Just thought that I would mention how helpful and important it is that a client drink lots and lots of water prior to her Blend appointment.  The hairs will release faster and there will be less discomfort.    The client also get more hairs killed per hour for the money paid. 

If you're curious why this is important feel free to ask. 
Lisa Hitomi CPE

Hi Lisa!

I usually try to drink two liters of water a day; it was hard at first, but now I am used to it, I guess.  I wasn't aware that water helped electrolysis treatments that much.

You mentioned the blend method...as a CPE, do you consider the blend method better than the galvanic? 

tinkerbell

Hi Tinkerbell,
The decision on whether to use straight galvanic or the Blend depends on the type of hairs treated.  If using galvanic (DC) you would want to use a multiple needle galvanic machine and not just a single needle.  Did you have a multiple needle machine used on you?  They are very effective.

The blend incorporates heat (AC) to make the chemical decomposition of the hairs work faster and uses only one needle/probe.  With both methods it is super important to have a high level of water consumption because the DC current is searching for water in your tissues so sodium hydroxide (lye) can be made.  Little water means it takes longer for the sodium hydroxide to be made, more heat is used, discomfort is greater and fewer hairs are killed for the alloted time.  The client's experience with electrolysis will be much different if little water is consumed.

It is also good to avoid antihistamines if possible prior to your appointment.  They dry up your nasal passages and your follicles.  Clients who come directly from the gym also tend to be more dehydrated even though they have consumed water while working out.  So it's best to do electrolysis first, then workout at the gym.

As The Monkees sang, "I'm a Believer"...

I've settled on drinking some sort of spring water that has sodium (salt) in it.  Here in California there's Calistoga spring water in various sized containers, and various 'essence' flavors.  Yesterday I was late getting ready for my appointment.  I only had time to consume a liter and a half of the stuff on the way to Lisa's.  But (thank god,) it was enough -- the hairs were 'bubbling up' and jumping out of my upper lip (still hold-your-breath painful, though.

Antihistamines (benadryl-type, especially) are supposed to be good for controlling the inflammation that results from electro.  Just, whatever you do, don't take 'em PRIOR to a session.  You might as well skip that session and save your money.  Nasal spray, though, is great prior to upper-lip work.  It doesn't stop the soggyness from your tears of pain, but it keeps the nasal passages from congesting and making your time on the table more miserable than it has to be.

Karen

I think this could also be applied to laser treatments.  Caffeine from coffee is also a diarrhetic (as is alcohol), which dehydrates the body, and will have an effect similar to that of antihistimines.

Melissa

Lissa:
thanks for the info
sh18

I wish someone had told me this when I had my face done.  I'd fill up on Diet Coke before every session.  Talk about the wrong thing to do!

Cindi

Fill up with diet coke?  Wouldn't that result in frequent breaks?   Doesn't seem productive to me.

Melissa

Caffeine is a diuretic.  Of COURSE you make lots more trips to the bathroom.  And that water (and salt) you need in your body is going into the toilet bowl.

I drink two liters of Calistoga sparkling mineral water.  It's got some sodium in it which also helps with electrolysis.  I do need 2 to 4 potty-breaks, but the hairs fairly leap out of my face, so it's a good trade-off.

For that matter, I hold off on my dose of spiro because it's also a diuretic.  And now that I've figured out the magic formula, Lisa tells me all the time I'm 'bubbling up like a champ!'

Karen

Today I had another example of someone who forgot to drink sufficient water prior to treatment...  The hairs on the neck did not want to release in a timely fashion.  My client now understands the importance of water for the hairs to epilate...do I dare say less heat/discomfort/etc.  Another true believer!
Posted on: October 17, 2006, 12:05:47 AM

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Hey I like Karen's updated photo!   

It comes down to it.......little or no water in the body means little or no sodium hydroxide (lye) for Blend. Deep, coarse hairs just will NOT release from the follicle.   

The client plays a crucial role in successful treatments.  With water the hairs slide out more easily and everybody is happy!

Hi All,

Oooooo! Thank you all for this tidbit of information!   

I'm going to be starting my hair removal journey soon and this is sooo very good to know. My first laser treatments start in December on the 3rd. I imagine I'll be doing some electrolysis along the way to see which works best for me.

Thank you again!

Genevieve

I have always drank regular water and it works fine, however I am going to take Karen's advice and drink the club soda prior to my next electrolysis treatment.  I want to see how it works on the client's end of the probe.
Posted on: November 11, 2006, 08:43:53 PM

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One thing to add...water is also important for high frequency a.k.a. thermolysis.

I am trying to be sure to post so my account will not be deleted.  I will admit that I read but I don't always post a reply due to time constraints.  Karen advised me to be sure to post.