Hey guys great board going on here!
I was wondering if any men out there have had removal of hair
up the side of the cheek and they have some before and after photos they would be willing to share< that would be great, or if anywomen have had removal on this are also.
thanks v
Hello Venny:
Welcome aboard. While we do have a few guys who have provided a picture here and there, it is hard to find people who have documented their entire journey on here, as once a person gets the answer to all their questions, they tend to forget about us here. It does take 9 to 24 months on average for most people to complete.
You want pictures? I got pictures of people who cleared way more than the limited area you are seeking to remove.
James,
What modality do you use for coarse deep hairs of males? Females? If the hairs are more deeply rooted is blend preferred to avoid skin damage (particularly females).
thanks,
Mochamasterpiece
The overwhelming majority of the work that I do is in PicoFlash, SyncroFlash and MicroFlash Thermolysis. There are situations where the part of the body being worked on, the type of follicle or the preferences of the client dictate that blend be used, but for most hairs I have no trouble getting trouble free hair removal in PicoFlash.
Of course, I am using an Apilus Platinum, with surgical stereo microscope, and have a certain level of skill. I am not saying that you can just throw a dart in a phone book and get the kind of results that I deliver anywhere in the world.
Yes, the skill of the electrologist is the most important factor in getting the best and fastest results, but as you live in NYC, you should have a good choice of both operaters and modalities.
PicoFlash would be my choice, but if the electrologist has MicroFlash capabilities, that would be just fine. Probe choice is very important and hopefully, she will choose the biggest diameter probe possible for your work. Blend will work as well, but may be a little slow for the amount of hair you have. It may be too ouchy as well, compared to PicoFlash or MicroFlash thermolysis.
I am getting blend with insulated needles. No pain at all. I have time and patience. I just don’t like to have too much of a noticeable tissue reaction because I have to work as a lecturer every now and then. My skin doesn’t seem to like thermolysis in certain areas. It was no problem on sideburn area but for some reason on the jaw it always leaves my follicles swollen past a week’s period. I am into my first month almost with already seen improvement ( I know it’s too soon to tell but the fact that I am having less than 10 coarse noticeable hairs every week -the rest are finer is good for me). I am planning on sticking to 90 minute weekly appointments for the course of the next 3 months. Thereafter, I will hope appointments can be shorter or spread out more.
1 Like
You got it right mocha. Yes, you are early into the process and I think your appointments will spread out for shorter sessions that are further apart as long as you are getting full clearance of all noticeable hairs. Three to four months is about the time we can ease up a little as long as everything is being done correctly.
If you prefer blend over thermolysis that is perfectly fine. I have no way of knowing if thermolysis is being performed correctly, so stick to whatever works with your particular electrologist. She/He has the advantage of seeing you.
Keep adding to your journal.
Dee
Had my fourth session today. I think I am giving up with trying anything new with aftercare. After every treatment I get these little white blisters - are they whiteheads? I don’t know. But there is something I do know. While I am enjoying being hair-free, I am also becoming overly self-conscious and miserable in the 48 hour-72 hours post treatment. By the time a week goes by there is hardly any evidence of anything being done, except for a few red dots here and there. Is this typical? I cannot let it take the best of me. I find myself looking in the mirror too often and touching my face, and I NEED TO STOP! I wish there was something I could do to speed up healing. Right now I am using just alcohol-free witch hazel several times throughout the day. I am wondering if aloe vera gel, an antibiotic ointment such as erythromycin and/or phenolated calamine might be suitable as well. Could someone shed some light please? This is emotionally draining. One thing is for sure, electrolysis is certainly a character-building experience. I have oily/combination skin type.
Hi there,
I got a similar reaction, don’t worry. Yep, they are pustules/whiteheads and will reduce with good aftercare routine. Please don’t touch the treated area! Unless washing or applying something; even then try to use cotton ball in the beginning until redness reduces.
James has had great results with Tea Tree Oil, just a dab with a cotton bud on the troublesome areas. I use Witch Doctor witch hazel skin treatment gel and aloe vera (preferably the purest you can get your hands on).
Try to avoid the mirror, it help me a great deal 
Best wishes!
Pokka,
Thanks so much for your support. It’s great to have these forum so one can get feedback and not feel so alone. Since I am treating almost all the face should I just apply tea tree to the whole face or just spot treat the little pustules once they appear? What is weird is that I have gotten blend before and this never happened, so I am wondering why I get these now.I wonder if it’s a seasonal thing, perhaps my skin is too dry to begin with and this triggers sebum overproduction? I was told by another electrologist settings may be too high. Also, after the pustules are gone I am left with these tiny red dots. They don’t look much like scabs though, just red dots . Is this normal? In fact, if you give me your email I could send you picutres of tissue 36 hours after treatment and then 72 hours after treatment to get your feedback. I tried electrolysis back in the summer but started to freak out with the tissue reaction. I didn’t get any pustules back then though, just that my first electrologist burned me and then I started to freak out when I got one inflamed follicle with my second electrologist, but I had very little tissue reaction ( I would have continued with the second but getting to him is too inconvenient). I know, stupid. I am now toughing it up and going full blown. Started 3 weeks ago and have had a total of 5 hours of blend with the Apilus 27Hz platinum and insulated needles. I am clear of all coarse hairs and most medium-fine hairs. I am going to go in for a long session to get me fully cleared. I know the first six months are the toughest and I am waging a war against mirrors. Do you know if there are any pictures on this former of what skin looks like 24, 48, 72 hours post treatment?
Thx,
mocha
For a great majority of my clients, immediately after a treatment, I use either Thayers medicated witch hazel or Thayers lemon witch hazel. I may or may not apply tea tree oil. I then use cold aloe vera gel (clear stuff) right out of the small refrigerator located next to me and my trusty epilator. The refrigerated aloe is like liquid ice, so very, very soothing.
If you can talk your electrologist into trying this routine immediately after a treatment, you may be very surprised to find that side effects are are greatly reduced or even nil.
Does this Witch hazel have alcohol in it?
The medicated Thayers has 20% alcohol. The other’s about 14%.
The lavender witch hazel has none.
Just so you know, when you use the Tea Tree Oil, you cover the entire treatment area. If you don’t mind the scent, you put it on as soon as your treatment ends, and again to leave on overnight. Otherwise, you at least use it before bedtime so it can work overnight and repeat this use the first 3 nights from treatment.
Dee,
I think you may just have given me the answer: Alcohol. In all my prior treatments the electrologists used witch hazel w/ alcohol right after treatment. My new electrologist doesn’t. Perhaps the alcohol is a must to prevent infection for my type of skin. I have already bought the pure aloe vera gel. I am going to bring in my own aftercare stuff next time to give this a try!
thx!
Mocha