My Progress

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#61

Hey all, update time! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

This is the longest I’ve gone between treatments thus far and I hope not to go this long again until I’m further along. As you remember, we completely cleared the entire area in 2 hours last week…that was Monday. I generally go every 4 to 5 days for 2 hrs but wasn’t able to get in until today, that’s 8 days!!! Around wed of last week I noticed the new hairs coming in. I got a some more around saturday and now today it FEELS like I’m right back where I started, BUT, in comparison pictures and looking in the mirror, it doesn’t LOOK that bad! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, I’m not sure how to gauge today’s progress as it was a very off day. I usually got from 11am-2pm, that’s just my normal slot. Today tho I scheduled it for 12, so I got there at 11:50 (if I’m early and she’s not doing anyone else, she starts me and carries thru for the entire treatment and just charges me for 2 hours!). She said she would be with me shortly. Turns out she had forgotten to schedule one of her clients in that has a set appt every 2 weeks and she showed up today. So, we ended up being 30 minutes late starting my treatment. About 15 minutes in to it, she had another client come in that thought her appt was at 1 today but was actually yesterday and she never showed up for it. She is leaving on vacation and desperately wanted to get in. So, I left for 45 minutes and did some errands and then went back and we resumed my appt. The lady was so greatful to me she left $10 for Sherri (my electrologist) to put towards my treatment. It wasn’t necessary but I REALLY appreciated it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> So, anyway, went back and we worked on me some more…we were able to clear the entire left side which includes the side burn area , to right under my chin, my entire chin (which had gotten really bad for the first time in 2 1/2 months…I see a HUGE improvement there. I had that cleared out at one of my very first appts and since then it’s been 4 or 5 hairs to “clean up”. Today tho it was pretty covered), some strays on my cheeks prob 10-12 hairs total there, and we had started on my right side a bit. I think had we had a normal session, we could have accomplished a lot more. In any case, I’m kind of depressed today to see all this new growth, especially after it being so smooth for a couple days. But, if I hadn’t had to wait this long, it would not be nearly this bad. On the up side, even with the new growth (that feels like so much) I don’t have a shadow. I had let it grow out (like I always do) and went out and about shopping before my appt…it really didn’t bother me because I don’t think it’s that noticeable anymore. Also, for some reason, it doesn’t bother me as much now just knowing that I’m doing something about it and soon it will be gone. Somehow that makes it easier to deal with it thru even the “woe is me” days! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

As far as pics go, I’m having some issues with the site as we don’t agree on the organization of my pics so I’m going to attempt to redo it all <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Gimme a few days please!

Good luck,
Savannah

#62

hey sav! i know exactly how your feeling. i went two weeks without treatment and it looked all the hair was back! i was depressed thinking all this time and the hairs all came back !!.. but my thinking went through a similar process as you. I am at another going two weeks without electrolosis because of schedualling problems. by this saturday it would be 13 days sincee my last treatment and i feel the hairs on my chin and am not liking it, BUT the hairs are thinner and softer to the touch and they dont bother me at all. Everything feels alright (with or without the hairs) just as long as i know that i am doing something about the hairs and they will all be gone permantly soon.

but my mom still thinks i am being scammed. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> She’s like “4 months and still! All that money!” i keep telling her its not a one time thing, otherwise everyone on this planet will be doing electrolysis!! like hello! sheesh. take care now and good luck!

-rachelle

#63

I just need to vent a little bit and I thought whom better to vent to than you wonderful people that actually understand! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I’m really annoyed by the amount of growth I have right now. I was doing so well and then it seems that waiting those few extra days between treatments has set me back tremendously. It feels like I have the same amount of growth when I started (it doesn’t LOOK as bad tho), I’m still shaving, and it’s growing back at the same rate it was. I guess this wouldn’t be so hard to swallow if things hadn’t been progressing so well to this point. My shaving time was cut to almost 1/4 of what it had been (could have gone every other day, but I’m obsessive and rather compulsive <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ) and now it’s taking me what feels like the same amount of time. However, the left was treated yesterday and the hair I shaved today definitely felt softer/finer. The worst is it’s growing back just as fast as it used to. I haven’t had that problem for well over a month now. I have stubble again within 7 to 8 hours. Just a week ago I could go all day and just finally wake up with a trace in the morning. While there still isn’t really a noticeable shadow anymore, it still sucks!

I can certainly say that if I hadn’t read so much and educated myslef, I probably would have given up by now thinking it’s not working. It’s starting to add up to a lot of money and I feel like I’m right back where I started. I’ve only been at it almost 3 months and I KNOW it takes longer…I’m just getting restless and annoyed.

Anyway, just wanted to vent my feelings.
Thanks all,
Savannah

Rachelle, thanks for your reply! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I’ve been keeping up on your updates and REALLY appreciate them. They are really helping me to stay motivated!

#64

Yes, Sav, this is where the rubber really hits the road.

No matter how well we explain hair phases to clients, no matter how we repeat things like, “Although you will look pretty good for up to 3 weeks after clearance, if you don’t come back soon, you will look like we have done nothing, because the next phase will come, and we have not treated any of those hairs, and you won’t see the results of our work until next year when they don’t grow in.”, when this happens, people freak out.

I am sure that most are ignoring the consultation and saying, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, lets just get into the treatment room and zap some hairs already!” In the end, those that stay get the prize, those who drop out have lost their only hope.

I have a client right now who I would like to contact, had she actually given correct contact info, who is blowing it big time. Although she has a male pattern hair growth with a mustache and beard, her hair is on the level of a 16 year old boy, and I am capable of clearing her whole face in 60 minutes flat, with no significant post treatment side effects.

She came in for two appointments, and has never come back, and never called, or replied to any messages left for her. The address she left was a fake. By now, she has a full face of hair again, and needs to shave twice a day and wear makeup as if she were a transexual, and it is unnecessary. If I only saw her once every 3 to 6 weeks, I would be keeping her clear until she was done. For me, her case is a breeze.

#65

Hi James:

Ouch!! I would hope by that last statement about the amount of makeup needed being compared to a transsexual, you meant someone who never had electrolysis?

Most transsexuals know enough to keep up with their treatments, and they put a premium on getting rid of facial hair. They hate its presence with a vengeance, almost like it were a curse. Hopefully they would not need any more makeup than the average woman after that.

From someone who does keep her appointments.

Thanks, Alicia

#66

That is exactly the point. What my transexual clients love is that in four to six weeks from the day they meet me in person, they throw away the beard cover, and shave stick, and trade that in for Artistry, and Mary Kay! Soon after that, they can go bare faced with just eyeliner and lipstick.

This genetic female just “Gave electrolysis a try” without really giveing it a chance. Next year, she may notice that she doesn’t have to shave as much for a few months, but will she really attribute it to the work we did a year ago? Probably not.

#67

James, how can you clear this person’s face is 60 minutes? It sounds like that is way too short a time for what she has. I have hair on my face from forehead to neck practically. It’s finer and lighter and I have never waxed or shaved it, just clipped it sometime. I also have really bad hair growth on the chin and upper lip and around the brows that I used to pluck because it was coarser and blacker. I’m working on all of it now. My electrologist moves VERY fast using Flash and in an hour she makes very significant progress but my face isn’t cleared. As much hair as I have, I don’t have to shave ever much less twice a day. I use regular makeup. It seems like 60 minutes is too little time to clear that much growth. Did you mean 60 or was that a type?

#68

So, James, this is where things get “hairy” so to speak <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Pun intended, of course! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> That is too bad to hear about that client. I’m sure she’s one of those that will be saying that electro doesn’t work because she didn’t give it a fair chance. That’s just too bad <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

While I may come on here and whine a lot, I do hope that this thread will help others to see that sticking with it (no matter HOW difficult it is) is certainly worth it in the end. I have A LOT of hair and I can’t get cleared in 60 minutes. Also, we’re using blend and she has an older machine, so that contributes to slower timing. My electro is pretty fast tho and I think quite accurate. She has been an electrologist for 19+ years, she is on the board of electrologists and goes to yearly conventions and all that fun stuff. I like to think she’s highly skilled. She is a salon owner and does all that other stuff, but I would say 95% of her clients go for electrolysis. Also, I don’t have many options where I am. She is the closest to me at 30 minutes away. What I do know is that the time it took to get to my first clearance and the time it takes to clear me out again has significantly improved and I see it coming down all the time. I also realized that some of this could be regrowth starting at this point, but I don’t know how much. I know some patches feel a little finer than others. I refuse to give up. I am at least going to give it a year. I feel that is only fair!!!

Also, wanted to mention that the progress we made on the left side on wednesday has remained. Usually by this time I have some new growth kicking in, but, as of today, I can’t see or feel that I have any. I take that as a good sign that we’re finally starting to gain on it. The right side is a whole other story. Since we didn’t do much to that, it makes me a little depressed <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, thanks for always replying to my whining and keeping everyone so well informed, James. Also, thanks to everyone else that knows how much this can suck from time to time but for sharing your experiences also! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Savannah

#69

The reason I can clear this lady’s problem out in 60 minutes is because although she has hard wire-like hair that grows fast, she only has it in the upper lip, chin, along the jawline, and under the chin leading to the neck. I only have to clear out her upper lip, bare the ball of the chin, and then spread out to the sides of the jawline, and then MicroFlash out the area (that is usually in shadow) under her chin. If she let this hair have its way with her, she would have stubble in a day, and visible hair you could grab onto in two to three days. It is about 50 hairs per square inch though, so it is a picnic for me.

The good news is, if she does come back to me in a year, I at least have her before, and first clearance photos to remind her.

#70

Hi all. Just wanted to quickly let you know that I’m in the process of switching sites (at least I hope to) with the pics so they may not all be accessible right now. Hopefully I’ll have that finished by the mid part of the week. If anyone knows of any really great FREE online photo albums, I’m all ears. The one I’m using is bugging me so I’m trying to do a switcharoo. Anyway, just wanted to let you all know.

Savannah

#71

Yeah, how dare you have a photo album that people actually access and look at! What are you thinking! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

#72

LOL, James. I don’t know? What WAS I thinking!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Today was my first appointment in about a week. The hair that was treated on the left side is still pretty minimal. Haven’t experienced much new growth so I’m hoping we’re FINALLY getting it under control! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Today we worked pretty much on the right side since it’s been about 3 weeks since we’ve done more than 5 minutes on that side (the left just keeps sprouting so we’ve focused on that) and we cleared the entire thing out, cleared out the chin again, and cleaned up any strays on the cheeks. Today was very tolerable as far as pain went. For some reason, the worst part now is the chin. That used to not hurt a bit. Anyhoo, things went well today and I go in a week again and hope I see a pretty sizeable improvement again. That’s my motivation to keep going! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Pics are sorta up. I resolved my issues with the site I’m using. I have them slightly more organized now. Today’s pics are added in w/ some info. The other ones are there but I haven’t gotten the info under them yet. I hope to do that tomorrow or thursday with the first few days I’ve had off in weeks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I sure hope people find these pics helpful cuz this was a pain in my butt overhauling them to try to make them more accessible! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />Pic link is: http://www.yesalbum.com/v001/sd101483

Off to work yet again…hoorah! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Good luck,
Savannah

#73

Ok, pictures are all in order, up to date, and have captions under them (well, those that had them to begin with). The link is: http://www.yesalbum.com/v001/sd101483

So far I don’t have much new growth on the right side which is a good thing. There is hair on the left now but it really isn’t much (at least compared to what I began with). Can’t wait to go on Monday. I’m thinking (and hoping) we’ll make really great progress monday.

I do have a question tho. I am just about out of money for electro so I cannot afford to go 2 hrs a week any longer. I don’t want to quit completely because I’ve come along way, so, I was wondering which would make better progress…to go once a week for an hour or every 2 weeks for 2 hrs? Same amount of money but wasn’t sure if one would be better for staying ahead than the other?

Thanks to everyone for everything,
Savannah

#74

How long is it taking for full clearance now? It it takes two hours, it would be better to do 2 hours every other week. If it is shorter, then you can do one per week.

#75

Sav,
I’d say it depends on how you feel about going 2 weeks without a treatment. I tried going every 2 weeks, but the new hair looked too embarrassing to me during second week. So I went back to weekly appts, but keep cutting the time down.

I started out going one hour a week (even more often at first) for thermolysis on upper lip and chin. Now, nearly a year later, I’m down to 15 mins/week. I only need about 5 or 10 minutes, but we’re using leftover time to slowly work on my cheeks and eyebrows.

Keep it up, Sav. I love reading your updates and checking out your pics!
susie

#76

Hi James and Susie. Thanks for the replies. It is still taking me a bit longer to get cleared (about 2-3 hours) so I think prehaps I’ll go for 2 hours every other week. The new growth is very hard to swallow but I’m still dealing with it now (and still shaving which is really starting to irritate me because I think VERY soon I should be able to give up the razor). I’m using blend only and so that does take longer than thermolysis does so I try to stay positive (tho it’s hard some days).

I’m glad that you are enjoying the posts and pics. I hope that it is helping others break out of their shells! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Just wanted to add that I have put up my 3 month comparison pictures. Very sizeable differance. Please check them out!

Thanks again,
Savannah

#77

Hey all! Today, again, went very well. It seems just as I’m getting really depressed about the growth and am ready to give up, I have an appt and that appt goes well! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

We worked on the left side only today and completely cleared it and it’s been 2 weeks since we’ve even touched that side. This is possible the BEST clearance yet because usually it’s all cleared but I can still feel a few here and there that were too short to worry about or some finer ones etc. but today it is the smoothest, silkiest it has ever felt. I feel NOTHING but skin!!! The right was cleared last week and has minimal growth. Enough to drive ME nuts, but not enough to really be too noticeable. She said things went really well today. They were sliding right out and insertion was really easy. She said she didn’t really want to stop but we had to, both had things to do this afternoon, otherwise I probably could have stayed and gotten the right cleared again. So, it is now taking 2 hours every other week to clear one complete side (slightly less for the right) (Basically, we clear the right side in 2 hrs, the next week we clear the left side in 2 hrs, the next week we work on the 2 weeks growth on the right and completely clear it, the next we do the 2 weeks growth on the left and completely clear it, make sense??). This is compared to about 22 hours total to achieve the FIRST clearance and the new growth came in so fast and was so much it took another 10, then 6, now it’s 4 total (2 on each side). This is how far I’ve come in just 3 months. Even tho it’s very emotional and I sometimes don’t think there are results and I REALLY want to give up, I cannot WAIT to see how the NEXT 3 months are going to go. I’ve manage to scrape up a bit more cash and so I’m trying really hard to keep my weekly 2 hr appts. I feel that’s the best for me right now. They have been reduced quite a bit (I was going 2 to 3 times a week and still couldn’t be cleared out) so I’m hoping another reduction is around the corner and after today I’m feeling it just might be! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Now my biggest problem is what area do I want to start once my face is done? I’ve been doing so well with that (and feel it’s my BIGGEST project that I’ll have to deal with) that I plan on doing darn near my whole body (well any areas that shouldn’t have hair) and even my legs. I’m very fair and the hair on my legs is dark (tho, funny thing is, there isn’t much…I guess it all went to my face <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ) so even when I shave, you can still see it and I HATE it and I just HATE shaving!!!

I just want to thank everyone for sharing their stories and knowledge and keeping me (and others) motivated in this long struggle!

I do have pictures to update with but, as always, I’m in a fight with the server. When I calm down I will try again later and post back here. I did do a 3 month comparison picture which is up. I love it! I can see a HUGE differance. I have another angle that I’m really excited to get a comparison on…really REALLY shows how far I’ve come! Anyhoo, as I said, I’ll post once the stupid thing decides it feels like workin for me!

Good luck all,
Savannah

As always, if you have any questions or comments for me, they are more than welcomed!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

#78

OK! Pics are updated and ready for your viewing pleasure!

http://www.yesalbum.com/v001/sd101483

#79

sav,
that collage picture comparing 2 Jan pics to 2 Feb pics—that rocks!!

#80

Thanks for looking Susie! I LOVE doing my comparison pics. REALLY keeps me motivated! Sometimes the pics are the only way I can tell a differance because it feels like the same amount of hair, but it sure isn’t!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />