First, a bit of history: I have a face and neck (well actually, also my back, chest, stomach etc too) covered in long vellus hair. My dermatologist describes it as more like lanugo- the hair you usually shed after birth- as none of my vellus hair is shorter than 2mm, even the hair on my forehead. The longest are ¾ of an inch long, and the hairs are pigmented in the areas described as “male pattern”. Based on information posted on this forum, I have embarked on weekly electrolysis (thermolysis) sessions. My first therapist used an old Sterex machine, 1hr per week, working on my entire face (upper lip, lower lip, chin, cheeks, jawline, sideburns) to spread the treatment, and its effects, across the face. After 5 months, I was concerned about damage to my skin, and the treatment I was receiving, so found another practioner, with more than 20 years experience. For the past 9 months, she has been treating me weekly, for no more than 30min per session, with an Apilus Platinum Pure and insulated probes. She alternates sides of my face each week, and treats hair on the chin, upper and lower lip as required.
Problems/questions: When suggesting vellus hair requires weekly treatment, would this also include the upper lip? I feel, even though I am not being treated in that area weekly, that my lip is showing signs of damage: cobblestone appearance to skin, pits, wrinkles, and permanent pigmentation, which shows up as redness due to my pale skin (see attached pics). I try to leave at least 3 weeks between any treatments in this area, but the hairs pop up constantly. It is only the hairs on the outer edge and corner I have treated, and no more than 10 in a session. I also know the hairs there require only shallow insertion, and I am not certain that is what I feel during a treatment. Is there any way to tell the difference? I have also attached before and after images of one side of my face, so you can see the level of pink pigmentation in my skin before and now during treatments. I obviously have sensitive skin that suffers from PIH. The most recent photo of the side of my face was taken 2 weeks after a treatment, just before it was treated again. The other photos show the skin around my mouth, cheek and chin areas. Can anyone please tell me if these sorts of reactions/damage are permanent/normal? I currently use a vit C serum, vit B serum, moisturiser with Niacinamide and rosehip oil to try and improve the skin and encourage healing. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated, as I am probably only less than half way through my electrolysis journey and trying to preserve my skin is important to me.
Thanks so much.
qwerty Attachments
