Hyperpigmentation remedies (non-hydroquinone)?

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering what professional electrologists out there recommend for those of us with darker or olive skin that might be experiencing mild hyperpigmentation as a result of electrolysis.

I’ve been using Palmer’s Fade Milk, which contains 2% Hydroquinone. But I recently read with some interest last week’s article in the New York Times about the potentially harmful effects of continued use of hydroquinone (including cancer).

Any suggestions for non-hydroquinone products would be appreciated. I have mild hyperpigmentation as a result of electrolysis on my forearms, tummy, and bikini line. I know it goes away eventually, but I’d like to speed up the process as best I can.

Cheers–
Paly

Ps. For those of you newbies, electrolysis works! Hang in there! I’ve been seeing an electrologist approximately twice a month for about 18 months, and I’ve had considerable hair reduction. (To illustrate, I started just on my upper lip, which now needs only touch ups every now and then. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I’m now working on my bikini and hope to move onto my underarms sometime soon.) It seems never-ending, but it does work! I’m 26 and I wish I had done it years ago.

#2

Hello PalyMS! Do I get to say, “I told you so”, now? Make sure you post in the “jennyCries” post string called something like “electrolysis, No proof it works”

As for your current question, look for something with Kojic Acid and Licorice as the active ingredients. Kojic Acid alone would work as well, but both Kojic Acid and Licorice together are best in my opinion.

#3

Thanks for the suggestions, James! I’ve never heard of kojic acid, so I’ll give it a shot. Is there a particular product that you recommend to your clients?

As for the “I told you so,” you can definitely say it now! I just read some of my older posts last night, and it’s amazing what an improvement I’ve made in the last 18 months. Electrolysis is no miracle cure, but those who stick with it will definitely reap the rewards.

I’ll take a second to post on that thread you mentioned.

Paly

#4

I can’t think of any product names off the top of my head right now, but as for miracles, I rest assured that anyone who has seen the Grand Canyon understands, that not all miracles happen over night. Some take place slowly, and people are left to see only the result of good long hard work. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

#5

hey james…i thought electrolysis was a permanant thing…well from what i been reading round here…and not a permanant reduction method where you still do have to go in for maintenance sessions even if every month???..coz like i thought by giving time such as 12-18 months the treated area should be completely clean i.e. no hair at all…coz like by that time all the hairs in growth phase would have definatly been treated…
yet reading above from paly’s post…even though yea she said it worked in that she got considerable reduction yet she still going in for maintenance session still after 18 months and this is just for area such as lip even if every now and then…

m asking coz like this is exactly what i was told to expect from having ILP done about a month back when i went in for a IPL consulation…the lady told me its not really permanant however you wil have hair reduction and then keep coming in or maintenance sessions but overall after the required sessions the hair will be much less…

electrolysis is starting to sound like it…is there anyone on this board at all…that has completely stoped going in for treatments for the area treated and has had no re growth at all? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

#6

SIMRAN: search for the post titled “Electrolysis - no proof it works.” I posted it on the laser thread the other day called “Success stories.” Sometimes that post is the only thing that keeps me hanging on because there are many people in that post that reported their experience with electrolysis.

You may not necessarily have to go 12-18 months. You can go 9-12 months depending on your internal specifics and your electrologist. With a fast electrologist, within 3-4 months you will not have as long of sessions as you did initially. Plus, once you get to a first clearing your subsequent sessions will lessen in their frequency and duration.

Keep in mind that males are different than females. Females have hormonal and internal changes that are likely to cause an increase in body hair at different points in their lives, while males do not experience these things (e.g. menopause, pregnancy, etc). For guys, around the ages of 25-35 you will produce roughly all of the hair that your DNA has predetermined you to grow. Granted some of the hairs might be fine and thin and can later thicken and darken, but your electrologist can see them. And if they can see them, they can remove them. Once a follicle has been treated successfully by electrolysis it will be destroyed, although on occassion this can take 2-3 treatments. It would not be feasible for this follice to produce hair till death due you part, hence the label “permanent.”

During the required time frame for electrolysis treatment, your electrologist will remove any hair that pops up and you will eventually reach a point where all hairs in that area will have been treated. You will notice this when the area is smooth like the palm of your hand. Nobody can prevent new hair from growing in that area, but it would be easily noticeable to you (since all other hairs in the region have been previously removed) and could easily be treated. It also would not be hair growing from a treated follicle.

Do not fret. You are not destined to be enslaved to treatments for the rest of your life. I hope this helps.

#7

SIMRAN, I think it’s also important to keep in mind that what the person undergoing treatment sees is very different from what the your family, friends, and co-workers see. When I ask my electrologist to treat my upper lip, it’s because of those fine, thin hairs that other treatments still haven’t gotten to–the ones that can only been seen through magnification or when I get very close up to a mirror (peachfuzz, almost). Although I know that people who see me on a day-to-day basis can’t even see these hairs (unless they get REALLY close up), I still ask my electrologist to treat them because I want that area to be as hair-free as possible.

But when it comes to darker, visible hairs on my upper lip, yes–those are totally gone!

#8

is there anyone on this board at all…that has completely stoped going in for treatments for the area treated and has had no re growth at all? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

i don’t know if anyone who is done is still on this board, except for Andrea, who owns this website. but i know of two people who had electro done. They haven’t had any regrowth and you can’t tell they had electro. One lady is even near 50 years old now.

#9

thanks ya all…hope it works out for us all <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

#10

I am glad you pointed it out, since Andrea herself did not poke her head in to volunteer that info here again. She has not had any hair removal treatments on her face since February of 2001 if I remember correctly. I last saw her in person in October of 2004 and trust me when I say that I was not the only one who thougth she looked great. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Can you imagine how much attention you get walking around Las Vegas with a tall strawberry blonde? It improved my image, let me tell you.