Bepanthen cream test

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Two months ago, Josefa asked me to do a test with the Bepanthen cream. Here are the results with notes and pictures: https://imgur.com/a/LsxKX6H

Day 1

Slathered that thing on half of the treated area as soon as I could after my electro session and kept it covered with an air-tight plastic for almost 20h (slept with it too).

Day 2

Removed it after 20h and redness was more apparent on the creamed area. After a few minutes, it disappeared so I’m concluding it was because of the plastic (you can see redness where the plastic was and there was no electro nor cream there).

Came back from my treatment and kept it on for several hours until I went to bed, but didn’t sleep with it as I found it pretty annoying last night.

Day 3

Kept it on during the entire day, but removed it before sleeping. I don’t see any difference, but it looks like the creamed area has a few more ‘’connected’’ redness patches (most probably randomness).

The red dots areas are from the first day’s treatment, and the more pinkish homogenous areas are from yesterday’s; interesting to see the healing stages.

Day 4

No difference whatsoever, gonna stop using it now.

The only fault I could see in my test would be to not have left the cream/plastic on for the second and next nights, but in my defence, I’m pretty sure I put it longer (or at least just as long) than most ‘‘normal’’ people would have. And if someone is keeping it on non-stop for several days, I don’t see how convenient that would be because it’s starting to itch if kept for too long, plus applying, wiping and reapplying could get old pretty quickly…

I’d be interested in knowing what happens if a treated electro area was put under total air-tight insulation for several days, as I have a feeling the air might play a part in those scabby red dots. I would gladly do it right now if the feeling of plastic or cream wasn’t so damn annoying on my skin, so I’m hopeful someone else would take my place as Hairtell’s guinea pig!

Anyway, to conclude, just like every other ‘‘healing’’ creams I’ve tried, it had sadly no apparent effect.

#2

What were you trying to accomplish by putting this cream on your skin? A person should put something on their skin to correct a specific issue … not “just for fun.” And, as you discovered: no difference at all.

Furthermore, from their official website they say the following:

“Upon application, Bepanthen® gets to work straight away deep within the skin by penetrating the skin layers, it doesn’t just sit on the surface, and it also allows the skin to breathe for optimal skin health.”

The cream may penetrate the outer epidermal “dead” layer (water does that); but saying it “penetrates the skin” is a deception. If it actually penetrated the skin, it would be a pharmaceutical and require a prescription. Furthermore, the skin does not “breathe.” I have yet to see tiny noses on the skin that connect to the lungs. Give me a break! And what does “gets to work straight away” mean? Gets to work on what? Bull shit!

#3

I laughed quite a bit at ‘‘tiny noses on the skin that connect to the lungs’’!

Like yourself I already had my own bias, but the ‘‘tester’’ in me needed to have some kind of proof too, and I simply tried that thing because Josefa asked me to on my first ever post here, and said why not!

I’ve also tested 4 different ‘‘healing’’ creams now, all of which some people swore by. Funnily enough when I told one of my past electrologist that what she asked me to use had no effect, she still insisted on ‘‘keep using it just to be safe’’… The cream religion is real.

To be completely honest with you when you’re asking what I was trying to accomplish with this, I’d hope that everyone would believe me (or test themselves) that these things simply don’t work, but obviously no one will care and people will continue to waste their money just in case a miracle happens.

So from now on, I’ll consider them all to be completely useless, and I might be biased because I’ve not tried all of them, but tried enough figure out they might be in the same big scam boat… And if someone has a problem with that statement, show me your tests and we’ll discuss!

#4

I’ve attended and participated in countless seminars and events. Electrologists universally focus on what to do before a treatment (“sterilization”) and then after (“creams”). They seldom talk about what goes on between those events … you know, the treatment itself and the actual effectiveness of the treatment. With rare exception, electrologists will not talk about effectiveness … especially their own.

Focusing on the “before treatment” and then the “after the treatment,” is like reading the first paragraph of a novel and then skipping to the last sentence. What the hell happens in the middle? You know, the important part?

I have to tell you that I’m going to steal your “cream religion” because it’s perfect. That is unless you have already applied for a copyright.

#5

I’ll allow you to use it for 6 more free hours of electrolysis! Muhahaha

#6

Funny guy … sure!

#7

Something hasn’t worked out for you = a scam? I have been using Bepanthen and tea tree oil for a while now to deal with scabbing, healing etc and it has worked for me. I ran my own experiment where I’d apply Bepanthen to 1 foot only. The scabbing on untreated foot lasted around 2+ weeks while on treated foot the scab formation was minimal and whatever was formed would peel and slide off within first couple days.

#8

Scabbing? Sure, of course.

Almost anything that lubricates the skin will minimize scab formation. (The most brilliant product I tried was pure Emu oil.) Still, there is nothing phenomenal about this, and the end results will be the same (just nicer not to see the scabs?)

#9

I now know Michael how exhausting it must have been for you Dee and others when I came along, a new eager voice with a lot of passion about electrology. .To tell me god knows how many times not to freak out over the smallest skin reaction, and to recognize what was and wasnt normal treatment manifestations.I still remember wonder what the heck these little dead bits of hair were.

I’ve noticed a similar voice of late, and it’s you zapmyface.I’m wondering if you’re wanting to learn electrology. I mean REALLY learn how to do it.Is such a thing of interest to you?

#10

To Fenix:

I’d like to know how you conducted your experiment. Did you use insulation (plastic) or simply put on the cream? How long? You say you had electro on your foot, how many hairs approximately was that? I’m asking because if the area was not as dense as mine, did you account for the ‘‘randomness’’ of skin reactions it produced (hard to explain but hopefully you get it)? Did you take pics by any chance? I’m still standing by my statement that creams are a scam and don’t work by the way, so prove me wrong!

Edit: After a bit of thought, if in fact moisturizing/lubricating/insulating the skin avoids scab formations, it could explain my theory that air plays the biggest factor in them. I don’t think it’s the opposite though (creams working).

I guess it’s time to test again with insulation only for several days (I already dread the itching)…

To Seana:

Not sure I wanna learn the actual art of it, since I’d never do it on anyone other than myself. I’d scar everyone out of revenge, just kidding lol. But it’s no secret that I’m obsessed with everything around it (reactions, effectiveness, etc). I find much of the info so vague and contradicting that I told myself I’d never stop until I learn the absolute truth! As much as I want to believe a few of you on this forum, the only way for myself to know the truth (my truth?) has always been to test stuff myself.

#11

Another thing, have you tested it with areas close together with the same hair density and electro intensity like I did, since one foot could’ve been more aggressively treated with electro than the other, hence the different reactions.

Sorry if I sound annoying, my intention is simply to know the truth.

#12

Ditto Seana.

But the bigger question is why relatively simple information is not widely known by clients or many electrologists as well. If you notice, we have yet another frightened patient with common “red marks” (angiogenesis) that will spark another long and nearly futile gaggle of explanations (until the marks subside).

Most of these explanations are documented in the many books and materials on the subject, and yet ideas (or lack thereof) persist. There is a reluctance in our profession to address the somewhat negative aspects of treatment. Even schools seem to be in “avoidance mode.” After experiencing 40 -years of clients not getting solid information quickly, it’s discouraging.

Why don’t patients ask questions to their own electrologists? Why don’t electrologists have all the answers? Why do precocious patients have to conduct their own “scientific studies,” when the answers they seek have been attained and established DECADES ago? Re-inventing the wheel over-and-over doesn’t make a lot of sense.

I perused the AEA website and there is nothing … zip … about treatment manifestations or complications. However, there are a few re-stated myths and half-truths amid the labyrinth of fluff. (Too harsh?)

As you say, it’s tiresome … but actually more than that, it’s insane. Years ago I asked Hinkel about this apparent disconnect. His statement was sort of “cute.” He said, “Well, I wrote my book and do my classes. The information is ‘in there.’ If they don’t believe it, well F… 'em!”

#13

Hmm thats unfortunate.Oh well maybe one day.

#14

I wonder who LAGirl is?

As you can see, she is the number one poster on this site, with almost 10,000 posts. However, she was long gone before my old wrinkled face appeared on Hairtell. And, that’s how it goes.

There was a kid from San Diego who dominated Hairtell for a while (while getting zapped), and now has disappeared. Folks come in with GREAT intensity, stir things up, make all sorts of claims, show great interest, flex their knowledge (or lack thereof), get argumentative … and then, I suppose when their hair is gone … SO ARE THEY! Poof! GONE!

Contributing to Hairtell is something like pouring water into a bucket that has no bottom. Overall, it’s useless and eventually everybody has the “Hinkel attitude?” (Okay, everybody except Dee who NEVER seems to lose heart.)

I average five emails per day with the “typical questions” about dots-and-spots, hyperpigmentation and scars and lotions (oh yeah, “what are your settings”) … all of it. They want direct answers and don’t seem to have time to watch a 5-minute video.

What’s a mother to do?

#15

Please tell me if I’m spilling nonsense, that would be the last thing I wanna do! I just wanna make it clear that I’m not obsessed with all of this stuff out of fear or anxiety, but because of knowledge!

Also, I wanna contribute a little bit in categorizing and concising certain aspects of electro (mostly effectiveness and reactions) into… I guess that 3 paragraph thing! But maybe that has already been done and I’m nothing but an over-eager bearless attention-speaking *****. You tell me.

I’m like a permanent scar on this forum, we can notice and obsess over it after it appeared, but after a while everyone forgets about it. LOL!

Sadly Seana, I found that when I like something as an ‘‘hobby’’ and involve money or a service to clients, it sucks all the fun out of it and I give up only after a short while.

#16

Also, I’d argue that I might have a more extensive experience in skin reaction than most clients, but does that qualify me in giving my opinion and maybe advice on all these ‘‘do I have permanent damage’’ posts? I just wanna be an HairTell Pro already, give it to me I’m special!!! Kidding!

#17

Zapmyface, as suggested by you in another tread, I read your point on Bepanthen.

You stated that you are strongly motivated to learn, I think it is a good attitude. You made a test with photography and I want to say thank you to you because I have always been the advocate of documenting electrolysis treatments (and aftercare) with photographies and details.

Where I disagree with you, Is when you say that the use of Bepanthen is useless based on your test. I don’t know the reason why this failed but It is not hard to attest that when you test an area to see the difference in the healing process, with /and without the use of a product, you shouldn’t continue to work a day after on surroundings area and put a dressing with glue near that area.

That being said, i know with my own experience of multiples treatments of electrolysis and the use of Bepanthen after the treatment that it helps with the inflamatory reaction and prevent the formation of scabs. I’m always amazed by the difference with and without the use of Bepanthen on treated areas. Of course this is not magic but it helps. And to reassure customers, if for any personal reasons you don’t want to use this product, it won’t affect the final outcomes of your electrolysis treatment, good or not that great.

#18

Zapmyface, thank you for carrying out the experiment that I suggested to you.

I have myself followed your example and repeated the experiment in the same area (around the left nipple) on a 28 year old young man:

The treatment lasted around 30 minutes and was done using HF (Flash):

Once the session had ended, the top half of the treated area was covered with Bepanthol (Bepanthen) cream and then covered with a plastic dressing that remained there for the following 24 hours:

24 hours later…

To eliminate suspicion, I decided to choose the half of the treated area where most hairs were treated and which presented the most redness and inflammation.

I would like to clarify that I don’t have anything against the appearance of scabs. Scabs form part of the healing process and I refuse to carry out a less effective treatment just to ensure that no scabs form. I am though conscious of the worry that scab formation causes some clients. For that reason I try to keep open to solutions that help minimise unwanted side effects.

#19

Thanks for doing the test too!

Interesting picture, I’ll play devils advocate here:

1- On the left side it does indeed look a little more red. It could be the ‘‘randomness’’ since as with my test, the area with the cream on looked a little more red too.

2- On the left-bottom side of the nipple, the inflammation looks like it hasn’t gone away yet. To be fair, on the first pic, it did look like the inflammation was more prominent than on the right side. This could simply be again the natural healing process.

3- Was the second picture taken as soon as you removed the plastic? If it did, it could explain my theory that air plays the biggest part in scab formations (just a theory for now)!

I might sound very skeptical but hopefully you won’t take my probing the wrong way, I’d like everyone to know the truth once and for all!

I’d like to see the remaining days to see the reactions, did you continue applying the thing? With pauses (for example at night)?

#20

I agree that having electrolysis done the next days could’ve maybe altered the results, if I ever do the test again I won’t have more treatments. However, I believe that the test should be made with the same zapping intensity and hair density, otherwise those alone could greatly change the outcome of the reactions (without creams)! This is where I become extremely skeptical, since more times than not, people (including myself) don’t really have an equal testing field, there’s always going to be a few differences in reactions regardless of creams. In my case, I judged that even if there were small differences, I couldn’t really see definitive results that could justify the use of Bepanthen (or any other creams that I’ve tested).

Also, saying that all creams are useless might have been a too strong statement, I guess I wanted to rub people the wrong way so they can prove me wrong. Let me still explain though; I’m coming from a ‘‘no-cream’’ background, which always made me skeptical about them and honestly never understood their effectiveness (on other people mostly since I don’t really use them). Such a statement was made from a lifetime of observation. The few tests I’ve made the past year were just the ‘‘icing on the cake’’ that reinforced my thinking.

Unlike some people who spend money on them (so they want it to work) or have something to sell, I have absolutely no incentive! Well, I wouldn’t use them even if they were effective for financial and convenience reasons, so I guess I might after all, since I can justify not spending money on them… Damn it, I’ve countered myself!

LET’S BEGIN TESTING PHASE 2!