Indian female, not sure if should start now

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi all,

So glad i found this resource! I’ve been considering laser for years and went for a test patch a couple of months ago (the Candela ND:yag) in the sideburn area, but backed out of an appointment and am considering backing out of a rescheduled one in a few days. I have not had laser yet except for the test patch, but have been doing electrolysis on coarse hairs around my nipples and on my abdomen for a few months with good results, and slower results on my upper lip.

I’m interested in laser on the sideburns/side of face, the upper lip (because i’m impatient!), the lower back and the full arm. However, after reading this site, it seems like i should stick with electrolysis for the upper lip and maybe consider it for the sideburns too. My hair is quite fine in the areas i’ve listed (though ‘tufty’ in the sideburns and lower back, if i let it get long - usually wax, trim or shave there), except for the arms, where i would say it’s of medium coarseness. The undersides of my arms have few hairs, though. Still, i’m worried about more hair developing on the upper arm, since i would probably laser about 3/4 of the arm.

As mentioned, i’m an Indian female, with dark hair and medium brown skin (i think a V?). The clinician was also an Indian female and said they treated a number of Indian women, but i found the clinic online (no personal referrals or anything). Also, i asked about the possibility of more hair growth being stimulated, and also about the laser being less effective on finer hair, but she dismisssed both concerns. Based on what i’ve read here, is she giving me bad advice? Is that reason enough not to go there?

She also suggested treatments 6 weeks apart, and possibly only 4-5 apart for the face. This may be because i will be moving out of the country in August, probably far from any reputable lsaer clinics for at least 2 years.

So, yeah: bad idea? I thought i could get in a few treatments before leaving to thin out the hair, but will it just look patchy and weird? As i mentioned, the hair is more of an annoyance but is manageable without laser. The one place i’d really like to have it done is the sides of my face since i don’t like to wax there (that was a momentary and regrettable lapse in judgement which i’m still kicking myself for), but that seems risky based on what’s here. The hair bugs me but is quite fine and not really noticeable until close up (and my boyfriend hasn’t complained so maybe it’s not so bad even then :D).

What do you think? Sorry this is so long - thank you if you’ve managed to read through all of it!

#2

From what I’ve been reading, I don’t know if I’d try laser on fine hair like you’re describing. I’m currently getting laser done on my chin area where the hair is quite coarse. I’ve decided to tackle my face and sideburn area down the road (which is thick but finer hair like you)with electrolysis for fear of stimulation or having it not even work.

Don’t just take my word for it though, lets see what others have to say :slight_smile:
What do you think of electrolysis btw?

#3

Allow me to throw in. Coarse chin hairs can be cleared with electrolysis. You don’t have to wait for shedding to occur for the next 1.5 3 weeks as you do for L.A.S.E.R because the hair is treated and lifted out with electrolysis. This is visualy appealing right away as in instant gratification, which we all have come to expect. PicoFlash or MicroFlash thermolysis can clear a chin in one treatment. The number of minutes to achieve this is dependent on the amount of hair one has size:8pt[/size].

It is funny how many ex-laser clients that have come to me seeking electrolysis on their face and neck. One particular client I saw yesterday has had 19 treatments with a true laser and is now spending money for electrolysis. The hair is finer and she has tons of bumpy ingrown hairs because the fine hair left behind with laser has made it impossible for the hair to push out. If she had chosen electrolysis with me in thefirst lace, she would have been finished a long, long, long, long time ago at much less expense. That’s one of my client hair stories from the eletrologist side of the fence. There are more, believe me.

Electrolysis is NOT just for thin hair, it relieves one of ALL HAIR, no matter what the structure, no matter where the location. Facial hair, in my opinion, should be treated with electrolysis. A skilled electrologist can do this fast and well. The problem is, we need more skilled, well-trained electrologists with modern equipment. If you can find one in your locale, then reserve laser for your underarms, bikini line and lower legs if you just must have laser hair reduction. I am not a proponent of laser hair reduction on a woman’s face, especially a woman of color.

#4

Dee, thanks for the information. I know that electrolysis is an option for ALL hair. I was just relaying my experience. I chose to try laser first since it appears to be an option for my coarse facial hair, I plan to finish with electrolysis for the remainder.

And yes, you’re right, it’s difficult to find a reputable electrologist. The bad ones make the stigma of “painful, scarring electrolysis” thrive. Dee, if I lived in your area, I would have been getting electrolysis since the beginning.

#5

Thanks for confirming that, ale. I feel the need to repeat this information often for any that have just checked in to this site and can not possibly have read all the wealth of information to sort it out. I would love to say that one could find the best electrologist anywhere in the world, but judging from the private messages I get, I can’t reasonably advise electrolysis if I’m told that their local electrologist leaves then looking like a pizza face for weeks or that it hurts so bad. Electrolysis is technically difficult to do correctly and I often refer to the “pack mentality” concept in regard to electrologists who cling to old technology and practices in various communities across the globe. All I can attest to is that the faster forms of electrolysis, performed with the best generation of epilators, the best probes and vision equipment would make it so that NO ONE would need to get laser on their face and other body parts. We’re not there yet, so the consumer does what she or he has to do.

#6

I’m finding electrolysis okay so far. As i mentioned, i’m getting good results on the nipples and abdomen, but less so on the upper lip - not that i haven’t seen improvement, just that it’s not as quick. It’s painful, though, and i often end up with a few of those little pinprick scabs that take a few days to go away. It doesn’t seem like any of that newer technology is available in my area (Ottawa, Canada), or else i’d like to get the sideburns done too.

Anyway, i’m going to try laser on the arms and underarms since i think the hair there is coarse enough. But i’m not going to sign up for a package given my time constraints - i’ll see if there’s any reduction and if it’s patchy, and then decide whether to get another few treatments before i leave.

Dee, as an aside - are those little pinprick scabs normal or are they a sign that i should find another electrologist?

#7

Those tiny pinpoint scabs are okay as long as they heal within a week. They don’t have to happen though. I never get complaints about scabbing on the upper lip and I always ask my clients about their healing and they always say all went well. I give credit to the equipment I use (probes, epilator, lighting and surgical loupes) and of course, I need to include skill!

Small scabs here and there that go away in under a week is okay, but I would strive as an electrologist to change something up so you don’t get ANY scabs. Scabbing like you describe doesn’t raise my doubts about your care, but clients do not like to scab on their face. It freaks them out big time. Your aftercare is important, too, and may have nothing to do with the treatment. So, the electrologist may not be to blame at all.
Dee

#8

dfahey is it normal to get very small white heads a day after electrolysis on the face? I had a treatment on monday, didnt wear makeup during treatments or after , used tea tree oil at night, washed my face with water. Today I woke up with 6 to 7 tiny white heads, where I got treated ( sideburns/cheeks). what should I do? she is using blend on me.

#9

Blend? Thermolysis? either modality is just great, though I prefer the faster forms of thermolysis so the client gets relief in a timely manner. Maybe the intensity is too high and if you tell her about this, she can check out what she is doing on her side of things and make some adjustments. If you touched the area in the first 24 hours with your unwashed hands or if you held a dirty cell phone or such on or near the area to contaminate those little open wounds, then that can do it as well. Most people don’t even realize that they are constantly touching their face. If a child, dog or anyone you love, kisses or touches your face in the first 24 hours, that can cause those whiteheads. If you have oily skin and are prone to acne, you may have a certain inherited bacteria that makes you vulnerable to whiteheads.

Keep doing your part and practice impeccable aftercare hygiene. I do like the tea tree oil (just dabs) at nighttime, but you can use it for daytime, too.

A vast majority of clients do not get whiteheads and have no signs that an electrolysis treatment was done IF the electrologist has great tools and skills. Many electrologists perform well everyday and their clients can expect a very nice outcome.

Dee

#10

fuzzbot

PLEASE take it from me, or do a search on this site for postings from a users who calls herself ‘simran’

DO NOT CONSIDER LASER FOR YOUR SIDEBURNS. I am serious. on your skin type, induced hair is a real possibility, or it wont work (if you are on the luckier side of things).

I am in a mess because of laser right now and i will have to spend thousands on electro over the next year to get back to where I was before laser.