electrolysis for first time (chronic facial hair shaving)

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Hi, I posted awhile back about my predicament- I started the awful habit of shaving my facial hair back in high school and I’m now 31. It is obviously impossible to stop once you’ve done it for so long, and I’m getting desperate.

One thing I’ve suddenly noticed over the last few weeks- right after shaving my upper lip, I have a very faint shadow. Why is this suddenly appearing? It’s really freaking me out that this is just getting worse!

My question awhile back was…how long do I need my facial hair to grow before I have elecrolysis? I was told 2 days. Do you think it could be even sooner since this ‘shadow’ problem has appeared? Honestly, I don’t think I could go a day without shaving, without wanting to hide!

And then once I start going, I’ll still have to go through the humiliation of letting it grow long enough in between appointments?

Thanks for any advice!

#2

If you have someone who can get you to first clearance on a whole area in your first appointment, you have nothing to worry about.

Can’t you just plan a weekend where you don’t leave the house and go in first thing on monday?

If you don’t give the electrologist enough hair to grab on to, you will just be paying more money for less hair removed, as it will make the work done go slower, as the electrologist struggles to both see and grasp your hair.

Of course, if you want to, we can treat your hair 2 minutes after you shave and kill it in the follicle, and you can experience the “hope it sheds ok without getting infected” routine similar to what those who use Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation experience.

#3

justme,
Have you noticed your hair getting thicker or darker? That might explain the shadow—it could be the rest of the shaved hair, underneath the skin.

What part of the face are you talking about? One person on here, Savannah, used to shave her cheeks and chin, so maybe she can explain what she did for that first appointment. If she doesn’t post a reply to you, try searching the boards for her past messages for information. She posts as Sav.

For your first visit, plan to lay low for 2-3 days beforehand while the hairs grow in. You will have fewer hairs after that first session, and the growth may not be as noticeable before your second appointment. You should go for treatments more frequently at first so that you don’t have to suffer through this period for too long.

Once you start treatments, you can cut the hairs with a scissor between appointments. It’s an easy way to get them to be less noticeable.

I hope this helps,
susie <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

#4

If you are getting a shadow it is probably because you are shaving in a downward direction. Try upwards and you will get a far closer shave with no protruding hairs. Of course if you are already doing this it is a problem and you should disregard this post.

#5

Many people have shadow simply because they have dark/black hair and light colored skin. The skin is actually translucent at the surface, so hair that is below the skin’s surface would still show through because of the difference in color.

#6

Hi Justme. I have been going to weekly appointments for just under 6 months now. When I first began I had A LOT (check out my My Before and After Pictures to give you an idea) of hair. I was shaving everday, sometimes twice. I shaved side burns, chin, under chin, and neck areas. The thought of not shaving was horrifying but the thought of living the rest of my life like that was horrifying too.

At the start of my electrology, my hair grew pretty quickly. I would have stubble by early evening and by the next morning it was long enough to grasp with tweezers. I would always make sure to give it AT LEAST 24 hours between treatment but liked to give it about 30 if I could. That helped me to make sure there was enough to grasp. I timed out my electrology appointments so I could shave early one morning and go to work, not work the next day and go to the electrologist and then I would hide at home that evening. The next day then I could shave again and apply make up and had almost no irritation. I started going as much as I could right away to get to the first clearance (which felt like it took forever – this is all chronicaled in my post called My Progress). As I get further along it is taking longer and longer for the hair to grow out so I have to give it more time. At the same time tho it is less noticeable. I can actually go for 2 weeks now without shaving at all before I have new growth. Also, for some reason once I started electrology and got to the first clearance it wasn’t as big of a deal to go out in public with some stubble…at least I am doing something about it and it will soon be forgotten (I hope!)

If you have any questions pleaes feel free to reply here, in my thread, or PM me. I’ll be happy to answer what I can! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Savannah

#7

Thank you so much, everyone, for your comments and support.

I am a very fair skinned female, actually- and genetically cursed with very dark body hair. The hair on my head is actually light brown, but my eyebrows and everything else is black. I never noticed the shadow on my upper lip until recently. It also seems to be growing faster- unless it’s just that I get up an hour earlier and get home later.

I really don’t want to have to go into work without shaving. Do you think it’s possible to not shave Saturday morning and go in for an appointment Sunday night? I have a wonderful friend of the family who is an excellent electrologist and is very accomodating with appointments.

What stinks about hiding out on weekends is…it’s the only time I see my boyfriend! And the last thing I want is for him to see so much growth! I think he can tell I shave…he has noticed some growth but I usually find a way to avoid the subject and he can tell it’s a sore one with me so he doesn’t bring it up.

Basically all I need is to get my upper lip and chin done. The sides and eyebrows are plucked so they’re not a problem. I’m dying to start…but we have so many plans over the weekends this summer…it’s just impossible!!

Thanks again for your advice!

#8

Maybe you want to do your electrolysis on Wednesday so you are ready for the weekend. Would it interest you to know that Summer is the best time to start electrolysis? You have more hairs in phase than any other time of the year.

#9

But that still means I’d have to let the hair grow while at work…and those flourescent lights, there’s no way to hide!

But that is good advice- about starting in summer. Maybe I will…thanks!

#10

Honestly, your problem is probably WAY more noticeable to you than anyone else. Maybe you could take a half vacation day and get it done in the morning? I say figure something out and plunge ahead…you’ll be SO glad you did! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

#11

It sounds like you’ve had your boyfriend for a while, and he is already wise to your “problem.” Don’t shave for one weekend, and tell him you’re having a treatment done, and he will most likely just shrug and say okay. Getting a problem permanently taken care of is something people can relate to and support. And like Sav said, no one ever notices the growth as much as you do.