naqsa

Hi ladies!
I’ve been looking into permanent methods of hair removal and Electrolysis seems to be the most effective (as per FDA). The cost is higher and the process is tedious but seems like it’s worth the hassle. Laser isn’t as effective and teherfore not approved by FDA as a permanament solution to hair removal.
Anyone had expereince with Electrolysis…what are the results like? Any side-effects…eg. scars, pigmentation? What area did you tackle and how long did it take?
If anyone can recommend a reputable salon in the Greater Toronto Area that performs Electrolysis , that would be great!

stoppit

I've had/am having electrolysis and it is great. It is the only method that can tackle all kinds of hair growth/colours on all colours of skin.

It is time and money intensive but providing you go to a properly qualified, skilled electrologist, with good practices and equipment there should be no side effects bar the area being a little red for an hour or so. You should not get spots, scars or any pigmentation if it's carried out properly and it carries much, much less risk than laser (i would like to say 'no risk').

An area first needs to be cleared, which can take a few sessions (for something like the upper lip. whole face is whole different scenario). After this, you just need to go back as and when you see growth pop up (basically like you'd go get it waxed or threaded every few weeks) but the hair will be finer and sparser and touch-up sessions will be short. As time goes on, you will find time between going back for touch-ups will reduce. However, to catch all the stages of hair growth and destroy all the follicles, it can take anything from 9months to 18months. but as i mentioned, after the first few months, you may only be going back once a month or so.

naqsa

Thanks Stoppit! Is it wise to tackle the entire face/neck at once or should one start is small patches?

Colourful eyes

Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method there is. At the moment I'm using laser, once I have finished a course of 8 treatments I will start getting Electrolysis done for the hair that remains. I would of started of with Electrolysis had it not been for the pain.

At the moment I'm getting Electrolysis to remove my thread veins, and am very happy with the results. Yes it is much more painful then laser. the only way I can explain the pain is needles being pushes into ur skin very slowly and back out again.
I think the marks depend on what place u go to, where I get my Electrolysis done, I am only left with slight scarring for a day or two. which is literally the size of the head of the needle. My Auntie on the other hand, had scarring for a few months. so where ever u decide to go make sure u have a patch test done b4.

- good luck

stoppit

No probs

It really depends on the method the electrologist uses (and equipment) and his/her skill. I know a few in the States that could tackle the whole face/neck at once - would get you full clearance very quickly - then you need to go back to tackle what comes up again as and when. But unfortunately, that's not the norm.

If you can find someone that is very good with a computerised machine, then you can tackle a few areas (upper lip, sideburns, chin) at once. Otherwise, maybe start with the upper lip and when you start seeing reduction and are spending less time on it (just short treatments to clear a handful of hairs), add the next area.

stoppit

CE
CE was persuaded to go to my Electro - sounds like it's going well!

Colourful eyes

Yes and to the same laser place u recommended, actually I'm beginning to think u get paid to talk about hair removal

naqsa

^ Thanks for the info. ladies. Now I'm more confident about getting this done. Just have to find a decent place in the GTA.

stoppit

lol, i wish - maybe i should start accepting paypal donations

i just know all the stress i went through researching about laser and electrolysis and finding good places for both kinds of treatments, so anything i can do to help others...

Colourful eyes

Bless u stoppit, I wouldn't know what I would do if it wasn't for u

candy_apple

I know electrolysis is completely safe, but I was wondering if anyone knew whether laser hair removal can cause birth defects and also aging of your skin?

I was told by someone that birth defects and skin aging are side effects of laser.

ivmi

hello there!!
i've been doing electrolysis on my eyebrows 5 months ago...and i still have indented scars...mine are a little bit bigger than head of the needle....they look like this: http://i32.tinypic.com/1239sll.jpg do you think that it is permanent?

stoppit

^ivmi - did you not ask the same question on a hair removal forum in their electro section?

any advice the pro's there gave/could give would be better than any guesses here.

i have to say that i had some hairs in approx the same area treated and i didn't have any scarring whatsoever, so it's not something i can comment on.

ivmi

yes i did...but no one didn't expirienced something similar on their own skin...so i was hoping that i will find someone who had/have this problem and can tell me from it's own expirience... sorry...i didn't want to disturb anyone, i'm searching on forums enything that may help...

stoppit

i understand, i'm sorry it's happened

as you know j & d and others treat hundreds of patients, a lot who have had bad electo elsewhere, so i would have thought if anyone knew, it would be them.

the closest i've ever come to this kind of indentation is when i had a milia treated on my lower brow bone area. only heat is used and she had to zap a few times. an indent developed after 2 days but then it was also gone after 2 weeks.

are yours improving? if they are, it might just be a matter of time.

ivmi

well my boyfriend says they are...but i look at them every day all the time so I don't see anything....dee said that I should wait till year has passed...but I don't know...when i stretch the skin i can see that tissue is missing deep under...I suppose it is dermal layer...i hope that it will disappear..i'm so confused and sad...