Just came back from a 3 hour session. 16 total hours done. Starting to notice some progress. Btw, I do these sessions without any anesthetic or pain killers.
I also looked into anybody in my area that uses micro flash or any of the newer computerized equipment. No such luck. That’s okay though because it seems like such equipment would be useless in the hands of somebody who doesn’t know how to take advantage of it. My practitioner seems to be doing quite well given the modality that she is using.
You have a good point there. I just taught an electrologist who has had an Apilus SX-500 for over a year to use the sensor and stop foot pedaling. She instantly went from 100 hairs per hour, to 200 hairs per hour on my hair (and my facial hair is a final exam in itself! She would work faster on almost anyone else).
wow md its been real interesting reading your posts because i feel like im in the same exact boat…
i am approaching my 3rd laser treatment with an alex and i must say its definitely a rollercoaster i know its early but i am definitely not that thrilled so far…
the fact is people always mention shedding and u get a hair free period…
let me add thats not entirely true since hair on your upper chest might grow faster then hair on your abs so u will have shedding on top but it will take a few weeks for u to get shedding on abs by then your chest hair is growing back…
its very frustrating i wish all of it shed at once so i can experience a real hair free period…
on top of it u get pepper spots almost everywhere so even going to the beach after shedding is a no no because its very noticable that something weird is going on with your body lol…
ive been thinking about electrolysis but damn i have so much hair
i got back/shoulders/upperarms/chest/abs and im not even counting my lower body…
i have also been saving money so somehow rid myself of this problem but am still very confused and wish u luck…
Ya, hair removal is a gamble. I figure if you do all the research you can and get the most professional people to do your work you dramatically increase your chances of success.
Not bad, making progress. Haven’t experienced much regrowth. Regardless, my practitioner has been picking off any new growth or regrowth as she goes along. So far so good.
I will update this journal every so often. No point in updating after each and every session as it gets a bit tedious.
Sounds like you found someone good. Make sure you share with us all, and make a referral for your practitioner in the referral section. We need to know who is good in your area so people from your area find that out from someone who has already done the foot work to find out.
If I am ever in Vancouver, you can just show me the sights
Yes, I have found someone that is pretty good. I’ve talked to a few people in my area that are in the business and they have all said she is easily one of the best and has the most experience out of anyone in the province. It also doesn’t hurt that she’s nearby (20 min drive). Regardless, I can’t help but be impatient sometimes. I want lasting results sooner than later. I think almost all of us can be considered guilty of this at one time or another so it’s nice to have this site (and people like James, Dfahey, Lagirl etc.) to set us impatient people straight, lol.
Anyways, here is a link that has all of the registered electrologists practicing in the province of BC
I don’t think I should mention my practitioner’s name unless I have cleared it with her beforehand. Regardless, that list should get most people started. I would call and talk to those people closest to my area.
Finally, just to add a little more information regarding my treatments. So I’ve had 21 hours now of treatment. I’ve got a decent sized chunk of my back cleared (little more than 1/3 I’d guess). Anyways, that area is totally clear according to my eyes. Remember, I’ve got a lot of fine stuff back there so it makes it really hard to notice any regrowth. Also, my practitioner has mentioned to me that there doesn’t seem to be much regrowth either. Now, I didn’t clarify with her if she meant regrowth as in hair that has been treated but now is growing back, or hair that was not in active growth stage to begin with is now growing in. If I’d wager a guess based on what I see I think she meant the latter. In any event I think I’m making decent progress. Mind you I have a LONG way to go.
Now, in a couple of weeks I’m scheduled for a laser consult. I’ve posted some information about this place in one of my earlier posts. Laser is what has me concerned the most. It’s very risky compared to electrolysis so naturally I’m concerned. I’ll let you guys know how it all turns out.
Yes, we do follow a policy of asking the practitioners to give an ok before we tell the world to beat a path to their doors.
Believe it or not, we have had more than one electrologist request that their information be TAKEN DOWN OFF THE SITE because they did not want so many people inquiring about work!
For the record, you are all welcome to inquire about work with me, just understand the answer will frequently be, “Sorry, already booked up.”
Well, we have more than our share of Yankee invaders around here, so if you can defend your teams, then so be it. Personally, I find that we have a good crew of Steelers jerseys at the sports bar I frequent. Just let us north Texans know when and where to find ya and we will fill your calendar!
Damn, I forgot to ask if I could mention her name on this site.
Anyways, another 3 hours under my belt. That’s 24 total hours. 1 full day of electrolysis, lol. We just started on the other half of my back and my practitioner believes that we will be moving along a lot quicker. She says that the hair is not as dense on my left side compared to the right. She told me to keep track of the number of hours we spend on this side just to compare it to the right. It took us 21hrs to clear the right side so it will be interesting to compare. Also, my practitioner mentioned that by the end of September (or even sooner) I should be at that first clearance level, which should make things move along a lot easier. We’ll see how it all goes…
29 hours done (21 hours on the left side, 8 on the right).
My left side is pretty much clear now too. Maybe another 2-3 hours of work I’d say. Still have a lot of work left to do, but it’s a start I suppose. I checked out my left side and I have noticed some fine regrowth/new hairs. These will have to be picked up on another go around once my right side is clear. Again, it’s only been 2 months since I’ve started so it’s still too early to say how effective my treatments have been. We’ll see where I’m at in another couple of months.
Well, just got back from my laser consultation. Here’s the gist:
This place was quite busy. There were people coming and going. Not sure if this is good or bad, just an observation on my part.
They had me fill in a standard questionnaire form with all of my particulars and some basic medical questions. This is good.
They provided me with an information package about LHR. The information contained in that package was a lot of the stuff that I have read on here (LHR doesn’t work for everybody, no such thing as 100% permanent removal, possibilities of induced growth and so on).
4)They had a waiver and release form for me to fill out for when I start my treatments. I was a bit concerned about this since the release form pretty much absolves them from any harm/wrongdoing. Seems like this is pretty standard though for LHR clinics. Regardless, it sill has me concerned
The girls at the front counter were cute. Just an observation
The consultation itself went well I suppose. The technician went over some of the basics of hair growth cycles, treatment time, etc. Really basic stuff that I have read on here. She really stressed the fact that being young (early/mid 20’s) I’m at a sort of a disadvantage since my hair will still have a lot more maturing to do. She said that does not mean she has never had any young men achieve good results, just that older men (in their 40’s) tend to do a lot better. I think she only mentioned this to make it clear to me that this isn’t a sure thing. She also mentioned that she will not treat too much past my elbow for fear of induced growth on the upper arm/shoulder area. Anyways, after having a look at my arms she mentioned that my skin is light enough for a Alexandrite or a GentleYAG. She did a test patch with the Alexandrite I believe. Just a small spot on my hand. It hurt a little, but not much. It did smell like burning skin for a brief second though. Not sure if that’s normal. So at this point it is up to me to book a treatment session with her. Treatment cost is about $225 per arm per session I believe, unless I understood her wrong. Anyways, I’m gonna have to think about it for the next week before I make a decision. I’d appreciate any advice from you guys.
The fact that they know about induced growth and suggest not to treat areas due to that is novel and a very huge plus. in general, they sound very straightforward and honest, which is a huge plus and almost unheard of in this industry. very refreshing.
Smell of burning hair is normal.
$225 per just lower arm is a bit on the higher end of things, but fine for full arm.
you should choose the GentleLASE alexandrite.
do you know what settings they did the test spot at? joules and spot size needed.
the waiver is standard at all the clinics pretty much.
Did another 1.5hr session earlier today. Instead of continuing work on my left side my practitioner decided to pick up any new regrowth on the right side. I felt this would be a good use of the 1.5hr time slot. Anyways, my practitioner mentioned to me that she was quite pleased/amazed that there was very little regrowth. Of course, since I’m not an expert I’ll have to trust her word. It’s hard for me to tell via the mirror since everything back there is so fine. I can say that I did notice some regrowth though, but it didn’t seem like a ton. Again, we’ll see as time goes on.
Also, the small test spot I had done with laser seems to be doing fine. No abnormal reactions whatsoever. No redness, nothing. Granted, it’s only a tiny spot on my hand. I’m thinking about setting up an appointment next week, although I might talk to my electrologist again just to see what her opinion is on the matter.
So that’s 30.5 hours total. 21 hours to clear the right side, 8hrs done so far on the left, and another 1.5 hrs to catch regrowth on the right side.
Well, the way it looks right now I think I will surpass my mark of 50hrs of estimated work. Of course, now thinking back on that number it really was wishful thinking considering how much work I need to get done.
gotta ask you a question, it may sound stupid because i am in a terrible suicidal mood right now because of that problem.
how long would it take to clear whole your back in one go if they would do it? and how many FULL sessions do you think that you would have to had to become hair free?
my whole body was in a terrible condition before laser, now i dont have any hair longer than a centimeter left on my body but i have them all over my body. my back and front look bad, never had any laser on my sides, they are much finer. i am considering having electrolysis, i need your opinion on this. i want this to be over asap. pls answer as best as you could even if you think the question is stupid.