I have been getting electrolysis for 2 1/2 years on my upper lip and brows. I have about 22 hours in on lip and 3 on brows. I am 54, in menopause for 2 years. I get between 225-270 hairs removed per session with blend method and I see no end in sight. Electrologist seems to think I’m on track, but can’t tell me how much longer this will take. I keep asking her why it doesn’t seem to be helping and she said it is…hairs are finer(that’s her opinion, but look darker to me). I keep asking her why the hairs aren’t gone since I’ve been so diligent about staying with the program, never missed an appointment. I think I would notice an improvement. I started out going every two weeks for first 4 months and am now going every three, always getting a 30 minute session. She spends about 25 minutes on upper lip and 5 on brows. My guess-timate is that she has already removed well over 10,000 hairs…probably the same hairs multiple times.
I am seriously considering a change to another electrologist. I live in a remote area and have a choice between only two. The other lady is a R.N., I consulted her over the phone & she agrees this has taken far too long for an upper lip.
What could be going wrong with my treatments?
In reading all I could before starting, I had no idea I’d still be going for treatments after 2 1/2 years with the same amount of hairs being removed week after week and no end in sight. I am taking no medications.
Help, please. It’s beginning to really depress me.
2 1/2 years without results is far too long. You aren’t even seeing a slight difference? There is a problem. Do you feel her plucking during treatment? Do you have a hormone problem that could be triggering new growth?
There is no harm in at least trying the other lady if she is skilled and clean and reasonable, I definitely recommend you schedule a consultation with her and let her see if she thinks she can handle it.
I agree. When you have never had trearment with another electrologist, you have nothing to compare with. A client is very aware of positive change, as soon as a competent operator removes the first hair. Perhaps , consider having a short session first,because changing can be very daunting, but you will not regret it. For an upperlip, 2.5 years is a very long time, for such regular attendance.
Based on the numbers you describe, you have had between 4,000 an 6,000 hairs removed from your upper lip in this time. I got to tell you, that I can’t see that amount of work being done on the schedule you describe, with the number of hairs you report, without a serious reduction in the space of 6 months. One would expect to be in the position of having only touch up appointments of 5 to 15 minutes at 2.5 years out, if not completely finished months ago.
I have finished men’s upper lips in half the months you have worked, and would be nearly done in the amount of treatment hours you report.
Please do try other practitioners in your area, and if you need to travel a little bit. It would be worth it to get better results.
James, I was hoping to see hair counts go down long ago, but they are exactly the same from day one until now, average 250 per 30 minutes. I was being caustiously optimistic in thinking it would take no longer than 18-20 months to be completed. Am I being unrealistic in month 30? Shouldn’t she be removing less and less with each session, especially as time goes on and 25 hours behind me?
I do feel some plucking and inform her to which she replies, that’s because they have large bulbs.
It almost seems as though I’d be starting all over again. I’m not sure I could do this for another 2 years. Are there specific questions I should be asking the next practitioner?
Should I be going more often than 18-20 1/2 hour sessions per year?
Thanks again everyone, it helps just knowing I have kind people to reach out to.
Hello Ohmy, with all those hours of treatment you describe, you should not have even one hair on her upper lip. Even if you have a hormonal imbalance and male hormones are triggered by menopause. If the technique had been successfully executed, you have all the hair on her upper lip treated at least once or twice. Included those of fine hair follicles as a peach (the nightmare of the electrologist). Your perseverance and patience are admirable.
After so long, your skin should be no trace that they ever had hair. Even the pores should have disappeared.