I’m about 3 months in on my electrolysis on my back starting on my neck. I’m starting to notice regrowth on the back of my neck and unfortunately it’s almost starting to look like nothing was done in the first place. Do hormones have to do with regrowth, and is there ever a possibility that electrolysis won’t work? My electrologist is very skilled. What should I do? Get my hormones checked? I have excessive vellus body hair… sigh
Sure, visit an endocrinologist and get your hormones checked. Your electrologist has been working on you for 3 months - what does she/he say? You can’t always tell if growth is regrowth after just 3 months.
How many treatments have you had over the 3 month period? You will continue to have hair growth in previously treated areas for a long time however you should begin seeing less hair growth as the bald spots between hairs begin to become larger and with regular treatments, if the area is cleared each time, you could be finished in about 2 years (more or less).
Maybe it would be a good idea to start taking photos of the area now and take another photo in 6 months, 12 months, 18 months.
Adding my 2 cents worth.
First, by definition, you don’t’ have “excessive vellus hair.” Vellus hair is nearly invisible and blankets all human bodies (about 5 million of these little creatures). You might have “accelerating” hairs on your body that are becoming more visible? But no electrologist in their right mind would actually work on true (microscopic) vellus hairs.
Sex hormones never affect hair on the back of the neck … never! For this reason, hair on the back of the neck is absolutely predictable and should always be guaranteed permanently removed … always! There is no reason to check your hormones in consideration of this hair … it’s completely useless.
Furthermore, there is almost nothing easier to do than the back of somebody’s neck (underarms, same deal). TTT on the back of the average neck (backside) should not exceed, say, 10 hours … and that’s a “stretch.”
I tell my clients when we start a new area, that the first six months will be the hardest and somewhere around month 4 you will have a bunch of hairs coming forth. You will think this is not working, but it is, do not despair.
You are in the beginning stages and things will get better as the months pass.
You said you have a very skilled electrologist, so give her chance, ask her questions, share your concerns. I don’t think it is necessary to get blood tests.
Yes, electrolysis works. It really does.
Hi Mchlbnll. You indicate that you are female and 21 years old - growing hair on your back and neck and you have not yet seen any results from electrolysis.
Do you see hair growth on your face, breasts, other areas that are unusual for a woman?
I wish someone had suggested I get my hormones checked when I was in my early 20’s. I entered this field because of the hair growth that initially began as fine that slowly transitioned to thick. Your hairs might never get thicker.
I think the pertinent question here is: Are your periods regular? If not, then talk to your health care practitioner and ask about checking your hormones.
All the best.
Yes Arlene, I have hair all over my body. It makes me tear up just thinking about it, it’s so damn depressing… I can’t even wear shirts or dresses that reveal my back. I grow hair on every part of my body but my feet excluding the toes. I just have peach fuzz on my face that I bleach so it’s no big deal, but it still sucks. I think I have some pics pre treatment. My periods are regular but extremely painful. I have had to get cysts surgically removed before. Not fun. I’m going to go to the dr… just to keep my sane.
Thank you dfahey, what you said had put me at ease. I have been wanting to do this for years… being hairy is so crippling, I don’t even know how it feels to comfortably wear a bikini. One day though.
Stomach
Lower back
It looks worse in person… i don’t have pics of my neck but this is to give you guys an idea. there’s a patch or two on the stomach that are shaved at the time because i was very close to doing lhr, which would have been stupid. my body is covered in these black hairs, including my breasts.
The dots around my belly button were from an electrolysis consultation
I see many women with hair structures like yours, distributed on areas like yours, which are most likely due to your ethnicity. Many women are healthy, with no hormonal imbalance, but rather, they have hair follicles that are highly sensitive to the normal amounts of androgens that circulate in their blood. It’s just the way things are and there is no underlying medical condition.
In fact, you have much less of a problem than many women who complain to me about hair on their body.
Electrolysis can rid you of these small hairs, indeed.
I feel embarrassed that I’m covered with dark hairs on my breasts and butt. I feel unattractive. It’s going to take years to do my entire torso. Anyway, while I’m doing my back, is getting my front waxed a bad idea? I just want to enjoy the summer and the pool at least… it may not seem that bad but it’s something that has bothered me for so many years.
I understand your feelings about the hair.
Go ahead and ENJOY the summer. Wax if you want.
It won’t take years to do your torso. More skilled electrologists are seeing the good in working longer sessions for people with large areas. That’s all it will take to lift your mood about this hair.
One other thing, have you tried to bleach those thin hairs?
I was just wondering if waxing could possibly make it worse in any way. Yeah I have but those little sally hansen boxes don’t cover much lol… I wish I could buy a bucket’s worth and slather it on. HA Anyway, it would last like 4 weeks then the hairs would turn black again. I also looked like I had weird blonde fur. The hair are very numerous and everywhere and some are longer than others. It’s just so annoying. I almost wish they were thick and coarse so I could just laser it and carry on with my life. Ha ha.
Oh yeah anyway, it’s been 3 months and I go once a week alternating 1 hr and then 2 hrs the next time and so forth. I’m down to the bra strap on my back but it seems like the lower we go the more hair pops up from where I started, being the back of my neck. It’s like never ending, but I won’t give up.
Sorry, that was longgg.
Many people wax, choose to do threading or sugaring before they decide on electrolysis and all turns out well in the end. For these areas, waxing for summertime fun, will not make matters worse.
Thanks, I really appreciate you responding. I’m feeling a lot better now. 
You are very welcome.