Am I an example of overtreatment?

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I’ve attached four pictures. Pictures 1 and 4 are from today right before my appointment, this is two weeks post treatment and I still have some scabbing. I do realize some of this is acne. :-/ The reaction pictures in image two and three are right after the 1.5 hour appointment. I bled three times, she had 6+ blow outs and I heard sizzling quite a bit. The probe would touch my skin and it was scorching hot. My eyes teared up where you can see the latest scab from today under my chin. She “zapped” it four times and it hurt so much.

I’ve been lurking on the forum for several weeks and am thinking that I am being over treated. At first I thought I was fine because my skin was bouncing back within a week, which is what seems to be the going time frame to gauge success.

Should I look elsewhere? She uses an Apilus Junior, but her settings are up extremely high. She has even turned them down based on my request, but told me that it needs to be up enough to kill the hairs. I feel tugging and plucking quite a bit, but it also hurts very much. Am I just a pansy?

I appreciate any feedback that can be given. This is a long journey I’m afraid!

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#2

I’m a little confused – the first 2 pics are 2 weeks after treatment but you said your skin looked normal again within 1 week?

I’m not an electrologist mind you, so I can only compare this to the treatment I’ve received, and to me this looks like poor/overtreatment. The bleeding is ok when dealing with ingrown hairs, but the fact you feel plucking suggests poor treatment. I would use your own judgment, and since you have a lot of doubts about how this electrologist is doing her job, I’d go somewhere where you’re more comfortable – your own inclination is usually the right one.

#3

When I first started with her it would look normal again in that time frame.

#4

Rough.

#5

Like Brenton, I’m not an electrologist, but everything you wrote sounds worrying to me, especially the part about the probe feeling scorching hot when it touches your skin. You shouldn’t feel heat until after the insertion. If I were you I would stop seeing this electrologist, give your skin a break and then try to find a new one.

#6

Let me step out further. It is hard to understand what is acne and what is electrolysis related?

Acne and hair are like cousins to each other, with the common denominator being androgen stimulation. . It appears that you have pretty coarse hair, along with acne. Here’s what I’m thinking about: is there possibly something of medical concern that should be discovered that is causing the hair to grow, along with some acne flares?

Have you had a hirsutism work up with your primary care physician? Do you know what your testosterone level is?

#7

Yes, it was never this bad until I had laser done. I have tweezed for years as well. I’ll PM you my numbers, I did get it tested and it was within the normal range. I have not been diagnosed with PCOS, have normal periods and am otherwise in good health.

#8

Dee is “spot on.” I was writing a post about this, but she wrote what I was thinking.

A few times in my career (well, many times actually), I could just cry when I see the mess a patient’s face is in … and then I have to “go after them” with electrolysis too. I’m thinking about a guy with hideous acne and ingrown beard hairs … and then electrolysis too. When you start working on a case like this, it feels like you are stepping out on a minefield.

Dee has given you the right answer here. Go for it. This is going to be a rough road but there actually is good healthy skin “a-comin’.”

You need to have a team on this situation. This will work for you … “keep faith in yourself.” And see it through.

#9

I’d also say that you are not being overtreated … just a very difficult case that will tend to look nasty.

#10

Good job advocating for yourself. That is helpful information.

So, your facial hair follicles have been lased and assaulted with repeated tweezing and a PCOS diagnosis. Not enough trouble that a competent electrologist can’t fix.

Get more consults like Chris suggested above. You can be helped.

#11

Thanks for the confidence boost, Michael. :wink: Hopefully I won’t look nasty forever!

#12

No, I do not have PCOS, thankfully.

#13

Oh, of course, no PCOS. My badbadbad!

#14

I suspect that your acne is a form of rosacea.

#15

You may be right, no one has ever told me that before but it kind of looks like that. :-/

#16

Hi all! I wanted to update this thread because I know how many people are scared to take the plunge into this long, expensive journey. I am approximately 9 months into my electrolysis process and am finally seeing the light. I changed electrologists from the first photos and we found a system that is working. :wink: My skin has improved a lot, (picture attached). I’ve had electrolysis on my cheeks, side burns, chin and under my neck every two weeks now. The treatment time is finally down to about an hour and a half for a full clearance. It’s been a long, long road and I am not done, but I want to give hope to those who are on this path too.

Before picture ( 9 months ago) added by Dee Fahey


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9 months into electrolysis, week after treatment
9 months in to electrolysis.jpg

#17

Thanks for the update Lara! you look quite lovely smiling in that photo!!

#18

Thank you! :slight_smile:

#19

Before picture ( 9 months ago) added by Dee Fahey


Many of my clients report that they think electrolysis has improved their skin condition when they present with acne.

#20

That’s hard to look at now, but the comparison is very helpful. Thanks Dee!