The bearded lady

My understanding is that hair grows on a six week cycle, so once it has been treated on a number of different weeks it will all have been hit. Laser is long lasting but not permanent, electrolysis is supposed to be permanent.

I think it is likely I would be having one hour sessions, as otherwise there would be a very large number of sessions. It's probably going to be early in the New Year when I'm feeling well enough to go ahead.

MaryXYX Electrolysis is permanent but you have to realise that as we get older as one set of coarse hairs is zapped another collection of fine hairs is waiting to become coarse, not as a result of the electrolysis, but as part of the natural aging progress and we have an awful lot of hair follicles on our faces

I started electrolysis at 40. I am now 71 and still need a 10 minute electrolysis session every few months. Admittedly I have a fine head of dark hair, which means I tend to have a fine crop of dark hair on my face as well. Untreated I would probably have a beard to rival my husband's by now.

As it is for the first two years I had electrolysis, I had a session every week. Gradually it spaced out, every fortnight then every month. For the last 20 years it has been about four or five times a year, it goes in fits and starts.

I would be very unwilling to pay upfront for 10 hours. Let alone have one hour sessions. When I started I had 15 minute sessions, but soon cut it down to 10 minutes. It can be quite painful, lots of little prickles rather than a great howl. I would start by having a few short sessions, 10 - 15 minutes and see how you get on before committing to one hour sessions.

Having made all these provisos, I have never regretted starting, and continuing, with electrolysis. I started finding coarse hairs on my chin in my late teens and by the time I started electrolysis at 40 I was 'veet'ing my moustache twice a week. If you do have a lot of coarse dark hairs it is the answer.

I'll have a consultation first, and then probably go for upper lip treatment. If I like the results I would be thinking of having the rest of the face done. At the moment I shave every day and also use Eflora cream, which is quite effective at reducing regrowth.

The hospital did write to my GP saying I should be sent for facial hair removal on the NHS. I got the predictable response from my local NHS trust - "We don't pay for that here". Postcode lottery again.

Yes, you'd probably get it on the NHS if you were being detained at Her Maj's Pleasure, too, Mary!

Good luck - I do hope it's successful and not too painful

maryxyx IPL type laser treatment is more effective (other brands are probably available) and less painful but it is more expensive than electrolysis.

It only really works well on dark hairs though. I have had electrolysis for a number of years and I have no doubt it has made a big difference in terms of being a permanent improvement.

I have spells of monthly electrolysis treatment now as the individual offenders are too sparse to make laser treatment worth while.

Good luck MaryXYZ

Just popped back to say that I'm very impressed with my Wizzit after a few weeks. It doesn't hurt and really works well.

Glad you find it as good as I do, Lona!

You've just reminded me I must have a quick go with it tonight as I won't have time tomorrow with DD and the GDs coming for Sunday lunch...