Hi,
I am getting done electrolysis in India. But needles cost seems to be too much of about 2 dollars per needle. My electrologist uses sterex 2 piece F4S short which can be found at sterex.com
I dont mind buying other brand needles, but where is it I can buy good quality needles onine for usa?
Which brand and specs do you professionals like James use?
I will be coming back in us for some time, and going back again to India.
Thank you much.
Hey there.
I’ll post three companies that will help you with purchasing probes, but first a little info.
Most probes are less than a dollar each whether they be insulated, gold or stainless steel. I have always used and liked the Ballet Gold or Insulated probes because they just glide into the follicle with a sturdy feel. Most of the time I use gold, especially on the face, but have changed strategy for use in other situations where I have felt the need to switch to insulated. I never use stainless steel. There are several companies that make great probes and each electrologist has her or his favorites probes.
For starters, here are some sites you can search:
www.prestigeelec.com
www.texaselectrolysissupply.com
www.instantron.com
Happy hunting.
Dee
Hi,
Thanks Dee. Whats difference between insulated and gold?
And why not stainless steel?
Does it makes any difference?
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The least expensive electrolysis probes are stainless. Some people are allergic to the nickel content and working in blend would increase the potential allergic reaction. For better comfort one can cover the stainless with gold, which conducts electricity better, and is hypo allergenic, or you may cover the stainless with a coating, usually a polish or teflon, and only the untreated area can pass on the treatment current. Since a lesser portion of the probe is “Live” treatment of the upper levels of the skin is reduced.
Most people find that Gold probes are more comfortable, and insert more easily.
Yes, using the correct probe for a particular area does make a difference. Choosing the correct probe to match the size of hair you are treating can create a pattern of heat and/or chemical destruction which is more thorough and widespread for destroying that pesky hair follicle.
An insulated probe has a special plastic coating on the upper two-thirds of the probe only, so that the current stays concentrated at the lower third of the probe. The area of tissue destruction is limited to that lower one third area, or at the tip of the needle, so as to spare the top layers of skin from treatment.
The gold -plated needles reduce surface trama to the top layers of skin and eliminate allergic reactions such as some can get when using the stainless steel probes that contain nickel.
There are a several good brands of probes available and each of us have our preferences. I use a gold probe that are fairly rigid. I use gold 90-95% of the time especially when doing blend and my clients’ skin reaction is great afterwards.
The big thing to remember about probes is: make sure your electrologist uses a pre-packaged sterilized probe before every treatment because it is the SAFE thing to do and it really doesn’t cost that much more for this extra protection. I don’t think this is a huge problem among electrologists, as I’m sure that most everybody adheres to this practice, but it is always worth a mention. You, the consumer, should actually observe the probe being inserted into the needleholder from the package each time a session begins.
Dee
The big thing to remember about probes is: make sure your electrologist uses a pre-packaged sterilized probe before every treatment because it is the SAFE thing to do and it really doesn’t cost that much more for this extra protection. I don’t think this is a huge problem among electrologists, as I’m sure that most everybody adheres to this practice, but it is always worth a mention. You, the consumer, should actually observe the probe being inserted into the needleholder from the package each time a session begins.
Dee
Until a month ago, I too thought most electrologists used disposable probes, or at the very least, sterilized the regular probes. This is what my license requires. I received a phone call asking me what my needle policy was. I told her I use disposable and have stainless, gold, and insulated available. She then asked what I charge for my needles. Now I know 10-15 years ago when disposables started becoming more common, the initial expense seemed to traumatize some electrologists and they would charge an extra dollar of two if the client wanted the disposable. I never believed in that philosophy. When you buy a few hundred dollars worth each order, yes, it seems expensive, but when you consider what each needle costs and the amount the client is already paying, it’s petty to ask for a “needle fee.” Raise your prices if you can’t afford disposable needles. So then this woman tells me that her electrologist charges her $5 for a needle, and she has to take it home with her and bring it back! Unsterilized! I know for a fact that the electrologist in question KNOWS better. I’ve served with her on an association board. I didn’t witness this behavior, so I can’t file a report with our state board. The client doesn’t want to get her in “trouble” over this, and will not file a complaint.
So my point is, even if you are in a highly regulated area, heed dfahey’s advice, observe that probe being inserted from the package and don’t be intimidated to ask about your electrologist’s sanitation and sterilization procedures!
Back in the days when I was just a lost soul seeking electrolysis treatment myself. I found that many practitioners in my area were not only charging a “needle fee”, but were generously offering to either keep the probe in a file until the next visit, or handing the client a plastic container to keep the probe in until they came back next time. They never explained that the best case situation was for a new, or sterilized probe, and people who did not inquire further through research knew no better.
I always compare this to going to an eatery where the waiter asks you to lick your spoon clean, and either let them put it in an envelope until your next visit, or take it home and keep it in a zip lock bag.
Although I can see how some might argue that the forceps/tweezers are not all that critical, and need only be sanitary, I can’t see how anyone can argue with the need to sterilze the probe that is inserted into the skin, and may contact blood.
But no matter what horror stories I may have to tell, it is nothing compared to one of my teachers who said that she knew people who not only would not use disposeables, but would use the same probe on everyone all day long. Their argument was that they wiped the probe off with alcohol, and shot a few shots of thermolysis into the air in order to “heat sterilize” the probe.
For the record, the thermolysis energy creates heat around the probe. The probe itself never reaches the temperatures of the treatments. Any heat the probe absorbes is from its surroundings. When shot into the air, no actual heat is created, as there is little near the probe to vibrate and create any heat. Although I hope no one still does this, I don’t dare say that no one does.
It would be easier for me to have the machine all ready to go when the client walks into the room, but I make sure that, if they are interersted, they see me remove the last probe used in the machine, open a new package, insert a probe, and replace the forceps in a similar fashion.
Thank you all for all the info. Without you folks I would have been lost…
I probably would like to go with gold needles…