Had First Appointment Today

Well, I took the step and had my first consultation and a bit of electrolysis today. I really like the lady I went to. She is very personable, very honest, and explained everything to me. Luckily I knew most of it already from reading so much here but it was nice to hear it and see it (she pointed things out on a giant poster). She said her ultimate goal is to do as much as possible at first to get to the first total clearance in the shortest amount of time. That was what I wanted to hear! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

We did 40 minutes on me to give it a try. She uses all 3 methods and said she’ll experiment and see what works best on me and I honestly am not sure what she used today. She swiped the area with alcohol and then a local anesthetic and she said I could ask for more of that at any time. She started out on a setting of 5 (which she forgot to turn down, said she usually starts at 3) and that was very tolerable for me. I felt a slight sensation when she inserted the probe (she uses disposable probes and gloves when she works)and I could feel the tugging of the hair on a few, it was the most painful part but I don’t think it was tweezing?? She said I was feeling that because MANY of the hairs were in the resting stage which is not the optimal stage but it must be done to get to clearance. I could tell some of them she would pull and if they wouldn’t release she would insert the probe again which I’m guessing is a good thing. She did quite a bit on my chin (which I would say is already halfway to a clearance or at least it looks that way, she seems to go pretty fast) and she just kind of did some here and there I think to see how my skin is going to react.

Afterwards she put on some witch hazel and explained all the after care. She said no make up for at least 24 hours and gave me the option of purchasing that liquid makeup I’ve heard about on here. I had a few spots that were a little red and puffy about 10 minutes afterwards but by the time I got home (hour later) that was gone. I can see maybe 5 or 6 TINY red dots in a few spots but otherwise my skin looks great (minus the unshaven hair that is bugging the BLEEP out of me right now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

She has A LOT of clients so I’m assuming she must be pretty good, but, it’s just my first one so I have nothing to compare it to <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> She works out of her home and the office was very clean and pleasant. She had music on in the background and she is very personable so we talked a lot and it made the time fly by and I think it made things more tolerable.

I go back to her next thursday for another hour and we’ll see how that goes. Right now she’s the only one I can get in to so I’m giving her a try. Hopefully in the next two weeks I can try out another one in the area and have some sort of comparison.

I did take my before pictures today and am going to keep track as I progress and I’ll be sure to share. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If anyone has anything to offer, especially advice, that’d be GREAT! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good luck everyone,
Savannah

Just wanted to add that my skin looks great except for one tiny white head that popped up this morning on the right side, and I have maybe 3 tiny dots on the left side. I am washing with dial soap and applying aloe regulalry. I shaved today but did not apply make up until after the 24 hour period was up. WOW It felt good to shave! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Never thought I’d say that! LOL As I am typing this tonight, I can tell a difference in growth on my chin already which I think is great.

Thanks for sharing, and keep us informed.

Please make sure that you stop over at our referral section and post contact info for the good electrologists you found in your search.

I know that you said you don’t know what method she used the first time, but if you can describe how long you think she stayed in each follicle and whether you were holding a rod or not, then we can figure it out <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The reason I am curious is b/c i just realized that all the electrolysist i have been to have always used the Flash Thermolysis method which is said to have an extremely high % of regrowth and it’s supposed to be pretty much useless on anything other than velus virgin hairs… at least that’s what the text books say!

So, I wonder now, why is it that all the professionals I have been to use it, and is it the case with most everyone else’s electrolysists or not!!!

I love my guy and I trust him when he says that for 30 years of trial an error this has worked the best and fastest for his clients, BUT the nagging knowledge from the textbooks is killing me!!!

Well, she had a longer looking probe she used and she stayed in around 5 or seconds I believe. I can’t say for sure because I really didn’t feel too much, and we chatted the whole time which made everything go much faster and easier! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

i just realized that all the electrolysist i have been to have always used the Flash Thermolysis method which is said to have an extremely high % of regrowth and it’s supposed to be pretty much useless on anything other than velus virgin hairs… at least that’s what the text books say!

Please get this straight:
All forms of electrolysis are equally effective ASSUMING perfect treatment conditions. The only difference is the range error in treatment that still results in an effective treatment. In that case, Thermolysis, is perfectly workable for permanent hair removal the first time, but is least forgiving of errors. Blend is next in line as more forgiving of error, but not as easy as galvanic.

This is not to say that galvanic operators are the least skilled electrologists out there, just that competence in galvanic comes quicker than blend, and way faster than one could become competent in thermolysis. A person who has performed thermolysis for years SHOULD have gained some level of ability sufficient to get the job done on the equipment they are using.

You still need to check out all the people in your area to see who gives you the best treatment for your money.

I know that many electrologists will tell you “I only work in Modeality X because that’s the best, and the others don’t work” but that is just advertising. They all work, but your personal goals will dictate which is best for you. A person with just a few stray breast hairs, could go for straight galvanic only, and be happy. After all, full clearance should still happen the first appointment. A person with just a small “cookie duster” mustache could go with blend and get the same result. A person looking to get their back cleared would be at it for years and years working in galvanic, and thermolysis becomes the easiest option.

I hope this clears this up.