I posted last week in the feelings section, but thought I could start a diary here since I start electrolysis on Wednesday. I hope this is the right place to keep a treatment journal.

I am a 31 year old, probably considered relatively light skinned (I try to avoid too much sun anymore) and from my observation, extremely hairy woman. I have always had thick, coarse dark hair on my face, legs, arms and stomach. >I wonder if being sexually abused begining at a very early age (6 yrs old) has anything to do with this, as I went into puberty very early and started menst. and developing at age 9.<

So,by age 12 I began shaving the upper lip and plucking my unibrow. And, since then, I have shaved my upper lip nearly every day. On the days I don't shave, I try not to leave the house and pray that no one "pops in". I also do not leave my house without base make up and powder on my face. This is in a futile attempt to cover the ragged razor burn streaked across my top lip and the long sideburns under my ears across my jawline. I don't know if the makeup really does anything besides highlight the scabby rash, but I have some little quirks that won't allow me to comfortably communicate with others when I am bare-faced. Going swimming is hard, as is camping and anytime I am in direct sunlight, even with the cover-up.

And, I also have alot of coarse black hairs on my chin, which I have faithfully plucked daily for years, and oh boy! Was I ever surprised these last few days!! When I called to set up my initial consultation, my electrologist told me to stop plucking the chin hairs and to shave them instead. Well, apparently, I thought the hairs were just re-growing as soon as I plucked them, like within a day or two, but I now think the truth all along was that there was just ALOT MORE HAIR! And, now that they are being shaved instead of pulled, I can see so so much by the end of the day. I have 5 o'clock shadow instaantly on my lip, but it kindly waits until 4:45 to come out on my chin, which SUCKS, because I usually work at night and my work involves being face-to-face with people and I am very self-concious.

I think I have the trico-what-ya-call-it because I have had a very hard time not plucking these last few days. My hands are constantly on my face. I normally tweeze while driving, talking on the phone, watching tv and using the computer. I also take it upon myself to completely anihilate any blemish that I can reach, on my face or body or my darling (and thank God, understanding) hubby's body. I will preform minor surgery on myself, using a needle, tweezers, or whatever and I am in a kind of daze until the ingrown hair is out, or whatever is bugging me is gone. I have also always been a nail biter and constantly want to pull the skin around my fingernails. I love to have manicured or acrylic nails, but my fingers, hands and arms are so hairy that I am usually too embarrassed to subject the poor nail tech to such a nasty job. I sometimes use hubby's electric beard trimmer to cut down the hand and arm hair, and if I want smooth legs, I spend 45 minutes in the shower to shave and by that evening I am prickly again. My underarms always seem to have razor burn and stubble, no matter how I wash, shave and what kind of deodarant I use.

I guess I used to be considered attractive, but in the last 2 years I have gained 50 pounds and definitely don't look like I used to. I did some modeling before, years ago, but can't stand to see pics of myself now, because all I notice is the streak on my upper lip. Also, I have had two tubal pregnancies and suffer from migraines that come like clockwork every month the day before I start, but my hormone tests all come back normal. My family doctor won't run anymore tests and the only endocrinologist within 100 miles refuses to see me without a referral from the family doc.

So, off to electro I go. And, as I said in the previous post, it will be over 200 miles round trip. Hubby is exasperated, but will endure nearly anything for my happiness. He says he loves me no matter what and the hair isn't very noticeable, however the mother-in-law clearly let me know that it was two months before we were married . For my birthday she wrapped up a disposable razor and when I opened it (in a public place, with people watching no less) she said, "I thought it could help you with your little problem." I was, understandibly, mortified. But, of course, hubby sees his mamma as doing no wrong and just trying to help. Anyway, that was 5 years ago and we somewhat have a relationship now, but I sure would like to be hai-faced-free by the next time we see her (Christmas? Is this too soon to expect visible results?)

So thanks for reading this post and any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Also, If there is somewhere in particular I should run a treatment diary and a way I can attach photos, please let me know. I hope to help others thru my experience.

A couple important things:

- You should get tested by an experienced endocrinologist. What you describe can be signs of PCOS or another hormonal imbalance which has to be treated while or before you get permanent hair removal since it causes NEW hair to develop consistently. Having being sexually abused has nothing to do with it. It would be a hereditary condition or something potentially caused by things like thyroid issues, ovarian cysts, etc.

- Electrolysis will be great for your facial hair. However, for the body that that's numerous and coarse laser hair removal would be faster and cheaper alternative to get rid of the majority. Areas like legs and underarms get great results. Any area with coarse dense hair would get good results with proper laser treatments. Please read the FAQs at the link below to learn more.

- What type of electrolysis are you getting? Have you done the research with the help of this site to find the right experienced person? Are you going 100 miles away because there is definitely no one in your area that can treat you?

- The plucking issue you describe is a type of OCD. You could find support groups in your area to help with dealing with it. There are also many OCD specialists and clinics that you can contact if you'd like to learn to control it.

- Even though it's hard, you should try not to pluck at all. Electrolysis will be a waste of money if you continuously pluck. I used to overpluck my eyebrows in the same way and had electrolysis done to battle this issue. Reminding myself how much time and money I was spending helped me not touch it.

- You will see visible results from the start since you should leave your electrolysis appts hairfree every time and then come back in 2-3 weeks and leave hairless again. After 3-5 months, you'll see a considerable difference and will have to come back less and less often.

- You can post photos at www.photobucket.com and post the HTML tags here.

Good luck!

A couple of things:

I hope your tweezing that takes place when you are in the car, is when the car is not moving. No more tweezing now if you going to start electrolysis.

I hope you privately scolded your darling mother-in-law about her insensitivity and demanded that this not happen again.

I hope you know that most of us are obsessive compulsive and do little things like pick at out fingers and hair to relieve anxiety. Whenever I see one of my daughters doing the finger picking thing, I say, "Come close to me so I can hold your hand". She gets annoyed, but she stops immediately because she doesn't want to hold my hand for some reason?????

Be aggressive, ambitious, consistent and optimistic as you start electrolysis. Onward march until the enemy is crippled - for good.

Dee

Um, I am almost certain that the electrologist I am going to see tomorrow at 11:00 am is one of the best I could ever see, so I am looking forward to seeing her. I went to another lady who is very close to me once before, and she was a joke. I got zero results, she runs her place out of a house and used tweezer-type devices, plus it just didn't seem sanitary. I have been in tattoo parlors where they were more concerned about cleanliness. Anyway, after she plucked out a bunch of hairs on my lip, she rolled this metal roller thingy accross my lip and said it was reverse electrolysis, which made me think, If electrolysis removes the hair will this "reverse" method make it regrow? Is this her idea of job security? lol
I actually have "lost" my tweezers (my "good ones" anyway, lol) and now look like sasquatch with random hairs sticking out all over my eyebrows, so if I can see to drive tomorrow, I promise I won't pluck on the way. wow, what a missed opp that will be, an almost 2 hour drive where I don't pull a single hair! I can't say that I have ever been alone in my car and drove anywhere and not pulled a hair. Why can't I have OCD that makes me work out or clean my house? lol
Well, today I am so so so excited, I hope I can get all my work done, but I just can't wait for my appointment tomorrow! I thought I would be getting depressed, but I am feeling such a sense of freedom and empowerment that I am going to finally "face-up" to this and deal with it!
As far as the m-i-l situation, she has always been good at making negative comments about her daughter in laws, but veiling them to "sound" like compliments. Like, "Oh it's so good so-and-so gained some weight, she was probably starving herself to stay a size 10" and things like that. However, last Thanksgiving the Lord had His way, as she needed heart surgery and hubby and I were the only ones to come help right after, so I fed her, changed her clothes, etc, and she was literally fully exposed, all of her flaws and secrets, as I not only saw her naked, but also her house that was in complete shambles. I didn't feel better, though, I just felt pity.
And, lagirl, there is no one else within 100 miles besides the yucky lady, who, strangely enough isn't listed in any listings anywhere. And as far as the endocrinologist, I have always had cysts on my ovaries and my mom has fibroid tumors in her uterus, however, the doc says I have stable hormones. But, to me, it's obvious that have too much testosterone and I will see a new gyno the first week of July, so I might get a referral.
Oh wow! Tomorrow I could POSSIBLY be hair-free on my face! WOW! I feel like the day before Christmas! YAY!

So, after day one of REAL electrolysis:

Um, it did hurt a little, kind of like a tattoo, but without the cutting you open feeling when a tattoo artist does the outlines. Also, I learned alot about how this will work and how I will look in between.
Right after the sample treatment(chin), I was very bright red, swollen and sore and I told my electrologist that I didn't think it would be a good idea to continue, but within 30 minutes it was almost back to normal, and I actually called to see if I could turn around and come right back in. I did, and then we set to work on the upper lip. There are some areas there that were alot more sensitive, so I did feel more than I was expecting, but it's not really painful, more like a tingly sensation then a slight tug on the hair. My hairs are (as I suspected) a little thicker, coarser and tougher than the "normal" girl, so I will have a long road before me.
We didn't get the first full clearance, which was my fault, because I shaved in the morning before I came, and ther wasn't enough length to grab onto. Next time, I certainly won't shave the day of treatment. I have some little tiny scabs where she had to "dig" a little to bring the hair to the surface enough to grab it. But, it's nothing major. My lip does still look a little puffy, but I need to get some aloe, and I am sure that will be a big help.
My aftercare has been cleaning with witch hazel, and I did get some tea tree oil, but haven't used it yet. I am wondering if I should ice my lip today, as it is a bit puffy? All in all, though, I am hap-hap-happy! I know all the hairs we zapped yesterday are gone for good and I will be able to see an endocrinologist to be checked for PCOS soon, so it's all good!
My electrologist's machine gives me a little printout of all of the info from my session, and even has a running total, so I can post that on my first initial session, she worked 16 minutes and did 58 insertions on my chin. Then, when I went backtwo hours later, we did 36 minutes and 141 insertions, for a total my first day of 199 insertions and 52 minutes. She used an Apilus Platinum with an insulated size 4 probe. I go back next week, same bat-time, same bat-channel, but I won't shave that morning and we will acheive my FIRST FULL CLEARANCE!!! YAY!! I am so looking forward to being hairfree, and I know this will be a long journey, but so totally worth it!
All in all, I am pleased with this outcome and excited about next week!

I'll post another update then, as well, and she might be sending pics I can post, as well.

I am just wondernig, how long did she work on your upper lip? My electrologist stopped working on me after 10 minutes saying I have had enough treatment for that day (my first time as well). She probably removed close to 80 hairs because she was working quickly (one hair every 5-10 seconds). I am a little dissapointed as only about a quarter to a third of the hairs were removed and I don't see myself getting first full clearance for a month! I wish she worked on me longer.

I have booked another 15 minute appointment today and I am hoping she will work a full 15 minutes instead of cutting it short this time.

Angel,
After the swelling reaction I got, I am glad she only went about 15 minutes. My hair is thicker and coarser than others, and the bulb is much bigger than the follicle opening, which means there was alot of trauma to that area. So, I swelled, plus she did have to pick a little to get the hairs to the surface, since I shaved them a little to short that morning. I will be willing to do longer next time, now that I know what to expect for the next couple of days.
I ran a bunch of errands today, and every single woman I saw touched her upper lip and every man purposely looked me directly in the eyes. Plus, a few kids tilted their heads at me and looked at their mommy inquisitevly <sp> So, I am going to be kinda puffy, scabby and swollen, but soon you can add Bald-Faced to that too! YAY!

I have a hard time believe people can be that mean... Maybe you were overly self counscious? I had my upper lip treatment yesterday and she did not want to work on it for more than 10 minutes (I have LOTS of fine hairs above my lip - I posted a picture in my diary). It was quite a bit more painful than the first time too! If you can take longer treatments that's good! You will get your first clearance soon and will only have to keep going for maintenance sessions.

Be it known and underscored that when one presents with very coarse, dense hair growth on the upper lip or chin, for example, that it is possible to get a full, first clearance with a longer appointment as long as the client understands that swelling, redness and perhaps some scabbiing is to be expected for a few days to several days after treatment. If this is not acceptable because of school, work, personal or family concerns, then it is advised to approach an area much, much slower, with a scattering of hair removal over several weeks.

The first several sessions will be the hardest and one shouldn't expect the skin to look a little pink with no swelling afterwards, especially if one presents with very coarse hair that has been tweezed or waxed for several years before starting electrolysis. If the skin is in sub-par condition (redness, flakiness, ingrown hairs, hyperpigmentation) caused by ANY temporary methods previously used, then we need to do some common sense assessment and balancing up front. Everyone has different healing powers, so factor that in as well. If I see that a client is having a hard time accepting what I describe as a normal, temporary healing reaction, then I will shy away from pushing for a first, full clearance and by all means take the hair off at a much, much slower pace.

It is impossible to promise a new client that he/she will have no pinkiness/redness, swelling or scabbing in the first several sessions when the hair is very dense and very coarse. Talk about challenging, well this qualifies and one cannot leave as they looked when they first came to a session. A first treatment has to been done, proper aftercare has to be followed and feedback has to be given so adjustments can be made, if necessary, early on. No better way to do this. This is an imprecise, balancing act due to many variables presented, that we can or cannot control in the beginning and I personally spend a lot of time explaining this concept to new clients. If I sense that a client is very nervous and cannot accept or may "freak out" about temporary side effects, specifically called, the inflammation process or that good aftercare is not being adhered to properly, I will back away and slow this way down.

Angel, It sounds like your electrologist is trusting her instincts. If she were to get you a full, first clearance, she may sense that you would be very upset about your skin reaction???? She's going to save herself some headaches and thus, limit your session, whether you present with thin hair or thick hair. Be glad that she's extra cautious. She can see you and she is trying to understand your skin. Full, first, clearance is awesome, but I won't do this if I feel the client is too jittery about accepting temporary inflammation and swelling. A slower approach allows both sides to sleep well at night.

Thanks,

Dee

Wow, I am so glad that I am here on hairtell! I am learning so much and drawing encouragement and strength from everyone here.

My healing is really alot better, and I think that the good aftercare is the key. Plus, I know what to do BEFORE my next appointment so my reaction should be less profound. But, I am expecting to stay home that night and the next day, just in case. Then, if it's not so bad next time, I will be pleasantly surprised, however, if it is a bit more pink and swollen than normal, I am prepared.

The cool aloe and ice pack feel great, and I am sure these speed healing. I am ready to face this hairy issue face-to-face and I do not want to give up or stop until it is gone!!!