Concerned about scarring

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I am a 47 year old transwoman who started hair removal when I already had the salt and pepper mix of hairs. The image you see here is after the following:

  1. Period one in my hometown up north June 2019-March 2020. (8 months) Laser for dark hairs. This was the real painful actual laser and I HAD to numb to get through it. Electrolysis for white hairs. The electrolysis hurt much more than the electrolysis I get now. The laser was every 8-10 weeks and I was very aggressive with the electrolysis the first 2.5 months of that period. The electrolysis was reduced to about every other week for an hour for the remainder of that period. This electrologist has done many transgender patients.
  2. Period two down south March 2021-October 2021. 3 sessions of IPL about 8 weeks apart for dark hairs. This form of “laser” really didnt hurt at all. Electrolysis during this period about 2 hours every other week.

Looking for help. Very concerned. What are my options for repair (in addition to time).

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#2

This has totalled about 85-95 hours of electrolysis between these two periods. The gap was due to COVID shutdowns up north.

#3

It’s difficult to give much of an opinion, as we dont have a series of photos are differetn stages. Some of your treatments are less than a month ago and wouldnt be healed as of this time. It’s impossible to determine what’s new, what has been there for a while, or even what the primary source of concern is because of this lack of context. As it is, I dont see anything to be hugely concerned about, there are a couple areas with uneven texture but impossible to say if this is from many years ago acne scarring or treatment that toook place a month ago, so I cant tell you what will resolve or what we should be concerned about.

#4

No acne scars. Didnt have these. The uneveness at the side of the chin I believe is from early on from the first period JUL-AUG 2019. If that is the case what are your thoughts on that area? Starting in February I am going to have about a 14-16 month forced hiatus on account of Uncle Sam. If that area looks the same after that hiatus, what would be my options for correcting the scars (I.e. laser resurfacing)? Also is there any recommendations on how I should treat my skin during the forced hiatus (I.e. any particular ointments)?

#5

There are options and the one that you mentioned is laser resurfacing. Please discuss other options with a specialist who deals with skin texture issues, like an esthetician or a dermatologist. I am neither.
I will tell you that before I start any case, I’m taking pre-pictures. I text those pictures to the client. When large hairs are removed, the pore/follicle that they lived in occupied space. That space is now empty and it looks like damage, but it is your natural skin characteristic.

What I see in your picture is not flawless skin, but I don’t know what it looked like before you stated laser, IPL and electrolysis. Pre any hair removal or reduction I usually see very large pores, natural pitting, unevenness , roughness, hyperpigmentation, sometimes hypopigmentation, small wrinkles due to repeated damage from the sun, smoking, poor diet, harsh chemicals, years of tweezing and waxing, genetics, etc. Very few women come before me with porcelain skin and no men I’ve seen has porcelain skin.

If there is some damage from Laser, IPL and/or electrolysis, your skin needs to restructure for several months to a couple years after these hair reduction and hair removal procedures. Some people look untouched and some need time to settle things down.

Do you have any pre-pictures?

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#6

This picture is about the best I have. This is from Novemver 2019. I had it professionally done for a virtual FFS consult. Keep in mind that I started hair removal late June 2019. So while it is not pre work, it seems to me to be pre-scarring.
Jennifer 1 before~2

#7

This one is cropped and blown up, but is about a year pr two pre-everything

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#8

Dear JF. I’m now collecting all the photos and emails I have accumulated over just the last year (only) … 66 so far. Each case is exactly in the two “danger areas” that you are concerned about. These areas a unique and require special attention by skilled practitioners. And, a go slow approach by patients.

I’m happy to see others helping you on this issue. I’m going to have to do a thorough video on this subject with corroboration from a couple physicians. The key is WHY are these two areas different (cornier of the upper lip and “chin pad” areas). How should the client and therapist proceed? What can be done to help the healing (if at all) and to correct long-term effects.

After 45-years of doing electrolysis … these cases are number ONE in “problems with hair removal.” If you consider that, for example, the upper lip is a “flap” of skin … without a good collateral blood supply, as say, the back … you begin to understand why this area is “top of the list” for hair removal damage.

A good example of “too much, too fast,” is Caitlin Jenner (if you can find a photo that has not been “photoshopped”). Take a look at the two areas I’m talking about … especially the upper lip. I know (of) her electrologist and, yes, even experts can take this too far/toofast. Moreover, that frontal part of the face is the most important area, because it’s what people see when they look directly at you. I have some astonishing photos and I’m moving ahead with this. Bless you … and be well.

#9

hmmm… thanks for the pictures. One is too fuzzy, but the other was easier to see. I am not seeing anything that looks like scarring?? It does look like skin that is in the process of healing.

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#10

I guess thats my point. The picture from a handful of months in shows no scarring, but the picture at the beginning of this topic I took yesterday and it shows scarring after 15 months and about 85-95 hours in for electrolysis plus 6 laser sessions and 3 IPL sessions. I have heard that actual scarring from electrolysis may take about a year to present. It is what I think are scars in the first picture which concern me. I will be taking about 14 months off from all treatments for military deployment. If those scars are still there after those 14 months off, I am wondering what I can do about them and what can I do now to promote deep healing between now and then ?

#11

JF, you have made a very valid point … and one I plan to elaborate on in a few weeks. Here’s what happens. As your face is worked on, say your upper lip, neither you or the therapist will see anything untoward. But here’s the point: continuous inflammation, from on-going treatments, keeps the skin “nice and plump.” Nothing looks wrong, because of the swelling that can last a whole year after you’re finished up. And then, the “surprise” emerges. Sort of like the tide going out.

My lesson in this happened when I removed a full beard on a young man who had acne problems. During the process, he looked fine with nice plump “swollen” cheeks (I didn’t remove his upper lip hair). Then, I didn’t see him for a year … and, when he came in, I thought he’d lost weight! No, instead the swelling finally went away. His face was fine, but it was, nevertheless, a real shock.

Yes, you are correct in your above post.

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#12

So what can I do about it. The healing time during deployment and being less aggressive with treatments until I deploy are part of the equation, but is there anything else I can do now or after my deployment to help overcome this?

#13

I also failed to say that, of course, laser can also produce undesirable effects. Indeed, there will be people here offering-up some remedies for what you are experiencing. Were you my client, I would only say “wait and see.” TIME alone will render the final “verdict” and there is no way to speed up time.

Others here will disagree, and I would say … YES, take their recommendations. I mean, nothing you put on your skin will be damaging and it might help. However, once the obvious healing has taken place … and you see no more obvious manifestations … well, then it’s up to the skin itself. A lot of what you’re seeing will probably resolve just fine … but (sorry about the honesty), nobody can predict the eventual outcome.

I think it’s appropriate that you will be taking time off at this point. I wish you ALL the very best … and sincerely appreciate your service.

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#14

Thanks.

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#15

Yes, back to your original question. I agree with Mike’s suggestion about TIME. It may be all you need and it’s free.

I can just parrot what I’ve seen consumers say on this forum or other forums. The terms laser resurfacing, collagen peptides, onion peels are some of the thoughts that have surfaced over the years. I am not recommending these because that is not field of expertise. You need to consult with a dermatologist up close and personal to get their guidance. We can’t do that here. I wish you the best and thank you for your service.

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#16

Thank you as well

#17

Hello I am a Trans woman struggling with the exact issue!!! Please tell me you’ve found a procedure to undergo to get this removed. If so please respond back to me as soon as you can!! Im struggling! Thank you so much !:gift_heart: