I had numerous sessions several years ago for male back-shoulders-upper arms. It was so unbelievably painful I could not continue. My hair also grew back longer and darker.
I am not bashing at all. I am curious why it hurt so much. Unfortunately it scared me away and I’ve now turned to laser. Has technology improved in last five years to make it more pleasant? Was I just dealing with a poor electrologist. I would consider it again if I could get over that past pain issue. Thanks.
You might have been dealing with an unskilled practitioner. Pain can be so minimal from electrolysis and you can find more comfortable treatment. But you have to seek out the good ones; just as in every field.
How do you go about choosing your services?
Start interviewing and sampling services.
You are spending lots of time, money and trusting others with your body. Do you have a criteria established for finding adequate services? This website it rich with information.
If you want to try electrolysis again, indicate the city and state you are located in and we will help you find someone.
Good Luck.
Sensation during treatment is a co-operative effort between you and your practitioner. The practitioner must make sure to be using the most comfortable treatment energy that is effective, the most pain free insertion technique and so on, the client must bring a body that is well hydrated, free of caffeine, nicotine, well rested, well fed and relaxed. You would be surprised how having one cup of tea can negatively effect your electrolysis experience 24 hours later.
I would hope that you would have tried several practitioners in your area before giving up.
The only way you will truly know is to give other electrologists in your area a try. I would not give up after only going to one practitioner. There is a difference in skill level.
First of all, I would make sure that you are very well hydrated. I advise my clients to drink perhaps 32 ounces of water prior to their treatments. This is even more important if the hairs being treated are coarse and deep rooted or if the weather is hot.
In addition, applying an ice pack to the skin helps cool the area. I have several clients who take this approach. Tylenol also helps clients ease the discomfort.
Other clients purchase topical numbing lotion and apply it before their treatment. Topicals will help ease discomfort, yet they are not designed to completely eliminate all sensation.
Avoid use of antihistamines before your treatments. They will dry out your follicles.
Since April 2006 I have been having my underarms done by a fellow electrologist. The night before my appointments I make sure to drink an extra large glass of water before going to bed. In the morning, I do have some coffee, yet I make sure to counterbalance the drying effects of the caffeine by drinking perhaps 5-6 glasses of water. Only once did I forget to drink enough water and I certainly felt the difference! I want those unwanted hairs to slide out.
I hope that my suggestions will help you.
Thanks everyone. It’s encouraging to know there is another choice if…or when I get disappointing results from laser. Six more months and I’ll probably be back investigating electrolysis.
Sorry to say many people try laser and come back to Electrolysis. Why not try and find an Electrologist while doing the laser. You might be more pleased if you do the two together.
I am looking for any suggestions on electrologists in Minneapolis/western suburbs in Minnesota.
Not sure what technique to look for, prices etc.
I would be treating upper arms-shoulders-back.
As you may read in this thread, I am extremely hesitant due to past experience but am doubting my laser treatments at the moment so I may give electro a try. Thanks.
Hi Grumpy,
Speaking from the viewpoint of someone who has experience from both sides of the probe holder, I would have to say to not worry too much about which modality is being used by the electrologist so much as how well they make their insertions and how well the hairs slide out.
Regardless of which modality is being used, if the power is not being applied in the right area to disable the regenerative tissues, any modality will be of doubtful effectivity.
Tips on recognizing good insertions:
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Do you feel them? You might feel a touch but you should not feel like you are getting an series of injections. If this is the case the insertions are either off-axis or too deep.
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Do the majority of hairs slide out easily, without resistance after treatment? This is what you should feel! Do they feel like they are being plucked? Note: You will feel a few plucks on the initial clearance as some of the hairs will be telogen and have a dried up ball of collagen on their ends. Also, if you feel some resistance or a slight tug as the as the bulb slides out of the skin this is sometimes typical if you have tight pores and large root bulbs.
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Does the electrologist have to keep turning up the power to get the hairs out? Bad insertions require excessive power to compensate for the improper placement of the power. This is not good for the skin. However, before you jump salty on this issue, ask yourself one question; Are you properly hydrated? Lack of hydration can cause the same effect!
A properly treated hair will slide easily out of the follicle with both the bulb and the inner root sheath intact on the end of the hair shaft. If the hairs constantly feel as though they are being plucked, come out with a long layer of a gelatinous sheath over the end of the shaft and no visible, pigmented bulb, they were plucked and will come back. You might want to keep looking for another electrologist. You can tweeze your own hairs at home a lot cheaper!
I hope this helps. These are things that I have had to learn the hard way. I hope I can spare you some money and a few of the problems that I have had to endure!
Joanie <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Hi…as i read in the 2nd post in here,can someone please tell me a godo electrologist in Michigan (close to detroit or canton). pleazzeeee… <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
khiz,
You’re just going have to take matters in your own hands and start gathering a list of electrologists close to you and then work outward if necessary. Sounds like no one is responding to you.
Go to the referral section under ‘Michigan’ and select a few that are within a reasonable distance and start the consultation process. If you have done all your reading here about what to expect and look for in a professional electrologist, then you should be able to narrow your choices down. Use the internet to search for other names in or near your locale. Go to www.electrology.com and check out the practioners that are members of the AEA. Go to quick links and click on Find a Member. Ask your friends if they know of anybody, if you feel comfortable doing so. You can do this!!! Now onward!
If I think of something else, I’ll check back.
Dee