Having been (basically) blown off by my tried and trusted electrologist of 1 year, I (somewhat) spitefully booked an appointment with someone new in my area. I typically have my breasts and my chin done.
The new woman I saw talked me into having some of my upper and lower lip treated (both of which I shave regularly). Two days later I am left with horrible scabbing on all of the areas she touched with her probe. I’m not sure what pitting looks like, but based on the hole-like scabs forming on the corners of my mouth I take it I’ll be bearing the scars of this bad decision for some time.
While I am definitely upset about my botched skin, I’m even more dismayed by her stern warning that my lip-shaving regime will ultimately result in much thicker and darker hair one day (I have been shaving for 2 years now). I am soon spending a year abroad and will not have electrolysis as an option for myself, but based on what this woman told me I feel compelled to a) NOT go abroad or b) get as much work done on my lip before I go. I’m mainly concerned about the once light villous hairs that are now thick and scratchy (but still blonde). Can those be treated? Or are they too numerous/dense to really be cleared? Is shaving for the year that I’m away potentially harmful to my progress? I’m leaving in the beginning of August.
Numerous scientific studies dating back to the 1930’s have verified that shaving has NO effect on hair growth. The hair shaft is dead and contains no regenerative cells. As a practicing electrologist for 32 years I agree with this conclusion. I recommend you let your skin rest and hold off on treatment until everything clears up. Human skin has strong regenerative powers to rebound after injury. The key will be finding a skilled, experienced electrologist to complete the job. Ask local dermatologists who they send their patients to for electrolysis. Then ask around among friends and other professionals. A simple investigation will point you in the right direction.
Ok, so continuing to shave for the year that I am away is not a horrible idea?
Shaving is just fine, listen to “hairadicator.” It’s so frustrating to veterans (like Hairadicator) to continually have to fight through the misperceptions (public and in the profession). But, that’s the way it is: it never changes.
My favorite odd story was a professor at the university (UC Santa Barbara, chemistry). She heard that plucking was bad, that shaving was bad, and waxing was bad … so what was left that would not induce more hair?
She thought she had “fooled the system.” She BURNED the hairs off with her Bunsen-burner in the lab. Hey, it “wasn’t shaving!” (Well, actually it was shaving.)
Ok, I appreciate your getting back to me. Sorry, hair problems are really difficult to deal with. Ultimately though, when I am in a better position in my life to deal with this… those tiny and EXTREMELY dense blonde hairs can be removed from my upper/lower lip? Even though they extend right up to where my lip ends/skin begins?
And it’s not worth it to start treatments if I will need to take a year long hiatus?