Just how bad should it be?

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

So I have had a few sessions with my electrologist. The pain is so intense that I jump off the table at times. I have a pretty high pain threshold, so that’s saying something. Often she will treat the same hair for 5 to 10 seconds. It feels like a soldering iron stabbing me…I work on electronics and I have been poked a few times by my 455 watt 850 degree iron. On top of that I stay looking pretty rough for a week or so afterwards. Red, swollen, lots of little red spots and bumps.

I worry that she may not have enough experience treating thick facial hair like mine. I’m transgender so… It can be pretty brutal hair, maybe?

I’m really scared she’s going to make me uglier than I already am. I am just looking for some reassurance before I end up all scarred or something.

#2

Well, I’ve done electrolysis for 40+ years and agree with you: that shit hurts! I tell clients it’s like getting stung by a bee on “meth.” And, I have had every type of machine and modality … it all kills me. I do electrolysis. I hate electrolysis. I have had electrolysis (back). Electrolysis works! But DAMN!

Just PLEASE be super careful on your chin and UPPER LIP. Do NOT go “crazy” on the upper lip. Whatever “careful” means to your electrologist … well, have her to THAT! Chin and upper lip … right there “out in front,” and you have to have that area done perfectly; especially the upper lip.

I’m now doing some videos on chin and upper lip … check my channel on Youtube for suggestions. Or better yet … have your zapper watch. Hey, it’s free.

#3

I find short pulses easier to withstand. One of the reasons i switched from blend to flash. But it remains a torture - i just did a few hours on my own legs. And indeed, electrolysis is usually the toughest and most painful part of a transition. Recovering from SRS is usually a lot less painful.

You might consider using EMLA in Your face. If applied right, there is some numbing effect. On my throat area this is the only chance to have electrolysis for more than 20 minutes (but on the upper lip i could arrange myself with two hour treatments). In addition to the numbing effect EMLA, Anesderm or something similar will increase the humidity in Your skin, and Your zapperette can lower the setting (at least i can…)

#4

I remember doing my beard – good god was it painful, but worth it! Yes, it’s perfectly normal to be painful, especially (for me at least), the neck, jawline, and upper lip. You could also consider asking your doctor for a painkiller – that’s what I did. It certainly helped dull the pain as did drinking a ton of water/coconut-water the day before and of.

#5

I think my safest bet is to just quit before my skin starts looking like the surface of mars. I used to get compliments on my “beautiful skin” and told I look 20 all the time. Now nobody says ANYTHING like that. I see places like dents and dimples that I certainly didn’t see before. Unfortunately this is my upper lip and around my mouth so there is no hiding it either. I’ll try to find someone later…but for now it looks like plucking my be my only option. Just as well anyway, it gets old paying $100 for an hour of work and only getting 45 minutes of actual work.

#6

Plucking might make everything even worse.

#7

Yup. I’m aware the hair might get worse… But I will take more hair over scars any day.

On top of that, I’ve spent over $1400 and my upper lip isn’t even cleared. That’s at least 14 hours just on my upper lip and the corners of my mouth and neither area is even remotely cleared. I was told in the beginning ten hours at most, now I am up to at least 14 with no visible difference other than dents and dimples now.

I’m sorry, it’s just so frustrating.

#8

Roughly where in NC are you ?

#9

I live in Hickory. It’s in the western part of NC just below the mountains.

#10

Go see Margret Wingate in Charlotte.

#11

Thank you. I will see what I can do.

#12

What sort of electrolysis were you having done? Flash or blend?

Angela

#13

Angela … DON’T do this to yourself! (see my earlier post to you). You are going to drive yourself nuts trying to figure this out. Why? Because there is no answer. GREAT work can, and is, done by all modalities.

#14

It was blend. Depending on the hair, she would switch while she was working.