Electrolysis diary in Phoenix, Arizona

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1
  • I copied and pasted this post from Live & Let Live from Phoenix, AZ to a new thread because she is just beginning her treatments on her face. I’m sure she will be coming back to the ’ ELECTROLYSIS SUCCESS STORIES THREAD ’ in about 12-18 months to tell us she has been relieved of her hair on her chin and neck.

108519 - Yesterday at 06:06 PM Re: ELECTROLYSIS SUCCESS STORIES! Add yours here. [Re: Tina Marie]
Live & Let Live
Member

Registered: Sat Aug 24 2013
Posts: 5
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
I had my first electrolysis session today. 1 hour down, countless more to go! Yes, it was painful. It felt as if someone kept pricking me with a needle over and over and over and over…for an hour. My body kept twitching involuntarily. There is no turning back now, though, I’m in it for the long haul. So far, I have 1-hour sessions scheduled twice a month through the end of November.

Here are some specifics:

I’m a 41 year old female.
I have fair skin and red hair.
Area treated: chin
I’ve been shaving this area for years.
Method: Blend

My plan of action is
Chin
Upper Lip
Sideburns
Brows
Arms
Legs


*Puctures below have been moved to : http://electrifymyfollicles.blogspot.com/

Attachments
Aug 24 2013 Right Chin BEFORE.jpg (39 downloads)
Description: BEFORE PIC

Aug 24 2013 Right Chin AFTER.jpg (39 downloads)
Description: AFTER

#2

Thanks for moving my post to a more appropriate location.

I had my second session today. LondonEye responded to my previous post and suggested Dr. Numb to help with the pain. I used it today and it made a huge difference. I still felt a few of the zaps but it was much more tolerable this time. Great tip, thanks for the suggestion!

Steph S. from Senza Pelo Med Spa worked on me for 1 hour and 15 minutes. I allowed an extra day of growth and she flowed right through it. That extra day definitely made a difference. she told me to put ice on it tonight to help with the swelling. The swelling lasted 5 days last time.

I have a hard time posting pics on this site, so i’m including a link to my blog. You will find my before/after pics there.

#3

Love the pictures - it’s looking fantastic!

So you’re going pretty much every fortnight, but it looks like it’ll be down to 1 hour appointments after this?

I used to get blend, it was really effective but it hurt so much on terminal hairs! It’s good that the numbing stuff is working. I always iced the area straight after blend sessions, either with ice I brought in a bag, or by buying a can of soft drink and using that on the area, lol.

Goodluck, and keep going! If the pain ever gets too much I found the Apilus Platinum hurt less so that is always another option?

#4

Thanks, Emilily :slight_smile: Yeah, she scheduled me for 1 hour appointments. Today was supposed to be 1 hour but because I was her last appointment, she went an hour and 15 minutes. She bumped my next appointment up to 1-1/2 hours.

If I could afford it, I would schedule 8 hour sessions. At least until my chin is cleared. That’s the only part I shave, so I have to let it grow out before appointments and it’s kind of embarrassing. She told me she could probably have that done in another 4-6 hours.

Once that is completed, I will be so relieved. The rest of my face wont’ be as embarrassing because it isn’t stubble. I will be so happy when it’s all done! I can’t wait and I’m already thinking about doing my arms next.

Again, thanks for the tips and encouragement :slight_smile:

#5

You are in very good hands indeed.

#6

After a second treatment, I’m definitely swollen today. I’ve also developed some whiteheads. You can read more and see pics on my blog: http://electrifymyfollicles.blogspot.com/

#7

Nothing wrong with a few whiteheads and swolling is to be expected with the hairs being treated so close together, coupled with a lengthy treatment time. People usually suggest tea tree oil or witch hazel or aloe for healing/cleaning. Definitely try not to touch the area, don’t apply makeup to the area, etc.

#8

Yes, dabs of tea tree oil right after a session can help prevent white pustules. Once they appear, tea tree oil can dissolve the pustules. If you take a warm shower they will disappear.

The first several sessions to clear the hair are the toughest and you may have the “worst” temporary skin side effects in these early times. Later on, with less hair, it will be much better.

You are on your way to freedom.

I love the blog you are keeping!

#9

Thank you, Laurier, Emilily and Dee :slight_smile:

I just posted an update on my blog with PRE~S3 pics.

I’m definitely beginning to see results and it’s VERY exciting!
Can’t wait to see the results from tomorrow’s session :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

#10

Stephanie is great. I used to go to her weekly for months until I had a financial situation that has stopped me from going… but you’re in good hands. Hope to be able to go back soon.

#11

Moving right along…

I had my 3rd session today. 3.75 hours of work total.
The numbing cream let me down this time…ouch :cry:
SO worth it, though. Why didn’t I start this process sooner?!?

More details and pics on my blog.

#12

You’re doing very well. Thank you for this wonderful blog.

Can you confirm my impression? the strategy in this last session was “maintain & advance”, right?

#13

It looks really good! In regards to telogen hairs, from what I’ve heard here, a good electrologist will still be able to destroy hairs in this stage. :smiley: So that is good!
The other positive for you is that your hair removal up to now has been shaving - hair will be much closer to the surface than mine (as I had been tweezing up until a month ago) and because you’re shaving only hairs in an active state should be growing (I think??)

Anyway - it’s still looking great, don’t let the pain get in the way of going back for treatment because long term, it looks like it will be worth it. Once you can get the patch under your chin cleared, imagine how smooth your skin will be! And instead of shaving, letting the thin vellus hair grow out and getting rid of the terminal ones with electrolysis. :slight_smile: Goodluck!

#14

Absolutely yes! and not only that, but with the “maintain and advance” strategy all the hairs of this last session have been treated in anagen.

It’s nice to know that someone thinks for himself, regardless of what she read on the internet. Congratulations Emilily. :smiley:

#15

Thank you, Josefa, and yes, you are correct about the strategy.

#16

Thanks for the encouragement and great news, Emilily. The pain won’t keep me away. I come away from each session even more motivated to continue. When I start growing the hair in preparation for the next session and see the noticeable difference I get so excited. Whatever temporary discomfort is SO worth it :slight_smile: By now, I know what I’m in for now and still, I look forward to each session with great anticipation. It helps that my electrolycist is a great person, too. She’s sensitive, compassionate, fun and has a wonderfully positive personality.

And you are correct, once that patch under my chin is gone, I will feel like a new woman! There will still be a lot of work left, but the rest has been mostly untouched so there won’t be any awkward hair growth and stubble before my sessions. Stephanie tells me the patch should be cleared in 2-3 more sessions.

#17

I mentioned you and your comment to her. I think she remembered who you are. I’m glad I found her and I hope you can go back soon, too. I put it off for years in part because I didn’t think I could afford it. It’s tight at times and I hope I can continue until I’m hair free all over (knock on wood!)

#18

Another great session with the best electrologist ever! As it turns out, I have sensitive skin so she had to make some adjustments – much to my hesitation. I wanted to keep our current pace (SEEING the progress is highly motivating) and changing the settings mean going at a slower pace. The other option was switching to a thinning pattern rather then clearing. I like seeing the stark contrast, so I opted for lower settings and the clearing pattern.

I experienced a lot less pain this time. Probably due to the new settings, but there were some other differences this time. I avoided caffeine a few days prior, I had a hydrating IV at my naturopath’s office the afternoon before and, of course, I had my numbing cream. There is a lot less swelling this time, too. All in all, the best session to date :slight_smile:

4.75 hours down, a zillion more to go!

You can check out the pics on my blog. I just posted them.

#19

I almost never “scream” over-treatment, because most of what clients see is not over-treatment; just the normal healing process. Most of the time, I don’t even look at the photos. However, the photo you present is another case altogether.

You have thermal damage from over-treatment affecting the dermis and there will probably be some unwanted ramifications. You need to occlude (cover) the area with an appropriate (moist) dressing so you don’t end up with a “divot.” Products with copper-polypeptides are also good but not mandatory.

Don’t only talk to your esthetician; talk to your pharmacist at this point. There are appropriate occlusive OTC products that will be very beneficial. Do this now before a hard scab forms that creates a matrix for a “divot” … get going on this.

By the way, I have screwed up like this too … it’s ALL about getting to the remedy ASAP. This will clear up, but get moving!

#20

Thanks, Michael. I’m in good hands. I’ve been treating the area and it’s healing nicely. Just posted a pic I took this morning.