PMR and Electrolysis

[piglette]

Has anyone had electrolysis to help remove some of the facial fur caused by pred?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I have a Braun epilator - I eventually tried it when the dark beard got too obvious and it worked brilliantly! Bit nippy sweeties the first couple of times but it did the job.

I've had electrolysis many years ago - it didn't work despite several very expensive sessions. The hair growth wasn't even weakened.

[PenelopeVita-Finzi in reply to PMRpro]

I am told that electrolysis does not work on facial fuzz. I too have just got Braun epilator which has worked well for a first try. I just hope it doesn't produce bristles!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PenelopeVita-Finzi]

In order to use electrolysis you insert a fine wire into every single hair follicle and give the root a shock - there are an awful lot of hairs on a face! It may work for the relatively few hard bristles that often appear in small numbers on chins - but a single session wouldn't be enough, the hair growth is weakened gradually if you are luck. Back to basics there - tweezers!

Large areas of facial hair growth can be dealt with using laser therapy and that is only available on the NHS for patients with severe hirsutism for whatever reason - PCOS and other hormonal problems. But it is very expensive and works best on dark hair - if you are fair it doesn't work as well.

The epilator should avoid the bristles problem because it is different hair from the bristles on chins. The regrowth has tapered ends on the hairs as it is new hairs that are regrowing - unlike hairs regrowing after shaving which are squared off so appear stronger.

[Hidden]

I have dark hair & I developed peach like fuzz on my face so electrolysis wouldn't have been the answer; so like PMR PRO l too reached for the Epilator! The pain is fairly momentary & stings a bit after but looks so much better.

I have to redo from time to time but works pretty well I'd say

[Parijm]

It's an awful thing isn't it?! With all the other stuff happening to make you feel 100 years old, the hair starts to grow. Depressing to say the least. I have had electrolysis but, as others say, you'd be going for hours of treatment for ever. Luckily, the fluff I have is fair. Hateful all the same but a small bonus. Somehow I think it may be getting less? Or am I adjusting to what I'm seeing. My face has got fatter too but a nice friend said I looked younger because all the wrinkles were filled out!!! It was a compliment wasn't it??

[jinasc]

Mine was the same colour as my face and it disappeared after approx 3 months into pred.

[Dorene]

I am 80 years old and have had dark hair on my face, many years ago my Mother told me to shave it off, I do this every day,I have never had bristles.

[30048 in reply to Dorene]

i also was told by a dermatologist in the 1960's to just shave the unwanted facial hair and it works and does not, for me, create bristles for some reason. I do not admit that to many people...my daughters are horrified.

[Hidden]

I've had electrolysis for 12 months now very expensive and I don't feel as though the hairs have got any better. I have actually stopped now as the last session I had I reacted to really badly my chin came up in sores were the needle had been and now has left me with scars on my chin. Have bought one of the IPL machines from boots and that seems to be doing the trick, it only works on dark hairs though.

[lynne99]

Sorry to be thick, but what is an IPL machine?? I have the same problem, both with pred and before so if it works it would be brilliant

[Hidden in reply to lynne99]

I got mine from boots not cheap but is working on me. IPL hair removal is like the laser treatments in the salons but it's a home device. There are many devices out there to use and I just looked at reviews and decided on which one would be right for me.

[Trenny in reply to Hidden]

Yes, the Boots epilator is excellent. It costs about £50, having been reduced from about £100 (they say?).