I’m wondering whether the various PCOS/ hormone-stabilising medication mentioned in this forum must be taken indefinitely.
I suspect I may have PCOS (have been doing electro on my face weekly, for nearly 2 years, with no noticable change - and my electrologist has 20+ years’ experience so I trust she knows what she’s doing. I have excessive hair on chest, lower back, neck as well.) I haven’t seen an endocrinologist yet but will be making an appointment shortly to confirm. Anyhow, I really don’t want to stuff my body with too many chemicals unless absolutely necessary - I’d be happy to do a hormone treatment if we’re talking several months, or even years. But in perpetuity? I’m one of those people who won’t even take a Tylenol for a killer headache because I believe in doing things as naturally as possible.
I don’t have an excessive weight issue, and lead a healthy, active lifestyle. I intend to continue with electro and perhaps laser (though I’ve been told I’m at high risk of reactive growth because much of my hair is light and fine). However, I don’t want to waste time and money on these treatments if an underlying hormone issue is going to render them essentially useless…
Suggestions?
Also, I live in London, UK, and would appreciate recommendations for an alternate electrologist. There don’t seem to be that many around - everyone seems to be going for the ‘quick and sexy’ laser and IPL…
-
If you do have PCOS, medication will only work while you’re on it.
-
Do you have any signs of PCOS besides the hair? You may not actually have it. Having 20 yrs of experience doesn’t mean someone is good at electrolysis.
-
Can you provide specifics about your electrolysis treatment? Do you get a clearance each time? Do you feel any plucking ever or the hair slides out without resistance? What is the electrolysis method and machine being used?
-
Don’t attempt laser on any hair that’s not dark, coarse, and dense. It’s a waste of time and money and may make things worse.
-
Run an advanced search on this forum for past london recommendations. There are several London electrologist discussions.
Specifically, look for Benji Boy’s posts. He has looked far and wide and actually ended up with an electrologist that pleased him.
Pcos is a real puzzle with multiple sensitivies. You are looking at imbalances with the carbohydrate, insulin, testosterone, lipids in your body. So many things are out of balance. Treatment is directed at whatever area is causing you difficulty. You may not need to be on medications the rest of your life if balance can be restored. Kind of like adult onset diabetes (Type II) where if one loses weight, then they may not need to take their oral diabetic medication anymore.
It is hard to diagnose this complex disease by many doctors because there are many foggy areas. PCOS is not an all or nothing deal. You can have partial PCOS. Try to read up on PCOS and view some discussion boards.
Dee
Thanks.
I ask because having read up on PCOS, I understand that it may be reversible.
Have you heard any feedback re. natural alternatives like EstroSense, Vitex or PGX? I’m partial to natural means rather than chemicals, and am more keen on preventing the underlying cause rather than just treating the symptoms.
Anyhow, my electrologist uses a short wave diathermy machine. the current can be quite strong, but I don’t generally feel the hair being pulled out. It’s hard to say whether I get complete clearance because there tend to be a lot of finer blonde hair left behind. It’s blonde and thin, but sometimes over 1cm in length. She always clears the dark coarse ones though.
I’ve only had electro done on face, but am considering laser for other areas. Do you think these would be treatable with Alexandrite laser?
You would get a good deal of information on natural ways of remediation for this condition in the book The Diet Cure by Julia Ross. Another special note would be the book Sweet Deception by Joseph Mercola, but that is only if one thinks use of artificial sweeteners is a good idea.
I’ll let the laser specialists and Lagirl comment on your pictures. My personal opinion is that laser would not satisfy you. A skilled microflash or picoflash electrologist using auto sensor mode could get the job done. A well trained electrologist can treat 600-1,200 hairs per hour. That would make a huge visible difference that would satisfy you given that you stick to schedule where you are cleared and maintained over a year to eighteen months.
Dee
The hair in the pictures is too fine and light for laser. It won’t do anything to it. You need electrolysis there.
You should discuss natural options with your endocrinologist.
I would try different electrologists. Also, take pictures so you know for sure what kind of reduction you achieved.
If she removes all dark hair each time and you have been going consistently for 2 years without any difference, there is something wrong. If you don’t feel plucking, it could be that the hairs are a bit too deep for thermolysis and you need to try blend.
I do think epilator choice makes a big difference in the outcome for these very coarse man type hairs. There are some epilators that are not powerful enough to do this well and knock the hair out on the first go around. Probe choice is another factor. The probe should match the diameter of the hair being treated. To see this well, one needs expensive surgical magnification. It is the rare electrologist that insists that she needs no vison help. My electrolysis instructor claimed to be one of them.
Honestly, when you are evaluating electrologists, do take into consideration if they have modernized their equipment / tool choices. How fast can they remove hair? How does it feel? How do you heal? If an epilator has dials, like stereo knobs, it is old. That doesn’t mean that the skilled electrologist can’t “kill” hair. Try her/him out, but then go to another skilled electrologist who has a digital / computerized set up and compare. There are many advantages in going to a skilled electrologist that has updated and retrained. Many.
Dee
I suspect this might be the problem - she admittedly uses an old machine. But, seeing as electrolysis has successfully been around for c. 130 years I figured it didn’t matter.
Anyhow, I’ll go looking elsewhere. Thing is, choices in London are surprisingly limited. Everyone’s doing laser and IPL…
Have you read posts by BenjiBoy yet who’s in London and is happy with his electrologist? If you can find someone using an Apilus machine, that would be great. Yes, type of machine can matter too in addition to skill.