A few months I posted some questions related to laser hair removal and the fact that I had a terrible experience which actually caused more hair to grow on my back and shoulders.
I just found a licensed electrologist in my area that really seems to know her stuff. I’ve decided to try to correct the problems created by the laser hair removal and I just really hope it works, especially because it’s so expensive.
I had a question about electrolysis. I expected it to hurt a lot, but I’ve gone in for 3 treatments over the last two weeks starting with my upper arms and shoulders, and while I feel a slight heated pinch, it isn’t nearly as painful as I had expected. Should I be worried that the practitioner isn’t inserting the needle deep enough, or not exposing the follicle to heat for long enough? Or is it normal that I’m not feeling a lot of pain? The hairs in the treated areas haven’t grown back yet so I’m inclined to think she’s doing something right.
I asked her while she was treating me and she said she presses firmly on the area while treating it which confuses the nerve endings and reduces the pain. Is that true?
Thanks,
The length of time the needle is kept inside depends on the treatment you are receiving. Are you being treated with thermolysis, galvic, or blend? Thermolysis doesn’t required the needle to be kept in very long (1-2 seconds)Some areas of the body are also less sensitive than others and it also depends on the kind of machine that the practitioner is using. Newer machines induce less pain. I am having my upper lip treated with thermolysis and it stings like hell when the heat is released as it is one of the more sensitive areas. Have you asked about what setting you are being treated with (high, medium, etc.)?
As for hair regrowth, I am not sure but I don’t believe 2 weeks is enough for hair to regrow on back and shoulders.
I would suggest reading some of the threads on the forum where Certified Elecrologists here explain the hair growth cycles and what should be expected during and after treatments.
She sounds good to me. Electrolysis, when done by a professional, modern electrologist does not equal pain. That’s a myth that won’t die.
What kind of epilator does she use? Computerized epilators are better for the sensation part, however, some?amny? electrologists are able to make their older, non-computerized epilator feel very tolterable.
Do you think you are getting a good amount of hair removed per session as well? Do you feel a tweezing sensation at all? Sometimes there is a popping sensation that is related to hairs that are not in the growing phase.
Stretching the skin properly, along with pressure, is a useful technique to scatter and weaken the nerve impulse to the brain. Again, she sounds very knowledgible, so you are very, very lucky to have her.
Angel just brought up an important comment. A couple sessions in two weeks is too short of time to judge about no hair returning. You will see waves of hair coming in because hair, no matter what the area, grows in cycles. If she removed a thick, juicy deep, black hair two weeks ago, then that same hair, if it was not treated with enough intensity and timing will reappear in about 6-16 weeks, general ball park figure. If you see a lot of thick, juicy hair appear in the same area you had treated two weeks ago, THAT IS NEW HAIR that couldn’t be seen two weeks ago to be treated. I know this is confusing, but if the electrologist does not hammer this concept home at least ten times, then doubts about this working always arise as the process moves forward.
Just think of your hair removal journal in terms of “the green, rolling, hills of West Virginia” - there will be high points and low points over the next year. High points are hair growth, low points are periods that are hair-free. Soon there will be only low points, so hang in there and get a first, full clearance asap to speed this along.
Thermolysis, specifically, MicroFlash and PicoFlash thermolysis, is the best we can offer for a large area in 2008, and these modalities are absolutely awesome.
Dee
As long as the hairs are sliding out without resistance after she zaps them, you’re good. You basically shouldn’t be feeling any plucking.
What method of electrolysis is she using on you?
Thanks for the feedback guys. This is a pretty expensive (and LONG) commitment and I’m really worried about throwing my money away on something that won’t work.
Anyway, I forgot what type of machine she uses, I’ll have to check again on my next appointment. I know she’s using the thermolysis method. She said she has me on a high setting but again, I forgot to look at the device to see how high. I’ll check both of those when I go in again.
In terms of plucking, I probably feel a pluck a little less than half the time. Does that mean she isn’t getting the root with the needle? Should I ask her about that?
Also, about how many hairs per minute should I expect her to be clearing?
Do you know about how long should I expect it to take for the red spots to heal? I still have some small spots left from a treatment two weeks ago.
Thanks again
Here are some pictures of my treated areas so far.
Excellent pictures.
If these scabs were on your face, then I would worry. Electrolysis performed on the body is far different than electrolysis performed on the face. I am not alarmed by what I see. I would advise you to show these pictures to your practitioner and ask her if she can make some adjustments and attempt to lessen the side effects. All this will heal nicely over time, but it is worth trying a new strategy for the sake of fine tuning the size of the scabs. Even though this is acceptable, why not try to have a better outcome next time???
Speed is a personal thing, made easier by the practitioners tools. THINK:
<good epilator> <good magnification> <good light solurce>
A newer computerized epilator is really awesome when it comes to reducing the amount and size of scabbing that usually appears in 48 hours with body work, providing that everything else is done correctly.
Do good aftercare to speed up the healing process. Wash with a mild soap and water. No rough wash clothes, though. Use aloe vera gel for at least 3 or more days. Dab on some tea tree oil at night. No sunning, sweating, (makeup) or picking at the scabs.
This will heal nicely,even though it looks rough today.
Dee