Apilus electrolysis

[Ruth Mills]

As I say, I agree that there are machines that may make the technique easier to apply, but flash as a technique is achievable on any machine with adjustable HF intensity & timing. If you tap the button on the pen for a fraction of a second (which is probably even less than a tenth of a second) then you are not forming a teardrop, and if the hair comes out then the technique has been successful. Ultimately then you are removing the hair due to dessication, which is therefore using flash technique.

I personally wouldn't call it guesswork, anymore than it's guesswork selecting time/intensity of diathermy/intensity of galvanic etc to meet what's required to effectively remove the hair. All this is part of applying one's theoretical knowledge to their practice!:hug:

I think the point that Essentia was making with the Apilus machine is that the length and intensity of the pulse is accurate with digital precision; whereas on a standard machine, even with the best technique in the world, there *will* be some variation in the length of the pulse applied if tapping the button on the pen manually, where the length of the pulse applied is determined by the length of the time the button was tapped and thus the circuit connected.

Also, as I understand it, with the Apilus, the length of the pulse can be as short as 1/1000th of a second - which is far shorter than could be approximated by applying a very short tap to the button on a standard electrolysis machine.

Thus the Apilus will be able to deliver a far shorter pulse with far greater precision.

Having had treatment with both sorts of machines, my vote is definitely with the Apilus.

 

[Martin Duffy]

Thus the Apilus will be able to deliver a far shorter pulse with far greater precision.

As I have posted earlier in the thread, I don't doubt that certain machines are able to more accurately or more comfortably provide the flash technique. My earlier post was in reply to the notion that a machine has to have a "flash mode" in order to carry out the flash technique at all, when many electrolgists have been successfully applying this technique for years on machines that offer variable HF & control over timing.:hug:

 

[essentia]

Martin - this is a reply from Sterex

Hi Jane

Thank you for your email, our machines do not offer flash electrolysis. A full list of our epilator machines and descriptions can be found on our website at- www.sterex.com/Products/Epilators.aspx
If you need any additional information then please contact me on the below details.

Kind Regards

Nicky Burgess
Internal Sales Executive
Sterex Electrolysis International Ltd
Head Office: +44 (0) 121 708 2404
Direct Line - +44 (0) 121 708 4136
Email [email protected]
www.sterex.com


This is info from a well known electrolysist I have contact with in the States...

I can answer how someone with a Sterex can THINK they are doing flash. It is a simple misunderstanding. They think that flash is simply thermolysis on a high setting for a short duration and so they crank up one knob, and lower the other, and do quick taps with their feet. This they think is flash.

I hope this clears it up for you.:hug:

 

[tog]

I don't want to sound pedantic, but could there be a slight difference in the American and the British definitions, or even concepts, of 'flash' technique?
Just a thought.
Certainly sounds as if the electrolysis machines they have in the States are more sophisticated. Is Apilus an American company?

 

[Martin Duffy]

I don't want to sound pedantic, but could there be a slight difference in the American and the British definitions, or even concepts, of 'flash' technique?

I've just heard from Sterex on the matter aftr e-mailing them & this certainly seems to be the case. In the US it seems "True Flash" is a very high current for a 1,000th of a second, for which a specialised machine is required. Here in the UK "Flash" is a term used for relatively high diathermy for a second or less, achieved in the way I have mentioned & the way many of us in the UK have been trained. This of course is not as exact as when using the more expensive American machines, but still creates the different heating pattern (i.e. narrow as opposed to pear-shaped). Thus the "Flash" technique is achievable on the Sterex machines.

 

[essentia]

Flash has not been expanded on in textbooks here as the machines have not been available. I have always known flash to mean a different mode and I trained before you. Not long ago about a year I was talking about this with a Board Member of the British Association of Electrolysists. Flash is a specialised mode on a machine. Sterex is a British make - and say it is not offered on their machines - backing up this information. It is wrong to say you offer flash to your clients when you do not have the mode to support it.

I have shown the email from Sterex that says they do not offer flash - how clear does it have to be............

 

[Martin Duffy]

Sterex is a British make - and say it is not offered on their machines - backing up this information. It is wrong to say you offer flash to your clients when you do not have the mode to support it.

I have shown the email from Sterex that says they do not offer flash - how clear does it have to be............

As I say I have since had an e-mail from the director of trainer at Sterex, which I have outlined above - that there is a difference in the UK & US definition of what flash is. Basically that the UK version is a less exact science & compared to using the programmed versions on more expensive machines, but nonetheless creates the same heating pattern (i.e. no teardrop), albeit less intensively. I suspect the e-mail you received was in response to whether the machine had a "Flash" function, not whether a flash technique could be used with it.

 

[essentia]

I am afraid Elaine Stoddart is incorrect as I have a machine that performs 1/1000 second flash and a £10,000 price tag is not true at all, which makes her information doubtful.

The information I have stated has in fact been mentioned in Electro epilation a British text book by Cartwright, Morris and Severn - for electrolysis courses mentioning that flash is electro dessiction performed above electro coagulation and pictures the heat pattern i.e no teardrop. They also reference Richards and Meharg in the book as well.

I think there has been a misconception about performing flash in this country for some therapists - however I do feel that the information has been available to straighten it out. Apilus has also been available here for a very long time so the option to buy a machine comparable to other professional beauty therapy equipment has been here. My machine is equivalent to the cost of a microdermabrasion machine so it is hardly technology not available to us at an out of reach price tag.

 

[essentia]

I see you deleted Elaine Stoddarts email!

This is from a BIAE Board memeber.....

You're right to say Sterex can't do flash, it'd just be very fast thermolysis even if you only tapped the fingerswitch as fast as you could. There used to be a brand of epilators called (I think) Du-Lac which could be adjusted to perform flash (not as fast as an Apilus but still in a fraction of a second). They don't make them anymore, but because the way electrolysis is taught in this country can be so bloody awful I can see how the term 'flash' could have been misused as a term for any type of thermolysis delivered in under a second. This goes back to the old problem of students being taught just one type of method because it's "the best".

I still cannot see how anyone today - with the information available (even mentioned in British text books in the 90's) can misinterpret what flash means. As mentioned before old technology epilators (like Sterex and not computerised) cannot give an accurate flash treatment.

 

[essentia]

Martin - I think you may be interested in a conversation I had with Janice Brown - trainer for Apilus and BIAE member. She said yes you were right in the fact flash was a technique as you describe - However she said that it has been outlawed by the BIAE for over 20 years. She went on to say that it is considered dangerous to apply this practice on a standard epilator as you do not have the power or the precision timing to perform it without knowing what you are doing (also mentioned by Ruth in an earlier post). She also went on to say that is why Sterex do not say it is available as a function. I feel also that today you can only confidently offer flash if you have the mode to support it and give your clients the confidence of applying such a specialised method safely.:hug:

 

[Martin Duffy]

I see you deleted Elaine Stoddarts email!

That's because I decided it was perhaps better ettiquette to post the gist of what was said rather than post what was a private message. This shall be my last post on the subject as I have no desire to continue flogging a dead horse! :hug:

 

[MaisyMouse]

I don't want to sound pedantic, but could there be a slight difference in the American and the British definitions, or even concepts, of 'flash' technique?
Just a thought.
Certainly sounds as if the electrolysis machines they have in the States are more sophisticated. Is Apilus an American company?

Canadian

 

[Cheri Parish]

Hi all, yes I use Apilus in SE London, Woolwich. I have been practicing since 1996 & proud to say I passed with Honors with Steiner of London. I came across this site while searching for a qualified therapist using Apilus for myself! I have been using the Senior Apilus and it certainly is a cut above the rest! I t allows you to switch all techniques instantly, from 1/100th flash to 1/1000th flash and include more than one pulse further up the shaft and then instantly back to a choice of blend techniques! Wonderful to have the tools at hand. My website is Untitled Document

 

[totalbeauty]

There is another machine that offers 'flash' and is is the DE5000 or the DE6000 Sorisa Electrolysis unit, I have one, but was not taught how to do the 'flash method', so have not done so. I have been doing electrolysis for 10 years and am qualified in advanced electrolysis, why would I use this method and do you use an insulated needle for this?

 

[essentia]

Hi - Yes you will have to use insulated needles with flash. However the coating can quickly become impaired so a regular change of needle for longer use will be required. Flash is used on straight, usually fine hair. Do not use on distorted follicles. It is ideal for upper lip as the current is so quick it is barely discernable to the client. It is also good for initially clearing larger areas to make the growth more manageable for the client. Probing with flash does have to be accurate as it can cause damage without experience. HTH

 

[Cheri Parish]

Thank you - I shall put forward these names (including yours Essentia) to others I know who are interested. Sadly, Surrey and Basingstoke are too far away for me as I'm in north London.

It's such a pity that there aren't skilled electrologists in the flash method with Apilus machines in London! I and others I know would pick that electrologist over any other (although a brilliant Blend electrologist is better than an unskilled flash electrologist).

Ruth - how skilled was she with the Apilus machine? What was her insertions like? Did you have any scabbing? I only ask as flash requires a much greater accuracy and skill of the electrologist than blend and galvanic.

Really, there's no one within zone 3 of London? ):

Hi, I having been Practicing Electrolysis for over 25 years and now use the Apilus Senior! Check out my website on Untitled Document

 

[mac72]

hi, i'm new to this and i know that this is an older thread, however i got to use apilus yesterday for the 1st time. i have been specialising in electrolysis since 1991 and for the last 12 years, this is all i have been doing. (having owned a very busy clinic in sydney until recently) www.nicolsonselectrolysis.com). I use gentronics multi-probe 16-32 probes, also blend and thermolysis. In the past have also used carlton and sterex.
An ex colleague purchased an apilus unit, she has been raving about it. I got to use it yesterday i'm completely sold on it, so exciting. No comparsion on pain levels, and lovely to use. I'm returning to Scotland soon and am planning on purchasing one. Would like to hear from clients and practioners who have experienced this amazing machine.
Many thanks in advance
:lol:

 

[essentia]

I can only add to what I have already posted on here and that it really is a cut above the rest. Sterex, Carlton etc (which I have used along with Aesthetique Pro, Sylvia Lewis and Uniprobe) seem to have the stronghold in this country and I believe that practioners here do not realise that there is a far more advanced level of machine available. Computerised electrolysis should now be the norm. Sorisa is the only other make I know about that is also more advanced. They are more in the American market. We see high end microdermabrasion and micro current machines but electrolysis is manufactured on the same prinicpals of the 1980's!. Clients notice the difference and say it does not hurt like they remember electrolysis did! Just great for practioners and clients alike.:hug:

 

[mac72]

I have now had my Apilus Platinum Pure for 6 weeks, initially i was a bit worried about investing in a new machine when my trust worthy unit has been so good. However after much encouragement from fellow electrologists i was convinced. I am very pleased with this outstanding machine, it is a dream to use, clients can have much longer sessions, without the pain and bearly any skin reaction. As my ex colleague says it's permanent hair removal- top to toe and turn over, with no disappointed clients. Loving my apilus.:hug:

 

[pazzy]

There was no scabbing when she did my electrolysis with the Apilus machine, whereas there was sometimes scabbing with the old diathermy machine. With the Apilus, pulling the hairs out afterwards was actually more uncomfortable than the electrolysis itself! And bearing in mind that this was just under 10 years ago too, so she will have had a lot more experience of using the Apilus machine since then (I was one of the first clients she tried it out on after switching to it).

Alas I don't know of anyone in North London who uses the Apilus though.

Just wondering - when you say pulling the hairs out was more uncomfortable than the treatment itself - your not meant to feel the hair being removed at all once treated?:hug: