Beginning the process in brisbane

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Hi, I’m a 29 year old male about to begin searching for a good electrolysic clinic in Brisbane Australia. I’m going to post some of my experiences as I have consultations, and the initial stages of electrolysis, in the hopes you guys can advise me, so I can feel confident I’m on the right track and getting treated by a professional.

Briefly about my hair growth etc. It is mainly my upper back and shoulders area
(picture below) The hair is fairly softish, darker in the upper shoulder area.

I’ve already had quite a bit of laser and IPL treatments in my early 20’s but these resulted in basically no permanent improvement. I also had electrolysis about 2 years ago for a period of 4 months (about 32 hours in total) - which may have reduced a little bit of density, but to be honest I don’t notice much difference.
It could be that I had some increased hair growth around that time due to getting older or maybe she wasn’t doing things so well (I did notice some hair resisted sometimes when getting the treatment).

Anyway, I’m ready to begin fresh and hopefully get this problem sorted out once and for all!

So I am new to Brisbane and have unfortunately only found a short list of places to investigate so far (3), all of which are not exclusively electrolysis (beauty clinics).
There are more I’ve come across but it’s a dead giveaway electrolysis is not their main service when they only list “up to ten minutes” on their websites.

Here is ones that look interesting so far:

http://www.epilettecosmetics.com/index.php#
Yet to contact them.

http://www.simas.com.au/
I’ve had a consult here already - they seem okay, she said the process would take two to three years at 3 hours a week. They are extremely expensive so I would only go to this one as a last resort, as my budget might blow halfway through the treatment.

http://www.lucylane.com.au/treatments/electrolysis
Yet to have a consult, but in response to my initial email she pushed for IPL instead of electrolysis.

Thats all I could find so far! I will have a consult at the remaining two and also keep looking.

Any references, suggestions, advice on what to look for etc would be appreciated.
Thanks!

#2

Well, you are now at “the right age.” At this point, you will have few “new hairs” growing in. Your past experience is horribly typical (with the failed treatments), but then that is “water down the drain.” Well, money actually.

After 32 hours, you should have at least something finished off with undeniable results.* Many electrologists are focused on women’s faces and, consequently, deliver a “soft treatment” that seldom removes male body hair. Be careful and don’t JUMP into a big expensive programme.

Here’s what you do. First, pick one of these places. (By the way, the one that charges per every 5 minutes? I think that’s bloody creepy! Talk about “clock watching!”) Anyway, I digress.

Have “the chosen” electrologist clear off one area on your shoulder. Pay for a full hour. The finished area should be about the area of your hand (or palm is fine too). Now WAIT 2 - 3 months. Go back after this time interval, (the grown-in area will look about the same to you!). Now, have the same area cleared off again.

At the start of the second clearing, the area will look about the same, but (if it’s the same area) should only take about half the time! (Aha, this is your first “good news.”)

Now, wait another 2 - 3 months. After this time, you will have some hairs “coming back” in the same area, but it should look “amazing.” You should observe at least HALF of the hair density (actually there will be less than one-third of the hairs.). If you see this result, then the 3rd time over will render the area at least 95% hair free … permanently. Hooray!

Is this going to take some time to do this? YES it will! However, this is the only way to ensure that the person is removing hair permanently … not just PLUCKING! LOTS of plucking out there! Repeat: lots of plucking!

(* Were you are the “right” place, this time of 32 hours should have rendered a good chunk of your back finished … FIRST clearing: at least the shoulders and the upper third of the back. I will be accused of “ivory tower” pronouncements — or “banging my shoe on the table” — but many of us on Hairtell will agree with this statement.)

You asked how to “uncover” the right electrologist, and I just gave you my recommendation. Don’t “go” with your gut feeling, or that you LIKE the person: GET HARD EVIDENCE before you spend your money! It will take some time and work on your part, but might save you thousands of wasted dollars and grief.

To make your choice faster, you might consider having each place clear-off an area. Then, compare the results. DON’T JUMP INTO THIS WITHOUT SOME LEVEL OF CERTAINTY! (BTW, a “best friend” lives in Brisbane: Nick Richardson, a building contractor. I grew up with Nick — born in England.)

#3

Michael,

Your recommendation sounds good! What is recommendation for a female that has facial hair all over beard, cheeks, chin areas.

How would one go about getting treatments & knowing that they are treated properly & NOT being PLUCKED!

Thank you

#4

Thanks for your kind post hopefu1 … so here goes.

First off, I am not particularly known for being “politically correct,” and I sometimes sound offensive … but, nothing is meant by this. I just like to get to the “stuff” FAST, and have little patience for the niceties that often cloud a response.

First off, men and women are usually vastly different in their approach. Women will “go with” someone they like. Most men couldn’t care less; as long as they are getting results. So, first off, don’t be drawn-in by somebody that you think in your friend. They could be, but they are CHARGING you money per hour. Right?

Secondly, most women come to electrolysis as the “last resort.” They have spent YEARS mangling their faces: plucking, waxing, lasering … whatever. All of this creates a very nasty “animal” that your electrologist has to “tame” before any real progress can take place. (Men seldom do much of anything on their hairs, e.g., the Aussie guy above, and come in with full “virgin” hair … it’s wonderful for the electrologist. In fact, it’s downright “bitchin’.”)

A hair that has been tweezed out for years is hideous to work on: rooted hard in the sub-dermis scar tissue (that you created) and often distorted, ingrown, etc., etc. (Sometimes what you ladies do to your faces makes me sick!) Oh, there I go again!

Add to this, that all facial hair (especially on women) is hormone related. Are you at the start of your “hair-growing season,” or are you at the “end of the season.” An experienced electrologist will know the answer for you, by asking a few key questions.

Overall, if you are getting regular treatments and following the electrologist’s advice, you will see good results in 6 months and magnificent results in 9 months. Sorry but it will take a year or more of regular treatments to get this sucker under control. (Men are WAY luckier, and have VERY easy to remove body hair: always predictable and takes 9 - 10 months total with 3 clearing sessions and a few follow-ups.)

Oh, and another thing. PLEASE don’t go into hyper-anxiety if you get swollen, red and maybe a tiny crust here and there. Remember, the electrologist is burning tissue. You know a BURN! You cannot expect perfect skin immediately after a treatment.

And (my own opinion here) don’t get fixated on “helping the healing process” by putting endless products on your skin. You don’t need anything, and often these products can do more damage. Of course, everyone here on Hairtell disagrees with me, and that’s fine. The rule for me: If I put something on the skin I want to know EXACTLY why I’m doing this. What’s the purpose? Just “soothing the skin and promoting healing” is NO answer for me. (BTW I’m caring for a post-op plastic surgery patient today. Guess what the surgeon told her to put on her wounds? NOTHING!)

Now, aren’t you sorry you asked?

#5

I just noticed this in the original post:

“I’ve had a consult here already - they seem okay, she said the process would take two to three years at 3 hours a week.”

That comes out to 450 hours? Something like $40,000?

I’d best not comment too specifically on this (I see the trouble ahead), but only to say: Dear God almighty!

(Brendan, if you see this, would you care to comment?)

#6

Little or nothing can be added here. Michael is full of reason, and to support his words I would like to present several cases of electrolysis on man’s back, where you can see that he is right.

Please take a look at this thread. http://www.hairtell.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/99829/Another_Success_Story.html#Post99829

This guy is about the same age as you. First clearance took about 18 hours to do both shoulders and both sides of the back. Second clearance, it took about 12 hours because we move towards the perimeter of the treated areas for the first time. As Michael said, 32 hours should be enough to permanently remove a fairly extensive.

A third clearance would have put the finishing touch on this work, however, all is well, if he’s happy with this reduction.

#7

Hi Shanu, it would be worth while getting in touch with Christine O’Connel(Sydney). You will see she posts on this forum and if she is not able to help you, she will recommend an electrologist who can. Though you will have to visit Sydney, it will be cheaper and quicker than what you have been quoted in Brisbane.

#8

Shanu, you don’t have the right type of hair for laser. Glad you’re going full force at electrolysis. Too bad those laser clinics still treated you and took your money.

#9

Thanks everyone! I will keep you posted as I have more consults etc. Probably will only be after Xmas time as most places are closing down for the next week.

#10

The clinic that I had the consult with I failed to ask what machine they used - but since sent an email - they use Carlton machines, blend and thermolysis.

#11

Go back and re-read my recommendations for “finding the place that will perform actual permanent hair removal.” Brand names, techniques, needle types, etc … this means very little. It’s all about if it “works or not!” And yes, there is a LOT of “or not!”

Do the TEST SPOT; take your time to discover the “right place.” If you do not do “do diligence” your money will be bounding away faster than a 'Roo in a grass fire.

I know all of us (fellow zappers) here on Hairtell have the common experience of beginning our male clients who have already spent THOUSANDS of dollars on worthless treatments. (I’m finishing up a guy next week that spent $9,000 on worthless treatments. You want to do that?)

Take your time on this! Not one reply from anyone on Hairtell can guarantee that anyone is going to get this done properly for you. You must have “real world” verification of what’s going to happen. Verstay? (That’s Yiddish, but probably spelled wrong.)

#12

I believe you mean farshtey, not verstay :wink:

#13

Yes, funny I would not have spelled it like that.
(It’s from the German Verstehen. This makes me happy … my old “temple days.”)

#14

Michael Bono has problem with Photobucket. He asked me to share the photos of one of his clients´ back. I have chosen this thread, and specially this Bono´s post because I do LOVE it and reminds me that the “Ralph Nader of hair removal” already exists:

  1. Before clearance number 2
    O%2527Neill-beforeBono.JPG473×512
  2. Right after clearance number 2 (shows scabs)
    O%2527Neill-2e.JPG512×503
  3. Photo today: 4 months after clearance number 2
    I am now doing the final clearance.
    before%2520IIIe.JPG468×512
#15

Wicked and Wild!!! (Very much a compliment by the way :wink: )

3 clearances… EXCELLENT!!!

have you done this before :wink:

#16

THANKS Jossie … (were it not for you, my dear, I would probably just give up! YOU are my inspiration! Can I say “muse?”)

For some reason I am “dead in the water” with photobucket (can’t even log in!). I think Hairtell should be able to upload photos directly … people really want to SEE treatment not just hear “words.”

This Client is going to do his own write up on his “experiences with hair removal.” (He appears to be having great results with laser on the chest as well … time will tell.)

The stunning part for me is that in “photo 1” this guy already spent 100 hours (at $90 per hour) on his shoulders only … (I will let him tell you “which modality!”) I don’t think he had 30% reduction.

At this point here are the stats:
50 hours for the first clearance.
27 hours for the second clearance.
I’m assuming about 12 - 14 hours for the final clearance. (I’m charging this kid $70 per hour, so you can do the math.) This was not cheap, but it did work!

ha ha follizap … well, yes, a few times it seems! (I stopped taking photos, but am now doing it again … it’s great for the patient to see this themselves. They DO forget what it looked like.)

#17

Just booked a consultation with the first place for Thursday.

She said over the phone that for large areas they wax the area first and then start the electrolysis as the new hair grows to get the hair in the anergon phase. How does that sound?

Also: Filedump is an easy pic uploader site. No need to log in.

#18

It sounds like she only feels confident treating hair in the growing phase.

Lots of electrologists feel that way and that’s ok, but personally I’m a big fan of Michael Bono’s idea: Letting the hair grow out for 6 months or more, completely clean out a section, then go back 3 months later and clean that area again.

#19

I would be wary, no need to wax before hand. Make sure she gives you some guarantees. Ask about her work on previous large areas, it is something she does regularly. Again I can recommend several electrologists in Sydney. However if you do get good results in Brisbane let us know, when I was working in Sydney over 2 years ago I had clients traveling from Queensland to get treatment, due to the lack of experienced electrologist.

#20

“She said over the phone that for large areas they wax the area first and then start the electrolysis as the new hair grows to get the hair in the anergon phase. How does that sound?”

Well, there it is … the myths and silliness of this “profession” will simply never stop. Hummmm, often perpetrated by the electrologists themselves. May I say (without being offensive) OMG!

Dude, DON’T let anyone WAX your back! Re-read my recommendations and then YOU set the standards (YOU do the experiment) for your electrologist. DON’T JUMP OFF THE CLIFF UNTIL YOU KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN!

You want “us” to give you the “go ahead,” and nobody can do that. It’s ALL about if this person can really KILL hair follicles. You are going to have to discover this yourself.

I’m just telling you the truth here man … (I’ve been at this since 1975 … and seen it all.)

I will be posting a few photos today so you can see what ANY of us here on Hairtell can do. Electrolysis works IF you do it right. If you don’t “do it right” you can end up spending a fortune and getting nothing.

Listen again: YOU set the standard! FIND OUT YOURSELF … you CAN do this. Don’t be lazy! I just put on my Acubra, and I’m telling you the real deal!