I was hoping that someone here could help me with something. I am an electrologist trained at Dectro Academy in Quebec City. This is where they manufacture the Apilus machines. I have just started my practice last week, and am using a 3x magnifying lamp. The majority of my first clients were menopausal women with coarse, white/translucent hairs on their chin. I felt like I was working blind and it is now obvious that my lamp is inadequate!! I need to upgrade my equipment in a hurry, but $8000 is far more than I can afford right now. I’m wondering if anyone out there uses a stereo microscope as opposed to a colposcope, if a stereo microscope would be sufficient? Does anyone know? I’m desperate for help! Thank you!
James has a stereo microscope. I’m sure he can help out. When he had it I my office, it was very, very nice, but I could never handle that 100 pound base if I moved it around as much as our traveling James does. You can buy them used. Just google Ziess Opmi 99 and also do a search here on hairtell to see some remarks.
I didnt realize that a Ziess Opmi 99 is a stereo microscope. I thought that it was simply called a colposcope, or a surgical microscope. This link is an example
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-5-90X-ZOOM-STEREO-INSPECTION-MICROSCOPE-80-LED-RING-/200461580160?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eac70f780
of the stereo microscope I am talking about. This doesnt look at all similar to the Ziess colposcope, but I’m wondering if it would still be able to do the same job. Does anyone know or work with something similar?
The problem one would have with something like what you have linked to is the focal distance (you need it to be about 15 inches or more) and something to allow you to set it in such a position as to be easy to look through, and to be magnifying the treatment area you are looking to view. The surgical scopes allow one to change the focal distance, and suspend the vision aid in just the right place to be in focus.
I use a colposcope (which is a form of stereo microscope.) My scope is a bit restricted in positioning compared to James’ but I am used getting it positioned just right and for me it works great. I only paid $650 for mine, but it is a great bargain when I found it. At full power it has the equivalent of 45 diopters (15x) of power, though I usually use it as 30 (10x); it is quite a difference compared to a circle lamp!
Like James’, it has a head on a swinging/adjustable arm, which is attached to a pole and a base. I can adjust the height to match whatever table and chair I am using, and it can go up and down and left and right. The only drawback is that it is hard to adjust the head so you can look down at an angle.
I’d still recommend getting the same OPMI scope James’ has, if you can find/afford one. I am sure you can find one on eBay or Craigslist for less than $8000.
Hello Jennifer,
There are some less expensive options that I work wonderfully for me!
This halogen light will reach all around your working area. This particular one is much better than a flexible one that I previously used.
http://www.prestigeelec.com/cgi-bin/local-net/shopzone30.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=365&p_catid=78&sid=7glBmg2Sw0Xi6V6-45110595156.6d
For magnification, I use Zeiss binoculars that are very similar to this: http://www.prestigeelec.com/cgi-bin/local-net/shopzone30.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=777&p_catid=70&sid=7glBmg2Sw0Xi6V6-37110023572.4f When you wear this type of magnification - your magnification moves with your head - and you don’t have to keep adjusting equipment. The next step up from these binocular glasses would be the kind that you get fitted for (designs for vision??)and they are about double the cost of the zeiss.
With these tools, I can move the light around to get a better view of those very fine hairs - that it sounds like other electrologists won’t treat because they can’t see them!
Thank you for taking the time to post! All of the information has been very helpful. This website is an invaluable source of information!
This one is less than $8,000
http://cgi.ebay.com/CARL-ZEISS-OPMI-99-COLPOSCOPE-/110512301728?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bb0be6a0
Hi James,
I’m just starting out in electrolysis, and want to be just like you one day. (in Texas)
What microscope do you use? is it Zeiss OPMI 99 specifically?
I can’t find any online for sale. what is a good price for it?
I see a lot of Zeiss OPMI 1 and 6? are these less powerful than the 99? what diopter strength does it go up to?
Also, what favorite brand and size probe do you like the most for mens beards? and fine, vellus hairs?
I’m currently at Berkowits School of Electrolysis, and Barry remembers you.
Thanks for your help,
CC
hi CHC,
I’m in frequent contact with James but he doesnt really interact on this site anymore, and hasnt for over a year due to some drama. If you’d like I can post your question to him and get any reply to you privately?
edit: I pointed out your question to James.
Seana
Well this doesnt work 
It’s really sad that the technical issues here havent been resolved in over a year. I have a reply for you but I’m going to have to try and answer in small chunks and type it all in so formatting is going to suck and it will be in small pieces. Sorry I cant do a dang thing about that.
I am just playing secretary, since James could not post this. All reply here is from James himself, not yours truly. So here’s attempt # 2 to type this in manually, copy paste hasnt worked either
Some would say this is a misguided desire indeed, join the heretics of hair removal and give what no one else is delivering, because your starting point does not lead you to their endpoint.
James:
While I travel with an OPMI 99 I have a OPMI 1 in my office. The standard OPMI 99 has 26 times life size optics out of the box and the standard OPMI one is 40 times out of the box.Lower Magnifications may also be selected . Do be careful about the focal distance of the optics.If it is too long you wont be able to reach your clients treatment area when you can see it and if it is too short you will be uncomfortable when working long hours. We found that while the standard rig comes with 250 mm distance, my friend Dee with her short little arms and close sitting preference needs a 125 to 175 mm focal point. I think she was more comfortable with the 125 and 150 mm.
James:
James just loves his King James seven probes by Laurier for starting a beard job.As the job goes on you will need to drop it down to a 6, a 5 a 4 or a 4.5 as the follicles and hairs shrink. Since I am using a stereo microscope I almost never use anything smaller than a size 3. I also like Ballet gold probes sometimes they are the best thing for a certain situation and makes the job easier than working with my usual Laurier.
James:
Of course Barry remembers me, his mother would haunt him if he forgot me 
For those who care to know I am doing well and making great progess on my health improvement. Blood pressure is back in what I consider the proper zone and looks like it will hit what even the American doctors consider the correct zone.
Rumours of my death are extremely exagerated though I could use the rest:p
James
Personal note from Seana: that was way too much work for me to ever do it again. It’s really bad for any site to let technical issues that interfere with communication go on this long.
Iluv2zap,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to do all that for me!!!
Please thank James as well and encourage him to come back to the forum. He’s such a valuable source of info for us newbies.
With great gratitude,
CC
CHC,
You’re most welcome
I’m one of the people who has benefitted most from his presence here. James moderated this site for better than 15 years and gave of himself and his knowledge throughout that time, but it came at a cost , most especially to his health. He’s taken care to better it, but I’m not so sure he would be able to return on any regular basis, it may just take too much from him .
Seana