I have unwanted hair at the back of my neck. My hairline at the back of my neck is too low. I want to raise it. After reading about electrolysis I decided to go for it (had my first appointment Friday). I found an electrologist in my area, and after speaking with her about the success rate, side effects,etc. I decided to go for it.
What I found out from my first appointment (took 1 hour) is that with electrolysis you don’t get too big of an area done. It wasn’t too painful but you know for one hour I thought we would get area more done.
I am now thinking switching to laser because I want faster results you know. My hairline is way too low and with electrolysis it seems it will take too many sessions to raise it to the level I want.
I am now shy to ask her. Can I switch to laser now (after one hour session with electrolysis) or is it too late? (you know like will the electrolysis session I have done be bad for future laser treatments). Any links or suggestions would be really appreciated.
(I tried reading over these forums but was unable to find the answer to my question and I don’t want to ask my electrologist now because I’m afraid the answer will be sorry too late, you are destined for failure with laser)
thanks.
You can switch to laser if you so desire. One electrolysis or even 20 electrolysis treatments is not a determining factor. you will still need your electrologist to get some hairs that laser can’t “see” and you will need the refining capabilities of electrolysis in the end as well. It will take 1-1.5 years with laser just as it would with electrolysis. You will need to wait 1-3.5 weeks to shed the hair after a laser treatment, whereas, with electrolysis the hair is treated and lifted out immediately. This brings instant gratification because vsually, you will see a difference. You will need less time on the table with laser as oppossed to more time on the table with electrolysis.
Client complaints about electrolysis being too slow can be wiped away if electrologists would try MicroFlash thermolysis or PicoFlash thermolysis. These newer modalites bring much satisfaction and hope to clients who think electrolysis takes forever.
What kind of electrolysis does your practitioner offer? All modalities of electrolysis work very well, but in this fast paced world, people cannot tolerate slow, but steady.
Oh I’m sorry, I forgot I had asked this. I got so busy with my studies. The practitioner uses Thermolysis.
Ok since the original message I wrote “started electrolysis, wanting switch to laser??” I have had 2 sessions. Ok the first of the 2 sessions was ok. It was painful but not too painful. 20 minutes after the session was done the area stopped hurting, and I could move my neck freely without pain.
But man today’s session was terrible! In total I have had 3 sessions. First was painful, 2nd wasn’t too bad, but this third one (i.e. today’s session) just terrible. She had given me some topical anesthetic that she recommended I put on the area half an hour before the session. I did that but it made no difference. I told her that and she said my skin is not humid enough, which I guess she meant skin is too dry or something.
But here I am, I have not tried switching to laser yet, but can someone tell me for the love of God, doesn’t the pain level get reduced as you have more sessions? Today felt like it was my first time. It’s been 7 hours sicne the session was done and I am afraid to move my neck too much because some places feels like there is a needle cutting my skin. Ouch. If I don’t move my neck there is no pain but with movement it’s like skin is stretching so it hurts.
and by the way thank you Dee for the detailed response.
You may develop a tolerance for it, in time. Remember, depending on your skin and hair, laser can really hurt too.
Here is some tips that may help with the anesthetic, assuming your electrologist doesn’t do these already.
Get some topical anesthetic you can apply before your electrolysis, such as LMX cream; you can find it in some pharmacies, or online from an electrolysis supply store like TES at www.texaselectrolysissupply.com.
Apply it to the back of your neck nice and thick, like frosting. It needs to be thick!
Cover the back of the neck (with the anesthetic cream on) with plastic wrap and tie it so it stays on (but doesn’t strangle you )
Leave the area covered for at least 30 minutes, if that doesn’t work try 45 minutes to an hour.
If that doesn’t work, try and find someone who does microflash or picoflash thermolysis. You will be pleasantly surprised how fast it can be, and how much more comfortable it can be.
Pain really depends on the type of machine and electrolysis being used and the electrologist skill too. Do you know what’s being used on you? Is it thermolysis, blend or galvanic method? what is the name of the machine? Is the hair sliding out easily after it’s being zapped without much resistance?
Laser only worked on very coarse and dense hair. Also, keep in mind that if precision matters, laser is not a good choice since the head of the laser is pretty big and makes it hard to carve out any specific shape. If the area is relatively small (if you can remove all the offending hair in an hour, it probably is), then laser is likely not a good option even for coarse hair since you may end up with an uneven result with no way to get it back to where you want it. At least with electrolysis, you have control over every hair that you remove.
Btw, what aftercare are you using after treatments? How long is it taking to heal? And I hope you’re not treating areas that haven’t healed from previous treatment yet.
I can’t believe no one has yet pointed out to you that if your electrolysis practitioner has told you that you have too little moisture in your skin that you are dehydrated, and THAT causes electrolysis to be more painful. You should also be reminded that use of caffeine (coffee, cola drinks, black tea, and so on) both dehydrates you, and causes you to experience pain at a higher level. Alcoholic beverages, and smoking have a similar effect.
If you can go to your electrologist without having used any of these things for 3 days, you will see a remarkable difference. You should also be increasing the amount of water you drink. You are awake about 16 hours a day, and you should be drinking a total of at lease a gallon of clean water every day. Best case would be one ounce of water for every pound you weigh. Be sure that you are also getting your electrolytes, as increasing your water intake while being deficient in electrolytes will lead to trouble. Since most people are NOT eating enough fruits and vegetables, electrolyte balance is easily thrown off in most Americans when attempting to correct systemic dehydration.
VickieCNY, what you recommend that I do is exactly what my electrologist told me to do. She gave me some Topical Anesthetic Gel Anorectal Lidociane 5% and said to put it on the area and cover with plastic half an hour before the session.
I did that but still felt so much pain. I don’t know if I put enough on it. She told me to put some on it so I wanted to be careful and put little amount (you know just enough to cover the skin).
lagirl, I thought I knew what machine was used but now I don’t anymore. I never asked to be honest. The hair slides out easily after being zapped but it’s the zapping that makes all the pain!!! And to answer your other question, I do not use anything after treatment sessions. (probably some of you will tell me I’m crazy, but I thought it was better to not put anything on the area).
James Walker I can try drinking more water. Natural spring water is the only thing I drink.
Any comments from any of you would be appreciated.
Thanks to all.
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