Anxious about electrolysis

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Hello. I have (mild) hirsutism and I’ve started to go to electrolysis in order to get rid of darker facial hairs and maybe from other areas after I’m done with this. I’m in my early 20s and the hair situation is hereditary and/or hormonal issue.

So far I’ve been into electrolysis for a little over 1 hour and I have a 30 min appointment twice a month (2 weeks apart). Now I know it’s really early but I feel like I need some solid information and reassurance. There are some things bothering me regarding electrolysis and my experiences so far.

I go to a practitioner I’ve heard some good about online. Apparently she’s been doing electrolysis for 20 years. She’s probably the best I can get in this country as electrolysis is really uncommon here. I’ve been reading a lot about electrolysis and I’ve asked her some questions. She’s mainly working on my upper lip. She uses the blend method. I’m concerned because I can feel her plucking some of the hairs. She’s said that plucking usually causes hairs to grow back darker or coarser, so I’m worried if she’s plucking. She’s also confirmed that there shouldn’t be a plucking sensation. The other thing I’m worried about is post-treatment reaction. I know redness and swelling is normal but after a few hours my skin begins leaking this clear fluid that forms into scabs or crusts. It’s not nice because it’s in my face and I know I shouldn’t pick them off. The fluid keeps coming out for at least 24 hours after treatment. I try to wipe them off when it hasn’t hardened. Sometimes there’s even some blood coming out of some follicles. I talked to her about this but she just said I have to suck it up and that it’s inevitable since electrolysis destroys tissue. Another concern is skin after the healing phase. There are darker, reddish marks in my upper lip. I use sunscreen when my skin gets exposed to sun. I also feel like there are some slightly sunken spots but it might be too early to tell. I’m really concerned because I don’t want to ruin my skin. Could all this be a sign of overtreatment or something? My upper lip also feels very stiff and sometimes painful for about a week after appointment. Also sometimes I hear this sizzling sound when she applies the current and I remember reading that it might be a bad sign. She doesn’t use gloves. For post-treatment care I use tea tree oil once or twice a day and aloe vera gel.

The last time felt like she was in a hurry, and about half of the insertions were actually painful so it left me thinking if she punctured my skin with the probe. I also felt more plucking than before. It’s really distressing because I don’t really have a choice when it comes to a practitioner and putting my money into this without knowing if it will be worth it makes me nervous. How can I know if I can trust her with my face, how can I know what her moral compass is like etc. She said my hairs are not that bad and that it shouldn’t take that long but I’m thinking how many times do you have to treat one hair in order to destroy it for good? Can electrolysis make hair growth worse (like activate dormant follicles) as it temporarily increases blood flow in the area?

Thanks in advance.

#2

You’ll be getting more information from the people here, but let me quickly say that “leaking fluid” is extremely rare in electrology. So rare that I might see this only a couple times per year … and that’s with extensive cases and marathon sessions on gigantic hairs. What you’re explaining does not sound good at all.

#3

wow.

Could you post some pictures please? I think it would be very helpful in discerning whether there has in fact been some over-treatment.

In the meantime, I think it would be helpful if you tried out some other electrologists. Most electrologists will do a small sample treatment for free when they do a consultation with you. It may help you with a comparison between what you are getting now and other treatments.Now, for some people there are very few electrologists in your area, if this is you, then I would recommend going further afield and trying out a few sample treatments in another city near you.

I’m going to be honest, and say there are a number of warning signs in what you are saying that peak my suspicions that your treatment could be sub-par. They include:

The sizzling sound is indicative of too shallow insertions or too high a amount of thermolysis, sometimes this leads to something called high frequency blowout. Treatment energy applied to the shallower tissues can damage them, they are much more granular in their make-up and easily damaged. This is a very easy to do complication on the upper lip. I don’t recommend long sessions on the upper lip generally.
The leakage , which likely has a yellowish tint to it, is also indicative of too high a thermolysis amount.It’s plasma and is indicative the thermolysis amount is too aggressive and has risen up the shaft of the probe into the shallower tissues as described above, not good. I’ve only had this happen once on a client( actually a friend who I had complete permission to do my worst) and it was because we were trying some experimental methods, with, surprise surprise too much thermolysis in blend.If this is happening with every visit, stop seeing this electrologist. Blanching of the skin at the surfce ( turning whiteish around the follicle ) would also be a very bad sign. That friend mentioned above however, has perfect skin a year later, so there may not be enough damage done to be permanent, but you should not continue.
The indentations, you haven’t had a lot of treatment yet, so I cant say. photos would help.
Overly inflamed or over treated upper lip will cause it to get puffy and feel stiff. Upper lip should not be treated to that extent.
Plucking, well, with blend I do find that the hair release is not often as easily accomplished but often hairs are dead anyway from the lye. If the plucking sensation is consistent however, it would tend to indicate the treatment energy is not getting to the correct place in the follicle, more evidence the insertions could be too shallow.

The actual insertions, Should NEVER be painful every time or at all really, it is indicative the insertions are not accurate.During delivery of the treatment energy, is another story however.

That you are questioning her effectiveness and moral compass right off the bat, is the #1 sign that something is not right.

No gloves, well, in some countries this is still the norm. It’s not a great way to do electrolysis however, but most of the risk of not wearing them is to the practitioner, not you, unless the electrologist is treating you with open cuts or sores on her hands. It should be okay, but it certainly isnt ideal.

Please tell me she isn’t re-using probes too?

Sorry to break the bad news to you, but from everything you just related to me, I am of the ( perhaps premature) impression you should be seeing somebody else.

Seana

#4

Unfortunately my camera is broken and my phone’s camera is not that good but I did a google search in order to find a picture that resembles my situation:

I gotta say it’s not quite as bad as in the picture, the sunken spots are not that deep, but it’s the closest I could find.

Honestly I don’t really have anyone else in the area to try, and the one I’m working with is literally the only one I’ve heard something good about, so it’s just… I don’t really have a choice. This is a super rare thing in my country, so I feel like she’s my only hope.

Yeah, I now recall reading something like that. In the first 30 minute appointment she worked only on my upper lip and we came to conclusion that it was too harsh since it got really swollen and leaked a lot afterwards. The last time she worked about 20 minutes on my upper lip and the rest on my chin and while it didn’t leave them as horrible-looking and the leaking was relatively mild at least if compared to the previous time, but it was still the time when I felt puncturing and more plucking…
This is super distressing because I asked her about this and she just said it’s normal and I have to learn to deal with it, and now that I hear about it from some other professional just makes me uneasy about trusting this practitioner or anyone else really. I’m planning to contact her asap but I don’t know what to ask her and I’m slightly afraid to bomb her with questions as I feel like she was a little irritated when I asked her some of these things I’ve brought up here, and because, well, I’m generally sceptical and maybe she’s used to clients who don’t ask much and just blindly trust her, or something. I just want to ask her all of these things but I worry if it’s gonna offend her somehow, but at the same time I want to go to her and show that I’m worried and even angry of all this. I don’t want to be a difficult customer but I guess I have to.
Also yeah after the treatment my skin is red and swollen but the skin around the treated follicles is white.

The insertions felt a lot like penetrating the skin with a needle, so it was painful. I wonder if that caused the sunken spots in my skin.

As I said I’m generally sceptical and don’t trust easily, so I’ve been feeling that maybe I’m just overthinking and being hyper aware of things, especially since she assured me that these things are normal, but it’s really good to hear facts from other professionals.

On her website it says that she only uses disposable probes.

I’m thankful for your answers, now I know I’m not being oversensitive or paranoid or something. I don’t know how to proceed from here though, except that I’m gonna contact her and ask about all these things and tell her about my skin’s condition. It’s just horrible because, well, I certainly don’t bathe in money and this is really important to me as the hair situation makes me really self-conscious and I need to get it under control - but hearing that I might not be in good hands even though I’ve been assured everything’s fine… Makes it hard to trust anyone, I mean how can I know if she’s not treating me effectively enough so that I would have to go there longer and pay her more. All of this just leaves me with question marks spinning in my head.

Anyway, thank you so much.

#5

Given all the data you are supplying I recommend that you stop seeing this person and just shave the area … until you can, perhaps, find a better practitioner. Explanation:

You are not going to be able to change the habits of somebody "who has been doing this for 20-years.’ You are not an expert and she will not listen to you (you said she’s not receptive). Besides, no amount of coaching on this site will give you the right answer to tell her anything. Trying to "improve her’ will be impossible!

If you have the chance of getting horrendous SCARS, as you’ve depicted … versus shaving … then, the choice should be obvious to you.

No matter what you think about shaving …. Shaving does not create a beard and will not make you grow more hairs. If you don’t like the concept of shaving, then a hair removing cream (i.e., "chemical shave’) is fine if you use it properly.

Your statement says you have "no other option’ in your area, so stop worrying about this; but please discontinue treatments. You don’t have to say anything to this person, or ask any more questions, or get more confused and worried; just STOP GOING!

Plain English: Your electrologist SUCKS and is stubborn as a MULE … and will end up ruining your skin. You don’t have to "think about this anymore.’

Conclusion: STOP GOING!

#6

This doesnt happen all the time, but I 100% agree with the above statements.We also dont really know what country you are in, however hairtell practitioner locator on this forum contain listings for electrologists in many countries, or you can just ask here, chances are pretty good that we may be able to refer you to someone more competent if you wish to continue treatments.

Seana

#7

Yeah, I’ve been thinking about shaving. For now I’ve just bleached the hair.

Thanks. I did send her a message and included part of Seana’s explanation in it. I don’t know if it will help but I feel I have the right to ask her as I’m her customer. I have booked an appointment in the end of this month, and if it’s still the same I’ll stop going.

By the way, I’ve been thinking if her vision is good enough. When she’s working on my face she’s about 20-30 cm above my face and wears glasses that look like normal reading glasses or something. What kind of vision enhancer should be used? Last time she had to stretch my skin to see the follicles and I feel like she just poked around a lot since it hurt, so I was wondering if she even sees well enough.

In my previous appointment I asked her could we get this done in less than 6 months if I go twice a month, 30 min x appointment. She didn’t give me a clear answer, which I understand as it depends but my hairs are quite fine and most of them aren’t dark, so how long should it take?

Can overtreatment cause skin to sag, or make it lose collagen?

EDIT: I live in Finland.

#8

Plenty of fine electrologists in Norway … been there several times, did training seminars … they know what’s up. (The image is the “Hinkel icon”). “Tusen Tak!”

https://www.facebook.com/SkjonnhetogHelseKlinikken/

#9

DamnyouHirsuteism,

I looked and did not see any listings for finland in the local referrals, however, there was a user 2 years ago from there who indicated she had worked with an electrologist from there. She hasnt posted in 2 years, but if you send a private message it’s likely she will get a notification via email and could possibly reply with a source. Or as has also been suggested to you, norway is a possibility.

http://www.hairtell.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/users/20255/GirlFromFinland.html

You have the opinions of two very different electrologists who don’t always see client treatment issues the same way, and that advice is identical. I think it might be misguided to continue with who you have been seeing, there are as stated too many obstacles to overcome, but in the end it’s your face. I do want you to consider however, that if hair is bothering you, and something CAN be done about that, how you might feel if scarring is present and you cant do anything about it. Is it worth it?

Seana

#10

Norway is not a possibility, thank you anyway.

I appreciate the opinions of both of you, I guess it’s just hard to admit… I will see if my skin changes for better or for worse and wait for her reply, and call her if she doesn’t reply. I’ll go to one appointment and if she doesn’t seem to give a sh*t I’ll leave it there. Thank you both.

#11

Update: I contacted her, just expressed my worry of the condition of my skin and the occasional plucking sensations, painful insertions and fluid leakage. As I said before I added a part of Seana’s message in hopes of, I don’t know, getting her to understand the situation better and maybe take it as a constructive critique. I don’t think I was rude or anything but I made it clear that I’m worried and unsure if I can continue working with her.

She responded in a way that gives me the vibes that she doesn’t want to work with me anymore, or at least that I offended her. She didn’t clarify or respond to any of the concerns I expressed in my message though, just said that she was sorry I didn’t trust her skills. Now I feel somehow bad and frustrated at the same time. I want to give her another chance but I feel like she hates me now hahah. Oh the drama.

#12

For God’s sake and for your own sake, follow the Michael Bono’s advice. He has been VERY emphatic about your case, even though he usually recommends calm and tranquility with temporary side effects.

If you continue with this electrologist you’ll be marked for all your life.

It is she who should feel bad, not you! you are the victim in this case.

#13

If I may be "brutal’ …

Please don’t do the "battered wife’ thing, okay? You know, "Well, I know he beats me and he gave me a broken arm, but I think I’ll give him another chance. Maybe it was sort of my fault anyway, maybe we can ‘talk it out’ … I don’t want him to hate me!’

With another "treatment’ you might end up with permanent scars … then what?

N-O M-O-R-E C-H-A-N-C-E-S ! Give it up! Move on!

#14

Alright. I was so hopeful of getting rid of these damn hairs for good, but now I’m just incredibly disappointed. I appreciate your honesty, thanks.

Edit: I don’t know if I have actual sunken scars, they’re not very visible and my partner said he couldn’t see any sunken scars when I asked him. They might be pores? There are some hyperpigmentation spots though, maybe I thought they were scars or something. She did say that my skin seems to be the sensitive type when I first went to her…
Regardless, if she doesn’t give any explanation of this I’ll drop her.

#15

I know this discussion is kind of over already, but I managed to get a photo of my upper lip:

So this is 1 and a half weeks after my last appointment. Is it that bad? I don’t know if those “holes” are scars or just enlarged pores or something. As a side note, my skin is oily and I get some zits every now and then.

Tell me what you think. Thanks.

#16

YOU WILL BE FINE.

The holes are more prominent where hairs use to be, especially if those follicles held big, COARSE hairs. Relax.

If you ever get scabbing, DO NOT PICK OR RUB OFF THE SCABS. Allow the wounds to heal from the bottom up and let the scabs fall off naturally.

If there was oozing of the tiny wounds after a session, give your electrologist feedback so she/he can make some corrections.

I like to gently rub cold aloe vera gel immediately on the treated area. Thereafter, use the aloe as liberally as you want for at least three days. Do an experiment. Apply the purest aloe vera gel to one side and do nothing to the other for three days and nights. Observe and decide what works for you.

Thank you very much for the quality picture. LOVE IT!

#17

Thank you for your reply.

Actually all of the hair in my face is quite fine, some of them are just darker in color. I’ve been thinking if the practitioner uses too high settings (like, a setting that’s meant for really coarse hair), maybe I should ask her…

The scabs have mostly fallen off naturally, but I do admit that after a few days I’ve brushed my fingers over them to feel if they would come off easily. I haven’t picked them off though.

I gave her feedback but I don’t know if she noted it, she just said it’s normal and when I contacted her via email she kinda dodged my questions so it’s making me suspicious. I’m thinking about giving her a call. I want to be able to trust her to get this done but honestly she’s making it a little difficult.

When I get home after the treatment I usually apply aloe vera gel but I’ve recently bought an actual aloe vera plant so it’s 100% pure. Thanks for the tip.

#18

Why we always stress photos is because, for example, a client will say, "OH, I have a ‘beard’!’ When really they have peach fuzz. Similarly, clients will say, "I don’t have much hair,’ and they end up having gigantic hairs. Same thing with "holes, scars, boo-boos, etc.’ All these elements are relative … so, we "gotta see ‘em.’

The electrolysis wound forms a column of healing skin that is pulled downward (myofibroblast cells) and is surrounded by "upward’ edema (swelling). This up-and-down effect causes the appearance of "pits’ … especially on the chin and upper lip.

That’s not saying that you don’t actually have marks that might be lasting (I don’t think so), but you have to wait it out and not get panicky. I’d say that nearly 90% of client anxiety is related to upper lip work … and I understand the "angst.’

Sometimes we electrologists get “dumped on” for no reason … Happens.

#19

… Besides, you guys fought the Russians (and Germans, sort of) and won … what the hell are a few hairs?

#20

I’m NOT saying "you’ … but here’s an example of a super-distraught client with no reason for the "distraught.’ (Remember … NOT saying you … this just came to mind.)

I did some "bikini’ work and then about two-weeks later the client called (at 10:00 PM) saying her entire leg was infected and she was unable to walk! MAJOR PANIC TIME … for me!

I told her to come see me immediately … but she was at the "theater in Los Angeles’ Huh? She showed up at 2:00 AM. Not only was there no "infection,’ she had absolutely no visible signs of ever having electrolysis … AT ALL!

I was stunned and said, "There’s nothing … nothing.’ She flippantly said, "Oh, okay … I just wanted to be sure!’ She was 100% fine and was walking perfectly. Frankly, I was not very happy and still, to this day, can’t figure out what the hell was going on! She seemed okay … maybe she was on "drugs?’