No, don’t stop! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Well I just got back from my appointment. The hair on my face was cleared in 30 minutes. She was able to even get to the long blonde ones. We spent the remaining time on my tummy. Yippeeeee!!
Only a few red marks on my face, mostly under my chin that I don’t really look at since Wednesday night. My tummy is littered with little red marks and tiny little scabs on each one. Thank goodness my face doesn’t look like that. But then I remember that 5 months ago my face did look like that. How we forget so easy when things look better! To think that I wouldn’t even want to go out in the sun because it would highlight my hairy face and now I think I walk taller now for some reason.
I was thinking how I could have quit so many times had I not kept trying to find the right electrolygist.
Related to the kind of thing we are discussing here, I am transfering some information from another board.
It just goes to show how much can be involved, in finding out why you are growing hair, and how there are many tests that could come back normal, when one just has not yet had the test that will show what is wrong.
Barbara Kieffer Greathouse of Topeka Kansas writes:
Some individuals have an enzyme in their skin that is like a magnet to their normal circulating hormones. These individuals will grow hair in these areas. The areas seem to follow the pattern of the Ferriman and Gallwey hirsutism rating scale. The individuals with this enzyme will have coarsening of hair with the irritation of waxing. Individuals without this enzyme will see less hair with waxing. The people with this enzyme are the people who will see a product like Vaniqa work - IF they use it consistently, however, they can spend the same money on electrology treatments and REALLY get rid of the hair.
It would also seem that other people with excess hair growth have it for other reasons - not necessarily related to the enzyme. So again, we are faced with mysterious reasons for hair growth.
It’s thursday and normally I would have gone to my electrolygist yesterday but there were not enough hairs to treat. I have skipped this week and made an appointment for next Tuesday. I still can’t believe how good my skin looks and how soft it is. There are many hairs coming in on my upper lip but they are fine and lighter. I can notice them but you have to look close. There are some harder ones on my chin but not near as bad as before. I still have red dots on my tummy from my last week appointment but they are fading. This is working!
Sorry but I wanted to say something else that I found curious. Before starting electrolysis 5-6 months ago I always had a sharp pair of tweezers with me. In my purse and I always had them handy and always knew where they were. If I misplaced them I would desperately look everywhere for them. Today I found them up in my daughters room and I had to really think when I had used them last. I couldn’t even remember when I had given them a thought.
Also, I read somewhere on here about how suicidal people are over their hair problems. I remember that feeling when I was a teen ager. I had many electrolysis treatments then with lots of expense and little results. Now when my hair isn’t my main focal point and other things in life are way more important I notice that the treatments are going along much smoother. I think I may contribute it to the power of postitive thinking. I just know now that this will work and it is working and I have way more energy that I give to the business of living.
Olivia, thank you for sharing your progress-- I am sure it will give a lot of hope to others struggling with the same issue. It’s great to start spending all the time you used to think about hair on other things! I know it’s been a real life changer for me!
Also, I read somewhere on here about how suicidal people are over their hair problems.
oh man i remeber being that way and getting these thoughts after my laser disaster and before starting electrolysis…m on the road to recovery finally from the hair problems however i still have a long way to long m only about 1/8th or 1/4 of the way there and i still get those thoughts now and then on my down days but m keeping my hopes up <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I still get down but I hurt my knee and am waiting for surgery. I would gladly be the hairist person in the world if I could have my healthy knee back again. When I was consumed with thinking about hair I had no idea that things could be much worse. We all should be thankful that we have our health. It’s when I stopped thinking about my hair being the main problem that it got easier to deal with and easier to make and stick to a plan to get rid of it.
I have hit the 6 month mark. I had a 1 hour treatment two nights ago. As I said before I tried going every 2 weeks instead of every week. I could have gone last week because there were some hairs on my upper lip and under chin that were bothering me. But we were able to clear all areas anyway. There were only about 10 hairs on my tummy. Lots on my upper lip. I would rather go every week to treat those because it is very uncomfortable to do a lot of work on that area. She did say she had it up quite high. It was quite red when I left but today everything looks great. It is really looking good. I go through whole days not even thinking about the hair on my face. The chin is really great. The dark shadows from tweezing for so many years has almost faded away. There has hardly been any regrowth there in close to two months. I am still debating about starting with laser on my bikini line first.
Greetings folks. I don’t mean to butt into the middle of an already buzzing thread, but I’m new around here, and the thread title “Learned the hard way” is sure something I can relate to.
I’m 23 years old, and I tried my first, and only, laser treatment about 5 months ago in July. Naturally I should have gone again, as most “experts” seem to say in order to see decent results… However, I was on vacation and this led to that and I basically just didn’t have time. Here’s the kicker: It’s probably a good thing because I got to notice the fact that I now have MORE hair in the areas treated than i had before i started the treatment. I’d done extensive reading of books, talking to physicians, and testimonials in forums like this before i tried a procedure myself. One thing that i think i took too lightly, even though i knew it at the time, was the phrase: “permanent hair removal”. I knew it was a play on words in a way… because there are SOME permanently removed hairs if the procedure is done correctly… but it’s not as all-pervasive as it’s made out to sound.
ANYWAYS, before this gets too long, i’ve decided to try electrolysis, both because from what I’ve now found out, it’s cheaper, and in the long run more effective and complete. Opinions on this are welcome.
I have a few questions for any and all of you:
1 - What ‘type’ of electrolysis should I do? i’ve heard of thermolysis and some other type. Why one over the other? I assume info will be needed, so: I have an odd mix of rather course and fine blonde, brown, and darker brown hairs on various parts of my body which i want removed. Mainly upper chest, shoulders, some upper and lower back patches buttocks if possible, and maybe under-genital area. My skin is quite fair but not pale or pasty.
2 - I’m not afraid to divulge my locale, and I’d like to know if anybody knows an EXPERT and REPUTABLE, EXPERIENCED practitioner of electrolysis anywhere nearby. I live in Nanaimo, BC, Canada. I would prefer it if i could find a place on vancouver island, but a vancouver area based one would be do-able.
3 - I’ve read a bit about “settings” of the electrolysis probe. 22, 24… what do they mean? What type is best for what?
4 - Costs. Are there package deals with some of the practitioners? Are there refunds and/or some kind of way that i can get a rebate or something if nothing close to desired results are achieved (i.e. the laser ‘treatment’).
5 - How long does it typically take for a male with what i would consider MODERATE hair coverage to obtain good or complete removal results? I’m not too picky about my chest area, being a man, i don’t mind having hair there. I simply want it to be more shapely… and to not have hairs in areas that most people consider unattractive. The patches on my back have up to 1 inch long hairs, but they are relatively sparse between follicles, and the patches literally end in bare skin around the shoulderblades, and my mid back.
6 - Should I take a shot of whiskey before sessions? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> j/k. Maybe.
Get back to me, chums, I’m looking forward to it.
Hi Wiseoak, and welcome to the forum!
Hopefully you’ll get a Pro’s opinion on this, but as a consumer, I’d suggest that you use Blend on thick, coarse hairs (especially on the face), and Thermolysis on fine hairs.
The reason for this is how each method works.
Thermolysis treats the hair with heat. So for thick, coarse hairs, you’ll need a lot of heat to permanently zap the hair. With high heat, there’s the risk of burns, leading to skin damage.
Blend uses a chemical reaction to zap the hair. There’s only a small amount of heat involved.
The downside is that it takes longer per insertion. But the upside is that for coarse hair that may need several thermolysis zaps per hair, you’ll need far fewer Blend zaps.
Hope that makes sense,
Toni
Wiseoak,
There are a couple of threads in this forum about laser-induced hair growth, one started by me and one started by laserhater.
No alcohol for 24 hours prior to an electrolysis session–it dehydrates you, including your hair follicles. It sounds like you have a lot of areas where you want hair removed, and even if there are relatively few hairs there, thermolysis is the fastest and most cost-effective method to get there.
Best regards,
htky
Thanks htky. I assume that if I find a GOOD electroly…cian (haha), that they will assess the situation and attempt to find a routine that works for my body.
So, back to the most important question of the 5 i asked: Does anyone know a good electrolysis clinic/professional that is near me on the island in BC, or Vancouver? I saw Olivia’s post and my ears perked up in interest because I thought maybe she or someone she knows could tell me.
So once again, i live in nanaimo, BC, and I’m looking for a half decent clinic. If i have to find one on my own, does anyone have any suggestions as to the best way to scout out credentials? Any specific questions i should ask about the place? I know they’re a competative business and that a lot of electrolysis places would do anything to get more customers in the door.
Hi, I am in the Okanagan and my electrolygist might know someone on the island or in Vancouver. I do know someone that lives in Abbotsford but that may be too far away. I will ask around because I have relatives on the island.
Olivia
Imagine that! When we know where you are located, we can help you find practitioners! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Let’s put locations in those profiles friends!
Hi wiseoak;
In Nanaimo you could contact:
Shelley Rinas @ Shelley's Electrolysis Studio
247 Derby Place
Phone: 753-4871.
Personally I don't know Shelley and you would have to find out if she is still at this number.
In Victoria you could contact:
Tracey-Lee Clarke @ Body Magic Electrolysis
4034 Grange Road
383-3315
Tell Tracey-Lee I mentioned her to you. She just sent me her new e-mail address but I can’t find it in a hurry. I will vouch for Tracey-Lee. She is very good and extremely professional.
Good luck and don’t be afraid to get on with the project. The sooner you start the sooner you’ll be hairfree. Just ask me. Been there, done that. Now I’m doing it for others.
Happy New Year everyone, It has been a while since my last post. Had some family troubles so I have been a bit preoccupied. I missed several appointments and then my electrologist was away and with Christmas and all I just couldn’t find the time. I just got in for a one hour appointment last week. It took 1 hour to clear the face. The hair was fairly fine but quite noticeable. I think it had been 3-4 weeks since my last visit. What I noticed is that the hair that was growing in wasn’t hard and I didn’t pick at it like I used to. There was a fair amount on the upper lip but I notice bald spots on the corners of my chin where it used to be very thick there. We didn’t have time to do my tummy but it’s winter and the hairs are noticeably finer so I’ll do that next time. I have an appointment tomorrow but I think I will cancel it until next week. Money is tight and my face is pretty clear from last week’s treatment. I hope to go back to my once a week appointments soon.
I had a 1 hour appointment yesterday. Haven’t been for over 2 weeks. Cleared the face and most of the tummy. Lots of little red marks on the tummy. Face looks good. Now if I could just do something about the wrinkles, haha.
Hi Olivia6
Im also from BC and would like your help. Im in the process of selecting a Electolysist. I read that you had a bad experience with your first one. Id really hate to pick the same place as you so can you let me know wich place it was.
Also id like information on the new place your going to me I will have a consultation there. City,number,address also do they have a website? You can PM me the information. thanks