Hi all, I had a test treatment on my chin & top lip, yesterday.
The lady suggested she try 2 types of proceedures to see which suited me.
The ‘blend’, I think she called it, was absolute agony it felt as though my skin was boiling, even though she turned it down low.
She then tried the ‘dia- something’ an older style, that was less painful, but I still noticed it. I had some done a few years ago but I don’t remeber it being so painful.
Diathermy, also known as thermolysis. Blend uses both thermolysis and galvanic at the same time. Everyone’s response to pain is different and can even vary in therms of the time of day, caffeine intake, area being treated and other factors. The upper lip is very painful for just about everyone, don’t feel bad.
Try a topical anethesic like EMLA (you’ll need a prescription in the US, ask your doctor) or LMX4 (available at some pharmacies and online, no prescription needed.) It won’t make it painless per se, but it will make it much more tolerable.
What is the name of her epilator and how old is it?
The newer computerized epilators are great for sensation, as long as the electrologist uses her/his skills to near perfection. Clients notice a big differnece in sensation, even for the upper lip, if the electrologist has updated to these newer brands of computerized epilators.
You may want to try several electrologists if you are lucky enough to have more than one in your locale.
Topical lidocaine creams are helpful. EMLA 5% or L.M.X. 5% are good choices as long as you leave them on for a good time span, but no one would need these topicals if electrologists would upgrade their equipment to the finer technologies. Skill, mixed with the best tools equal cooperation and true contentment to the very end for permanent hair removal via eletrolysis. MicroFlash thermolysis and PicoFlash thermolysis is tops in my book,but all methods work.
About 0.01% of my clients need a topical. Most need nothing because a 20 minute appointment is very tolerable, teenage girls included.
If you can’t find a modern electrologist, then you will probably need to invest in the cream. Electrolysis does not have to be as painful as you describe, however, what is painful for you may be a picnic for the next person. Pain is a very subjective thing, ya know!
Thanks for the replies. I don’t know what model it was.
I epilated my top lip last year, but that didn’t hurt as much as the electrolosys other day. I also tasted metal in my mouth, she said that was my fillings!!!
I think I’ll try to find another one with a more up to date machine.
That would be worth the effort. Do look around and compare. Some electrologists can still give you a tolerable treatment if they have an older machine, but they really shine if they use their fantastic skills with the newer computerized epilators. I wouldn’t know what percentage of electrologists in the United Kingdom have upgraded, but do your best to figure that out. I know of one who has, but she specializes in longer more challenging cases than the upper lip and probably would not take you as a client as she is so busy.
You had a metallic taste in your mouth coutesy of the blend. Nothing to worry about. It’s normal. This does not occur for the different modes of electrolysis (manual, flash, superflash, MicroFlash, PicoFlash).