I took this yesterday … bad photo; I need to use my tripod (too lazy). The point:
I know there are legions of guys skulking around here on Hairtell that are interested in body hair removal. Here’s a little “lesson … in progress.” Advice … think ahead!
The chap in the photo was a patient a couple years ago. I did his back, chest and stomach. (He claims the stomach only had 2 clearings, but it looks like 3 to me! Again, too lazy to check my records.) So, he went a couple years staying clear and then (slowly) the “sides grew in!” As you (can’t) see in the photo: the clear stomach is now “framed” by the (new) hairs that grew in.
This is typical of youthful guys. This kid was 22 when he finished … now 24. Of course, I’m now removing the “hair frames.” But you also need to consider the following.
Indeed, the center of the stomach is not a very sensitive area. The SIDES however are pure “dynamite.” If you cannot find a physician (or physician’s assistant) to do the local, you might not be able to actually “take” the clearing. Yeah, I know that some machines claim they are PAINLESS … but that is BS for such sensitive areas!
Anyway, just a “heads up” on your “hairless quest.” See, you don’t want to look like you got run-over by a lawnmower, “n’est-ce pas?” (If you wish, I will try another photo today.)
I am just chiming in to say I completely agree you with you on the BS. Properly performed work is not painless (less painful I can go with) even with the latest ‘best’ machine… and in some areas it hurts just as much as a basic machine i.e. underarms. Yikes.
I wish I’d taken a photo of the area before any treatment: it was very dense; long and black (almost no skin showing). I should get going again and take photos (need a new camera). I had “35mm slides” of many patients (more than 2,000) … I threw them all out after the books were done. Now, I can start all over again. Feels nice too … starting all over.
That makes me worried about starting electrolysis at my age :(.
Though I am interested in learning the biological/physics behind why pain on the sides of the stomach is super unbearable whereas the front is very tolerable. I wonder how quickly that gradient changes as one moves from the sides to the front. Seems like it could be modeled mathematically – maybe I should work on my PhD in the mathematics of electrolysis
Just an interesting side note (maybe?). Several of the key illustrations in my books (the one here) were done by Orien Frazer, a friend. She is the grand daughter of Louis B. Mayer (the film-studio MGM head for many years).
Most of her art is “fine art” but she has also illustrated several books too. (She’s living in her Grand dad’s home here, and it’s an amazing “return” to the early 20th century. Sort of “Art Deco” with campy Hollywood flare.
Curious question… to the left of some of the red dots in the bottom picture, there are a number of vellus hairs (in reality, barely noticeable to someone unless they’re actively looking for them). I’m curious if those are treatable hairs or are they too fine to be treated?
I didn’t get those tiny ones at the moment (only went for the darker ones) … but, I know this fellow and I will be getting those micro-hairs too. This guy has “microscopes” for eyes … it’s amazing! (Besides, the hairs you noticed will get fatter in the next couple years.) Actually, there IS an end to all this.
Well, why not get those “micros?” I did all those vellus hairs on myself too! On a totally clear skin … a few vellus hairs look like sequoias!
Yes Michael. Really, a picture “before” is not necessary in this case. Anyone with a little common sense can guess that:
A.- If there are hairs on the edges is because he had to have hairs before in the central area. No one is born with a so strange growth pattern.
B.- If the central area is now completely bald is because all the hairs were thick (the selection of the most obvious hair was not an option) and therefore the treatment of all was necessary. Result?, A beautiful bald.
I searched through my files and found a similar case. My case confirms your observations. Sub-umbilical area of woman, about 10 years after the first phase of Electrolysis. With two pregnancies at this time (which shows that hormonal changes do not affect the follicles treated with success).
Well, my dear friend, let me say that this is NOT a new beginning, but a nice part II. Especially, because now the client has full confidence in you, and in Electrolysis.
Before (March 2011). After 10 years first part of Electrolysis.
Very nice to see Jossie. Thanks … I think clients are learning a lot here; and that’s the whole point.
Another important consideration for men: Always try to “reverse” the hair growth pattern. By this, I mean start removing hairs at the sides of the area. If you have full coverage, start by bringing the pattern in to where it was at, say, age 30, then 25, then 20, etc. You can leave a bit in the middle (my recommendation), but you can continue on for the full “smoothie” look. (If I can fine it, I’ll post the illustration.)
I always tell my client that I’m trying to leave them looking “untouched” at almost ever appointment. If I “drop dead” that day, then they won’t end up looking weird … they will just look less hairy. Case in point …
Years ago a “poor bastard” came in that had been maimed by another electrologist. He was a total “hair ball”: massive black hairs covering his entire upper body. The electrologist had started on his left NIPPLE! She cleared a perfect “bull’s eye” on his “breast” and had continued to work it until the area was permanently clear. Can you imagine what this poor guy looked like? It actually took me a year to get his chest looking somewhat normal.
So you see, it DOES matter how you start and how the hairs are removed. Always consider removing body hairs in progressive stages. And, get the most painful areas done first!
That is a great piece of advice to leave a client looking untouched, I had never really thought about treatment strategy until I read that story. (I had already read it somewhere else first, in your book perhaps?)
I got a lot of private emails with some great questions. Rather than answer individually, I’ll post here.
Is body hair removal really permanent? Short answer: Absolutely!
Those areas that grew in rapidly, and have the biggest hairs, are the easiest to do. Underarms, for example, have no vellus hairs (they all grew in during puberty … the follicles are very sensitive to sex hormones). Because of this, the results will be permanent, and for a lifetime.
Chest hair on men is typically devoid of intermixed vellus hair, thus total 100% bare — forever. The “tiny” hairs at the periphery have the potential for growing in later. (Remember the chest pattern does not grow in overnight, but takes years to develop.) However, once completed, the chest will remain hairless forever.
The back is another story, because it grows in later than the chest. However, if you were an “early grower” the whole back could be grown in. (If you started to grow body hair at, say, 15-years-old, and are now in your mid-20s … you could be “fully grown in.”) Most guys (back) will present tiny hairs (“shooters”) mixed in with the larger hairs, and at the margins of the patterns … and these will most likely grow larger and darker in the next 5 years or so.
Thanks Barbara. Funny thing I learned about writing: you start out not knowing about the subject and then learn about it as you go. “Terms” just sort of pop in your head as you are trying to explain something in an easy way.
“Hair frames?” Never had that term, new to me too, 'til this thread got going. Metaphor is a great way to convey ideas.
If you don’t understand something, start writing about it and you will learn! Crazy really.
