Thermolysis vs blend for beard - tech advances?

[Bari Jo]

I've been reading that blend is recommended for tg clients, and others that have thick hair, or those that are prone to ingrown hairs.  Well, I am all three.  I'm wondering with the newer machines if there has been any advances that thermolysis can still be used on tg beards like mine and not have any skin damage.  thoughts?

[Ashley3]

I've been reading that blend is recommended for tg clients, and others that have thick hair, or those that are prone to ingrown hairs.  Well, I am all three.  I'm wondering with the newer machines if there has been any advances that thermolysis can still be used on tg beards like mine and not have any skin damage.  thoughts?

There are two fine electrologists who work in my area who specialize in working with trans clients. One focuses on blend, the other thermolysis. Both can do either but they tend to advocate for what they are each used to. Both know of one another and I believe have sent clients to one another. They each respect one another. When early in my transition before facial hair removal, I asked each about this... they told me it's really about the electrologist not the method... both methods can achieve excellent results with a well-trained and talented electrologist.

Before seeking elec, I had heard blend was 'The' way. Generally I've heard what you have. I cannot say if it's a hard-and-fast rule and I found Therm to be fine for me... and fast.

I believe therm is faster simply because blend adds a some seconds per follicle given how it works. You will likely get many other responses from others.

I just did a quick web search for "thermolysis vs blend electrolysis" to refresh my memory on the differences. The following top search result sounds a lot like what the two electrologists had told me...

http://www.emancipatedelectrolysis.com/2015/04/27/modality-wars-thermolysis-vs-galvanic-vs-blend/
(I do not know who maintains this site or article but just thought it was a nice summary. See the East Coast / West Coast thing in that article... I'd heard that before too... and my therm elec is from the East Coast )

I believe it comes down to a time vs what is right for your hair type issue... but I'd be hard pressed to see an experienced electrologist using either type perform poorly on you. When they are well trained, they'll have a good track record and work optimally on you.

I think the most important thing is to go to an electrologist that produces the results you want... you want to avoid skin damage or anything else an inexperienced person may do.

[Ashley3]

I've been reading that blend is recommended for tg clients, and others that have thick hair, or those that are prone to ingrown hairs.  Well, I am all three.  I'm wondering with the newer machines if there has been any advances that thermolysis can still be used on tg beards like mine and not have any skin damage.  thoughts?

And if this is for SRS, I'd recommend seeking an electrologist who knows the surgeon you plan to go to and has experience helping patients prep for SRS. For other areas maybe not as critical but I personally liked going to those two trans-friendly/knowledgeable electrologists. (I've not had SRS btw... but I know my electrologists know the doctors and I've discussed the SRS/elec topic with one of them once... they know about nuances each doctor prefers... not sure how many variations there are or if it still applies but thought I'd mention fwiw.)

[Chloe]

Found a good review of home machines:

The best way to save money on hair removal is to do it yourself. Home electrolysis machines have gotten better over the years and are a good alternative, if you have steady hands and aren't intimidated by the concept of sticking yourself with needles carrying electricity.

They say 'blend' is nothing more than a combination of galvanic and thermolysis used together. And that thermolysis, by itself, is basically useless doesn't work. Kinda like laser on blond hair?

Watched someone here do her own face with galvanic electrolysis. Definitely not easy, best done pre-transistion and must have a high tolerence for pain.

[zirconia]

All three modalities work. What's important is skill.

• Galvanic is fast only if the electrologist has a multi-needle system, but the most forgiving.
• Speed of blend when going by the textbook is around 360 hairs an hour, but an experienced electrologist can go faster.
• An electrologist using one of the newest machines in thermolysis mode can work amazingly fast—the speed is limited only by how quickly they can make perfect insertions. Thermolysis is the least forgiving of the modalities, so the insertions really must be perfect.

In all three modalities the most important factor for maximizing the kill rate and minimizing damage is accurate insertion. If the needle goes where it should it's pretty easy to adjust the settings for an optimum kill rate without damaging the skin.

Each modality will leave temporary marks. If the procedure is done correctly the epidermis is not damaged, damage to the dermis is negligible, and the marks will vanish when the skin is completely healed.

[MyMichele]

My own experience of has proven thermolysis to be more damaging to skin. I don't believe in the old adage that all three modalities will work just as well. That is completely false.

[DawnOday]

I love my electrolysis ladies they both have PCOS and do hair removal on themselves. As Nanci says, "I love killing hairs." They do blend treatment and I look forward to visiting with them regularly. Now about halfway through with my treatments and there are large hair free zones. Note About 20% will return based on the hair growth cycle.  They use the blend method because their other methods may affect my pacemaker.

[Kendra]

I have had great results with 200+ hours thermolosys and my skin is now very smooth.  First few weeks were ugly and then my skin adapted which is exactly what my electrologist said would happen.  I had to time the first treatments to avoid important business meetings within a day.  After a few months of treatments I was able to go directly from a 2-hour thermo electrolysis appointment to work without any issues.

I think the most important factor for electrolysis is operator skill, and then the type and quality of equipment, and then the client's skin and hair type.  I think thermolosys has higher risk with a unskilled operator and is becoming less common.

My former beard was dense with dark roots.  My current avatar photo is without any foundation or powder.  No stubble, no shadow, no damage.

[Lucy Ross]

They say 'blend' is nothing more than a combination of galvanic and thermolysis used together. And that thermolysis, by itself, is basically useless doesn't work. Kinda like laser on blond hair?

From what I've read it's the most risky, but like others testify here, a skilled operator can make it work quite well.

I didn't know DC could pose health risks.  I have a mild form of epilepsy and my gal uses blend!   The seizures are brought on by fatigue though.  Probably she asked me about this on my first visit and I've forgotten about it.

Those reviews of home machines are a bit odd.  They go from the $50 Clean And Easy Deluxe to some $1000 unit.  There are used machines on eBay selling for $300 and up, which is what I want to get.  Texas Electrolysis Supply has a ton of used jobs, too.  I need to call them and find out if they'll sell to just anybody though, they don't list prices and may only be selling to people with training and licenses. 

hairtell.com has a forum for DIY electro. 

[warlockmaker]

I have used both to clear my facial hairs. I had thermal for 2.5 years for 2x a week. The lady was well trained and handles tgs. So it was around 250  hours. I still had a fair amount of stragglers left that just wouldnt go away. I moved to Bangkok and they only had blend and with 8 sessions my face was cleared. It was more painful and slower but much more effective. If I had know I would have used blend and saved me time and money. More painful tho.

[Michelle_P]

My own experience of has proven thermolysis to be more damaging to skin. I don't believe in the old adage that all three modalities will work just as well. That is completely false.

The results depend almost entirely on the skill and experience of the electrolyst.   With thermolysis selection of the proper probe, current, and pulse duration are all critical.  The thermolysis technique depends on the probe delivering radio frequency energy to the immediate area of the follicle to kill the follicle proper and the stem cells at the base that drive the follicle life cycle and can regenerate a follicle if they live.

Delivering too much energy, or delivering it too far from the follicle base can result in marking, surface RF burns or even scarring. 

In my case, a fairly long set of probes and higher current with a short pulse length was used initially for various facial areas. Now that we are deLing only with immature hairs just entering an active cycle a thin #3 probe with insulation almost to the tip is used, with a lower current longer pulse. This is much more comfortable than the initial clearing pass, by the way. No insertion discomfort and just an odd point heat sensation from the pulse.  The immature hairs are easily killed and slide right out.

Choosing an electrolyst experienced with our skin types and hair characteristics is really key to good results.


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[Pisces228]

My own experience of has proven thermolysis to be more damaging to skin. I don't believe in the old adage that all three modalities will work just as well. That is completely false.

Really?  I found that while blend was more comfortable than thermo it caused much more scabbing, whereas thermo was very effective and more uncomfortable, but didn't cause scabbing.