Bad Electrolysis Treatment? (SCARS!!?)

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I am sooooo sad after being treated with this hair removal treatment. The area that I have been getting treated is under my chin ( I am female). It has been one of the most embarrassing things (for me). I have been getting this treatment for the last 4 months… about twice a month (1 hour each session). Now, I have noticed bad dark spots afterwards, and I wanted to know have any of you experienced this and will it ever go away or is it scarred for ever? Please help! I’m soooo much more embarrassed then before. It’s soo noticeable. Are there any creams or scrubs that will reduce this appearance?? Any help, please!!

qwerty Attachments

I’m not sure if it will upload the photo. Description: Dark spots where each individual hair used to be, Some spots are red, some are dark, appearing to be black. Photo taken Today, Wednesday, Last electrolysis session was this past Monday.
Photo on 2011-11-02 at 10.09.jpg

#2

This pigmentation is not permanent, however a careful competent practitioner, would not allow this level of trauma to occur. A clearer photograph would allow for a better assessment.

#3

What did your skin look like before you had electrolysis, four months ago? What does your electrologist say about this?

#4

I thank you soo much for saying that it is NOT permanent as it helps me feel a bit better… I thank goodness that it is getting cold so I can wear scarves to cover this. I will upload another photo!

Prior to the treatment, my skin had no dark areas, whatsoever, just hair… I used to tweeze each individual hair and there were NO indications of hair being there. I do not have pictures, which I regret deeply!!!

In response, the electrologist stated that it is a normal reaction, she also stated that if it were a big concern to me to use mederma.

Has anyone used this product? Has it worked? Have you seen cases like mine? Is this a normal side effect?

#5

Next question - are there any other electrologists you can get consults and sample treatments with?

I don’t believe that one has to sacrifice skin condition to achieve permanent hair removal per electrolysis. A well-trained, well-equipped, modern electrologist can bring one permanent hair removal with minimal side effects that last from minutes to less than a week.

This should heal and fade without the Mederma.

#6

Prior to deciding to getting this treatment, I called electrologist from the phone book and referrals… within 50 mile radius. There were only two still in business, the other is in a nail shop, with no private area… so I do not have too much of a choice in my area. However, if I had to, I would drive a lot further to get better treatment, if this reaction can be prevented! I’m wondering if there is information or directives that I can offer to her that can help? Maybe something that I can do prior to getting treated? I have uploaded another photo with different lighting.

qwerty Attachments

Photo on 2011-11-02 at 16.09 #3.jpg

#7

Still a bit unsharp, somewhat reminds me on ingrown hair, at least beneath the pustules (the area is a bit hard to reach, but despite of this that is entirely avoidable ond of course to be avoided as best as possible). What Do the more experiences pros think?

#8

Prosperity, you should travel. If your skin did not have these blemishes prior to eletrolysis, you should not accept this. Did you have a lot of scabbing afterwards? What was your aftercare plan like for the first three days?

I don’t think she would take kindly to other electrologists guiding her over the internet as to how to avoid this kind of skin reaction. I will add that I work on many people of color and this is not the sort of reaction they have to deal with. I don’t know any details of your treatment, but I do know that we can’t turn people out with such healing side effects like this and hope to survive as a profession. Thankfully, many electrologists are mindful of how this scares the consumer and they have learned how to prevent this type of reaction. If all the skill is used along with the better tools of this profession and this is the result, I would think you are have a very active immune system response perhaps? Just some thoughts here…

#9

The lady named Ileah in the Executive Clearance Customers Testimonials video had that kind of pigmentation and pitting from her ingrown hairs, and plucking when she started coming to me. It was spotted and crusty all over her face. While she looks finished through most of this promotional video, she lifts her chin between 8:45 and 8:50 to show the area we had not yet finished clearing. She used to have 4 times worse than that all over her face! As you can see, the electrolysis made it possible for her to heal up nicely. If you see this video in HD, you really get a good idea of the difference between the skin on her cheeks and chin, and that area under the chin and around the neck.

#10

That is NOT a normal reaction at all! I would immediately stop treatment with whoever you’re going to, and find somebody better, no matter how far you have to travel. You only have one face, and shouldn’t take chances with it. You should never have that kind of skin response from electrolysis.

#11

I spoke with the electrolysis and she stated that the spots are there because she is using a high current. She stated that if I wanted her to lower it than it will take atleast 5 years to be completely done, if she keeps it at the current as it is now, then I should be done within 6 months. She advised me to use mederma every day faithfully for one full year, and if that doesn’t work go to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to prescribe something stronger. :\

I am currently using Aloe Vera gel and Aloe Vera lotion on a daily basis (2 days after treatment) and pure Aloe Vera the first 2 days of treatment.

#12

So, what is your gut reaction to the five years verses 6 months explanation?

#13

This is the thing that drives me crazy: That changing modalities will significantly change how long completion will take. My belief is that the electrologist skills are the factor. (and frequency of appointments for those who come infrequently)

All that said, please know that some of our clients start out with skin that looks just like yours looks now and once those pesky hairs are gone, their skin looks beautiful.

#14

I’m sorry, but I think your electrologist is lying to you to save their her own skin. Trust me, I’ve had a full male beard removed, and my skin NEVER looked like that. If she is cranking up the power so much that she is telling you to use scar reduction products every day (which is what Mederma is) then she is causing permanent skin damage. There is absolutely no way she could accurately tell you that it would be “six months versus five years.” She’s trying to scare you into keeping up treatment with her, and into not questioning the damage she is doing. Trust me, go someplace else before you end up with a face the texture or orange peel, which will be almost impossible to correct. Bad electrolysis is worse than no electrolysis at all, and with all the competent practitioners out there, you should not be settling for this kind of terrible mistreatment.

#15

I am sad that I missed this thread. I had what was the equivalent of a full male beard. And I’ve had something like 100 hours of electrolysis to remove it. Today, I can see the finish line (I’m really close). And my skin is very smooth. Often I rub on it (in disbelief) unconsciously until I catch someone giving me a strange look. It’s a little darker than the rest of my neck, but it’s been fading and fading back to my normal skin tone. In the beginning, you couldn’t see any skin on my chin. It was all hair. Today, I took a small pair of scissors to cut the very fine hairs I saw on the chin. I found a handful and in 2 minutes I had clipped off the really fine hairs I saw. You can bet those are going to be zapped the next time I get treated. Why am I telling you this story?

There is hope. I was in a pretty dark place when I started - I really thought I would have a beard the rest of my life. Not so.

Take heart and find a good electrologist. That’s the key - make sure that whatever you do, you find a good electrologist.

I used to go from Southern Jersey to Buffalo, NY or Columbus, OH to find an electrologist that could handle hairs as thick and dense and curvy (“banana-like hairs” is the way the hairs were described) as mine. I would rather drive 5 hours to find someone who can handle my problem. I really wish you the best; find someone great and stay the course. In the right hands, and with the right amount of commitment, you will get treated! And soon you, too, will be rubbing your smooth chin without realizing it…