It’s been a while since I’ve posted. Thought I’d drop in and say hi.
I started my electrolysis treatments in mid 2004.
I’m basically done.
ELECTROLYSIS, WHEN DONE RIGHT, WORKS.
I had my entire body treated. The only remaining hairs on my body are on my scalp, my eyelashes, and my eyebrows. And those darn nose hairs. Specific areas of treatment: initially legs, underarms, genitals, peri-anal. As hair got scarce, I moved to the face (upper lip, chin), and after the electrologists started to get bored and I was finishing my treatments early, I let them work a little bit on my eyebrows and arms (which weren’t problem areas at all). LOL.
I am a male. I initially sought treatment for health reasons. In the mid-90’s I was diagnosed with a degenerative neuromuscular disorder. I had been bedridden for weeks at a time. As a result, my skin frequently got infected (usually starting with the follicles - staph infections), and with impaired body functions, maintaining hygiene got to be a lot of work with hair in the way.
So I wanted to get rid of my dark, coarse body hair. Like most people starting out, I didn’t know beans about hair removal. I didn’t know there was such a thing as electrolysis. My dermatologist steered me towards shaving and trimming hair. So I went on the internet and did a search on permanent hair removal. One of those searches, well into my journey, brought me here.
In the beginning, it was a challenge finding electrologists in my area who were willing to work on men. It was even more of a challenge looking for folks to work on all body parts. Finding a good one to do both … HAH!
I’ve had ineffective treatments, and I’ve had excellent treatments. It took a while to measure the results - who was not so great, and those who are enshrined in the pantheon of legendary hair killers. I’ll keep mum on the former. Of the latter - I can’t say enough about Arlene Batz (NYC). Based on my experience, she is a rock star when it comes to killing hairs. Thank you Arlene. And there are others!
With each hour spent in treatment, and with each communication with folks here at Hairtell (thank you James Walker and others), I became a much more savvy consumer of hair removal services.
Here are my random thoughts, based on non-stop weekly treatments over the last 6 years:
Finding an electrologist: Electrologists are a tightly-knit group who may deal with a lot of weirdos and downright flaky people from time to time. Find a good electrologist in you area. Cultivate a relationship with that person. Show up to your appointment on time, show respect, and communicate. Don’t be flaky. If the electrologist is initially reluctant to work on certain body parts (example: genitals), she might assent later when she (or he) gets to know you better, or gets more confidence in treating that area (she might not have worked on that area before!). That person could also refer you to somebody else who could.
Laser?Did not appear to work for me.
Blend or thermolysis?Thick coarse hairs that are in hormonally influenced areas … go for blend. Mop up thinner stuff with flash thermolysis.
Juice?Technique is everything - but current is important too. I’ve had ineffective treatment from well trained CPE’s who just didn’t use enough juice.
Fastest results: Leg hairs. It’s amazing how they go away with just one treatment.
Most stubborn hairs in my experience: Corners of lips (very deep), and scrotum (hormonal). They take a licking and sometimes keep ticking. For years. :mad:
Most painful areas: Eyelids, scrotum, peri-anal, and … knuckles of fingers and toes. MFERs!
Emla?Suck it up, bite down on a toungue depressor instead. :crazy:
Most embarassing moments: Unintentionally sporting an erection (happened only once) during treatment and breaking wind in the electrologists face (happened only once) while getting anus hairs treated. My apologies. :eek:
Downside to being completely hairless…as a guy… I honestly can’t remember what it’s like to have body hair. Life is much easier now. HOWEVER … If I’m wearing shorts in public or even in a semi-private setting like physical therapy, I get stared at. Mostly by women. They say my legs “glow,” whatever the hell that means. At my annual checkups, my doctors stare at my junk. Guys will do a double take on my face ("Where’s the stubble?? and “Dude plucks his eyebrows!”) Everybody !@#$ing stares at me. So … I don’t wear shorts anymore if I can help it. 
My wife likes to run her hands over my armpits. She admits she is insanely jealous of them. It gets annoying after a while. Did I mention that I went to a massage therapist not too long ago, and she lingered on my legs just a little too long? 
Funniest and most frequently asked question asked of me by electrologists: “So, uh, are you gonna get a sex change after all of this?” (Not meant to be a knock on TG folks here).
You know when you’re reaching the end of the treatment road when… … your electrologists spends more time hunting for hairs, or digging out dead ingrowns, than actually removing hairs.
To folks undertaking treatment … and maybe feeling a little overwhelmed, take heart. If you have the willpower, persistence, and the resources … stick with it. Electrolysis works.
That’s most of my rambling thoughts for now … I’d post pictures of the results, but, I am a fairly modest fellow. Just take my word for it.
I’ve found the most painful parts are on the tummy below the belly button, I’m very ticklish there, close to the armpits front or back (I’m not doing in there), the knuckles and the middle of the top lip.