*Sigh* my neck still looks like hell

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#61

All Vaniqa does is make the hair grow in slightly slower. The cost is really not justifiable in my opinion. You can get at least an hour worth of electrolysis with that money almost anywhere. And that kills the follicles for good.

Electrolysis simply disables the hairs one by one by applying the current to the follicle. The hairs that have been plucked over a long period of time can be stronger and can take a few zaps to kill. Other than that, it’s not difficult to treat. As long as you jump into it full force and get a clearance from the start, then you just come in afterwards once every 3 weeks or so to maintain the area hairfree.

PCOS basically causes your body to produce NEW growth. The method of hair removal is unrelated. All it means is that you’ll need touchups on any NEW hair that PCOS causes the body to sprout later in life. All the hair that you currently already have can be killed within 12-18 months of good electrolysis treatments.

If laser stimulated your hair, the hair wasn’t appropriate to treat with laser.

#62

As long as you can get full clearances with electrolysis, any new hormonal growth will only require short maintenance treatments. Since you are born with all the hair follicles you will ever have, “new” growth is simply the activation of dormant or vellus follicles. If you continue with electrolysis, eventually you won’t have any follicles left that can be activated by PCOS.

Unless covered or subsidized by insurance, Vaniqa is not a cost-effective solution. Moreover, like oral anti-androgenics, any benefit obtained goes away upon discontinuing the medication.

In the US, no clinical trials have been conducted on pregnant women. It’s categorized as a Pregnancy Category C drug, meaning animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on fetuses, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.

#63

Just got back from my second appointment with the new electrologist I’ve been seeing. My appointment was an hour long and she cleared the whole area. Some things I liked: minimal skin reaction. The place I go to is an hour and a half away and by the time I got back home the redness subsided and my skin is basically back to it’s previous condition, aside from a few red marks.

Some things I didn’t like: The girl that was doing my treatment talked A LOT! Not that I don’t care to socialize, but I would have preferred if she were to concentrate more on my treatment. Secondly, it did feel as though a lot of hairs were being plucked. Very frustrating. I made another appointment with them for next week, considering I’m a bit bunched for time to inquire about a new electrologist. I’m going to search and sample another person in the area if I can soon. Also, she was suppose to be doing blend, which I thought was suppose to take longer, but her insertions were pretty fast. This all makes me feel as though I’m getting ineffective treatment.

#64

I listen to my Ipod during treatment so I cant respond to any attempts to communicate. It helps I think. Its not so loud that I cant hear anything but loud enough to make sure that we cant talk for the entire hour.

#65

I’m doing the “XXX” method. Well, maybe and maybe not. Over the years, specifically, I have found that many saying they are doing “the blend,” for example, aren’t. But then, what’s in a name?

#66

LD27, that is a good idea. Hopefully the next electrologist I find won’t be such a talker. It is weird that the past two electrologist I’ve been to have felt the need to expell some very personal information about their lives. I feel like I’m paying for their therapy session, haha.

Michael, I don’t understand why they would say they are doing one method when they are not. Seems strange to me! Either way, I’m seriously tired of finding people who can’t seem to do the job properly even though they claim to be doing it for 20 plus years. You would think they would have mastered it with that many years of practice!

#67

Yeah but how many customers who weren’t sastified with their results actually told their electrologist? I bet most of them just stopped showing up for appointments and the electrologist just had to take a guess at why. If no one tells them they’re not happy then they’ll never know and will never get better.

#68

That is a good point made, gamer chic. I agree that more clients should be vocal about their concerns. At the same time, an electrologist that has hd proper training and that many years of experience should know the difference between a hair sliding out and being plucked out. They should also know that plucked hairs are not going to give the client desired results in the long run!

#69

Alright, so it has been a couple of weeks and about time I update everyone on my journey. I am on electrologist number three and there are some things I like and dislike. Here goes:

I decided to go to a lady who works from her home. At first, I was a bit skeptical about going to someones house for treatment, but to be honest, her setup and bedside manner was more professional than the other two electrologist that I had went to that worked out of a rented office space.

I like the fact that it is closer to home and much cheaper than what I had been paying. She had a really nice and comfortable setup office space off of the side of her house, which was completely private.

Treatment wise – she uses only thermolysis and works with an older machine. I’m unsure of the name, but it is small and has knobs on it and she uses a footswitch. Lighting and magnification wise – she uses the typical halo magnification and lighting (not sure of the exact name either).

I was pretty satisfied with the fact that the majority of the hairs felt as though they slid out, although every once in a while it felt as though one was being plucked. At least it didn’t feel like every hair was being plucked, which was the case with my last electrologist.

The downside – the insertions and treatment were very uncomfortable and painful. More so than the previous two electrologist. It has been a good twelve hours since my appointment and although a lot of the redness has subsided, the area is still a pinkish/red and bumpy. It is very noticeable. It worries me because I suppose I am unsure of what is considered a normal reaction. I’ve browsed the forums and the experts say there should be minimal skin reaction on the face and other times I hear that bumpiness, scabs, redness, etc. is normal.

When I look at the reactions I have gotten in the past, it makes me wonder how in the heck someone can do a couple of hours on the face. 30-45 minutes leaves me looking like I’ve had a bad allergic reaction for days.

This whole process just sucks! I’m either left with the embarrassment of hair or of electrolysis aftermath. It wouldn’t be so bad if I knew for a fact that this was going to get me somewhere within the next 6-9 months or so, but I’ve read a lot of disappointing stories on the forum. I can’t keep living this sheltered embarrassing life! UGH!

#70

One can only tolerate very long sessions using the apilus platinum, it not only feels more comfortable, skin reaction is also far less. Skin reaction is however, at its worst for the first few treatments on the face, as this is when the greatest density and strength of the hairs is present. This is regardless of the equipment used. This work sounds fine and your skin will be calmer after a few treatments. If sensation becomes difficult, try to find someone who uses picoflash on an apilus platinum. Apply some ice immediately after treatment and this will reduce reaction quite a lot.

#71

Hey chewie, I think you should stick at it. As long as the reaction heals, it’s okay. You can always discuss this with her and see if she can lower the current. If the hairs are still sliding out easily with a lower current it should be fine?

Hmm, I’m loving the feedback of the insulated Laurier probe. Wouldn’t it be great if we could convince our electrologists to give it a go?

#72

The first 4 - 6 months are the hardest. The Apilus Platinum or Pure are the most comfortable professional epilators sensation-wise. People lay on my table for hours, get cleared and there is minimal skin reaction that never takes more than a week to heal. Now, some people have very low pain tolerance and some suffer no matter what you try to do for them, even with the great Apilus Platinum, but the vast majority do very well. I could not work on anyone with an old knob jobber and keep them comfortable. Maybe others claim that they can, and I believe them, but it doesn’t hold true for me.

The greatest challenges present in the first 5-6 sessions, especially if one has a lot of coarse hair that is close together. This is made worse by having it hurt like hell. Your words ring true that this whole process sucks. Of course it does, but it doesn’t have to. IS THERE NO ONE IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN that has an Apilus Platinum or Pure that you can try?? Even an SX-500 or a Senior Apilus would be helpful. How about a Silhouet-Tone VMC?? SKILL is number one, but very close to that is equipment used.

In the beginning sessions, some hairs are going to be resistant, so don’t be bummed, just get them cleared off. As far as skin reaction, we are destroying/disturbing/disabling tissue that makes hair grow. What do you expect to look like afterwards? In my opinion, for face work, you SHOULD have some redness/pinkness, slight swelling that last for minutes? to a couple days? PINPOINT scabs can/do occur. It’s okay. Don’t disturb them. They will fall off on their own. I don’t like scabbing and it is not necessary to have scabs. It is not a sign of a better treatment, and they are not the sign of of horrible treatment either, UNLESS, they are huge and interconnect. People don’t like them because others ask why their face is so scabby. Who wants that kind of attention?

In the beginning, this is more drastic because there is more hair, the hair is thicker - we need more energy and the hair is in all stages of growth. We struggle in these beginning treatments. [size:14pt]Both of us strugg[/size]le through that precious first, full clearance! Hair is a tough enemy and the beginning fight is sweat provoking for both the client and the practitioner. As time passes, it is rare to feel a pluck/pull or whatever, because the hairs are newer and moist. It’s just those beginning sessions.

All this would be easier for you if you could compare what you have had so far with the newer technology available today. My contention is and has been clear - a modern electrologist needs to get the hair of fast, with the least sensation possible, leaving the skin in tolerable condition so the hairy person can go on with their daily lives not looking like a pizza face.

There is no easy way down, but there is a way down. A re-trained, re-equipped modern electrologist can deliver for you. Trouble is, not everyone is on board yet and you the consumer know this ain’t gonna work for you and thus, that is why you are here on hairtell telling us about your pain, dread, sorrows and woe with this whole process.

#73

I was having a simlar problem as you are with the after treatment affects. Here is what i did: I went to see someone with modern equipment and she was very good, minimal skin reaction, good clearance and a little less pain. The downside was that she was about an hour’s drive from my home. So I decided to give it one last time with my other electrologist who uses as you say, older equipment, but lives close to my home and did give me a good clearance. I called her and asked her if she could turn down the current on my next visit as I was having too many red dots and scabs and she said she would. I went yesterday for an appointment with her and wow, my skin looks great today! I should have spoken up before but I was just living with the scabs and redness as I thought it was all normal. Today I have only 3 small dots that are nothing. I also got a full clearance and felt hardly no plucking as the hairs slid out easily even with the lower current.

Yes, I am happy with the results. I am also glad that I went to another electrologist to have someone to campare it too.

My suggestion is to talk with your electorlogist I am sure she can adjust her settings so that your skin looks better afterward and if not try to find someone who uses modern equipment as Dee suggests.

#74

Hey! Thank you all for your responses. It is always encouraging to come on here and hear experiences from others and get advice as well. I’m still going through a bit of depression at the moment, because I’m too damn embarrassed to leave the house. It looks like I spray Rogaine all over me and let a porcupine hump my neck. Lol, it is a good thing I still have my humor!

C O’Connell – I haven’t yet come across someone who has used newer equipment. This is electrologist number three and I know there are plenty of more that I could make appointments with, but I don’t see any luck at finding someone closer than an hour from where I live. I wish there were more reviews of electrologist in this area, but unfortunately, I have to learn the hard way and make appointments. I’m willing to drive more than an hour if I have to, but if I can make it work with someone closer to home, that would make a grand of a difference in my life.

Stoppit&tidyup – I have another appointment with the same gal about a week from now. I’m not sure if that is too soon with how my skin reaction is at the moment. I definitely think I will ask her to lower the settings a bit. Out of curiousity, are you still working on your face with electrolysis? I see your signature settings say you have logged 27 hours. I’m curious how things are looking for you?

Dfahey – no kidding about the first 4-6 months being the hardest! I’m actually a bit confused on where to log my starting point, because I went close to every week for about four months with my first electrologist. I do believe her treatments were making headway because around the three month point we noticed a reduction and then I had a spurt of hair growth. I noticed that the one side of my face that she had worked on more, has less hair than the other side, but it isn’t a huge difference. I really hope that within the next three months I can reach another breaking point with this. As far as treatments go, I can handle the pain, I just wish the skin reaction was more bearable. I don’t really see this summer going too well as far as enjoyment goes, lol. How I wish more electrologist were more up to date with newer equipment and techniques!

MsPetite – Thank you! I’m going to ask her to adjust her settings next time. I would like to stick with this one if I can. I’m tired of searching and wondering if the next electrologist is going to be the one! Makes me feel like I’m going on a bunch of blind dates, haha.

Here is a picture of my skin reaction from my most recent treatment that has been a day and a half ago. The bumpiness, for the most part, has gone away. I’m still left with some pink/redness and scabs. I tried my best to get a good quality picture. I hope this shows well enough.

DSC05582.jpg726×1024

#75

Hi chewie,

Well those with more experience will surely comment but I think this is too much for the face. I think you should work on her to lower her currents and see if she can still do the work. If not, perhaps look further afield. If you find an electrologist further away that is good, you don’t necessarily need to go every week. But there will probably be more shaving involved.

As for me, I have stopped for a while. Not sure if you have read my sister’s electrolysis diary? After going through a 9hr package with my electrologist she’s started with Josefa and I will be too. I can’t justify continuing to spend money with my electrologist any more - it’s only reasonable if you buy a package and even then I think it’s too much, after seeing Josefa’s work and that once treated follicles are gone for good.
On my face, I just need to treat the bleached fuzz on my beard area and neck. The rest I want done are body areas - arms, hands, feet, thighs, chest.

#76

Of course, this will heal. Personally, this is what I try to avoid happening to my clients because they have lives to live that involve being with people who will notice and may ask what happened. Hair removal is a secret that most don’t want others to know about. There is a way to remove hair, no matter the structure, from very, very small to very, very big hairs, that will leave minimal to no side effects that last no longer than a week at worse.

What are you doing for aftercare? What has your electrologist advised?

#77

Lol, yeah I don’t have a life outside of electrolysis. It is sad to say! I’m either hiding from the hair or the aftermath of an appointment. My biggest worry is that I will go through all of this and not get results. It feels as though the hairs are being treated, but what if I’m wrong in the long run?

As far as aftercare, I’ve been mainly using witch hazel and aloe vera gel. I tried a small bit of tea tree oil the other night, but I’ve been careful with it because it had once reacted a little harshly with my skin. Maybe I used too much before?

#78

Maybe you did apply too much. I like my clients to spot dab and then put cold aloe vera gel on top of the tea tree oil. You could do one area this way and try another area without and see what happens. There many different skin types, so it’s hard to say what would work best for you.

What did your electrologist advise you to do? Did you get written instructions?

#79

I will try it that way and see how my skin reacts. My newest electrolysis never gave me any instructions on what to do for aftercare. Maybe because she knew I had electrolysis before? What is a bit irritating is I went into the appointment letting her know I had already been concerned about my skin because it had been through a lot. She said scabbing is normal, but I didn’t think I would get a pin prick scab with each insertion.

#80

Many say that scabbing is normal. I take the stand that it can happen and all will be fine, but I don’t like scabbing on the face. I have learned how to keep that kind of reaction to a minimum to nothing at all and so have many other electrologists. It is possible to get this done with no scabbing. For body work, it is expected that scabbing will occur, but sometimes it doesn’t show up either.

Let us know how your experiment turns out with the aftercare. Take your own aftercare with you and apply it right after your session or ask her to do this for you. See if she can make some adjustments in the energy and timing levels. Even if you have asked her before, ask again. This is a partnership and polite feedback is important.