Insulated with Blend?

Q: Nancy, can you tell us about how you use insulated needles with Blend?

A: Insulated probes are wonderful with galvanic. Unlike bare probes, they allow the galvanic current to enter the follicle at the tip. They concentrate the current at the tip, wreaking havoc on the root and resulting in less regrowth.

Q: Are you concerned that the insulation stops the lye from reaching the 'bulge"?

A: I always look to see that there is some lye coming to the surface. If I don't see that I'll raise the probe up just a little bit, until I observe foaming at the mouth of the follicle. This is usually necessary only for the very deepest hairs, so that I can be sure that I am hitting the bulge as well as the hair root.

Q: Why are some people unwilling to try an insulated needle with Blend?

A: Because of the weak coating on earlier insulated needles that would break down under the influence of the lye. Even though modern insulated needles like Ballet will hold up during Blend treatment, people still remember what they learned years ago.

Q: How long can you treat a client with a single insulated needle?

A: I am able to work up to six hours with one insulated probe, with no degradation of the coating. The coating on Ballet needles seems almost mixed in with the metal; this insulated probe is extraordinarily reliable. I really have to say, forget those old Teflon probes! Editor's Note: The coating on the Ballet Insulated needle is bonded to the underlying stainless steel.>

Q: What type of anesthetic do you use?

A: I work with two doctors who inject my clients with a 3:1 combination of Marcaine and Lidocaine which lasts three to six hours. I am also experimenting with EMLA cream for scattered hairs. I began using this technique for body work several years (originally it said 4 but that's not accurate anymore) ago. During the initial consultation with the client I remove one or two test hairs without anesthesia, so the client can see what it feels like! Even for this test I use insulated probes to protect the skin.

Q: What benefits do you get from the use of injected anesthetic?

A: I can increase both currents about 30% over what would be comfortable for the client without anesthesia. Although I do increase the current levels, by using Ballet Insulated I don't need to work with settings as high as the "body work method" described by Hinkel. With anesthesia clients usually don't feel anything except at the edge of the numbed area. I do extensive preliminary testing to be sure that the top layers of skin remain intact and maintain integrity. This means no blanching and no melting of tissue; I want the hair to release within 4 to 7 seconds while the skin stays beautiful. Thank you Nancy. Good luck.