Hello. I came across this forum today and hope you can provide me some information.
I have Mediterranean background, light skin, and very dark facial and body hair. Electrolysis worked for me for my upper lip when I was in my teens and the hair was dark but fine. As I moved into my 20s and now 30s, thick hair has grown on the sides of my face and my chin and neck. The problem has gotten much worse since I became pregnant and nursed my son.
I have had at least 20 treatments on my face with 3 different types of laser. They haven’t worked; the problem is worse than ever. Strangely, laser did work well to lighten/thin the hair on my legs, under arms, and bikini area.
My questions are the following:
Should I return to electrolysis to treat the worsening hair problem? It took me several years to get rid of the fine hair on my upper lip, so I am concerned that the darker, thicker, denser hair I have now all over my face will take years and thousands of dollars to fix.
Are there any other hair treatment options you would recommend?
Are there any hair specialists I could consult about the issue?
Are there specific types of laser or electrolysis (certain brands of machines?) I should try or avoid?
Any other thoughts?
Yes, electrolysis is for you. And really, it’s the gold standard. You have to remember it’s been around for 130 years, it’s a science, not guess work. Get started on electrolysis sessions now, waiting and dilly-dallying doesn’t do much good. Find an operator with a modern machine and the skill to use it. Call around and ask the basics: machine type, flash, blend or both, years practicing, CPE or RE, hours and scheduling times. Don’t be swayed if one charges five or ten dollars less than another. That’s irrelavent because a good operator’s approach and accuracy will keep the timetable minimal, avoid uneccessary microscabs, and cause you less pain with good advice on how to prepare for sessions.
And Milklady,why did it take you SEVERAL YEARS to get rid of hairs on your upper lip? This is outrageously long. Can you describe your treatments in more detail? Hopefully you read many posts here so you get a full understanding of what to look for in a skilled practitioner AND… you need to understand your role as the recipient of electrolysis. Success does not take several years unless your hormones are crazy, but that is not the fault of electrolysis.
Twenty laser treatments on your face? That is a lot. Do you have the same amount or more hair than when you started? I’d hate to hear how much you have spent. If you had started with electrolysis for your facial hair, I doubt that you would have spent more than what you spent for laser treatments that brought you no rewards. This is always sad to hear. Electrolysis is always that steady, loyal friend that will pick you up and bring you home.
Electrolysis is for you. It is the one way street home for anybody willing to follow guidelines that will make them successful. I would look for a skilled electrologist that uses a computerized epilator capable of microflash thermolysis. If that is not possible, then look for a skilled electrologist with a thermolysis and blend machine that she uses well.
I don’t know what you mean by “hair specialists to consult with”? There’s plenty of advise here on hairtell for you digest, so maybe that will help? I don’t see that you have the laser option for your face, so you need to face up to having elctrolysis again. Go into this informed and you will be successful.
When i had my upper lip done 15 years ago, the sessions were 1-2 hours long and were every week for about 2 years. I don’t know how true this is, but the electrologist once told me that my growth cycle is very short.
Yes, at least 20 sessions on my face and I now have at least as much, if not more, hair growing on my face. I see a threader twice a month now, but would really love to find a permanent option. Although, i am so worried to get into another treatment regimen only to see it fail.
I have searched for, but did not find, a list of questions/answers to ask/look for in selecting an electrologist. Can someone point me to the appropriate post?
Micro = Small, scab = dried, caked blood that acts to cover a wound in it’s time of healing. I used this word because I felt she may not have familiarity with the word ‘eschar’. That aside Dee, two things: First, did you go watch the Silhouet Tone video they have on their site? It’s under ‘Profile’. You can see where your VMC was born and who it’s parents were. But be advised, if you don’t have a high speed connection, you could probably book a flight, go tour the facility, then fly home before it finishes downloading on your computer. And second, on your Sequentium 328, what was the minimum time setting on thermolysis? Was it .01 seconds. You know, was it a ‘0.00’ display, or ‘0.000’? And do you remember the max therm setting? was it 0 to 30 ? Just wondering if the Sequentium 328 was given a higher therm capability and shorter timing than the Thermolysis 328, Sequential Program SEQ-1, or Servo Blend SB-8. And then there’s the whole bit of 30 on the Sequentium may be different than on the others. I’d just like to know if you have the time. Thanks Dee.
Well,I have the time to always answer your questions, Mantaray.
First off,I never have owned a Sequentium or any of the earlier models of Sil-Tone epilators, so I can’t answer your questions. Maybe someone else will kind enough to help you out. I’m sorry that I can’t. If you ever get a VMC someday, I can offer some intelligent advise and understanding though!
I’ll have to watch the video and I will be sure to have reading material in front of me while it is loading. I’ll check it out and thanks for the heads up. You probably heard me talk about that 328 model before because the electrologist that worked on me actually had this model and loved it!! However, she was very close to upgrading to the VMC before she suddenly passed away.
I carry the torch for her when I use my VMC everyday. I love this epilator! It actually makes electrolysis “fun”. I see more clients for longer sessions, so it pays for itself quite fast.
Okay, back to microscabs. I never heard that description before and actually like it better than the term " pinpoint scabs". Pinpoint scabs on the face happen sometimes and can be acceptable healing outcome. They usually slough off within a week. I work hard for a client not to have any facial scabs and scabs are usually not a problem,But they can happen and everything can still be normal and good.
Well,I have the time to always answer your questions, Mantaray.
First off,I never have owned a Sequentium or any of the earlier models of Sil-Tone epilators, so I can’t answer your questions. Maybe someone else will kindly help you out. I’m sorry that I can’t. If you ever get a VMC someday, I can offer some intelligent advise and understanding though! You could call Silhouet-tone and talk to a technician or Dr. Myron Heimlich at 1-800-626-6025. The man knows his “stuff” about epilators.
I’ll have to watch the video and I will be sure to have reading material in front of me while it is loading. I’ll check it out and thanks for the heads up. You probably heard me talk about that 328 model before because the electrologist that worked on me actually had this model and loved it!! However, she was very close to upgrading to the VMC before she suddenly passed away.
I carry the torch for her when I use my VMC everyday. I love this epilator! It actually makes electrolysis “fun”. I see more clients for longer sessions, so it pays for itself quite fast.
Okay, back to microscabs. I never heard that description before and actually like it better than the term " pinpoint scabs". Pinpoint scabs on the face happen sometimes and can be acceptable healing outcome. They usually slough off within a week. I work hard for a client not to have any facial scabs and scabs are usually not a problem, but they can happen and everything can still be normal and good.