Hello, I am new here and just posted on the the laser hair removal board. I am 14 going on 15 and I hate my hairy upper lip, or “mustache”. I have very pale skin (type 2) and almost black hair, so I thought laser hair removal would be good, but I was told that for such a small area electrolysis is better. We don’t have a lot of extra money, and I hear that electrolysis can be expensive. How much does it generally cost for the upper lip? What are side effects? Basically, any advice and tips you have would be great!
Also, a quick overview of the different types of electrolysis would be appreciated.
Thanks
I think you would be better off with electrolysis simply because laser is a more hit an miss affair <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
although dark hair and pale skin does mean you are likely to have a higher success rate than someone with blonde hairs
but to quote a consultant plastic surgeon i know - there are no guarantees with laser - so i think you should go with zapping hun <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
make sure they use a needle though and not witchcraft <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
especially if money is tight and your lovely mum is treating you
they should be putting something like this into the probe OK
I took a snap here <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
click here
You spend more money on Pizza in a year than you would spend getting upper lip hair permanently removed.
Violet, AZ is an unregulated state so I would advise you and your mother to check out your electrologist and her credentials. Ask for client referrals. You can find a great electrologist in AZ or one with no training so ask. Also for $$ sake there is a school in AZ if you are near it.
Yes you might spend more on pizza but if it is not your budget that isn’t the issue is it? It is your mother’s willingness to transport and pay. I know some great electrologists in AZ but I don’t know where you are.
cost on average is about $60 per hour. you will probably need 15-20 minute session spaced a week or 2 apart at first and then more rare later as you will only come in to get the new hairs that pop up until you get all hairs in growing phase – 9-12 months at least.
“Also, a quick overview of the different types of electrolysis would be appreciated.”
There’s three main types: Galvanic, Diathermy (or Thermolysis) and Blend.
Galvanic uses an electric current to create a substance called Lye, which is corrosive and destroys the hair root.
Thermolysis uses heat to destroy the hair root.
Blend uses a combination of the two - galvanic to create the lye, and thermolysis to heat it up and make it more effective.
Pure galvanic is rarely used because it’s so slow.
Thermolysis is much quicker than Blend (in as much as average number of insertions per hour).
However, Blend has the advantage of being more gentle on the surface of the skin, so it’s great for small or highly visible areas.
Personally, I also believe Blend to be more effective at killing the hairs (although I think you’ll find this topic debated on this forum).
Hope this helps …
I personally experience a LOT less side effects post treatment with thermolysis than blend. AND I find that thermolysis has been more effective on me. I think this highly varies depending on who is treating you too.
I think that the biggest problem with electrolysis is insertion competence - this must be the A1 reason for red spotting as - oops missed try again - little blood spot.
Although common and unavoidable in most cases and wiped away immediately 'missed follicles must be the primary reason why it takes so long on many.
I would opt for flash thermolysis and save the blend for curly or stubborn follicles.
Flash is kinda like laser in the sense that the speed of it doesn’t give you time to go ouch <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
plus as you are not creating lye - its coagulating on AC - Bit like a mini microwave oven <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> - then chances are your lower epidermis is gonna remain scar free <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
over production of lye must be one of the main reasons for pock marking - especially if they don’t have a cata /ana rollers to calm it down and neutralise afterwards.
good machines have a UL units of lye calculators built in so you are much safer in those cases - otherwise you got to do the calculations yerself
current intensity x length of application = amount of sodium hydroxide
one tenth of a milliamp of current flowing for one second will produce one unit of sodium hydroxide
i.e five tenths of a milliamp x 3 seconds = 15 units of lye
- this is why you don’t need massively powerful machines to remove hairs
recommended lye scales (galvanic)
fine unpigmented vellus 10-15 units
" " soft hair 10-20
med/shal terminal hair 15-30
deep terminal 30-45 units
very deep terminal 45-60 units
if we then ‘do the blend’ (cha cha cha:)) it alters slightly as the heat speeds up the chemical reaction
i.e
5 seconds of HF (High Frequency) DIVIDED INTO 15 units lye = 3 tenths which equates to 0.3 milliamps
maths groan
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Yes it depends who is treating you. For you thermolysis has been the best choice. But some do better with the blend it is so individual.
I have clients who prefer “hot and fast” and some who are more tolerant of a slower lower setting. Mostly I want to find the place that will keep them happy and bring them back.