Dee,
To answer your question about gold probes, no my electrologist is not using them. She is more comfortable with stainless and I don’t want to rock the boat. Like you stated can happen, I have already been full of thousands of questions, micro-analyzed every skin reaction, and have been very slow to trust. She has been very patient and helpful and if she likes stainless better, so be it. My skin looks OK, I am happy with the removal process so far, and I am ready for this to be over. I do not want to push the issue if I am not having a true allergy issue, should I? My hurdle was the insulated probe incident. I have decided to let the gold vs. stainless issue go. Do you agree with my rational? I greatly value your opinion, as you know. Thanks.
I think you are doing the right thing. You are working and communicating with your electrologist and she is being sensitive and caring with you. Both of you are in the position to see things happening in real time and you seem pleased with these latter sessions.
I’m a real fan of gold probes, but if you are happy with the way things are going, that’s how I measure success, so keep going forward. Continued luck and may you reach the end as soon as possible.
Dee
Still trucking along as usual with my appointments. Every 2 1/2 weeks. I have a few questions about overall skin healing. Now that I am able to heal better in between appointments, I am observing my skin very closely. I do not have huge pock parks, but it does look like enlarged pores where I am being treated. Keep in mind, this is only up close with the skin pulled or under bright light. There is also some very mild residual redness that I can totally cover up with make-up. I know the redness will eventually all go away, but I am wondering about these tiny holes. Is anybody else experiencing them? Would a glycolic peel help? If so, should I wait until I am totally done with electro. or will it help the healing process if times with enough healing in between? In the regrowth department, I have fine, but dark hair coming in still, though not nearly as bad or as often as when I started. OK, I know everybody hates this question but. . . How much longer? I have had 12 visits over 4 months so far, all pretty much clearing the area. That means at least 5-8 more months for total removal from what I have read here, but how long will the space become in between appointments and when?
I am wondering the same thing about the shorter appointments (you and I started treatment about the same time), but I don’t think it’s possible to predict that. I’ve had about 20 hours of electrolysis in 4-5 months, and other than the first couple of appointments, my apointments have been–and are still–about an hour long each. Today’s appointment was a little under an hour.
I went for another treatment yesterday. This makes for 6.5 total hours of electrolysis. Nothing new to report on healing, except that is it easier every time it seems. Remember that I am only getting the sideburn/cheek area done. I had her treat a few teeny hairs around the corner of my mouth. . . never again! I have a newfound respect for those of you who have had your entire upper lip done. The pain was insane and I heard my first sizzle. I still have some questions about healing if someone could answer from personal or other experience. Would a glycolic peel help with healing? If so, should I wait until I am totally done with electro. or will it aid the healing process (with enough time in between elec. and peel)? How much longer till completion? How long will the space become in between appointments and when?
Glycolic acids fall under the catagory of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s).
If you use AHA’s as an over the counter preparation, it would be in a lower concentration, under 10%. Using lower concentration AHA’s is not contraindicated for having electrolysis. After an electrolysis session your skin may be pinker or redder than usual. Any electrolysis modality can be used.
If you use products for a glycolic peel that is in the range of 20%-70% (superficial peel), electrolysis should be postponed for two weeks after the peel or even longer if the reddness persists. It would give me a good level of comfort,as your electrologist, to resume electrolysis only after your physician gives the go ahead. Electrolysis should not be performed on abnormal, irritated skin, so either finish electrolysis and then go for a peel later or stop electrolysis, go get a peel and let the skin heal before resuming electrolysis. I would recommend finishing electrolysis. You have been consistent thus far and interrupting this process would be like starting over again. Have you reached first clearance and are you remaining clear after each visit?
Why do you think you need a glycolic peel at this point in your electrolysis treatment?
Remember, you need at least 9-12 months if all sides are clicking together. Depending on the amount and coarseness of your hair, the equipment used and skill and speed of your electrologist, your appointments start spacing out to every 2-3 weeks after the first clearance and then get even wider and shorter toward the end.
Upper lip and corners of the mouth included, do not need to hurt insanely. Again this depends on equipment used and skill of the electrologist. The other factor to consider is the clients threshhold and perception of pain. Pain perception is usually determined in the early years of life, as some researchers have found.
Dee
Thanks Dee! I was contemplating a peel to facilitate the healing process evenly. Like I said a few posts ago, I have pinpoint marks that look like enlarged pores (but aren’t) where I am receiving treatment. My dermatologist said a peel would really help, but my first priority is electrology. Now that I have read your info, I am opting to wait until I am completely done with electrolysis to have it done. I am getting clearance, or very very close, everytime. As far as pain threshold is concerned, I confess to be a big baby! I’m sure you could have guessed that from my previous posts. I am very sensitive to every little sensation and the smallest things make a difference. That’s why I always abstain from alcohol & caffeiene prior to an appt. and drink tons of water always. Thank you again for your help!
hi laserhater
i can relate to your posts, im having my sideburn and chin treated and i thought that the longer i had electolysis, the less my skin would react. not so, for me anyhow. i have found that my skin reacted less when setting was lowered, but this setting, i was told, was not strong enough to kill my hairs. at times i have had to take breaks to allow my skin to heal due to having lots of scabs that i was very conscious of.
i just use aloe vera to soothe the area and i stick to 30 mins weekly as my skin cannot tolerate anymore. i have very sensitive skin. i would love to have hourly sessions!! but in saying this i have only tried one electrolysist whom i am very comfortable with. maybe i should try others…
its interesting reading your posts. keep plugging away!
Went for another appt. today, cheek/neck area only as usual. This makes for 7 total hours and $710 spent so far. The hairs that are there are very fine, but just get long and dark. I am now going to space out to 3 weeks in between appts. and keep them at 30 min. My skin does seem to be tolerating treatment better as I go along. I’m sure that is because there are so many less hairs. I am excited things are going so well on the hair removal front. I’m still concerned about skin damage although it is nothing major and hopefully once I am done it will all heal away permanently.
Hey Laser I would also look into some other Creams like Jergens and Aveno. The Jergens one is called Naturally Smooth, Shave Minimizing Moisturizer. I have tried it for a couple of weeks, I haven’t noticed a big differene, but maybe it will help you. Let me know how it goes.
Are you shilling for these companies? Who takes the time to post the same message all over the board, when they say they have not received any results yet?
Any one who does a search on the product names here and on www.HairFacts.com will find that these don’t slow growth, only your perception of growth.
Hey Texasguy,
Thanks for the advice. But here’s the thing with me. . . I’m not even interested in slowing growth because I want all the hairs that are going to come out to come on out so I can zap them. I am fortunate because I do not have coarse or excessive growth. It used to be excessive, but only on the areas where I had laser. It seemed at first like I was never going to get it under control. Now I have with electrolysis and my main concern has switched from hair to skin. I’m using tea tree oil exclusively for 3 days, and then healing products and creams from my dermatologist. When I am completely done and healed naturally for a while, I intend to have one or several glycolic peels to even out any remaining pinpoint pits that I have, which seems to be the only lasting side effect for me. And by lasting, I mean 5 months in with treatments every 1-3 weeks. So, if given enough time they might go away on their own. I am just preparing myself for worst case scenario, something I have had to learn to do thanks to laser.
Are you shilling for these companies? Who takes the time to post the same message all over the board, when they say they have not received any results yet?
LOL! I noticed that too! I also noticed on the laser forum that texasguy said he had great results with diode laser from his brother’s friend, but on a couple of other posts texasguy said he regretted having his chest lasered. Very odd.
What’s odd??? I don’t work for any of those companies, and I could don’t care if you use those products. I am not trying to promote anything. The reason why I posted this, is because this is what these forums are for. To give out any sort of information. I bougt this stuff like 2 weeks ago and I’m not sure if it really works, but in case people didn’t know Aloe Vera causes hair growth, soo instead of using Aloe Vera, I thought I would mention these lotions. I mean I am just trying to give out information, you don’t have to buy anything. I thought you guys would like some info. As far as me getting treatments. I have used the Diode Lightsheer XC and I have gotten good results on my chest, but it has also promoted hair growth in other areas. I mean I don’t know why you guys think my postings are Odd. I have spent about $4000 on laser and I have worked for this guy running errands to get more work done. I am not trying to promote anything. I am not trying to tell people to buy anything or not to buy anything. I am just trying to inform people of products that are out. Ohmy, I remember reading your posts about you having bad hair problems, that’s why we are all here, because we all have hair problems. I am not a brain in lasers, but I think the Diode is a pretty good laser, it’s just that it gets pretty expensive to get like 3 hours of work done every 6 weeks. I am not longer in LA, so I can’t get it done for $200 an hour. Prices are like $400 an hour. So I mean that’s like $1,200 every 6 weeks. I don’t know if you have read my other postings, but I am also looking to purchase a laser for this reason. I mean if anyone has any questions about my laser work or what I have gotten done, feel free to ask. I am on this forum to get info and also to see if I can give some back. Have a nice one, later
I wouldn’t worry about it TG. I didn’t take it that you were pushing a product. We are all here to help and support each other with whatever works and that’s how I read your info. I think the pros have a different angle on things because they have heard & seen it all before and already know what works & doesn’t, while you & I are just learning as we go. This site is completely unbiased, and any association with a particular product will cause eyebrows to raise. I’m actually very glad about that because I feel protected from commercials here. I think we have all been fooled enough before with bogus hair removal methods & products.
I bougt this stuff like 2 weeks ago and I’m not sure if it really works, but in case people didn’t know Aloe Vera causes hair growth, soo instead of using Aloe Vera, I thought I would mention these lotions.
Why do you think Aloe Vera causes hair growth? I’ve never heard that mentioned by anyone else on here. And didn’t you see the info James linked on about Jergen’s lotion not slowing hair growth?
I have used the Diode Lightsheer XC and I have gotten good results on my chest, but it has also promoted hair growth in other areas. I mean I don’t know why you guys think my postings are Odd.
I just find it odd that you think you got good results even though you got laser induced growth.
Prices are like $400 an hour. So I mean that’s like $1,200 every 6 weeks.
Why must you go to places that charge by the hour? Maybe you should try a place that charges by body part. I’m sure there has to be places in Texas that charge by body part. There are other people on here who live in Texas and have been to places that charge by body part. James is located in Austin Texas so maybe he can help you out. BTW, what part(s) of your body do you want have lasered?
The reason why I go to places that charge by the hour is because I have gotten work by someone for the last 3 years that charges by the hour. Your right most places do charge by the body part and some charge by the hour. Getting laser work done by the body part does not make it any cheaper than getting it by the hour. I use to get laser work done for $200 an hour after spending several thousand dollars. I am friends with the person who owns his own laser company, so that’s why I was able to get this done cheaper. The back takes less than hour to treat. The upper and lower arm takes about an hour and the chest takes like 45 min. I have seen other posts that you have posted about getting work by the body part. It doens’t matter how you want to relate it, either by time or part. I don’t know if you know of any place that you can get a full back done for less than $200 or a full arm for $200. I usually compare places by their price either by time or by part. I just try to convert body parts into time and compare them with what I was getting done in Beverly Hills. I have called several places and here in Texas it costs $110 for the back of the neck. The chest is like $450. I know in another post you mentioned that laser is not as expensive as I think, if I was to get it done by body part. I have gotten everything done, from the waist up, face,back, chest,abs, flanks, shoulders, neck, full arms. I have gotten these parts treated several times over the course of the last 3 years. I have seen a hair reduction on the areas where I had thicker hair, but I have gotten growth in areas where I had peach fuzz. I have spent quite a bit of money on laser work. I have also done work for doctors to get laser work done. I really don’t have thousands and thousands of dollars to spend to get work done. I’m not sure how much you allow yourself to get LHR, but I don’t want to spend $5,000 a year to get my body worked on. I would like to get my legs done, but that’s a lot more.
The reason why I say Aloe Vera promotes hair growth is because I saw on an article about people who are balding. I was reading that Aloe Vera is used for a variety of medications and that it can also be used to promote hair growth. I don't use aloe vera, after I get treated. I use other lotions, because I don't want to use Aloe Vera. I have recently started using lotions that say to slow down hair growth. I have not done any research on these products, but they cost about the same as regular lotions, so if they can thin out hair or lighten it. Then I I will use it over other products. I'm not trying to tell anyone to use it, but I'm just trying to pass out info.
I have gotten good results in areas that had thicker hair, but since I chose to get my whole upper body done. I have gotten hair growth all over these parts. The areas that had peach fuzz, like my flanks, shoulders, back, back of neck, have gotten worse, since getting treated. My chest has less hair than what it had before. I am just saying that I have to keep getting LRH work done to get it looking like it did before.
Thanks LaserHater, I am glad that you feel this way. There are just soo many products out there, that many people are not aware of. I was going to buy one of those lasers on e-bay that cost like $4,000 from Canada. Thank goodness I didn’t, because it was a scam. It is sites like these that help the public consumer and people can share their experiences and comments. LaserHater your right about this site being here to help the public without being biased on any product. I was reading another site, about how so many people have been cheated out of their money and time from companies that take advantage of people. I also think this is a great site to share info. Thanks for your comments LaserHater
I knew you had a lot of work done before, but I didn’t realize you had so much left to do. And it sucks that the places you want to get done are laser induced areas. Well then, good luck. But btw, I’m not quite sure how accurate the article is about Aloe Vera inducing hair growth, but one thing is made for sure by this site and it is that the Jergen’s lotion doesn’t work in slowing hair growth.
Another down day for me. It is 4 days after treatment and I am just now getting little scabs. I have the red dots and bumpiness this time. Yesterday looked bad enough that my husband even noticed a difference from my good recoveries. I don’t know if the heat or current was higher or what. I am so OVER this ordeal. I caught a glimpse of my cheek in the sunlight before my treatment last Monday and it was not great. Remember that I’ve been avoiding mirrors so I don’t have panic attacks. There was pinkness and pits all over. What the f…!!! I thought I was doing everything right! I am at the end of my rope with this mess and am considering stopping treatment all together. What is worse, fine, dark hairs or a pizza face? That’s what I am trying to decide. I just hope I am not stuck with both at this point. I have no self confidence anymore and I have nobody to blame but my own vanity.