New Yorker

Hi Susanknows and Arlena Parker, What are the three types of electrolysis? My electrolysist says she uses a "blended" method for my skin because she is worried about marking my skin. I am pretty sure she doesnt use lye, but I should ask her. She seems great and it is working, but I am moving place and am worried about finding another competent person. So I want to know what to look for.

Thank you all who have responded to my original question. I found it all very helpful. Jenny11, I agree most people may in theory prefer LHR or electrolysis, but I think you are missing my point a bit. The problem with the doctor's response is that they suspiciously highlight mostly the advantages of LHR versus the problems with eletrolysis, but not a major caveat---new hair growth from LHR. As someone who has no commerical interest in either, I think everyone should know that LHR has for many many people stimulated new and coarser hair growth, particularly problematic on the face. I only wish that the industry was more regulated. LHR professionals have a strong commerical interest not to tell you all the set backs (also, many of them just plain may not know). But then again, my electrolysist says she doesn't care bc most of her business is from former LHR clients. To me this means that these industries can't be self regulated. I have chosen to avoid LHR on my face because of all the anecdotes I have accumulated. It is in the best interest of the doctors as well to explore this part of the story, so as not to undermine the rest of their guidance. Afterall, I would like the perspective of medical experts I can trust as I pay thousands to zap either laser or electricity on my face. My interest in posting this was to help myself and others, so we can assess when and where to get either treatment. I recommend laser on large areas, like legs, but not neck up. But then again, I am not a medical expert. We ideally need objective experts.

I am undergoing electrolysis treatment right now on my face. Laser seems like a much much easier option, especially because my hair is dark. But I remain very wary. I had laser hair removal on my arms many years ago and some of the regrowth generated a few long dark hairs on my upper arm. I have heard that this is very common with laser surgery but not electrolysis. More troubling is this phenomena for those who do laser surgery versus electrolysis from the neck up...the horror of regrowth in the form of male beard-like patterns! IF ANYONE HAS ANY COMMENTS ON THIS PLEASE EDUCATE ME. I am surprised none of the experts address this issue, so I might be mistaken in some way.