The Apilus

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I switched electrologists, and my new one uses the Apilus (the old one used a Fischer.) I have to say, the difference is amazing. Before, every single hair hurt like mad, and you can forget about doing anything on the upper lip without hours of LMX cream. Now, though, I don’t have to use any anesthetic at all. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not painless (under the nose still hurts horribly) but compared to what I was getting, it’s a walk in the park.

At any rate, I am down to one hour a week, most of which is spent on the nape of the neck and my fingers. My face is so clear we have to search around for little tiny hairs to get (some of them are hard to see, but still feel poky.) I wish I had switched to this guy ages ago, since it might have spared me a lot of pain. At any rate, going to start on my feet once I get some more money coming in.

#2

thanks for the update. i’m sure others in your area will appreciate the recommendation of this electrologist(as will he) if you’re willing to provide it.

#3

So what you are saying is that a computerized updated epilator, when properly used is comfortable enough for you to consider more frequent and longer electrolysis treatments? Would you say that this would motivate you to tackle large areas, if you had them to do? Would you say that you as a consumer would probably spend more money and send more friends to someone who provided the level of comfort you found here, compared to what you used to get? Would an electrologist do well, in your opinion to upgrade to one of these, and make the money back in longer more frequent appointments from the people they are currently seeing, to say nothing of the increased business from new referrals?

( <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Your Honor, I object, council is leading the witness.)

#4

I’m thinking of ways I can politely talk with my electrologist about getting a new machine. I think her’s is the oldest blend machine in San Diego. She’s shown some willingness to look into it. She’s mentioned losing some clients because of pain levels to other local electrologists. Her old stubborn catchline was, ‘The hair’s gonna come out when it’s good and ready to come out, and no fancy machine is gonna change that.’ But she’s now asking about brands and what does it take to get used to the computerized machines. She asks a lot of questions about ease of use. She wants to try out my machine but I don’t want to ever drop this thing transporting it. I think a lot of Electrologists fear that they would have to change their style drastically, or that they would misuse it, causing more pain unintentionally.

Mantaray

#5

Most have two basic fears:

1.) Not being able to learn how to use it (well enough, fast enough, at all)

2.) Never recouping the cost of the upgrade.

#6

Everything James said is correct. I have found that the computerized stuff is actually easier to use than the older dial types, since I can pinpoint the “exact” energy level needed so the hair slides out well, leaving the upper layer of skin looking as if nothing happened. Clients walk out a little on the pink side and come back reporting a good healing scenario. The upper quality epilators can gently treat the smallest blond hairs and efficiently attack the very coarse chin hairs with ease and still leave the upper layers of skin in fabulous shape. I have been told time after time from clients that the sensation is very tolerable. CLients that have had electrolysis before come in telling me they are only able to tolerate 15 minutes, but when 15 minutes is up, they usually tell me to keep going that it’s not hurting. So, it is true that one can do longer treatments because clients are fairly comfortable.

Personally, not having to use a foot switch is a real plus as I can work for several hours without hardly feeling tired. Good magnification helps the fatigue factor, too.

I’m honestly hooked on the new innovations of the computerized units because of the comfort, speed and efficiency that serve clients well. Happy clients mean going on to do more body areas. Happy clients send their friends and family. You can recoup your money pretty fast, too. Yes, I could have achieved permanent results with the Ultra Clareblend I have used in the past as it is very nice machine, but a quality computerized epilator leaves me oooing and awwwwing because it has so many strong points. Great equipment in skilled hands can work miracles in decent time frame.

Hopefully, your practitioner will give it a try. It’s hard to step out of our comfort zone. It was for me. I was full of anxiety when I opened the box when my new epilator arrived, but I figured it out and asked questions and all worked out just fine.

Dee

#7

I had some of my best treatment by someone administering Blend using a Fisher. It wasn’t the Fisher that was responsible, it was the electrologist’s technique and understanding of the equipment. I too prefer the Apilus and have a couple of them along with some other manufacturer’s equipment but I would not want the consumer to believe that it is the brand of the equipment that will provide the great treatment; after seeing some of the work being done by some Apilus practitioners, I would rather have a skilled MN Galvanic practitioner work on me! Well, actually, ideally, I would love a [color:“red”] highly skilled and knowledgable[/color] Apilus practitioner work on me. Ah, to live in an ideal world…

#8

Isn’t that what we have been saying? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

For the life of me, I don’t know why it is that no matter how many times I say that a highly skilled practitioner will be able to do even better work even faster, with even less irritaion with an up to date computerized machine, people still seem to think I am saying that the machine makes the electrologist.

I have even said that if we put you in a formula one racer, and Mario Andretti in a Yugo GV Mario will still win the race, because he knows how to keep from crashing his car, and can shift optimumly even in a manual 3 stroke engine econo-box with a 100 horsepower lawn-mower engine. You will be ahead of him in the race until you crash and blow up the car, or slow down in order to minimize your poor skills with that particular machine. At the same time, Mario will be red lining his Yugo the whole way. Are people more reacting to the point that Mario would not request to drive a Yugo GV given his choice of any car in the world? Is that it?

The only thing a computerized epilator can do for an unskilled electrologist is minimize the damage they can do and lower the learning curve on their way to non-damaging treatment by having them rely on the on board preset treatment energies.

I think the reason many customers would rather have a person with one of these than not is because they figure that if you are skilled and have one, they will get faster results from you at more comfortable sensation levels, and if you are not all that skilled, at least they will be minimizing their exposure to poor treatment. In either case, they figure that they will have more comfortable treatment even if it is not faster, or more effective.

#9

Hey, I feel a responsibility to give that extra reminder. That is all. Now get into the shower and get ready for work!

#10

Yes, I am saying that. My old electrologist was very, very good. However, I don’t think her machine was optimal and I can definitely tell a difference between the thermolysis of the Fischer, and the micro-flash and other computerized settings of the Apilus. Now, I can go for an hour or two hours every week and not tremble in fear of the pain beforehand. As has been pointed out by others, though, obviously operator skill plays a large role as well. The best machine in the world is useless in the hands of someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. I’m fortunate to have found someone who’s both very good, AND has a very good machine.

For those in the Dallas area, my operator is Dan Wallace of Electrolysis for Men (which you can find at www.electrolysisformen.com.) I’m a transsexual, but he’s very TG friendly and has a lot of experience removing coarse, male hair. The vast majority of his business seems to be made up of “normal” males who simply want hair removal, though. I recommend him highly.

#11

If I had half a brain, I would rest my case right now, but I am insane, and will push my luck on this one. Dee, you have been vocal about having upgraded your system to the Silhouet-Tone VMC after lots of research and consideration. Can you say that you recouped your upgrade costs, and if so, how long would you say it took, or will take if you have not yet done so?

Of course, anyone else who has upgraded and wants to chime in is also welcome.

#12

Am I among the eliciters of your insanity?

I am chiming in.
[color:“red”]Yes, upgrading has resulted in greater client comfort for sure. Hardly anyone needs lidocaine anymore[/color]. But in terms of recouping costs, nope. Not for me. I upgraded a few months ago and before that, 2 years ago so I am not a great recouper of costs. I spend way too much money for my business while trying to keep prices down. In any event, the purchases are a write off and if I generate income and do not reinvest in my business, I end up paying more in taxes anway so I figure I might as well spend it on my business.

Since most electrologists are sole proprieters, they probably don’t have CPA’s guiding them. Maybe they aren’t seeing the advantages of reinvesting in their businesses, maybe they get cash and think short term and don’t report very much of it and hence, can’t buy new stuff if the money isn’t being reported as coming in.

Some folks still use really old equipment, you know who in Great Neck does, and they seem to be pretty busy. What do you make of that kind of situation? When folks have the money yet don’t upgrade yet parade around like the leaders and experts in the field?

#13

I think you know very well what I think about that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

#14

Arlene, I’m no CPA, but I can tell you that you don’t have to buy more “things” like newer epilators for your business every two years in order NOT to pay more taxes. Buying some Roth or regular IRA’s or, if you can get them, tax-free bonds with that extra income will help shelter your money for your retirement years, which I’m sure is way, way off in the distant future, since you are so young <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. I don’t know what your overhead is, but I do understand that being a sole proprietor of a business can be a real balancing act and it is tough to make a buck.

I trust the feedback of the hair removal client. They know the difference between painful treatments and tolerable treatments when they have the chance to compare. It is an excellent investment for an electrologist to make for the sake of his/her clients. It is the workhorse of your business and will make your perfected skills feel even better for the person at the end of the probe. I’m sure you know this as an electrolysis instructor.

If electrologists do not want to up grade and they have a bustling business with satisfied clients, then why analyze this?

If the consumer observes this issue being discussed, it will still be up to them to consult with as many electrologists that they can and decide who to hire based on many things, including the equipment issue.

I have no investments or interests in companies that make hair removal products. I simply report what I have tried and measure consumer feedback. I have settled on things that makes my business attractive to the consumer who wants the hair off as fast as possible, as tolerable as possible, leaving the skin in good condition. No one needs lidocaine for their upper lip because they can “take it”. I found the formula that works for me and my investment was recouped pretty darn fast. It took some work and lots of questions, but I think I have arrived somewhere good.

Dee

#15

Sure there are tax shelters.
Sure there are pensions.
There are also some incentives that the gov’t offers
to stimulate the economy - state / federal.

A couple of years ago there were great incentives through the federal gov’t., to purchase equipment.

So why do you think most do not upgrade?

Um, so you thing I am young, do you?
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

#16

Do I dare call you an old-timer then? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Why don’t most upgrade their equipment?

First, I would have to know what epilators electrologists are using to answer this better. Maybe they have been upgrading? How would we know the numbers on this? I don’t think we are rare, Arlene, in that we have and use better tools. Have you seen any data that breaks down who uses the oldies,but goodies and who have gone to computerization? Just curious.

Changing what your familiar with is not always desirable. Maybe a lot of electrologists feel comfortable with their equipment and just aren’t curious to explore the new. Maybe some are ready to retire and see no advantage to spending the money. Maybe some just desire to keep their overhead low and keep more money for themselves and perhaps maybe, some don’t have the volume of clients where they live to justify an expensive purchase???

Sorry for all the “maybe’s” in this post, but I don’t know how to answer your question.

Dee

#17

I just got a private email from an electrologist who wrote that this thread sounds like we are bickering and it makes us look bad. I don’t see it that way. Do you?

#18

She has the right to her opinion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />