Popular models of 3 in 1 electrolysis machines are available from any trade beauty supplier. You may find your machine is delivered several days (or even weeks) after you have ordered it as they are often made to order, so make sure you ask about this first before parting with your money. This is a quick review, in no particular order, of the main models on the market, although you should if possible go to a beauty supplier and try out a machine.

Sterex SX-B Blend Epilator (From £720 ex vat)
The industry leader, and no wonder as Sterex needles are used by electrologists all over the world. The epilator settings are very easy to use. There is the option to use a fingerswitch or footpedal, and the current flow is not tied to the timer (ie when the timer sounds you can continue applying current for a particularly stubborn hair without re-entering). Unfortunately it is the exact same design as the thermolysis-only model, plus since it is very popular some of your clients may associate it with bad treatment they experienced elsewhere. Despite these minor drawbacks it is a very reliable, safe choice with the added bonus of 1 days training.

Silhouette International Epil 200 (From £730 ex vat)
Recently updated with a digital display, replacing the old meter version, this epilator is excellent for blend electrolysis. The accessories and features are virtually the same as the Sterex model, although I found the needleholder without the fingerswitch did not take normal width needles. (This was on an older model so perhaps is not an issue anymore.) Slightly wider than many epilators so you will need a large trolley. Again, a very good choice.

Carlton Ultrablend, with or without footswitch (From £699 ex vat)
This model has the added bonus of a cataphoresis/anaphoresis electrode, making it a great all-round epilator for a full-time electrologist. The needleholder included is footswitch-only although apparently they can provide a fingerswitch needleholder if requested. Carlton also provide their own brand of needles, so before buying you should check that it can take other brands too. WARNING Avoid the new model with the pre-warming option.

Uni Probe Autoblend (from £599.00 ex vat)
Very cute looking, compact epilator that has all the required features apart from the cataphoresis/anaphoresis electrode. While the needleholder included can only take Uni Probe 2-piece needles, you can purchase another needleholder by the same manufacturer to take all types of needles (may need to be purchased from the US). This model may soon be replaced by the Autoblend Touch model, which is more in the style of the Sterex model. A very nice epilator, but not widely available in the UK.

Apilus (various models from £1200 ex vat)
This brand is made by a very well-known electrolysis and beauty equipment company called Dectro in Canada. They seem to be updating this line of epilators at the moment, but they are mostly very advanced models that include flash thermolysis and lots of pre-sets. They also have counters for insertions, plus the ability to store information and/or your clients’ settings. Remember flash can cause terrible damage in untrained hands, so you may prefer to upgrade to this model later on in your career.

Silhouet-tone VMC or ST 250 (From £2000 + shipping and customs)
Not to be confused with Silhouette International, Silhouet-tone is a prestige brand that is well known in upmarket salons across the world. They do not have much of a presence in the UK, and you may need to order this from their european office. Like the Apilus it has lots of extra features such as flash thermolysis, an insertion counter and presets. However the main positive of this brand is the modulated current, so if a client has a higher resistance to current flow the epilator will adjust automatically. This is not seen as a plus by some electrologists, but I have personally found it a useful feature for extremely dry skin that does not respond to attempts to increase moisture. Again, you may prefer to upgrade later to this brand and choose a more basic epilator to start with.