Electrolysis newbie

[Jessica]

Hi girls, any tips for a virgin electrolysis patient?  It was scheduled quickly and I pray my lidocaine prescription is filled in time.
Starting on the most sensitive spot, the upper lip!


Hugs and smiles from a California girl

[steph2.0]

Hi girls, any tips for a virgin electrolysis patient?  It was scheduled quickly and I pray my lidocaine prescription is filled in time.
Starting on the most sensitive spot, the upper lip!


Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Lots of sleep. Lots and lots of water. Avoid caffeine. Take 4 ibuprofen 45 minutes before you start. Put the numbing cream on and rub it in good an hour before the session, and cover it with Saran Wrap. Don't let air at it. And then wonder why you chose the most sensitive place to start!

I've found that the blend (galvanic+thermolysis) hurts a lot less than pure thermolysis, but it takes a lot longer. It is quite effective though. My chin is pretty much bald now. My former electrocutioner cleared my upper lip with thermolysis, and I'm getting a lot of regrowth. YMMV.

Good luck, hon. Each zap gets you closer to where you want to be.

Stephanie

[Jessica]

My prescription is ready for pick up already.  I asked my GP for it. 
When he replied with the script, he was apologizing for telling me that I was not covered for hair removal, after I told him I knew I was.  That's one of the reasons I am requesting a new doctor, another is he misgenders me differently, moment to moment, and has never called me Jessica, even though his nurse does.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

[Michelle_P]

In addition to what Steph mentiions, if your prescription doesn't come through in time, 4% lidocaine cream is availaable at CVS pharmacies on the aisle with the sunburn ointments and pain relief wraps.  Try to get one with just the lidocaine.  The menthol or eucalyptus junk does electrolysis no good!

You can contact me if needed.  Two years left me with quite the stash...

[Jessica]

@Steph2.0 @Michelle_P

Lots of sleep. Lots and lots of water. Avoid caffeine. Take 4 ibuprofen 45 minutes before you start. Put the numbing cream on and rub it in good an hour before the session, and cover it with Saran Wrap. Don't let air at it. And then wonder why you chose the most sensitive place to start!

I've found that the blend (galvanic+thermolysis) hurts a lot less than pure thermolysis, but it takes a lot longer. It is quite effective though. My chin is pretty much bald now. My former electrocutioner cleared my upper lip with thermolysis, and I'm getting a lot of regrowth. YMMV.

Good luck, hon. Each zap gets you closer to where you want to be.

Stephanie

Thank you Stephanie, great tips, hadn't thought about the sleep aspect. 
Is that 800mg ibuprofen?
I started with the upper lip because it causes me the most trouble when shaving.
Get er done!

In addition to what Steph mentiions, if your prescription doesn't come through in time, 4% lidocaine cream is availaable at CVS pharmacies on the aisle with the sunburn ointments and pain relief wraps.  Try to get one with just the lidocaine.  The menthol or eucalyptus junk does electrolysis no good!

You can contact me if needed.  Two years left me with quite the stash...

Thank you Michelle, I appreciate it, my doctor got off his butt and is helping me "Thrive" this time.


Hugs and smiles from a California girl

[JudiBlueEyes]

Good luck Jess!  It a long ride but worth it.  I would have the electrologist move around a bit as focusing only on your upper (or lower) lip may be too much at first.  I used over the counter cream at first but after six months I stopped as it didn't make a huge difference.  No caffeine and a couple ibuprofen are a good recommendation.  And stay well hydrated. 

If you are consistent in your appointments it does get easier as the new growth is thinner and finer hair.  It will take a couple zaps to completely deaden each follicle.  Transitioning isn't for sissy's.  It's tough work. So hang in there!
 

[steph2.0]

My prescription is ready for pick up already.  I asked my GP for it. 
When he replied with the script, he was apologizing for telling me that I was not covered for hair removal, after I told him I knew I was.  That's one of the reasons I am requesting a new doctor, another is he misgenders me differently, moment to moment, and has never called me Jessica, even though his nurse does.

If you do get a new GP, you may want to ask him to prescribe BLT cream. It has to be mixed up at a compounding pharmacy, and consists of Benzocaine, Lidocaine, and Tetrocaine. Supposed to be better than any of them individually. A container a little larger than a film canister costs me $58 and lasts about 4 months the way I'm using it.

Stephanie

[VeronicaLynn]

Make sure you are properly hydrated.

You may not be able to handle a long time on your upper lip. I'm not, because of that, it's pretty much all that's left for me. Have a second or third area you want worked on, since you will likely have to pay for the full appointment even if you can't make it through.

[steph2.0]

Thank you Stephanie, great tips, hadn't thought about the sleep aspect. 
Is that 800mg ibuprofen?
I started with the upper lip because it causes me the most trouble when shaving.

Not sure about the ibuprofen. Four of whatever the OTC dose is.

I admit I had them attack the upper lip and goatee area first for the same reason, and specifically because it hurts the most. I figured everything else would have to be easier.

Stephanie

[Kirsteneklund7]

Hi girls, any tips for a virgin electrolysis patient?  It was scheduled quickly and I pray my lidocaine prescription is filled in time.
Starting on the most sensitive spot, the upper lip!


Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Hi Jessica,
                   Bad outcomes for electrolysis can be permanent pockmarks or pits. Also a potentially permanent marks called rust stains.
     
I would imagine your operator has a good reputation. After each session there is some trauma involving swelling and an effect that looks like numerous small mosuito bites. A day or 2 sees the trauma gone mostly.

Some people like me have coarse beard hair and the removal of the hairs and roots can cause a mini bleed that is below the skin surface. These rust stains can cause spots like freckles that are like a mini tattoo. Even though I had stubborn whiskers the operator was careful to prevent rust stains(successful).

I also kept an eye out for scabs that healed badly causing acne style pockmarks - you may have heard of this from second rate operators. This was also closely watched by the operator.

  Once you've had a couple of sessions and  bounced back from the trauma(mild). You will find it a breeze. The operator will probably recommend a soothing balm and regular exfoliation, use sunscreen and normal moisturizing routine.

Watching the stubble dissspear brings much satisfaction.

Wishing you a very smooth and hair free future! ,
             Kirsten [emoji3377]

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Jessica]

Good luck Jess!  It a long ride but worth it. I would have the electrologist move around a bit as focusing only on your upper (or lower) lip may be too much at first.  I used over the counter cream at first but after six months I stopped as it didn't make a huge difference.  No caffeine and a couple ibuprofen are a good recommendation.  And stay well hydrated. 

If you are consistent in your appointments it does get easier as the new growth is thinner and finer hair.  It will take a couple zaps to completely deaden each follicle.  Transitioning isn't for sissy's.  It's tough work. So hang in there!

Good advice Judi!  I didn't know what to say when asked where I wanted to start.  When I said upper lip, I was told that is one of the more tender areas, and that I only needed to grow that out a bit. I will give them my whole face to be able to get all my allotted time.
When you say no caffeine, the appointment is in the later afternoon, would a morning coffee be alright?

If you do get a new GP, you may want to ask him to prescribe BLT cream. It has to be mixed up at a compounding pharmacy, and consists of Benzocaine, Lidocaine, and Tetrocaine. Supposed to be better than any of them individually. A container a little larger than a film canister costs me $58 and lasts about 4 months the way I'm using it.

Stephanie

Stephanie, I'm not sure of the composition of the cream.  I asked my doctor for numbing ointment for me to apply before electrolysis.  I hope it's the good stuff!

Make sure you are properly hydrated.

You may not be able to handle a long time on your upper lip. I'm not, because of that, it's pretty much all that's left for me. Have a second or third area you want worked on, since you will likely have to pay for the full appointment even if you can't make it through.

Thank you Veronica Lynn
It seems this is a common theme.  It is so good to get advice repeated.  It strengthens my resolve to do just that.


Hugs and smiles from a California girl


@JudiBlueEyes @Steph2.0 @VeronicaLynn 

[Jessica]

Hi Jessica,
                   Bad outcomes for electrolysis can be permanent pockmarks or pits. Also a potentially permanent marks called rust stains.
     
I would imagine your operator has a good reputation. After each session there is some trauma involving swelling and an effect that looks like numerous small mosuito bites. A day or 2 sees the trauma gone mostly.

Some people like me have coarse beard hair and the removal of the hairs and roots can cause a mini bleed that is below the skin surface. These rust stains can cause spots like freckles that are like a mini tattoo. Even though I had stubborn whiskers the operator was careful to prevent rust stains(successful).

I also kept an eye out for scabs that healed badly causing acne style pockmarks - you may have heard of this from second rate operators. This was also closely watched by the operator.

  Once you've had a couple of sessions and  bounced back from the trauma(mild). You will find it a breeze. The operator will probably recommend a soothing balm and regular exfoliation, use sunscreen and normal moisturizing routine.

Watching the stubble dissspear brings much satisfaction.

Wishing you a very smooth and hair free future! ,
             Kirsten [emoji3377]

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Thank you so much Kirsten, I had heard talk of such things and I feel confident that my health provider has vetted them as a proper outsource. I will be careful for the rusty pitfalls in the process.
I'm apprehensively excited!

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

[Jessica]

Not sure about the ibuprofen. Four of whatever the OTC dose is.

I admit I had them attack the upper lip and goatee area first for the same reason, and specifically because it hurts the most. I figured everything else would have to be easier.

Stephanie

That was my initial thought, re-thinking that though.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

[Julie -2010]

One of the best feelings is when you have a full clearing session.  Face is smooth and it is great.  Especially after a couple of days when the little bumps settle down. 

Hydration is one of the keys that I find helps.  I had a ton of laser before I started the electrolysis and that knocked down a lot of my dark hair.  The electrolysis is getting the blond and a lot of gray.    You can tell you are getting closer when you can have a clearing in about an 1 hour or 1 1/2 hours.  When I first started they could only do some sections in that amount of time.

Cheers, Julie

[Jessica]

@Julie -2010

One of the best feelings is when you have a full clearing session.  Face is smooth and it is great.  Especially after a couple of days when the little bumps settle down. 

Hydration is one of the keys that I find helps. I had a ton of laser before I started the electrolysis and that knocked down a lot of my dark hair.  The electrolysis is getting the blond and a lot of gray.    You can tell you are getting closer when you can have a clearing in about an 1 hour or 1 1/2 hours.  When I first started they could only do some sections in that amount of time.

Cheers, Julie

My hair is of the salt and pepper variety and I would have needed to start at least a decade ago for laser to work effectively.
I only started transitioning in earnest a little more than a year ago at age 61 and one of the first thing I heard was start hair removal now.  I was still unsure of a number of things at that time.
Wish I knew what I know now, then.

So much to know and absorb, but that's the case with anything new.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

[Kirsteneklund7]

My wife tells me I have a head like a baby's bum!
Bless her heart![emoji178]

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Jessica]

Hydration has been mentioned a few times as a necessary tip.  How much beforehand?  More than typical?

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

[steph2.0]

Hydration has been mentioned a few times as a necessary tip.  How much beforehand?  More than typical?

All I know is if I'm dehydrated my electrocutioner berates me and has to turn up the power, which hurts more. As I understand it, when they zap the follicle, the liquid surrounding it turns to lye and kills it. If it's too dry it doesn't work well. So too much water is a lot better than not enough.

Stephanie

[Michelle_P]

A couple of other tips for during the electrolysis session...

While the electrolyst is working, focus on your breathing.  Take in a deep breath.  Hold it for 5 seconds.  Breathe out.  Repeat.  Let everything else go. Focus on the breathing.

If there is music available, in the office or on earbuds, listen to something soothing, something you might be able to drift off to sleep with at home.  Harsh or aggressive stuff can make the 'zaps' from electrolysis hurt more!

If you have training in mindful meditation, or guided meditation audio recordings, use it!  The idea is to let go, and avoid focusing on what the tech is doing.

[JudiBlueEyes]

I would probably give the caffeine a few (at least 3) hours to get out of your system.   As you progress through treatments you'll figure out what your tolerance is and can make good decisions about it.  When working on my lip area there have been times I asked her to move as it was getting to be too much.  Mine has a particular way of starting the session on the cheeks (less pain) and working her way to the areas that need it the most.  Early on I told her I wanted to focus on the dark hairs as those are the ones that we see and that cause the most stress.  The white ones can wait until later.  We're well into them now.  A smooth face is a wonderful feeling. 

My electrologist is a talker and we talk the whole time although I am much more quite as I can't move too much.  After three years we've become good friends. 

I started at 61 too.  I've told my wife that I would have done this when I was much younger if I could have thought of a good excuse (since I wasn't out).  I have always hated to shave.  But better late than never!