Electrolysis of Chin Area - My Story

Hi everyone,
My main reason for completing this review is because I have encountered some charlatans in my quest to remove my facial hair, and want to prevent others from experiencing the same thing. Hopefully, the more informed you are about electrolysis, the more likely it is to be successfully treated. In a nutshell, I am 32 years old and have experienced facial hair on my chin and upper lip for several years. Initially, I just plucked the area and kind of ignored it. I can't really pinpoint when it became an issue for me, but it seemed to get significantly worse at some point and I decided to do something about it. I had also entered a new relationship and I kind of felt like I was hiding something from my partner by plucking my chin! I am a redhead so unable to seek laser treatment. I do not have PCOS (that I'm aware of) but have experienced significant stress and thyroid issues during my life, which I assume may be the reason for my excessive facial hair. I am absolutely sure hormones play a massive role in this, but haven't yet had this checked out.
I sought treatment in the North of England, and found a woman who operated from her salon at home. She had been trained in Sterex. I pursued treatment for around 18 months, with one session a week. We became good friends and she charged me only £10 for a half hour session. To be entirely honest, I don't think she was aware that it wasn't working or consciously trying to rip me off, but in that 18 month period, the hair didn't really change. The growth may have slowed down a bit, but not substantially. The treatment was quite weak and I never really felt anything, other than on my upper lip. My skin was in a decent condition afterwards, despite some mild redness, and I was able to put on some makeup and go back to work with no one batting an eyelid.
When I moved near London, I had to cease treatment with her, and it wasn't long before I realised that her treatment had made no difference to my facial hair whatsoever. Since I started treatment, I hadn't had a full week go by without having electrolysis. However, now that I was no longer having weekly sessions, I saw the full extent of my facial hair. If I shaved in the morning, it would be bristly by evening and the following day was quite visible (to me at least). As a result, I sought an electrologist in the area. I went to one who charged significantly more than my previous one (around £55 for an hour). She wasn't rude exactly, but was shocked at the condition of my skin and said that my previous electrologist had ruined my chin and made the situation worse with her treatment, and the aftercare advice she had given me (to shave between sessions). She urged me to find out this girl's credentials and sue her! In addition, the treatment was extraordinarily painful and I left with an extremely swollen skin and tiny whiteheads all over my face. It wasn't a pleasant experience in the slightest and I couldn't imagine repeating it. The woman was vehemently angry about my previous treatment and didn't stop going on about it, which made me feel pretty hopeless.
So, that was about 2 months ago and I had resigned myself to daily shaving and just putting a brave face on. That worked for a while, and then last week I stayed at my boyfriend's house (a rarity) and was conscious that if I shaved at night, in the morning the hair would be bristly. It was a horrible feeling, that I am doomed to have facial hair forever and for a few days, I felt quite down about it. I decided to look into other specialists in the area and came across a salon that did it. I thought, despite my previous negative experiences, I would give the salon a shot and if it didn't work out, I'd continue shaving.
I went along to the salon on Friday, and the experience was much more positive than the two previously. The girl was so kind, and I told her about my previous experiences. She didn't gawp in shock about my story, but she did say that after 18 months of treatment, she would have expected to see a significant change, if not total eradication of the hair. The treatment itself lasted an hour and she cleared the chin area (but didn't touch the upper lip. Not sure why). Her treatment felt less abrasive than the last session I'd had, but I still left feeling swollen and red. I wore a thick scarf and trotted home. I didn't leave my room that evening, or the next morning, and finally braved it last night. My skin had swollen quite significantly and was tender to touch, as if it was filled with fluids. Luckily it has calmed down a bit now. I have exfoliated and applied aloe vera often. There has been no hair regrowth in the treated areas, though I have noticed a few hairs spouting on my jawline, where she didn't treat. I have booked another appointment later this week and will sign up to a 10-session course (10 x 30 minute treatments).
I am hopeful that with time, money and perseverence, I will tackle this issue once and for all. I understand how difficult facial hair is for women, and how it can cause a big dent in self-confidence. My intention in documenting my journey is to let you know what to expect from a course of electrolysis and show/ describe my results as honestly as I can. Hopefully from the above story, it is clear that sometimes you need to do a bit of shopping around in order to find a good practioner with a decent bedside manner! Please feel free to ask any questions and I will try my best to answer them xx

Hi everyone,
I thought I'd send an update of my progression with electrolysis so far. I have now had a total of three treatments. I know some people have them on a weekly basis but I am aiming for one per month for a couple of reasons: it is financially quite a big commitment and it involves some down-time as I have found the area to be quite red and swollen afterwards for at least a couple of days, and I am quite self-conscious about this!
After my first session, the hair definitely started growing back slower, lighter and thinner. I went to my second session and it took only 20 minutes for the full chin area. However, my optimism was short-lived as hair grows in cycles, and it started to grow back faster, thicker and darker again shortly afterwards (I am assured this is nothing to be concerned about). I was back to shaving every second day for the past month. Any less than this, and I felt the hair was noticeable if you looked really close and the area was bristly.
I had my third appointment yesterday. My partner is away over the weekend so I thought this would be a good opportunity to get it done. We see each other every day (give or take) so it is difficult to have an appointment and then have to explain why my chin is suddenly so swollen! I think there is only so many times I can use the 'I had an allergic reaction' answer, and I would rather not admit that I actually have a beard that rivals my boyfriend!! Anyway, the electrologist put the machine a little higher than previously. It hurt but I got used to it quickly, and was actually glad it was a little higher. The session took about 40 minutes and my skin was red afterwards, as you can see from the photo. I was pleased I'd parked so nearby and it's getting darker earlier, so I could head to the car and not get any weird looks!
I put aloe on my skin a couple of times last night and am spending today resting and drinking lots of water. Today the skin is more swollen and pus has risen to the surface (pic 2). I'm not concerned as this has happened before, but I think I'll put some coconut oil on it tonight and hope it looks more socially acceptable tomorrow! I will update on how the hair is progressing soon...