Evelyn Webb wants her clients to
look beautiful. And she wants them to have the confidence of knowing that the beauty will
be permanent. The woman's age status or physical characteristics make no difference.
Webb, a board-certified hypertrichologist removes unwanted
hair, applies "permanent" eyebrows, eyeliner or lip liner. She also offers
customized facials.
Webb's Simsbury business, called "About That Hair,
LLC" has been in the Farmington Valley for six years. “Unwanted hair can appear
for a variety of reasons," said Webb, a Marlborough resident. "High testosterone
levels will keep producing more thick, dark hair. Birth control pills will help,
sometimes." She says that the three most problematic times for hair growth is
puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. "It stimulates hair growth, depending on how your
body accepts the change. There are different stations in your life where the glands come
into play. You could have an imbalance in your system, and then, unwanted growth. You
should find out why you have that excess hair growth. I can’t diagnose a problem,
but; I can suggest an endocrinologist. Electrolysis will help the hair disappear after the
right medication is taken. Even stress can promote hair growth."
Dr. Brian Michael of Avon has practiced endocrinology in
the Farmington Valley for 21 years. Michael says that there are a couple of major causes
for facial hair growth in women.
"With hormone secretion it's very rare that you see a
tumor but when they're present, they're serious." he said. "Usually when you see
this type of hair growth ? and excess body hair it's due to a slight imbalance that can
cause overproduction of male hormones from the ovaries, and sometimes from the adrenal
glands. That's most common. There are a number of medications that are useful. We work to
find out if the problem is serious; usually it's not. We have medication that lowers the
male hormone production for adrenal glands. Some medications make the hair follicle less
sensitive to hormonal stimulation. Now there is a new medication that is applied
topically."
"This medication debuted in Europe; it's brand new to
the USA," Michael said. "It came out several weeks ago; it seems to work
well." He also confirmed that the supplement DHEA could cause excess body hair,
"especially in fair skinned people."
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Webb
asks her clients to fill out a form listing all medications presently being taken
and a questionnaire detailing their needs in this area. Webb says that factors
contributing to unwanted facial hair are medication, supplements, pregnancy, and other
types of hormonal changes. The only real pain is the masculine characteristic that it
implies.
Most women just tweeze the hair, but it always comes back.
Waxing is another option but, again, this is not a permanent solution. The most recent
hair removal process is laser hair removal. According "to Dr. Cyrus Chess of Norwalk,
laser hair removal is "not permanent."
For the past century, electrolysis has been shown to be a
permanent method of hair removal. Hair can be removed from the hairline, eyebrows, top of
nose, cheeks, sideburn area, upper arid lower lip. In many instances hair has been removed
from the back and bikini area. Evelyn had her underarms done ("it really is a
luxury.") She finds that she doesn't have to use deodorant, now (although some people
still do.) Men come in for problem back hair; older men have nose and ear hair removed;
and a man had his eyebrow done because he had a scar there.
Vicki Saunders, 43, feels that electrolysis should come
out of the closet. It has the stigma of embarrassment... While having coffee with a group
of girls they will skirt the issue without really talking about it. If Saunders is the
first to bring it up suddenly, everyone begins to contribute. She has been going to Webb
for three years and she is pleased with the results.
Saunders was also impressed with the cleanliness. She said
that she has gone to someone else before coming to Webb's office.
"It just wasn't as clean, there. This
is an invasive
process. If you don't feel comfortable with the person that's doing it - don't stay!"
she advised.
Saunders also complemented Webb on being a stellar
businesswoman. "She's always on time for an appointment. You are never left sitting
in the waiting room for 15 or 20 minutes."
Alison Wilson of Simsbury has no problem with
electrolysis. She is comfortable on the table and happy with the results. "I was
surprised that it doesn't hurt - sometimes I fall asleep," said Wilson. describes the
tiny probe as delivering a buzzing (tingling) sensation. Webb say that everyone
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has a different perception of this hair removal.
Some experience some level of discomfort while others do not. Permanent makeup is another
matter. Tattoo applications include permanent eyebrows. Last April Pauline Smalley had he
own eyebrows for the first time in her life.
"This is the best thing that I have ever
done for
myself... well, after having my six kids!" said Smalley The New Hartford woman, 65,
now has "permanent" eyebrows where there were none. "I never, had any eyebrows - they were white since I was a 12 year old. I used a #2 pencil. Evelyn did a
fabulous job. I put on moisturizer and lipstick and go."
"I'm very proud of my new brows," she said.
"I was amazed at how it did not hurt and I'm petrified of needles."
When Pauline's son was married this year at Cypress
Gardens, she felt confident that her eyebrows wouldn't "melt off' with the
perspiration that accompanies Florida's heat and humidity. "I should've had this done
years ago," she said.
Serious disfigurements and difficulties resulting from
medical problems can also be addressed with a permanent cosmetic solution. Those with
Alopecia (absence of hair) can have eyebrows and liner done. Areola restoration following
cosmetic surgery can make the breasts look natural. Skin repigmentation to restore or
enhance areas that have lost their natural skin tones is another possibility. An eyebrow
permanently damaged by, for example, a car accident can be filled in to bring back its
former natural curve.
Webb takes her work seriously and administers these
"tattoos" carefully. She does a test patch first, then has the client choose
from a variety of soft, natural colors. To insure uniformity, she has them return
for a touch-up, if necessary. She can make the enhancement as light or dark as the
client wishes. An office booklet of before and after results features photos that were
approved by clients.
Allergy sufferers who have runny eyes that ruin their
makeup and arthritic hands are others who may benefit from permanent cosmetic application.
Webb feels that younger people like to change their
"look" frequently, so permanent makeup decisions should not be made by the very
young.
Asked if she would do permanent makeup on her own
daughter, Webb replied, "Yes. But not until she's 30. By then, you are more set in
your ways, and apply makeup the same way on a daily basis." |
