So, electrolysis is going okay on the shoulder and right back, but I’m eager to make more progress, so I’m going to cancel my experiment on my chest/abs and just go buy a set at LaserAway in WeHo (actually, maybe the Santa Monica store). Sheesh, they quoted me $1599 for a run of 6 sessions on the chest/abs. They use a Cynosure Apogee Elite. LaGirl what’cha think? How could I go wrong at this price?!
There is another person on the cosmetic enhancements forum who has used this clinic. Look for Hopetobehappy’s experience on there. He had a few treatments and switched clinics. Now, he sees Dr Hamilton and is much happier, so I would go see this doctor first too. LaserAway is ok, but Candela lasers are better.
Okay, time for a serious update.
I have been re-clearing my right shoulder and right upper back since early February. I had been going for 4-hour appointments twice or three times a month since October up until May, where I started being able to cut that time in half. I was going insane by the end of 4-hour appointments so I’m happy it’s just 2 hours now. With the extra minutes at the end of my new, shorter appointments we are edging into my right lower back. This is a lower priority anyway, so that’s fine if it takes longer.
First, some definitions:
Right Shoulder: from about halfway up my upper arm to the neck line where there is no hair, and from one inch below the clavicle wrapping around to where the back begins.
Upper Right Back: from where the right shoulder ended to about where the ribs end, and from the spine to the side of the body.
Lower Right Back: from the end of the ribcage to the buttocks, and from the spine to the side of the body.
Total Time so far:
Right Shoulder: 2205 minutes (about 37 hours)
Upper Right Back: 1725 minutes (about 29 hours)
Lower Right Back: 555 minutes (about 10 hours)
Pictures with comparisons to the other, non-treated side:
The skin quality is not where I want it. It is improving very slowly (and these photos were taken 8 hours after a treatment, so it’s more red and irritated than say 2-3 days after), but there is a LONG LONG way to go before my skin looks like it would simply without hair. Not that my skin quality is perfect, but in a mirror it looks dramatically better than the electrolysis side.
I submit my right shoulder as evidence that it will continue to improve, since that’s where I’ve had the most work done for the longest period of time. That area looks best, although it is a long way from perfect.
Picture comparison of skin quality:
Despite how bad I look in that photo, at least I can tell that there is no hair on the right side, and it absolutely feels better in shirts and on my hand because there is no stubble that catches. If the skin quality can approach what it was before I started I’ll be a happy guy, but, realistically, I can only guess that it will take a year or more. I base this on other skin injuries I’ve had (a white-hot probe burning the crap out of a small portion of my skin counts as an injury in my book) that have taken a year or more to improve.
In all, I have to say that this is quite a journey, and I really feel compassion for folks who are removing hair on their entire body.
Looking good Bryce.
If I were you I would start tackling the other half of your back, but I’m not sure if you are still trying to recoup the costs by shopping the photos around.
Anyway, still looks good, and I would not worry about your skin. It will all heal. My first electrologist really over treated my skin and it looked pretty bad, but eventually it all cleared up. My new electrologist is much more skilled but I still get tiny scabs and what not. Mostly due to removing ingrowns and the hot SoCal weather.
I also have been using PFB vanish religiously for the past year and a half. It does wonders for my skin. The stuff is amazing for me at least, much better than tend skin which I found harsh.
Glad you think I’ll be okay. No, I intend to go through with my experiment on the other side, although a bit switched. I’ll do the alexandrite with Dr. Hamilton on the other side and see how much it helps and finish up with electro. We’ll do a cost comparison. Yeah, I hate half and half, but I LOVE only going in for 2 hours. I can’t devote the time to do more anyway right now.
hey bryce
I guess those updated pics are pretty much after a treatment. Or are you finished with that one side? R u getting much new growth? Is there a significant difference in hair density than when u first started?..if so, what percentage? Thanks man. I’m in the same boat you are in for the most part.
The results look pretty good so far. Though I still can’t believe you’re not giving a good laser machine a shot with significantly reducing such coarse hair. This is a pretty big project. I’m glad you’re committed though. It’s obviously working.
Kash, Those pictures were about 6 hours after a treatment, and I guess I do look inflamed. The swelling went down some, but all the spots are still there.
The hair density (hairs per square cm) is much less. Perhaps as much as 75%? Obviously this has to be the case since it only takes 2 hours to cover the whole area now. The individual hair density (thickness of a hair) is less, too. There isn’t any hair that’s as thick as it was when we started–we’ve had to decrease probe size to 3 from 5 in order to make insertions comfy.
I did another couple hours this past week to re-clear again and I noticed that in the week quite a few of those dark spots had hairs growing out of them, corroborating my belief that much of the discoloration on my back is simply hairs that are trying to grow out of skin that’s giving some push-back. Over time this should go away I think and the skin quality should improve.
LAGirl, I’m going to give laser a shot on the other side so we can see what sort of advantages it has in terms of cost and time.
B
The follicles do not look infected to me, though it looks like you are receiving a high energy treatment to get those big red dots. It’s a tradeoff that must be balanced.
I sometimes get angry sores a week after treatment on my back. My theory is that the treatment was not complete and a weak hair is continuing to grow deep within, OR there is some latent bacteria where the healing occurs at the follicle floor and my prodding causes it to spread into the surrounding tissue.
My electrologist said I have the most stubborn back hairs she ever treated and I probably spent 150 hours on clearing just the “wings” area. So, I’m curious about your experience with regrowth. I am getting the “opera gloves” lowered 2 inches to the crook of my elbow and those hairs are mostly gone after just two passes. I am also getting my armpits not cleared but tamed and those hairs seem to be resilient as well. After 4 passes I still have some weak hairs popping up and she is treating me enough to give me red dots, a little scabbing and leave me bumpy.
Sometimes I think I have the follicles of Superman.
The more powerful professional epilators available today, coupled with the correct probe size, coupled with good insertions and the correct balance of intensity and timing make short haste of those SUperman follicles you describe. Hair is tough, but a good machine in the hands of a competent electrologist is even tougher. MicroFlash or PicoFlash thermolysis can handle big areas if all factors are present, from behavior to equipment issues.
sorry to steal the thread but it may be applicable.
dfahey, how do you determine the proper size probe? Do you have an assortment? I am sure my electrologist uses one size for all clients.
I do have an assortment of probes on hand ranging from size 2 to size 6, gold and insulated. I look at the hair before I begin treatment in an area and then match the diameter of the hair with the closest diameter of a probe. For example, I use a size six probe on a man’s beard and a size 2 or 3 on a woman’s upper lip if the hairs are fine. The smaller numbered probe size equals treating smaller hair structures. Another reason why excellent magnification is a must - we need to match the hair size/probe as accurately as possible. One size fits all has no place in a good electrolysis practice. The electrologist should decide what size probe is needed, but be aware that a size 3 is not what you want for a very coarse manly beard.
Hey, keep off topic stuff outta my thread!
Man, I just came back from vacation and I really need my skin quality to improve before I feel comfortable taking my shirt off (the other side I can just shave).
Will these little white spots ever go away? It seems like my treated side is darker than my other side, too. What’s up? Does anyone get electrolysis and have no reaction at all, they just go about their business with no hair? Why is my skin such a pain in the ass?
"Hey, keep off topic stuff outta my thread!
AHAH good stuff. Anyway Bryce to be honest I only check these boards to see your updates as I am towards the end of this whole sha-bang, and you are the only other person who has been posting that has skin problems like I have. But my skin is starting to turn around.
I think it is my naturally oily skin and ingrowns and what not. I’m telling you your skin will all heal, obviously not by the end of summer since we both have very sensitive skin. I mean I had a pimple from 8 months ago just starting to fade, little bastard.
Anyway here are some photos I just got cleaned up on some finer hairs that have sprung up. My back is still a little spotty but the marks are fading, you really have to be more patient. Once my back is clear with no more treatments it should be looking good skin wise in the next 6 months. These pics were about 1 after treatment.
Sweet, that’s exactly my skin and hair. Good to know someone else out there has my situation and is feeling okay down the line.
When you give laser a shot, I would suggest going to Dr Hamilton in Woodland Hills. You can PM or read hopetobehappy’s comments on the other forum (cosmetic enhancements). He is in the same situation as you with similar skin type and hair and he’s been going for a while.
I visited Hamilton for a consultation and kept it short and sweet. I said I had done half my back with electrolysis and was searching for an LHR provider to do the other half cost-benefit style. He asked to see my back, wrote some words down, and couldn’t get out of the room fast enough. A nurse came back and told me that Hamilton “didn’t think the laser he had would be effective.” I called bullshit and said Candela alexandrite was quite effective on my skin and hair colors, and what was the real reason. She said she was just the messenger and they referred me to Dr. Brandeis. What a load of crap. He was probably afraid of my analysis and didn’t want any sort of bad press, which is now what he’s getting.
Hm, that’s interesting considering there are at least 4 men on these forums who are getting now and have gotten treatments there in the past - all with great results and feedback.
If your hair is like the picture indicates above, it’s definitely coarse enough and the skin looks light enough. Are there any other practitioners that the Candela website is showing in your area?
Don’t go to Brandeis though. I had one treatment there and it was useless.
Candela’s website showed the guy you said to stay away from, the one with all the name changes. But he’s got the laser…
Have you tried various zip codes around LA? There are so many clinics around here that you can type in various zip codes and get different listings. So try zip codes for sherman oaks, glendale, hollywood, west hollywood, beverly hills etc.
Dr Brandeis is not the same as that clinic with a thousand names (which is Aestheticure, ImageCare, etc). He has (had?) a Sonata diode and used to be located on LaCienega near South Beverly Hills.
I found these via the provider search:
SLS Center, Van Nuys
California Cosmetic Lasers, Canoga Park
Kim Leonard, Beverly Hills
Naficy K Mitchell, Beverly Hills
Fix Wellness Center, Glendale (though their website is kind of salesy with some inaccurate info like treating at 4 weeks and all skin types with GentleLASE)
Epione, Beverly Hills (hairlessinla on this forum had treatments there 6-7 years back and still has 95% reduction I believe. You can ask him yourself)
Beautech, Studio City