I’ve been researching a supplement called MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane). Apparently one effect it has is causing hair, especially facial hair, to come in faster than it normally would. So I’m wondering if it might be beneficial for me to take MSM while going through electrolysis treatments so that the hairs will come up to the surface and be able to be killed faster, therefore speeding up the entire electrolysis process. Any thoughts on or experience with this?
I am unfamiliar with MSM, however, if it does stimulate hair, it could activate new hair. With electrolysis, there are NO shortcuts. You must be determined to see it, otherwise, I would say you are not a good candidate for the procedure.
From what I understand it doesn’t stimulate new hair, it just causes the existing hair to come in faster.
I definitely intend on seeing it through! I used to do modeling work and now I barely leave my house because the hair growth is so severe. So it’s VERY important to me to fix it.
honestly letting the hair grow to a length it can be treated is not a problem. There arent any “shortcuts” in this process. just get enough effective treatment and in 9-18months the process will be completed.
I just thought it might help get all the hair growing at once because prior to starting electrolysis treatments, I’ve been tweezing multiple times a day.
It’s like we said before, there are NO shortcuts, magic supplements, pills, potions, etc. It sounds like you have become obsessed with wishful thinking. Stop. Find a skilled electrologist and adhere to the prescribed treatment program. You are wasting your time and ours when you keep repeating yourself. You are reaching for something that does not exist.
Well that was an unnecessarily rude response. It’s not wishful thinking, it’s based on research. I believe it might be a beneficial adjunct to my electrolysis treatment plan and I have decided to give it a try. I hope other people in similar situations find this information helpful. 
What research?
You can google it. There’s tons of info on it. I read excerpts from a book called “The Miracle of MSM” written by Dr. Stanley Jacob & Dr. Ronald Lawrence. I also read an article by Dr. Phoenyx Austin, among other things. The general consensus is that MSM lengthens the growth phase (the anagen phase) of the hair cycle. Aside from that, I perused message boards where people were sharing their personal experiences with taking MSM.
I will personally look into it and report back. Thank you for sharing.
Chances are a neutral source such as Wikipedia can provide more accurate information than those that sell the product. According to Wikipedia:
I was not doing research on sites where products were being sold. That would be dumb. I was reading articles, case studies, etc. Thanks for the link. I will give that a quick read. But one must remember, while dealing with sources as mainstream and far-reaching as Wikipedia, that the medical industry (big pharma) is doing its very best to downplay the significance and positive impact that vitamins and supplements can have on peoples health. (Because they can’t make money on them) So with that in mind I will see what it has to say.
I’m surprised I’m not getting responses from people who have taken MSM while going through electrolysis! Since it lengthens the anagen phase, I really thought that someone on here would have experience with it.
Autumn2016 - Why would you want to lengthen the anagen phase? Hair follicles can be effectively treated in both anagen and telogen. The problem then lies in finding a skilled electrologist that knows how to do it.
I’ve read here on hairtell that treatment is most effective during the anagen growth phase. I agree that finding a highly skilled electrologist is absolutely crucial.
A skilled electrologist will be able to target the hair follicle in the anagen or telogen growth phase. That being said, the phase of the hair itself is irrelevant.
I placed my order for the MSM earlier today. I’m going to take it for a while and see what happens.
More than likely nothing will happen, however I say go for it if it quenches your curiosity. Do bear in mind that the only way to determine the efficacy of MSM (or any product) would be to apply the scientific method under controlled conditions involving more than one person. Anecdotal (hearsay) evidence has NO value at all. Can a placebo work? Of course. If you have the power to believe, you will get the results you are looking for.
Like anyone who chooses to start taking a supplement, I obviously won’t be conducting an experiment with multiple participants. I will simply take it and see if it works for me personally. Which is really all that matters. A supplement may work for one person but not for another. That’s just the nature of them. I have tried out various vitamins, supplements, and tinctures for different things through the years. Some have worked quite well for me while others haven’t worked at all. Therefore I don’t feel that I’m susceptible to the placebo effect you were speaking of. Otherwise they all would have “worked”.
In my research that I mentioned to you previously, I did find that a 6 week placebo controlled trial showed that “100% of the subjects on MSM had increased hair growth compared to the group on placebo.” The results were published in Total Health Magazine.
Do you still think electrolysis only works with anagen hair?
I have no idea about that. I haven’t done any more research on it. I hope you are correct about it being effective in both the anagen and telogen phases because that will help me in my quest to get fixed faster. And I desperately need to look like myself again so that I can resume my life. So I truly hope you are right!