A few years ago I bought one of those cheap electrolysis from the local pharmacy just to experiment (back in college). I tried a few hairs, though didnt intend on doing the full body. I figured I could find a faster way later. The hairs I did, even to this day are gone for good.

Now that I am ready for it, I looked around and found that that type of system and laser are the only 2 ways of doing it. Pleased with my past success, I got myself the deluxe one this time. The difference is much better, easier to use, has a tone when the circuit is complete, and is going great so far. I have a long way to go, but almost have one major area down. And I have good focus this time.

Sounds promising...
What would one look for?

You would first look for a good electrologist.

In a machine, if that is what you mean, those ones you see for over $50 are scams from what I read, ex tweezers, patches, global lasers, and almost all the other buyable ones.

The one I have is the one of those with a thin needle (that goes into the hair shaft to the root) and a 9 volt battery, with a dial from 0 to 10.

What is the Make and Model of this machine?  Is there a website?

Steph

I am using the One Touch Deluxe. I used the One Touch basic one before, but like deluxe better, and is more 2 person friendly for when Jo helps me on the hard to reach places.

Here is the site that talked about all the different forms of hair removal. It is one of the places I read before buying my deluxe. This is the hair removal site by Andrea, the same person that does http://www.tsroadmap.com/ and Finding Your Female Voice http://www.deepstealth.com/store/voice.htm

http://www.hairfacts.com/tips/diyelectro/diyelecbuy.html

Not sure if One Touch has an official website.

Interesting, thank you kindly Kendra.

Before I do my face, I will do my body. I didnt see any scarring the first time I did it, nor the stuff I have done, except the white and redness that I read about  and have seen on TG medical shows that show electro. The areas I did last week look good. I dont know what they did to scare themselves, unless they are referring to the temporary swelling, white stuff, or little red bumps. All of that has disappeared in the areas I did a week ago. I just followed the instructions exactly. Maybe they did it too long, moved too much, or set it on too high of setting. All is acceptable to me, especially after one week, which I think looks great.  I already know a way to do my face, but I want to do that maybe after some body work.

Actually, If I like doing this, I might want to get certified myself. Would go good with my cosmetology interests.

I might take pictures of it when I get halfway to show the difference.

Sometimes the scaring comes from inadvertently popping blood vessels/capillaries near the surface of the skin.  The white pimples indicate that the power is set too high affecting too much of the surrounding tissue.

Steph

Wow, this is an amazing post to me! I had always assumed home electrolysis wasn't even worth considering, but now I'm hearing there's a unit that works? I noticed on one site (follica.com) it said the unit is discontinued, but there's some new ones on ebay. I think I'm going to give it a go... I can't really justify spending money on professional electrolysis at the moment, so this seems interesting.

Elaine,

Before you go trying to do it yourself I would advise you to read through some of the other threads in this topic if you have not already done so. You will find several threads where Teri Gene has given very knowledgeable advice regarding electrolysis and complications which can occur if it is not done correctly.
If she were here I'm sure she would be writing a very long post to you right now. Since she's not, her previous posts will have to suffice. Please read thru them before making any decision about doing it yourself.

Cassie

I didn't mean to seem too "gung-ho"... I understand that it's not something as simple or as safe as say, plucking eyebrows (just an example), and I went back and read some of Terri Gene's posts, too.

Well, weighing everything, I decided to try it, and it actually seems to be working pretty OK. I've been at it on and off for almost two weeks now, and after getting used to it and reading alot more about the techinique than just the manual that came with the device, I think I can say I'm happy with the results. The associated redness seems to be consistent with what what I've read, and while I haven't done it long enough to be able to confirm any permanent removal, I should say that my individual hairs are very course and I expect to have to treat much of them more than onc, anyway.

That said, it is annoying to do, and when I have the money to spare I do plan on going to a professional so I can just sit back and "relax", and be absolutely assured of the results. Right now I'm trying to get a little busniss going and will still have to start paying for HRT in a few months (yay)... so right now, I'm just happy to be making a dent in the removal process.

 I am very glad that I started it, though doing it is slow and a bit tireing on the neck and wrists.

I dont see any marks or scars and I feel good about the task I did.

Hello Kendra.

That's really great that you are doing so well with the electro and I can see where your hands and wrist would get sore.  I've often chatted with my electrologist on if her wrists and hands get tired.  Her comment was that one of the biggest concerns for her was "Repetitive Stress Syndrome" caused by the constant manipulation of the instruments all day.  I imagine that you would not suffer the same though, but the risk is always there.  You really seem to be a girl of many talents.  Is there possibly a future career in this for you.  I'll give you this you are one determined lady, sewing cosmetology and electrology, do you have time for anything else

Chat later.

Steph

Yep hormones reduce body hair. I stopped doing it till I see what is left over naturally. So far there hasnt be much decrease in the body hair (from hormones), nothing yet on the face, but I will give it a few more months.

I am glad to have seen I can get rid of hair. I am not sure what you mean or have seen in other people that have been scarred. But I am not from a big city where there are many TSes like many of you are from.  So maybe you from areas that meet other more see things I dont.

If I wasnt pleased with the results I would have stopped, like how I stopped trying to use wax remover. Now there is something I dont recommend doing unless you have very little hair. But if you have a lot of body hair, I dont recommend waxing at all. Just leads to bleeding and extreme skin irritation.

I have always said to go to a electrolysis professional to get it done. Honestly It can be just to tiring and difficult to do.

Quote from: wickham_kendra on January 21, 2006, 06:50:13 PM
You would first look for a good electrologist.
In a machine, if that is what you mean, those ones you see for over $50 are scams from what I read, ex tweezers, patches, global lasers, and almost all the other buyable ones.

The one I have is the one of those with a thin needle (that goes into the hair shaft to the root) and a 9 volt battery, with a dial from 0 to 10.

However, I posted this post just for information. And I will clear the remaining body hairs that I can reach, once I find out what remains after sufficient time passes. When I started hormones I learned some body hair will decrease, so I am waiting to see what happens.

One thing I have found is you have to learn to feel how the hair angles in. All hair doesnt grow straight. Many actually angle. I found that out rather quickly before my first half hour doing it. But I think you naturally learn that because its the only way to slide it in.

And also the beep sound gets annoying sometimes lol.

And I found the setting on my machine that doesnt leave any redness, yet still kills the root (setting power level 4 on mine, 15 secs). As long as you slide it in the correct angle along the hair, it will reach the root and the pulse does the rest. At setting 5, it leaves redness. I have never used it higher than 5 (6 through 10). I will honestly say waxing is more difficult for me to do. I have trouble waxing since it hurts so much. Waxing causes so much pain for me.

How was your experience Elaine? Besides the tired wrist lol. I know how that is. You keep doing it or  give up. I know you were going to pay later once you saved up the money. I myself going to wait a few months for hormones to decrease some hairs. I am interested in how you did too.

Quote from: Elaine on March 06, 2006, 04:57:36 PM
I didn't mean to seem too "gung-ho"... I understand that it's not something as simple or as safe as say, plucking eyebrows (just an example), and I went back and read some of Terri Gene's posts, too.

Well, weighing everything, I decided to try it, and it actually seems to be working pretty OK. I've been at it on and off for almost two weeks now, and after getting used to it and reading alot more about the techinique than just the manual that came with the device, I think I can say I'm happy with the results. The associated redness seems to be consistent with what what I've read, and while I haven't done it long enough to be able to confirm any permanent removal, I should say that my individual hairs are very course and I expect to have to treat much of them more than onc, anyway.

That said, it is annoying to do, and when I have the money to spare I do plan on going to a professional so I can just sit back and "relax", and be absolutely assured of the results. Right now I'm trying to get a little busniss going and will still have to start paying for HRT in a few months (yay)... so right now, I'm just happy to be making a dent in the removal process.

I forgot about this post. Its been 7 months since the first post and 4 months since the last post. I posted this back when I fist started doing self electrolysis. Its really old but I guess you two are revisiting old posts or wasnt there back then.

I found out how it works from a site at http://www.hairfacts.com/methods/electro/electrolysis.html

QuoteGalvanic electrolysis works by causing salt and water in the skin around the probe to be chemically altered to produce a small amount of sodium hydroxide, or lye. Lye is the active ingredient in some crystal drain openers. If enough is produced, it can damage the cells that cause hair growth. The chemical reaction is expressed like this:

NaCl (salt) + H2O (water) + direct current = NaOH (sodium hydroxide) + Cl (chlorine) + H (hydrogen)

Quote from: Steph on March 08, 2006, 05:26:56 AM

Her comment was that one of the biggest concerns for her was "Repetitive Stress Syndrome" caused by the constant manipulation of the instruments all day.

As I lay on Lisa's treatment table, I'll occasionally mumble to her, "shoulders down, elbows in.." to remind her not to make the stress worse.

Terri Gene and Andi are out of town until Monday.  She's still recovering from her stroke (we had a long chat about it last Saturday) and, as some have noted, her posting frequency is less.  But if you PM her with your questions I think she'll be happy to respond.  Lisa was a registered member of Susans, but I think her account got purged because she wasn't posting, but she regularly reads this sub-forum.  She's a fanatic about education, and will likely provide Too Much Information on what makes Electrolysis 'go.' 

Karen

Yes, it is true that I am a fanatic about education.     I want my clients to really understand why it works and what should be happening.  I love to see the improvement and smiles on their faces.

tinker:
i see your point.
what is the diference of carrying a 5 o'clock shadow or scar shadow that looks like 5 o'clock shadow?

A friend of mine took me to her Laser hair removal sesion,  the results are impresive.  the first 2 months you could not see a difference worth the money, yes ther was an improvement but now 3 months  or 4 later wow she is in everybody's sights..
sheila18