My electrologist says she can remove 2-4 hairs per minute (thermolysis). I also read on this forum, however, that ‘an expert electrologist can do 800 hairs per hour’, which is over 10 hairs a minute. What am I to believe? I am still choosing electrologists. What speed should I be looking out for (thermolysis as well as blend).
Also, what are the advantages of blend over just thermolysis?? Black African woman.
Thanks for anyone who can help!
Believe both. There is no conflict with your latest person honestly saying that 2 to 4 hairs per minute in thermolysis is what you can expect when working with her, and this board saying that 800 hairs per hour is possible from some practitioners, on some clients, depending on where and what is being worked on, and what equipment the practitioner is using, and how that practitioner utilizes her or his equipment.
Unless you find someone who at least is utilizing their auto-sensor, (and the auto-sensor being used has set capabilities of less than one second) you are not likely to find 800 per hour in your area. Furthermore, it is also less likely that such a speed can be reached when the hairs are spread out widely, and or, all growing in different directions, or the treatment area is hard to reach (such as under the chin of a large breasted woman). There are many variables here, and even those who can reach 800 hairs per hour, may not be able to give that to every client in every situation.
As for your other question, blend would be a better bet, if your hairs are curly, or have any distortion, as one would tend to have less chance of blowouts, and temporary pigmentation. Don’t get me wrong, it is perfectly possible to do work in thermolysis even with the curly distorted hairs. It is, however, easier to learn to work those hairs in blend, than it is to learn to work them in thermolysis, and it is here that the differences in machines and equipment start to separate thermolysis operators.
If your practitioner knows how to do both, you can trust her to do blend when that is the best thing to do, and thermolysis when that is the faster, but just as effective method.
James said this well. I work on many, many, many women of color, especially black african women. Most of these women present with tough, curvy, thick hair structures. I have found it most desirable to use the faster forms of electrolysis (microflash and picoflash thermolysis). This works well, but should only be done by an electrologist that has the proper set up and skills. Blend would certainly be very good, and in general, any method of electrolysis will result in permanent hair removal. If electrologists in your area can do proper and skilled electrolysis in your area, using whatever they are comfortable with, then that is what you have to accept.
It is possible to do 500-800?,900?, 1,000? insertions on areas, but like James said, what are we talking about here? What are the hurdles? If there are very challenging insertions and the hair structures are tough, those become obstacles that can reduce the speed. If I am working on thin, straight hair on a woman’s sideburns, I most likely will see 700-900 insertions in an hour. Chin and neck area with tough hair in the shape of alphabet letters? My numbers drop down to the 400- 600 range.
Put those numbers into perspective and be not too hard on someone that chooses to stay with an older set up with an older machine. I personally think and know that there are disadvantages when one does not modernize and re-train. All modalities of electrolysis will still work for you. From straight galvanic to picoflash thermolysis. Observe how it feels and heals. Give feedback to the electrologist and be patient.
Dee
2 hairs per minute is a bit slow for thermolysis. I would say if she does 5-10 hairs per minute, you’re good to go. Blend is slower, more like 2-4 hairs per minute.
Besides speed, good insertions are important. You shouldn’t feel any plucking - the hair should slide out without resistance after being zapped.
Blend is sometimes necessary for the deeper curlier hairs, but for the majority of hair thermolysis is just finer and faster (microflash and picoflash are types of thermolysis which are fastest).
Thanks to all who replied. I am in Southern New Jersey. I have just found a new electrologist - consultation on Saturday, probably. Here is her address:
http://www.bodybasicssj.com
Recommendations welcome.
From a poster in 2007?:
(Do give Louise and others a try. Your opinion may not be like Mike’s opinion. I like Louise’s magnification glasses, but the light source with magnification? I’m wondering if she uses both at the same time?)
Re: electrolysis in cherry hill, nj area? [Re: hollym]
mike856nj
Major Contributor
Registered: Mon Jan 08 2007
Posts: 63 Holly,
I’m a male getting treated for electrolysis on my upper arms and shoulders due to laser-induced hair growth. I also live in Cherry Hill, but I would not recommend electrologists in Cherry Hill. They are too expensive and they work VERY slow. I travel 20 minutes to Turnersville to a place called Vizible Difference. The electrologist is Linda Brogley, CPE. She is absolutely great and I would highly recommend her. The telephone number is 856-740-3223. There is another electrologist in Woodbury that is also great - Barbara DeBrielle (Bodywise Electrolysis). Her telephone number is 856-848-9991. I was with her for about a year, but I think the area being treated was too large for the blend treatment , so I decided to try Vizible Difference. Again, they are both great and I would recommend them both. I’ve been to Louise Crowley, Chloe Handler and another ( I forget the name) in Cherry Hill, but they are too much money and not very efficient.
Good Luck!
Mike