Hi.. My experience.. !

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#61

Hi Dee,

Yes, I started getting cleared everytime after the 1st 2 months.
For the first 6 months we were using Thermolysis after that a combination of Blend & Thermolysis

Though my electrologist mentioned that there is not much diffrence between both the modalities in terms of progress. I insisted on using this combination as I believe that blend kills the hair follicles faster

I’ve had 33 sessions since the time I started. For the first 6 months, I was going once in 10-12 days. After than once in 14-18 days. For the past 2 sessions, I have been going once in 3 weeks

I would’ve liked to be done by now or seen a more significant progress but I am still committed… Looking at my pictures, is it possible to say how long before I can be done? Also, do you think now after 1 yr 3 months, I can go once 3 weeks or would you recommend going sooner? what are your thoughts?

Thanks,
June

#62

You are progressing and your electrologist will get the job done.

In my mind, now that you answered those questions, I’m just comparing a particular client I have finished that had a similar problem with her sideburns, neck and chin, upper lip. She finished in 14 months after 32 sessions, with full clearance obtained every time after the first 2 months. I haven’t seen her since October so I’m assuming she’s still stable. We did microflash thermolysis only and our sessions lasted about 1.5-2 hours on average.

So, I would say you’re still in the ballpark. Keep pushing forward.

#63

Oh, I forgot to answer one of your questions. I think you can still go every three weeks as long as you are getting cleared. My preference is always microflash thermolysis for this much hair, but blend is a good choice if that is what your electrologist recommends.

#64

Thanks Dee, I am planning to go once every 3 weeks for 7 more treatments. So that would be 1 year & 7 months. I am keeping my fingers crossed!!!

#65

Good luck, sweetie.

#66

:grin: Thanks Dee !

#67

My electrologist uses “ClareBlend/AutoBlend/UltraBlend” machine. She does both Thermolysis & Blend with the same machine.

For Thermolysis, everytinme she applies current I see the odometer reading as 65-70 or so. Do you think I can go higher?

Is this a newer machine or an older one? Is it a good machine?

Thanks,
June

#68

That is an older machine (but she can still do good work with it, she would just do faster more comfortable work if she upgraded). You don’t necessarily want to go higher, as there is a point where the hair is being well treated, and going higher than that is only causing additional damage in the name of “being sure” when one can spare one’s self the pain and potential scarring by not exceeding the parameters of treating just high enough.

#69

This Clareblend is a good, older professional epilator, however Clareblend has now stepped it up and have introduced a computerized epilator recently. Haven’t heard any feedback about the new computerized “Elegance” model yet??? Don’t know of anyone that has bought one, but would like to hear some comments.

I think you are on the right track if you have a skilled person using this machine. I like the fact that she can easily handle blend and thermolysis. Only your electrologist knows about proper levels for you in particular. She will know whether she can go higher. She has to protect your skin from overtreatment. You don’t want skin damage and neither does she.

A lot of people are still using Ultra Clareblends, but I know of several electrologists that have sold this solid machine and have moved on up to a computerized variety or have stored their sturdy Ultra Clareblend in the closet for a backup epilator just in case.

#70

Hi All,

Its been a while since I last posted an update. I have been doing electrolysis for the past 20 months now. Have been regular with my treatments (Initially was once in 2 weeks now its once in 3 weeks)

So its good news & bad news…

Good news :
I started with a lot course of hair on my chin & neck & now the hair left are VERY few. Most of them are thick course hair & also some thinner ones. I can literally count the thick course hair them so I am very happy

Bad news:
I am still not done!!! I was getting fully cleared from the 2nd or 3rd month. I have not tested myself for hormonal imbalance since it is heridetery & I haven been hairy since I was small

Here is the removal strategy I used

  • I started with thermolysis.
  • When the hair was manageable I started doing a combination of Blend (for thick hair) & Thermolysis (for thinner hair)…
  • Now I doing Thermolysis again…

Is it taking time since I was toggling between blend & thermolysis?.. I dont think so but still want a second opinion. Also should I start doing blend for the thick hair again??

Now my financial resources are running out so I am getting impatient. But just want to let you know that this has been a great forum & I am truely happy with my progress (though slow).

Thanks,
June

#71

Hi June.

Your strategy was not flawed at all. If you can count the coarse hairs, that’s wonderful.

What has your schedule been like for the past 6 months? How often were you going in and for how long?

At this point, with so few coarse hairs left, I would prefer doing blend.

How much do you think you have spent for so far and what is the condition of your skin after all this electrolysis?

Women’s facial areas need short touch ups 1-5 times a year after the process is over. The face is a highly hormonal area.

Dee

#72

Hi Dee,

As always, thanks for replying promptly…

For the last 6 months, I have been going once in 3 weeks… still for 1 hour as we are working on a lot of areas… Chin, Neck, Upper lip & side burns

Chin + Neck: total take 25 mins (as opposed to 45 or more it used to take earlier). After the initial period, always got full clearance here…

Upper lips take about 20 mins. I have seen a significant reduction of course hair but have several lighter ones which we are working on now. For a long time, we were not able to clear the upper lip fully. No fault of my electrologist. I was not able to give her enough time & was not able to go often to clear the entire lip but we always managed to get the course hairs… Also, upper lip is not my primary focus

Side burns take around 10 mins. Same situation as the upper lip

Spent in the neighbourhood of $3200 & 39 treatments so far.

How does it sound?

I will switch back to blend for the course hair on the chin. Its my chin & neck I am most concerned with. I can live with the hair on Side burns & maybe fine ones on Upper lip as I can bleach it… At this rate I have enough to go till October (5 more months) not sure after then.

Thanks,
June

#73

Forgot to mention one more thing. When I said that I can go on till Oct, I meant around 9 more treatments (spaced at every 3 weeks)

Thanks!
June

#74

You should switch to blend on any hairs that are deeper, like on the chin.

Not having hairs when you were small doesn’t mean you don’t have a hormonal problem btw. There are various symptoms and various ways of timing for different people.

#75

Hi All,

I just completed 2 years of electrolysis… So far the progress has been good (not great though)

Have been getting clearance since 2-3 mts of starting electrolysis. Side burns are doing the best. Upper lip & neck are better than chin. Chin is the worst offender & still have like 100 dark hair

I know electrolysis is working as I have a few patches on my chin which have been completely cleared off. My electrolygist noticed that too

But she is concerned that my body is producing new hair :frowning: . She said that I should not have such dark hair 2 years after electrolysis & thats that only explanation. She asked me to get my hormones checked

Is there any specific tests that are recommended? Will it be covered under insurance?

Thanks,
June

#76

Just a quick update, talked to my doc & explained to her the situation.

She mentioned that I should get a testosterone level test, this can be done using blood test. She said that since my periods are normal no need to do PCOS at this time…

Does this sound ok?

Thanks,
June

#77

You may also want to avoid artificial sweeteners, if you are not already, as they cause unwanted hair growth for many women.

#78

Thanks James, I do eat sweets but not any artificial sweeteners. Will keep this thread updated…

Thanks,
June

#79

Hi All…

So I got my tests results…

The doc mentioned that the testosterone level is high but its only mildly elevated. She said that it can be brought under control but since I am looking to conceive in the next 6 mts I shld’nt bother & continue with electrolysis…

Here are the results, if this makes sense…

(Component)------------------------------------------ My Value----- Standard Range
(TESTOSTERONE FREE)------------------------------ 7.1-------- 0.1-6.4 pg/mL
(TESTOSTERONE FREE/TESTOSTERONE)--------- 1.23 -------- 0.5-2.0 %
(TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL)--------------------------- 58 -------- 2-45 ng/dL

She also mentioned that as long as you are on medication, the testostorone levels are in control… as soon as you get off it the testostorone levels rise the body will produce hair

Given this I might never be hairfree (unless I take medications/birth control)?

What are your thoughts…?

Thanks!
June

#80

That’s pretty much correct. You can control the hormones via medication such as birth control. There is no way to stop your body from producing new hair in the future without any intervention if it’s doing so due to elevated testesterone.

You can not take anything, but be prepared to get regular touchups when your body develops new hair in the future.