Home Electrolysis?

[sunandshadow]

I'd like to permanently get rid of all my body hair, and by far the cheapest solution seems to be to buy an electrolysis kit and do it myself, plus a few professional sessions for places I can't see/reach. Has anyone done this? If so, what specific kit did you buy, and were you completely satisfied with it? Any tips and tricks to share?

Edit: Figured I would clarify before someone asked: by my whole body I mean my toes and knuckles and arms and legs and everything. I've also read that the technique is difficult, but I'm an artist and I think with the addition of a nice lighted magnifying lens and reading up on how to do it, I should get at least somewhat useful results. Also since the home kits start at $10 plus maybe $20 in additional supplies, even if it doesn't work I'm out less than the cost of a single professional session, and I don't really care if I manage to accidentally make a small burn scar or 2 on an unimportant place like my ankle.

 

[SweetErika]

Have you read this article? It's an expansion of another article, and while it's aimed at a transsexual audience, it makes a whole lot of sense for everyone.

Now I haven't tried this (because I don't want to spend thousands of hours doing painful treatments, waste my money on things that don't work or risk permanent damage), but everything I've heard say the home kits don't work. I'm 99.99% confident that no electrolysis device that costs $10 is both safe and effective; if it were, most of us would have heard about it by now, and most professional electrolysists(?) would pretty much be out of business. I think a machine that has a chance of working with a measure of safety and lasting long enough for you to do your whole body is going to cost you closer to $200, minimum. I'd strongly suggest you make sure whatever you buy carries a money back guarantee, so you're not totally risking your hard earned cash on a completely bogus product.

That said, have you tried waxing and/or epilating? Both of these seem like FAR safer, more effective ways to remove your hair at home without spending thousands of hours and tons of money. They're not permanent per se, but if you do them enough you'll likely find you have little to no hair regrowth. And, at the very least, you could do one of them for a while before going the electrolysis route, to kill as many hairs as possible and cut your electrolysis time way down.

I would have never thought home waxing would be a good idea, but my massage therapist has been doing herself and her partners and friends for years with fantastic results. She uses THIS hard wax in a professional warmer/melter, and said it's really easy and she has almost no hair left now, so I'm going to give it a try soon.

You could also try an epilator, which is an electrical device that yanks the hair out. I think they even have them at Walmart and other mass merchandisers, so you could return it if it didn't work for you. My mom had one years ago that I tried, and it was quite painful (although I'm a real pain weenie, and some areas are better than others), but it gets less painful with regular use and they've probably gotten better since then. I'm not sure, but Eilan might have tried one in the last few years. It'd be a hell of a lot faster than electrolysis, that's for sure!

Good luck with whatever you try, and let us know how it goes!

 

[sunandshadow]

Actually that's exactly the article I read before I posted, lol.

 

[SweetErika]

Actually that's exactly the article I read before I posted, lol.

And that didn't dissuade you?

 

[sunandshadow]

And that didn't dissuade you?

I read the tips on how to do it and the common problems people have. The kit they are talking about does seem to actually work, provided the person is well-hydrated and dips their fingers in salt water. The major hazard seems to be burns, and I will follow the advice to insulate all but the tip of the probe to reduce the risk of that. I have ridiculous amounts of patience, so as long as I can actually tolerate the pain I don't forsee any major problems.

 

[fire_breeze]

One of my co-workers bought a set, and said "never again". The pain, the costs, the ineffectiveness, and the damage (she didn't specify) made her say it wasn't worth the extra money saved.

 

[SweetErika]

One of my co-workers bought a set, and said "never again". The pain, the costs, the ineffectiveness, and the damage (she didn't specify) made her say it wasn't worth the extra money saved.

Yep, that's what I've heard!

The article makes a good point: if you have that much spare time (like 100 hours to remove a man's beard), you could get a part-time job, pay for the hair removal (I'm not sure, but laser may actually be cheaper, more effective and less painful than electrolysis when time vs. cost is analyzed, now or in the near future) and still have money and time left over! That made me think, and realize a lot of things are the same way.

 

[sunandshadow]

Yep, that's what I've heard!

The article makes a good point: if you have that much spare time (like 100 hours to remove a man's beard), you could get a part-time job, pay for the hair removal (I'm not sure, but laser may actually be cheaper, more effective and less painful than electrolysis when time vs. cost is analyzed, now or in the near future) and still have money and time left over! That made me think, and realize a lot of things are the same way.

Aren't you leaving out that fact that with professional treatments you'd still have to spend hours laying there having it done? But anyway, the gizmo is already paid for and due to be shipped. I plucked all the hair off my left foot because the electrolysis is most effective on hair in the regrowth phase. I'm going to see what kind of wires I have in my basement because the comments I read about converting the probe to be controlled by a sponge switch sound like it will make it way easier to use. I've got the salt, electrical tape, rubbing alcohol, clear nailpolish, fine sandpaper, and I think I have a sponge somewhere. I don't have a magnifier, I'll try to find one next weekend after a trial run.

Basically, I'm intelligent, patient, researching good technique, and I have experience working with tools like this and small details; if other people have made this work for them, there's no reason I can't do the same.

 

[A_Day_Dreamer]

Aren't you leaving out that fact that with professional treatments you'd still have to spend hours laying there having it done? But anyway, the gizmo is already paid for and due to be shipped. I plucked all the hair off my left foot because the electrolysis is most effective on hair in the regrowth phase. I'm going to see what kind of wires I have in my basement because the comments I read about converting the probe to be controlled by a sponge switch sound like it will make it way easier to use. I've got the salt, electrical tape, rubbing alcohol, clear nailpolish, fine sandpaper, and I think I have a sponge somewhere. I don't have a magnifier, I'll try to find one next weekend after a trial run.

Basically, I'm intelligent, patient, researching good technique, and I have experience working with tools like this and small details; if other people have made this work for them, there's no reason I can't do the same.

Good luck to you.

 

[greeneyed_Lady]

Just a quick note... electrolysis isn't permanent... at least not with ONE treatment. I have had some done, and after a year of having the same area treated stopped spending the money. Yes, there was a change in the hair (lighter, less coarse) but the hair was still growing. And I'm talking about going every 3-4 wks for treatments. It was not pleasant in the best of cases and I can deal with pain fairly well.

What they do... insert a needle deep into the hair folicle (unpleasant), run an electric current thru the needle (and essentially your body, not pleasant at all, but localized to where the needle is inserted), and then pluck out the hair with tweezers (definite ouchie in places). If the hair doesn't slide out easily the first time, the process is repeated.

 

[bailadora]

I would have never thought home waxing would be a good idea, but my massage therapist has been doing herself and her partners and friends for years with fantastic results. She uses THIS hard wax in a professional warmer/melter, and said it's really easy and she has almost no hair left now, so I'm going to give it a try soon.

Oh - please post your results once you have tried it. I'm still looking for an alternative to shaving. I tried the NADS brand at home, and it hurt like crazy (and that was just on my legs.) I can't imagine using it in more intimate areas.

 

[sunandshadow]

Yeah I'll report back when I finally get to try it out - post office tracking thingy says my local post office got the package 2 days ago, but it hasn't shown up in my mail today so I have to wait till monday.

Electrolysis is supposed to be permanent though - if it wasn't they either weren't doing it right, or if you have curly hair it supposedly doesn't work well on curly hair.

 

[SweetErika]

Oh - please post your results once you have tried it. I'm still looking for an alternative to shaving. I tried the NADS brand at home, and it hurt like crazy (and that was just on my legs.) I can't imagine using it in more intimate areas.

Will do. I don't have any illusions of it not being painful, but if all else fails, it'll tickle my sadistic side to use it on Hubby.

I'll probably get it today, since there's a store nearby and we're going panty shopping anyway. Hopefully I'll have something to report by Monday.

 

[bailadora]

Will do. I don't have any illusions of it not being painful, but if all else fails, it'll tickle my sadistic side to use it on Hubby.

I'll probably get it today, since there's a store nearby and we're going panty shopping anyway. Hopefully I'll have something to report by Monday.

Many thanks! I'm under no illusions that it would be pain free, but egads the Nads was just about beyond the pale (and this from a woman who went through child birth drug free).

 

[fire_breeze]

Oh - please post your results once you have tried it. I'm still looking for an alternative to shaving. I tried the NADS brand at home, and it hurt like crazy (and that was just on my legs.) I can't imagine using it in more intimate areas.

I've been home waxing for years (legs) and couldn't be happier. I buy those prewaxed strips and in 20 - 30 minutes, I'm done - my legs stays smooth for about 2-3 weeks. In addition, I've been noticing less hair, which is always nice.

One thing I would recommend though, is if you never waxed before (legs or otherwise), get it done professionally once or twice and then buy a home kit. It may take you some time to find one that works for you, but it's so completely worth it.

End hijack

 

[greeneyed_Lady]

Yeah I'll report back when I finally get to try it out - post office tracking thingy says my local post office got the package 2 days ago, but it hasn't shown up in my mail today so I have to wait till monday.

Electrolysis is supposed to be permanent though - if it wasn't they either weren't doing it right, or if you have curly hair it supposedly doesn't work well on curly hair.

Supposed to be doesn't mean it is. The lady who did mine has tried three different ways of doing it on me over the year and even she said that the folicle might go dormant, but become active again many years down the road.

*shrugs*

I agree with going to a pro a couple of times before attempting to do it on your own (where waxing is concerned). I've been working on teaching my boy how to do it (he's gotten tired of hearing me bitch about the expense) and I went out and bought 3 different home kits to try.. stripless, sugaring, and wax used with strips. Turns out that a kit I already had, but didn't want to use 'cause it stinks, is the one that worked best for us. And I have been to see my lady for *touch ups* after I've let him loose on me. There is definitely a technique to it, and I would like to drag him along with me the next time I go so that he can learn what it is. I think he bounces around from spot to spot instead of working one area until it's clean like she does. Oooo.. it's like eating at a fancy restaurant where they have 3 forks, 3 knives and 3 spoons on the table. Start on the outside and work your way inwards!!! HOT DAMN I'll have to tell him that...

 

[SweetErika]

I've been home waxing for years (legs) and couldn't be happier. I buy those prewaxed strips and in 20 - 30 minutes, I'm done - my legs stays smooth for about 2-3 weeks. In addition, I've been noticing less hair, which is always nice.

One thing I would recommend though, is if you never waxed before (legs or otherwise), get it done professionally once or twice and then buy a home kit. It may take you some time to find one that works for you, but it's so completely worth it.

End hijack

Or not!

Can you find the strips you use online? Do you buy them online, or at a drugstore, or beauty supply? I tried some drugstore strips many years ago, and that was my first and last experience with waxing to date. I only reconsidered after talking to my massage therapist, who said she had absolutely no problem getting great results from a hard (strip-free) wax right from the start. Anyway, I know waxing products vary greatly, so I'd be interested in getting an idea of what's working for you and seeing if I can find the same or something comparable here.

Bailadora, as it turns out, the place I was going to buy the hard wax was overcharging significantly, so I didn't get it this weekend. I'll go look at a different store in the next couple of days and report back when I know more.

 

[Eilan]

You could also try an epilator, which is an electrical device that yanks the hair out. I think they even have them at Walmart and other mass merchandisers, so you could return it if it didn't work for you. My mom had one years ago that I tried, and it was quite painful (although I'm a real pain weenie, and some areas are better than others), but it gets less painful with regular use and they've probably gotten better since then. I'm not sure, but Eilan might have tried one in the last few years. It'd be a hell of a lot faster than electrolysis, that's for sure!

I had a couple of Epiladies in the early 1990's. My first one broke when I got the hair on my head tangled up in it but the second one held up pretty well. Epilators do become less painful with use, but after I stopped using it, it took me a year to get rid of all the ingrown hairs!

I don't have any recent epilator experience, though.

 

[fire_breeze]

Or not!

Can you find the strips you use online? Do you buy them online, or at a drugstore, or beauty supply? I tried some drugstore strips many years ago, and that was my first and last experience with waxing to date. I only reconsidered after talking to my massage therapist, who said she had absolutely no problem getting great results from a hard (strip-free) wax right from the start. Anyway, I know waxing products vary greatly, so I'd be interested in getting an idea of what's working for you and seeing if I can find the same or something comparable here.

Bailadora, as it turns out, the place I was going to buy the hard wax was overcharging significantly, so I didn't get it this weekend. I'll go look at a different store in the next couple of days and report back when I know more.

I've been waxing since I was about 16, going to a professional, and then when I went to uni, I decided to spend my money elsewhere , so I started home waxing. I buy these at the local pharmacy (making sure it's the green wax, the pink one is terrible) or their website, and it costs about 10$, lasting about 2, 3 leg waxes. The key is to heat the strips as per instructions, and press hard onto the skin, rubbing a few times and rip it quickly. Because I was waxed professionally, I suppose my skin got use to it, and it doesn't really hurt (except for two places). Friends who tried self waxing without getting waxed first said the first two times hurt like no tomorrow, and then no problem. I just bought this, which is microwaveable, and doesn't have any strips. I'll let you know tomorrow how it works.

What I really like about waxing strips is that I can bring them everywhere. Whenever I go somewhere for an extended period of time, I can bring them with me, and voila, no razors, and smooth legs. Also, it's not messy and it's quick. I usually wax while watching TV...

I hope it helped, despite my rambling

 

[SweetErika]

I've been waxing since I was about 16, going to a professional, and then when I went to uni, I decided to spend my money elsewhere , so I started home waxing. I buy these at the local pharmacy (making sure it's the green wax, the pink one is terrible) or their website, and it costs about 10$, lasting about 2, 3 leg waxes. The key is to heat the strips as per instructions, and press hard onto the skin, rubbing a few times and rip it quickly. Because I was waxed professionally, I suppose my skin got use to it, and it doesn't really hurt (except for two places). Friends who tried self waxing without getting waxed first said the first two times hurt like no tomorrow, and then no problem. I just bought this, which is microwaveable, and doesn't have any strips. I'll let you know tomorrow how it works.

What I really like about waxing strips is that I can bring them everywhere. Whenever I go somewhere for an extended period of time, I can bring them with me, and voila, no razors, and smooth legs. Also, it's not messy and it's quick. I usually wax while watching TV...

I hope it helped, despite my rambling

Yes, that does help! We have Veet and Nair products here, so I'll take a look at what the selection looks like.

I'll be curious to see whether you like the strips or hard wax (I'm assuming that's what it is) better.

Have you done your pubic hair?

 

[fire_breeze]

Yes, that does help! We have Veet and Nair products here, so I'll take a look at what the selection looks like.

I'll be curious to see whether you like the strips or hard wax (I'm assuming that's what it is) better.

Have you done your pubic hair?

I've just finished the hard waxing, and I must say that out of the two, I preferred the strips. Perhaps it is the tub I bought, but I had trouble heating it to the right consistency, and it cooled very quickly. It was a little messy, but nothing unmanageable. It took longer than the strips, and because I had trouble with the rapid cooling, I couldn't get the wax as thin as I would have liked, so I ended up using too much. What I did enjoy was the feeling of the warm wax on my skin. I usually like to give it another try, though, from a different brand. I wish they haven't discontinued my favourite brand, though, which was a combination of the heated wax with cloth strips provided.

I have done my pubic hair, using strips, but it took a long time and I'm not the world's best contortionist, so for the past several months, I've went to get my Brazilian done by a professional. The money spent is worth the time saved and the quality of the waxing.

 

[matureprofiles]

I think for $10 you are more likely to get an electrocution device. I my self am thinking of getting laser hair removal eventually, i have hair every where and hate it, other than the way it looks(like I am the missing link) it is also uncomfortable as it gets to an 1" or longer, it even grows on the shaft of my dick all the way up, not thick yet, but long, (I guess it is sort of like a french tickler). I hate the shit especially now it is growing more on my back and ass and shit man, it needs to stay on my head and face.

 

[sunandshadow]

Well the post office finally got its act together and delivered my kit about 5 days after the online notification thing told me the local post office had it. I opened it up - one tip was bent to hell but it comes with a spare and the other was fine. I made the recommended modifications, partially insulating the tip and making a switch out of a sponge. Somehow none of the websites mentioned how ear-piercing the tone it makes is. It did not really hurt, just sort of pinched like if I was tugging on a hair with a tweezers. It was extremely difficult to get the probe into a hair follicle and then hold it steady there for 15 seconds. I must have been doing something wrong though, because although I could feel the current, it seemed to have no effect at all on the hairs, they were not loose afterwards and no smoke or anything came out. I'll have to go read all the online tips again and try to figure out what I was doing wrong. I tried it at 0, 1, and 2, but maybe the battery it came with is half dead and I just need to try a higher setting. But, first I'll wait and see if there are any ill effects from this attempt.