Phone: 1-800-463-5566 . He’s a very nice man and will guide you well and answer any concerns you may have.
I was hesitant to go outside my comfort zone, too, but I am so glad I took the leap and I really mean that. My clients definitley know the difference between my 13 megahertz epilator and the Apilus Platinum 27 megahertz epilator hands down. A little story: I needed some updating on my epilator, so I sent my AP to California. In the meantime, I pulled my backup epilator off the shelf and started using it. No one had to shorten their appointment, but most knew that this treatment was different from the previous treatments they had had on the Platinum. One client called before her appointment and asked when I would be getting my other epilator back. She cancelled her appointment and asked me to call her when my Platiunum returns and then she will resume treatments! People know the difference, believe me. The SX-500 is a very good model as well, but why not bring it up to the best if you are thinking of upgrading?
So that’s my viewpoint, but I certainly do not want you to make a decision based only on my viewpoint. Again, the best person to answer your concern about how to use this great epilator would be Jean-Louis. Gather more information and then decide. As for me, I’m spoiled now and do not want to use any other epilator. It didn’t take me long to figure out how to use it - it is pretty simple actually - the learning curve is minimal.
Dee
Thank you so much for the wonderful info and help with my big decision. Oddly enough over the weekend I did some more research and ererything I read made me want it more and more. I have found that there used to be an agent here and if it proves necessary I can have some training with him. He is one hours flight away, so hopefully my computer whiz friend will be able to interpret anything that confuses me. I really apreciate your advise and look foreward to letting you know how I go with it. It will be very interesting if I find myself abandoning my gentronics for the platinum. Will keep you briefed.
I think you are headed in a good direction. I used a digital Gentronics for several years, moved onto the Sil-Tone VMC and now am zapping away with the Platinum. I am always evolving and searching for the best products provided. I do this knowing that leaving the familiar is uncomfortable for me personally, but is sometimes the best direction to take. People want the hair off fast, they do not want to be on the upper edge on the sensation scale and they want their skin to go back to normal ASAP. When these better epilators are used correctly, you can achieve all three goals as a practitioner.
We’ll all look forward to what you find to be true. One thing I forgot to mention is, many students in electrolysis schools are using the Platinum and Pure. If electrolysis neophytes can understand how to use them, then an experienced electrologist like yourself can easily get on board. Also, when these students start working their communities, people will figure out who has the better setup and gravitate toward them for their hair removal needs.
Good luck and thanks for posting here.
Dee
Dee, I made my decision and am keenly awaiting the arrival of my alpilus platinum pure with synchro. Did it take you long to get going with it. What programme is best suited to vellus and accelerated lanugo hair types. I would really apreciate any tips.
quick work can be done in PicoFlash, safer slow work can be done in any of their blend modes, like PicoBlend, OmniBlend.
I was fine figuring it out. Just sit quietly and read the manual. If you need help with other things, e-mail a contact person at Dectro. I learned a few things that the manual doesn’t tell you when I accidentally ran into Johanne Fortier at a continuing ed seminar and of course, King James Walker, is a walking, talking information booth. If you can insert well (and after 30 years, I know you can) the rest will be easier. Did you say you had a someone in Australia that may be helpful? You can private message me and I bet James would be good with this, too. We can help out as best we can over the internet. That’s why I wish a DVD were available on scale with what one would learn if they were physically present at a Dectro Institute for those that can’t travel to obtain further instruction. Maybe Jean-Louis is planning a vacation in Australia soon???
Buying anything new is like a new relationship - it takes time to get to understand many things. Invest the time and practice on some friends and relatives until you are comfortable. Do body work first and work up to facial areas.
You can private message me here anytime.
Dee
Hi coconnell,
I had multiple needles done waaay back when on some wolfman hair under the eye socket. I quite liked it. It was a lot less painfull and the hairs slid right out.
I would think that other than the price of the unit, it might be the best choice for a DIYer. ?
Congrats on adding the latest tech. I’m sure you will master it.
Dee thank you for your very kind offer to help much appreciated. I don’t want to be one of the people who ends up under utilising the machines potential as James sometimes describes in his posts. If I can swing it next year I may go to Europe via the US or Canada and avail of some training. I also treat facial capillaries and skin tags and am not sure if they can be performed on this unit. All will be revealed in approx one week. Can’t wait…
Allbeit,I agree that multi probe galvanic is a wonderful modality and probably the safest for a DIYer. Healing is somewhat slower but skin damage is less likely. Cost is,as you say prohibitive.