Tell me your positive electrolysis stories to keep me motivated

[deathbyprocrastination]

Been getting much more facial hair in recent years and am sick of the constant plucking (also my eyesight is deteriorating so it's easy to miss them). A lot of my hair is a reddish colour so laser won't pick it up, and actually there's quite a lot of white now so same problem. So, I started a course of electrolysis about 10 days ago but I really hate it. It hurts a lot, and I'm left all red and blotchy for a good 36-48 hours, can't wear make up for 24 hours afterwards to cover the redness. But the worst thing is having to let the buggers grow in order to be long enough to get out. I can feel all this stubble my chin and it's driving me insane!! So tempted to get the tweezers back out but the electrolysis lady tells me that will undo all the benefit.

Please someone tell me it will be worth it and I will one day have a gloriously smooth chin, unscarred by the hours of needling and electrocution!

Have you tried an epilator?
I've used one for years and it's very effective. It has to be one suitable for the face though

It’s takes a while but the results are totally worth in. It will work eventually but do not pluck what ever you do!! Trim the hairs if you must! I think it’s amazing as unlike laser the hair will never grow back!

This is v encouraging - thank you! Did you get a lot of red bumpiness / spots in the day or two after treatment?

I'd be so up for that but I thought it was basically the same as plucking but on a larger scale? And I've been told that stimulates the growth / strengthens the hairs

Yes slight blotchiness but it faded quickly for me. It will likely be a slow process though so be prepared to stick at it. It took the hairs around my jaw around 8 sessions to be completely obliterated, but well worth it! 😀

Don’t epilate!!!

Thank you - this is def helping!

Though wondering if 8 sessions means 8 blitzes on each hair or there was different growth coming through each time so each one was electrocuted, say 3 or 4 times to be totally rid. Either way, sounds as if I’ll need to be quite patient!

You have to go a few times to start to see the difference, to be honest I’ve never had any bumps or redness after though. My beauty therapist does 5 min or 10 minute slots, no more time than that, then applies some cooling gel type cream afterwards. Maybe just try shorter appointments first few times?
I am pleased, it’s really worked for me and I’ve been going once per month for year or so.

I've had loads over the years, it does work, but does take time. Plucking does make them grow back stronger. It is really hard having to let them grow though. I was in my 20s during that phase and used to have to schedule dates and nights out around it!
Oh by the way, ice pack or one of those facial rollers, after the treatment, should help.

Wait, what? Plucking makes hairs grow back stronger? How did I not know this?

I also didn’t know that plucking make it grow up stronger. I’ve started plucking recently in the precise hope that it grows back more weakly.

It can't possibly be true. I did biology. There's no way the action of plucking a hair out causes it to grow back stronger. If anything over time you will weaken the follicle.

That certainly seems to have been the case for my legs which have been epilated for years and now hardly have any hairs left to pluck.

Be patient. I had it done 25 years ago and never had to go back. She gave me numbing cream for my top lip as that hurt a lot. Totally worth it though.

i did recommend it to my daughters but youngest decided on an ipl machine and that seems to work well on her legs. Growth has reduced a lot.

This is all really helpful - thank you. I'm still quite spotty around the area after more than 36 hours so maybe I'll ask for shorter slots as advised. Thank you!

@Smidge001 I know what you mean, it doesn't seem to make sense biologically but it has been borne out by my experience! I've also been told that it stimulates the melatonin so the hairs grow back darker.

Short term pain for long term gain. It will get so much better.
I've been going regularly on and off for years as unfortunately for me new ones form eventually, but it at least means I am not collecting them.

I’ve been going for treatment for a while and it is worth it. It is painful but I use Emla
cream beforehand

it is effective

trim don’t pluck is what my beautician advised

I've had chin hair since my mid-20's which has progressively gotten worse. I plucked it took a lot of time and messed up my skin. In my 50's it looks like I have acne. Then I get ingrown whiskers that look awful, itch and need to be dug out. I felt like I was chasing my tail.

Finally looked for a local electrolysis and found a woman who has almost cured it.

The first visit she was shocked and said we will not be able to finish your face in the hour we scheduled. We went an hour and a half first time and she only did one side of my chin/neck! Did another long appt to do other side of face then we did one hour full face, then 45 minutes now we're down to 20 min sessions.

It hurts! I flinch and squeeze the exam table I lay on. I look like I've been stung by bees for a few days too but makeup covers most of it.

I'm American so no idea what prices in UK are but I pay $20 for a 20 min session. I've probably spent $300 max.

It's worth it! Try to force yourself if you can bc the freedom from plucking and crap skin is worth it. I have very little whiskers now, the worst areas are almost clear. And the whiskers coming in are much softer and finer.

On my worst areas she will zap the hair, pause, push down and zap again. Hurts like hell but those areas have been cleared.

She says this is a war, we are fighting it together! It will take time and effort but its worth it. I also enjoy the time with her, she is from Georgia and immigrants are fascinating to talk to imh.

My advice to you is keep going. Try to drink a lot of water for 2 days prior. Shave if you must but no more plucking. Trimming is best, I use manicure scissors. But no shaving for a week before appts, trim only. My lady told me there is no hair too long for her, only too short so its best to let it grow a few days ahead of appts. Sorry this is so long but I'm now an electrolysis evangelist. 😎

The only negative is she has posters all over the office of TiMs, I hope she soaks them for all their money for years on end. Imagine trying to do a full chin and neck of male whiskers.

@Jom222 this is hugely helpful - thank you! I'm so glad it's worked for you. Still early days for me and I'm finding the no plucking and red spottiness really hard to live with in the meantime but you have inspired me to stick at it. Saying that, I am still sticking to v short appointments so it's going to take a while (and, from what you've said, I've been trimming too enthusiastically between appointments). Just so paranoid about walking about with stubble. Anyhow, I have an appointment this evening and am going back with renewed hope!