I’m interested in removing hair on my lip+chin. I thought about laser first and posted on the laser section that it takes me about an hour or less (per week or so) to tweeze that area, so lagirl kindly suggested that I look into electrolysis.
My question is: If it takes me an hour to tweeze the hairs, will it take one or two hours for electrolysis? From what I understand, it doesn’t require multiple treatments as laser does since it’s not affected by the growth stages, but I keep reading online that people take months to remove hair on their chin. Obviously, they may have more hair than I do… but what’s an expected range of treatments/hours for an area that can be tweezed in an hour?
Also, I read that pain is minimal or practically absent when numbing agents are applied before treatment. Is this true? I don’t expect hair removal to be painless, but just to get an idea.
It does require multiple treatments spread over several months. for facial hair id say anywhere between 9-12 months, since hair grows in stages, and not every and each hair is killed in the root by first pass. Some clients take even longer than that. My upper lip took time, i started in july 2007 and i still go on 20 minute treatments once every 45 days to remove stray hairs. I have no clue how many hairs my electrologist removes in one hour, but shes fast, i think it takes about 5 seconds per hair-total. Our dear James and his golden probes - well hes our magic man, and boy, do i wish if he was here. The mashine my electrologist uses is century old, it does hurt, but id dare to think that with brand new modern equipment you cant feel as much. Thats what i was told anyways. Numbing agents will numb the surface ,the skin, if you will. Youll still feel pain to certain degree, but its very much bearable.And worth it.
Wow, just your upper lip is taking a year! Hmm, I thought it would be a much faster process. But yes, I guess it is worth it in the end. I think I’ll go for a consultation soon and see what they say. Can the electrologist give me an estimate during the consultation?
Can I tweeze before going for a consultation, or do I have to shave?
No tweezing if you are going to start the process. You may shave or clip, just leave enough growth, 2-3 days worth, so she can see your hair in order to give you a sample treatment or even an estimate.
Many electrologists do not like to give any more than a general estimate. The reason is, is because there are too many variables in this business and most clients will hold your feet to the fire and remind you that they are not finished when the quoted deadline has come. HOWEVER, I will tell you that the major chant goes something like this: With a skilled, modern electrologist who has a compliant client that actually shows up for her appointments as the the hair growth cycles click in, it will take anywhere from 9-12 months, with some nit-picky short treatments for 2-6 months after that.
A year is not a long time and if you feel the need to complain about that, then you must take it up with our dear Mother Nature as she is the dictator for our hair growth cycles. We can’t treat what is not above the surface yet, so we wait for opportunity. To translate that another way, my average upper lip client see’s me anywhere from 8 - 25 times for about 20 minutes throughout the year. Those with severe dense, thick hairs are the ones that see me for as much as 25 times. If they are sneaking and tweezing along the way, it could go longer. Laser clients need a full year to year and half as well. If you need to lose weight, how long does that take? A college education? Learning the piano? So in perspective, electrolysis is pretty fast.
I know you are willing to do what you have to. Most good things that come to us, don’t come to us without effort and perserverance. Same for permanent hair removal via electrolyis.
Thanks so much for the informative reply! It helps a lot.
A couple of questions, though: Do electrolysis machines matter? i.e. should I look for an office with the latest and greatest, or is the electrologist and his/her skill level all that matters?
Also, how can I differentiate between a good/skilled electrologist and an unskilled one? (Don’t know anyone who has undergone electrolysis, so no word of mouth option.)
My personal opinion is that electrolysis machines DO MATTER. I came to understand this because I have worked with several epilators, non-computerized and computerized. I have observed tangible results as far as condition of the skin, sensation and time to completion with the newest technology found in the top brands. It’s the difference between night and day, actually. The level of skill I bring to this, no matter what machine I am using, is the most important factor and the same is true for any electrologist, however, removing hair is so much better for the skilled practitioner and the client under her/his wing when skill, coupled with a better epilator is used. Add to that mix quality magnification and lighting and then we are really talking about something great.
SKILL IS NUMBER and very close to that is the equipment choice.
Your last question is a bit harder to answer, but if you read as much as you can here on hairtell and visit the American Electrology Association website at www.electrology.com , you will be able to put this together as you go beyond and start visiting electrologists in your locale. Get short sample treatments or pay for the shortest block of time possible. Go home and take notes on your experience and skin healing or keep your journal here on hairtell to share with others that are in your situation. It’s fun to go back and read whatyou wrote when you are finished.
Contributor, “CHOICE” can perhaps start you off with some names of practitioners to visit, but you will need to narrow down just where you live in North Carolina. We’re here to help you along the way the best we can being that this is the internet. All we ask is for you to keep your notes/posts on one thread so we don’t have to scrammble all over the place trying to figure where you’ve been and what you have done. Listing your area(s) of concern and other short highlights in your signature is really helpful for a short glance.