TESTIMONIALS

“I’ve had excessive facial hair since my teens. In my early twenties, I remember I was at a makeup counter in a drugstore and the saleslady made a comment about me being so young and having so much facial hair. For the past 40+ years I’ve felt embarrassed and hopeless about being able to do anything about this problem. For years I used to tweeze (as much as I could) the hairs in my chin, sitting in front of a mirror with 10x magnification, and spending 15 -20 minutes every morning going through this depressing part of my morning makeup routine. Eventually even after tweezing it was obvious (I could feel the hairs) that there was no way I could get rid of all the hairs by tweezing, so I started shaving, every single morning. If I was going out in the evening, I would shave again. Even with all this shaving, I still felt terribly self-conscious and afraid that people who stood close to me (like in elevators) would be able to notice my “embarrassing problem.” I didn’t know anybody as young as me who had this much facial hair. Sure, I’ve heard many jokes about old ladies with facial hair, but I was only in my late twenties and early thirties!

I consulted with dermatologists, gynecologists and endocrinologists. Nobody had a good explanation, other than to tell me that this problem was because I came from “southern European stock”, where apparently it’s common for women to have excessive facial hair. None of the doctors had any real solutions. They prescribed creams that were supposed to reduce the amount of facial hair, but nothing worked. I tried electrolysis for a while in my thirties but saw no improvement after multiple sessions.

Then the “new big thing” that came around was the use of lasers. I was so excited that finally “something” would work for me. I went to one of the places that offered laser treatments (under the direction of a plastic surgeon), and spent quite a bit of money on about 8 sessions of laser. At the end of the 8 sessions, even though I had no grey hairs yet, there was barely any reduction of facial hair, and in addition to that, anytime I had a treatment my face looked burned and was peeling for days. The aestheticians could offer no explanation for the failure of the treatments. I had to continue shaving. Years later I tried laser again, at another laser treatment center. I figured that maybe there had been some improvements in the technology after five or six years. Again, after 8 or 9 sessions, there was no improvement and no explanation as to why it didn’t work. So I figured I was stuck shaving forever.

Then several years ago my sister, who has the same problem as I do, had electrolysis (not in Raleigh) and had great success controlling the problem. I decided to give it a try again. I interviewed several electrologists in the Raleigh area and was ready to begin treatment, when I came to Melissa at Elite. From my first interaction with her, it was obvious to me that she cared deeply and that she seemed much more knowledgeable and optimistic about being able to help me than the others I had interviewed. From the beginning, I felt real hope that I had found someone who would be able to actually help me reduce the amount of facial hair I had by this point in my life (early sixties). She suggested that we start out with laser, to eliminate as many of the dark hairs as possible, and only later switch to electrolysis for the grey hairs. So I’ve been on this road with Melissa for quite a while now, and all I can say is that I’m constantly amazed that I’m finally seeing the “light at the end of the tunnel.” After a number of sessions of laser and then electrolysis, every time I touch my face and it feels smooth, I am so grateful that I found Melissa. I truly never thought this would be possible for me. I still have a ways to go, but I’ve come so far and intend to continue working with Melissa as long as it takes. I now know this is real and definitely possible, in spite of the previous failures and the hopelessness I felt. I know that the day will come when I will be able to stand close to another person and not feel like I have to “casually” put my hand over my face to cover my embarrassment. This could never have happened if I hadn’t found Elite and Melissa. I couldn’t be happier with the results.

Ginny
March 6, 2013

“I’ve been working with Melissa for the past 3+ years, and it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. After suffering with excessive and dark facial hair since my early twenties (I’m in my late sixties now), and after having tried electrolysis and laser treatments with no success, I don’t really know why I decided to try looking for help “one more time.” I had been so disappointed with the lack of results in the past, but somehow I didn’t give up, and I’m so glad I didn’t! From the time I first met with Melissa, I felt hopeful that we’d be able to tackle this project, because she seemed so confident and so sure that this would work for me. And it certainly has! After initial laser treatments to deal with the dark hairs and then bi-weekly sessions of electrolysis to treat the grey hairs, I’m at the point now where I only need to see Melissa every couple of months, for 15 minutes maximum. I still can’t believe it! Every morning when I don’t have to shave seems like a miracle to me. I couldn’t be happier with the results. If someone reading this has tried everything else and has lost hope that there’s help out there, please give Melissa a try. You won’t regret it. The treatments with Melissa have changed my life and the way I feel about myself. If someone considering laser and electrolysis would like to chat with me personally, Melissa has my permission to have that person contact me."

Ginny
January 28, 2016

“I wanted to express my gratitude for your professional advice. Unfortunately, I have been doing electrolysis for 12 years now. I have been to four different offices and had never been advised that the blend method has been shown to be more effective. After you explained the difference between blend and thermolysis, I choose to try the blend. I have been coming to you for less than a year now and my appointments have been decreased from every two weeks to once every four to six weeks. I am really just coming for a very light treatment these days. When I think of the wasted money it is hard not to contact the other offices that I have been to and complain. I am glad that I found someone who is up to date on the best technology available.

Thank you for your advice and professionalism.”

Monica

“I'm so excited to tell everyone how effective electrolysis treatments have been for me. I had been having electronic tweezer sessions which I was led to believe was a permanent hair remover. Well after 1 ½ years of sessions the hair was still growing back as though no treatments were being done. I came to Melissa a year ago and after three sessions; I saw a significant amount of hair reduction. I have been coming to Melissa for a year now and I only come in for about twenty to thirty minutes once every three weeks and the sessions are still becoming less. Just a last note, Melissa is a professional, and she is extremely knowledgeable in her field of expertise (electrolysis and laser procedures).”

Vivian

“I cannot explain how happy I am since retaining the services of Melissa Brown. I constantly picked at my chin, trying to remove my unwanted hair. It was coarse and would grow back thicker. Little did I know that I was doing more harm than good. My visits with Melissa began approximately 10 months ago and I truly see this as an investment in myself. I no longer realize a problem existed. My chin hairs are so fine and almost non-existent; I forget that I should have hair there! Once we conquered my chin, we moved to my eyebrows! I never have to worry about plucking and shaping my eyebrows ever again! Melissa comes highly recommended in my book and I am a strong believer in electrolysis.”

Nicole Russell

“I was really hesitant about getting electrolysis because I thought it would be very painful and no more effective than waxing. When I went to see Melissa for my initial consultation, I was extremely nervous but was immediately relieved when Melissa took her time to simply explain the electrolysis process. She was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and receptive to my questions and concerns. I have been going to see Melissa for over two months now and have been extremely satisfied with her services. I can noticeably tell that my hair growth is significantly reduced after each treatment. Other people have noticed the difference as well. In fact, I was recently at a wedding and referred three of my relatives to Melissa. Two of the three have already had initial consultations and can't wait to get started. I will be finished with my treatments very soon, but think I will have electrolysis on another part of my body because it's relaxing and addictive!”

Anonymous

“Perhaps the best testimonial that I can give to Melissa at Elite Electrolysis is to not compare her with others. Before happening upon her I had tried one other electrologist and one other laser technician. Both were highly "recommended"? To be honest, I felt cheated. After spending a considerable amount of money I found myself not much better off than when I had started. I had despaired of ever accomplishing my goal.

In the few months that I have been seeing Melissa, I can see not only progress, but remarkable progress. Large areas have been cleared and the regrowth has been minimal and easily dispatched. My attitude has improved and I can see that there will be an end to the treatments. That is why it is impossible to make a comparison. I can't say that she has cleared twice the area or three times the area because until I began treatment with her, NO area had been cleared. Therefore, it would be unfair to her to compare her to the others that I have tried.

When I first met Melissa she laid out a course of treatment for me, explaining what I could expect and what I shouldn't. She went through what she was doing and why and she answered every question as honestly as she could, even when she knew that it was not what I wanted to hear. So as someone who has tried others, I can honestly state without any hesitation that I am extremely happy that I found her and would give her my highest recommendation, which I do every week when I schedule another appointment with her.

Because I place little credence in "blind" testimonials, but understanding the need for privacy with such treatment, I have given Melissa permission to give out my email address at her discretion. Feel free to contact me and rest assured that I will treat your contact with the same confidence that I would expect you to treat mine.”

Ed