Hey guys/gals I just came back from my first session today. Currently I’m getting some work done on my back and I did my first 1hour session. I have to say I don’t find electrolysis that painful at all. In fact, I think I could have fallen asleep during the procedure! I really wish I did a 2hr session right away.
Anyways, upon looking at the work that was done on my back I can’t help noticing that it doesn’t seem like all that much was accomplished. I am using thermolysis, and the practitioner does seem to have good speed (she’s very well accredited mind you), but I can’t help thinking that at this pace (1hr sessions once per week session) it will take me a very long time to achieve satisfactory results. Not to mention the fact that I do have some other areas I want to get to. I guess I need to either book longer sessions or come in more than once a week. I am more than willing to do this. Anyways, just a couple of questions for you guys:
Approximately how many hairs can a skilled practitioner remove using thermolysis during a 1hr session?
What do you guys think would be a good schedule to follow (in terms of both length and frequency of sessions) for male wanting clear a back that is more patchy than full and it covered in mostly vellus/advanced vellus type hair?
I’ll definitely keep you guys updated with my progress. I might even make this little thread my electrolysis journal of progress:D
So increase the time to 2-3 hour sessions once a week.
How long is a very long time to you? I can tell you that it has taken me personally about 75-80 hours to remove a full grown man’s back hair from neck to waist and shoulders and upper arms are included in that figure. Going two hours a week for at least 6-7 months is the schedule this client followed and it has been fantastic for him. He’s clear and really only needs some nit picky cleanups here and there. I haven’t seen him for over a month now because he’s looking good. All this in a little under a year.
I would advise that you go full speed ahead and devote as much time and money as needed to get your back fully cleared ASAP. Then, after that first initial clearance, your electrologist will have to grab any new hairs or hairs that were initially out of the growing phase when you first started, as these hair come to the skin’s surface. The hairs on a man’s back need to be punched hard and it should be a weekly scheduled effort on your part for several months if you are indeeed determined to permanently remove the hair as fast as possible.
So again, how long is very long time to you? If someone decides to lose 30 pounds, do you think they should expect to lose the weight in 2 months, 4 months? etc. Impossible to do, and not safe. Same with permanent hair removal (electrolysis). However, it is very safe to work on a body area for hours and hours in one sitting to clear the existing hair. Nothing wrong with that if you got the time, money and endurance. Get it off fast and keep it off until there is no offending hair left to treat.
If microflash thermolysis is the modality choice, you can expect your problem to be solved within a year, providing you keep true to an agressive schedule. The other side of the equation for success is finding an agressive, confident electrologist who isn’t negative and overwhelmed about treating large areas. You want someone who will roll up their sleeves and get going. Your person sounds good if she has decent speed. Hairs removed per hour varies with what an individual electrologist can personally do. I have done 30-40 hairs in row on the back within a minutes time using microflash thermolysis and the automatic timer feature on my epilator (no footswitch). Some can go faster than that and some are slower. We are all different in our approach, but we all eventually meet at the end of the road. I do wish you luck.
With thermolysis, one can remove 5-10 hairs per minute or so depending on the electrologist speed. You really should concentrate on getting to the first clearance as fast as possible. So that means you need to increase the number and length of your sessions in the beginning. Most people getting large areas like yours done schedule 4 hour session every week or so to start until they get to a clearance. After that, you will need to come in as soon as you see new hairs pop up, etc. The entire process takes about a year after your first clearance if you stay on schedule and make sure to come in to get all the hairs after that AS SOON AS they pop up when they’re still weak and can be killed easier.
I will definitely bump up my sessions to at least 2hrs/per week. To me it’s not a problem at all with respect to endurance and whatnot. It’s a matter of whether or not the practitioner will be up for it. I mean my practitioner has a ton of experience with working on large areas, but she hasn’t mentioned to me the importance of being aggressive early on. I’ve already booked another 1hr session for next session (my practitioner only has 1hr available on that day), but I’ll definitely ask to go on a more aggressive schedule. Hell, if I had it my way I would be doing marathon sessions every week!!
there are actually places and electrologists that specialize in marathon sessions. it’s in your best interest to find one that would do 4 hour blocks with you. run a search for an interesting thread on Electrolysis 3000. It’s a business based solely on marathon sessions in TX.
In my experience with 2 electrologists they usually are less aggressive in removing hairs during the consultations. Wait until you have an hour or 2 on the back during a session. It’s all worth it though, I have completed 10 months so far and things are clearing up.
Well, since I don’t live anywhere near Texas Electrolysis 3000 is totally out of the question. The bottom line with electrolysis is this: your treatment is only as good as the skill of your practitioner. People have said this time and again and it’s the NUMBER ONE thing people need take to heart. The method itself definitely works, but if you have a complete moron at the switch you will never make the progress you wish/hoped you could.
Anyways, I just had my second treatment (another 1 hour session) yesterday. It went well as usual. Didn’t really feel any pain or anything like that. The practitioner ended up clearing about the same amount she did during my last 1hr session. I should mention that I definitely felt what seemed to me a “plucking” sensation on some of the hairs she was treating. I never mentioned it to her because I could have been mistaken since sometimes the root of the hair is larger than the follicle and you’ll get a little “popping” type sensation as the hair is extracted.
Also, I didn’t get the chance to ask her about a 2hr (or longer) session since she had another client waiting there and things were a little rushed. Instead, I booked another 1hr session on (tues) so that will give me a total of 2hrs of work done this week. It’s a slow process that at times seems unlikely to me. But taking all things into consideration, I’m glad I’ve taken steps to treat this problem.
You are dead on, but may I emphasize that very close to the skill factor is the equipment factor: computerized epilators, automatic timing (no footswitch), quality magnification and quality lighting speeds things along for a modern electrologist who wants to get down to business and move things along.
How many days a week does your electrologist offer appointments? Have you talked to her about reserving a block of time once a week that you can pre-pay for and perhaps receive some sort of discount for such quantity work?
Some offer this option some don’t, buy it’s worth a go to investigate.
Ya, there are quite a few questions I have yet to ask my practitioner. I know that she uses thermolysis and that’s she’s been in the business for decades (a lot of certifications and so on). Never asked her any specific questions with respect to the technology behind her equipment.
The appointments have been so quick that I haven’t had the chance to ask her about doing something special with my sessions (I dont talk much while she’s working since I don’t want to distract her too much). Hopefully I’ll get the chance to ask about it next time I’m in. I know she has quite a few days and evenings she works during the week. She has also mentioned discounted prices for sessions lasting over the 1hr mark. Anyways, we’ll see what’s up…
Sooo are there any other benefits to getting work done with a computer epilator other than just speed? Both electrologists that I have gone to used good but older equipment w/ a footswitch. Once I get all the terminal hairs cleared I’m contemplating switching to another electrologist w/ better equipment.
I am sold on the newer electrolysis (computerized) models that are available today.Being that I have used a good computerized epilator for the last three years, I would never be satisfied going back to the good machines of yester years past with footswitches. My clients are spoiled and would not tolerate anything less than what they are getting now. These are my personal viewpoints and I am never shy about expressing what works well for me and my clients. It is truly a lovlier world for both client and electrologist with the newer tools, but don’t be afraid to stay with practitioners who are pleasing you if you are getting all that you want.
As I have said many times, a client will still get to the end of the hair removal process, permanently, if a skilled practitioner is in control of any machine, old or newer. So, you the consumer, will have the hard part of evaluating skin reaction, time to completion and sensation factors. It is good to experience all your local talent so you can decide what is best.
Thats interesting, thanks for the input Dee, I would imagine that foot switch technique would get pretty tiring by the days end as well. I guess the only reason I stay with my electrologist is due to her skill as she is one of the best in my area and she has set longer appointments for me. Most that I have talked to have an hour limit and shy away from large body parts. However I am tempted to atleast getting a consult with someone with updated equipment and skilled.
It went well I suppose. I still think I feel some plucking on some hairs. I’m kind of hesitant to bring it up to her because she is quite experienced and certified, but I also have to realize the amount of money I’m spending ($60 an hour). I’ll bring it with her during my next session if I notice it.
Anyways, I asked her about booking a 2hr stint. She said she would do it if she could find the time and she did. But the 2hr stints are probably going to be harder to come by judging by her schedule, but we’ll see how it goes. In terms of pricing, I’ll be getting a slightly better deal going with the 2hr sessions. If I were to estimate the amount of time I need in order to achieve the results I’m looking for I’d say I need 50hrs on my back. I’m lucky enough right now that it isn’t too bad at all. My hair is concentrated around the lower lat area and is still quite fine. My upper and mid back doesn’t have any dark hair/advanced vellus type hair and so I’m not concerned with those areas at all. It’s funny though, every week I anticipate my appointments. Mainly because in my mind I feel that I’m slightly one step closer to my goal. I think another thing I’ve learned from my neophyte experience with electrolysis (this would apply to laser too) is that these things require PATIENCE. I guess since it’s the middle of summer right now I’d much rather be at the beach running around shirtless chasing girls than worrying about my problem with excess body hair. But if I’m EVER gonna be able to do something like that in my life, I’m gonna have to take the steps today to find a solution.
And speaking of solution, the more I’ve been thinking about my electrolysis treatments, the more I’ve been thinking about doing something with the rest of my body. I’ve got quite thick hair on my legs, arms, and chest/abs area. I’m starting to considered laser for those areas just to reduce them down to a desired level. Unfortunately, I’m not the best candidate for laser as I’m of south asian decent and have type V skin. However, I’ve been doing my research and have found a couple of places that use a Nd:YAG laser which is safer for darker skin tones. I think laser is something I should try since I’m only looking for 50-60% permanent reduction in those areas mentioned. I’m gonna continue to do my research and see what happens. I figure I should look at all avenues of approach if I want to eventual overcome this problem.
Alright, back from session 4 I believe. This one was a 2hr stint (I’ve gotten 5 whole hours under my belt now:)).
I didn’t really feel like going in today, mainly because I’m a bit tired/lethargic, but I’m glad I’m sticking to a schedule. This appointment went well. Same amount of pain, didn’t feel plucking as much, and got a decent amount of work done I suppose. All good in my book.
In other news, I’ve recently started looking at the research behind the ND:Yag laser. From a very minor review of the literature that’s out there it seems like the average or median reduction in hair growth is somewhere between 40-70% for most individuals. Of course, some people achieve better results, some worse. But it’s quite interesting to see the number of people dissatisfied with laser hair removal when the literature itself clearly indicates that very few people ever achieve 90% clearance. To get anywhere near that figure one has to do quite a few treatments over at least a few years. The kind of patience very few people have. Of course, with more treatment comes an increase of complications, so you really have to take many things into consideration before you even begin to think about getting laser done. Just my two cents.
7 hours under the belt now and I’m starting to notice a difference. I can definitely see a large sized patch of hair free skin (well, I do have some scabbing, but still hair free nonetheless). Anyways, today’s session was alright, although it did feel a bit more painful than usual. Also, didn’t feel any plucking this time around, which is always a good thing.
Still have a lot of work to do before I’m satisfied, but at least I’m getting there. This fall/winter I will be looking into getting some laser work done. I’ve put it off for the the time being because I want to see how this electrolysis goes (even though I plan on having laser done on different areas). Also, I’m hoping I can get some cheaper deals with laser during the non peak hair removing season (I may be totally off base here, but I’m speculating more people think about hair removal during the summer months).
When peak seasons are depends on where you are located. In the North Eastern United States, the peak months are, indeed, Spring and Summer, however, in the South Western United States, the peak months are, in fact, FALL AND WINTER! Why? Because in the hot temps they have, no one wants to leave the air-conditioned sanctuaries of the home and car during the Spring and Summer months, meanwhile, it is actually comfortable enough to go out and do things like go to the beach on mild days in the Fall and Winter without feeling like breakfast bacon sizzling on the grill.
Of course, since your profile is not saying your location, and I am too busy to go searching through your posts to find it, I don’t know where you are to speculate as to what your peak times may be.
Also, just to update my thread with some useful information, I just made a couple of posts in that long thread about lasers and whether or not any men have success with them. Anyways, it seems like there is some clinical data (not just anecdotal experiences) indicating tha the phenomenon of laser induced hair growth does exist. It is more common in darker skin types (IV and above) and on certain areas (female face/neck, male back/shoulders/upper arms). I think the this has more to do with the fact that lighter vellus type hairs grow in these areas and somehow the lasers are inducing them to grow out as terminal hairs. This information really throws a huge wrench in my plans. I’m gonna have to sit here and re-evaluate my plans for laser. I’ll definitely have a chat with my electrologist to see what kind of options I have available.
Damn it James, only if you lived nearby, then I could come to you with my hair problems:)