Sensitive subject. Facial waxing, what should I do?

[Faylizzie]

Hi all,

Sorry this is a long one

I popped round to see a lady earlier as she wanted to book in for facial waxing but the way see described it I asked if i could see her first.

So went round, she explained that she used to have her chin waxed but after having children she got out of the habit an has been shaving it every day for the last 12 years an now she's had enough.

She hasn't shaved since Monday so I could seethe growth, she was diagnosed years ago with PCOS an the doctors said this was probably why she had the excess hair an that she'd just have to live with it.

Today she completely broke down in hysterical tears to me saying no one not even her family knew how much she suffered an she hasn't left the house since Monday as she doesn't want people to stare. She was so emotional it was extremely hard to see someone like this.

The hair growth is like a males facial hair, quite thick and is all over her chin, neck, cheeks and the side of her face up to her hairline.

She's had several courses of laser no luck, and also electrolysis also no luck. She wants to start waxing again an get back into the habit, the hair isn't long enough to be waxed at the moment and because its so corse I don't know if waxing would be right of if I can wax it?

Can I wax it?

She doesn't want to go back to the doctors again as every time they've told her basically that she doesn't qualify for any help/treatment? And it gets harder an harder for her emotionally to be told they can't do anything to help.
I was also wondering what the doctors could do to help? What treatment should she be asking for?

What can I do to help this lady? She's so so lovely an I don't want to tell her I can't help her. she's 40 an has suffered since 11 with this in silence.

The doctors aren't aware of how much emotionally this is effecting her and her life. I've told her she should tell them but she said she can't talk to someone she knows will just knock her back again she said she can't cope with it all an is at her wits end. Could I write to her doctor an explain how much this is effecting her?

I really really don't know what I could/should do to help her.

I've never seen hair growth as bad as this. She said if I can't help her by Saturday she's going to save it as she's going out and can't bare it.

Please help me with what I can do/advise her to help!!

Thank you

Xxxx

 

[Lynne Baker]

Poor woman.

Firstly, I'm astonished that electrolysis hasn't helped. I treat lots of PCOS clients with very good results.

It is not your place to write to her GP. If she's not happy with their attitude she can ask for a second opinion, or change surgeries.

Yes, you can wax it. I'd use non strip wax on a face, but lots of therapists happily and successfully use strip.

It might be that she does have to shave it for Saturday night, but you can always see her a few days after that to start waxing.

 

[Faylizzie]

Thanks for your reply i was surprised to as electrolysis has helped my best friend amazingly. But she said nothing's helped. I have said to her today about getting a second opinion so hopefully she will as I think this could be causing her to be slightly depressed.

Fab so i would be ok to wax this, Ive got strip an non strip wax so that's fine.

I just wanted to double check I could do this for her as, as i said I've never seen something like this before an want to make sure she gets the best course of action.

I don't do electrolysis so not sure on results etc but do you think if she tried it again with a different therapist it could work? As I've seen amazing results from this an was surprised this didn't help so was wondering are there cases where electrolysis doesn't work?

Xxxxx

 

[Lynne Baker]

I suspect that the wrong modality was used. For tough hair like this blend might be better, but so much depends upon the skill and experience of the electrologist.
I'm treating a transgender man at the moment and having success with micro flash.

 

[lilly104]

The electrolysis should of worked, maby when she had the treatment the method didnt agree with her. has she tried blend, diathermy and galvanic ?
also you cant always catch the hair in the anagen stage of hair growth.
why dont you pluck the hairs out?

 

[xxx]

Surely you would need more thana couple ipl treatments to cure thus as you wouldn't see results straight away?

 

[Faylizzie]

I'm not sure what type of electrolysis she had as I'm not familiar with the treatment I didn't ask, I will ask when I speak to her.

She actually asked me if I couldn't wax it could I pluck the hairs out for her however she has the same amount of hair as what you'd see in a man so think it would take quite some time an be quite painful for her, the hairs are very thick.

Would you think the best COA would be getting her to speak to someone that does electrolysis first then let her decide what she'd like to do? Xxxx

 

[Kim Lawless]

I really feel for this lady but I suspect that maybe she isn't being 100% honest about having laser and electrolysis and neither worked.

I would use hot wax and it will get very short hair out. Also recommend a hair retarding lotion.

I'd tell her to see her doc and insist on help.

 

[purenique]

Try using Lycon lycojet hot wax it gets out stubborn hair growth and even the shortest hairs!

 

[gillian w]

I think she really needs to find a permanent solution.Electrolysis will only work in the right hands with the right machine.I would imagine there is someone in the area that treats transgender clients and would be very experienced in what she needs.
Her doctor may have a list of electrologists or do a search for your area but don't just go for a salon who have therapists who may just be doing it now and again you need to find someone that specialises in it.
You maybe able to contact Apilus or sterex who may have a list of therapists in your area.

 

[Faylizzie]

Thats great thanks for your replies & help ladies! Really appreciate it xxxxx

 

[gillian w]

The Sterex Electrolysis International Ltd website. Providing you with all you need to know about Sterex products, Electrolysis and Epilation as well as current news and articles


http://www.dectro.com/en/locate-a-salon/apilus-centers/international

I would only consider the advanced users and especially those qualified in transgender as her condition is hormonal and strong.

 

[Faylizzie]

Thank you for your help, I'm seeing her this afternoon so will talk to her about all the options available to her and seen where she wants to go for there.

Thank you sooo much guys xxxxxx

 

[gillian w]

If she wants more info on various methods and treatments there is a site and forum for professionals called Hairtell she could google.Its very informative.There is also its sister consumer site hairfacts.

 

[squidgernetball]

I really feel for this lady but I suspect that maybe she isn't being 100% honest about having laser and electrolysis and neither worked.

I would use hot wax and it will get very short hair out. Also recommend a hair retarding lotion.

I'd tell her to see her doc and insist on help.

I have found this. Unfortunately, because of the costs of treatments, people often say they have tried something, but actually haven't allowed it the time/money/commitment required to see the results they hope for (not saying that is the case in this lady's situation). Fingers crossed she gets something sorted!

 

[ukbeauty]

Many many years ago, I treated a lady who shaved twice a day from the base of her neck to the top of her cheeks with short wave diathermy. It took me 2 years to clear the area and it changed her life.
Electrolysis machines have improved greatly since then. I now use the Apilus machine the equipment is fantastic, for hair removal and facial red veins. Having used a wide range of electrolysis machines in the past, I would highly recommend this range.
Your Client needs to find an experienced therapist who can devise a plan of action. It would be wonderful if she could have Laser or IPL first to clear the majority of the hair and then finish with Electrolysis, but if she is unsuitable for IPL/Laser then start Electrolysis asap.

 

[jmd1980]

This is where Salon Geek is just amazing! This lady was lucky in the first instance to find a caring therapist who wants the best course of action for her client. She was lucky in the second instance to find a therapist who uses this site and who has been given a wealth of advice from experts in the field (and all for free I might add). Bravo ladies!

On a technical note I would agree that laser to clear the bulk would be a good option,and any non responsive stubborn follicles could be epilated. However all this depends on the nature and pigment of the hair,and the time and money resources the client has at her disposal.

I think an explanation of all these factors to the client, along with a discussion on timescales and reasonable expectations, will empower her to make a decision about her treatment ASAP.

This WILL change her life, and you have all helped.

J

 

[Faylizzie]

You really have all helped. Im so grateful for this site! I spoke to her yesterday again an did some research an printed off pages an pages of information for her.

So I've left her with all of that an some contacts of places in the area that do laser an electrolysis but have told her she needs to have a look and phone round to get an idea of what they can do to help. She's decided not to go ahead with the waxing at the moment as she doesn't think she can cope with the emotional trauma of having to go days where she's got visible hair.

I think it would be really good for her to see a councillor whilst going through treatment if not before as she's had a breakdown both times I've met with her and it really is an issue that seems to of had a major effect on her that's all come out this week, would I be out of place suggesting this to her? Obviously I'm not qualified to suggest she has any issues but I seem to be the only one shes comfortable talking to about this issue at the moment and know one knows what she's going through with it, not even the doctor so I don't want to be out of place suggesting this to her but I'm really not sure of what I can say as I think it could benefit her a great deal, but obviously I don't want to step out of line.

We spoke again about electrolysis and it was 17 years ago she had it and she had 6 sessions. I explained to her about how much things would of changed since then an that together we will try an find someone that specialises in electrolysis in the south west, so... My next question...

Do any of you lovely ladies/gents know anybody in the Bristol/ North Somerset area that specialises in this? I did a google search but got ever so confused as I'm not familiar with the treatment at all an some of the pages just threw me completely so thought I'd ask you guys?

I can't thank you enough for all your help and advise. My client really appreciates it to! Hopefully we all had a part in changing her life!

Xxxx

 

[ukbeauty]

British Institute & Association of Electrolysis

Here is a link to the British Institute of Electrolysis. You can do a search for your area, which might be a good place to start.
I would recommend your Client speaks to a few different Electrologists/Laser/IPL specialists, as not all Therapists are members, but this is one of the oldest registered bodies.