Curious about recent thermolysis after-effects

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I recently had a 60m session with a local electrologist who used flash thermolysis on me. She worked on the left side of my face, both the upper lip and chin.

Within an hour of leaving her office, I noticed that my skin had begun to ooze yellowish lymph fluid copiously — it looked like I had melted a pat of butter on half my face. The entire upper lip turned into one giant mass of scab tissue and lymph crust within a day.

In the last week I have kept the area very clean with peroxide and witch hazel, coated it with Polysporin, used a warm Epsom salt compress twice daily followed by an ice pack, and kept it well-moistened with 100% aloe vera gel at all other times.

It’s now 8 days later, and the scab has fallen off on its own. The area is still very red/pink, has a dimpled appearance in spots, and feels very stiff and resistant to movement — it’s difficult to take large bites, or smile, for example. The area doesn’t hurt, but constantly feels dry, irritated, and burning, like very dry skin or badly chapped lips. I’m applying moisturizing lotion and aloe vera to the area, but it isn’t helping.

Is this normal for thermolysis? My previous practicioner exclusively used galvanic, so I don’t have a reference frame to judge by.

#2

Ugh. What happened to you is overtreatment as evidenced by the lymph fluid and crusting. It has nothing to do with thermolysis. Properly performed electrolysis equals no leakage of lymph fluid or scabbing. This can happen with improperly performed blend and galvanic, too, so let’s not focus on the modality used, but rather the skill and perhaps the equipment of the electrologist.

I URGE YOU TO COMMUNICATE WITH HER. IF YOU TOOK PICTURES, SHOW HER WHAT SHE DID. IT IS OKAY TO GIVE HER FEEDBACK. YOU WOULD DO THIS IF THE DRY CLEANERS RUINED YOUR $200 PATRA COCKTAIL DRESS, WOULDN’T YOU?

Do not get another treatment until your lip has completely healed and never, ever pick off a scab. Use the aloe liberally.

Please check out other practitioners who understand their equipment and can see if the skin is reacting angrily during a treatment. OKAY!!!

General Note to everyone: Please take pictures when things like this happen. Pictures speak volumes.

Dee

#3

Since we were not part of your experience and unaware of all the variables of your situation, its not fair to make a call as to what caused your reaction but it appears to be over-treatment but can’t tell for sure without more information – and that information would need to come from the electrologist. If he/she wants to troubleshoot, invite her here to participate and maybe we can all figure it out together.

Did you take photos, did you visit your electrologist to show tissue reaction?

Your self aftercare sounds good however I don’t like the ice packs. Ice is okay on and off for about 10 minutes on non-oily skin immediately following electrolysis as it reduces swelling. If used later after electrolysis, it delays healing. Oily skin types are better off with warm compresses after-treatment.

Thermolysis isn’t responsible for your reaction.

#4

This is overtreatment. It has nothing to do with the type of electrolysis that was used. It just means you treated too many follicles too close together for too long.

You shouldn’t use polysporin next time. It can do more bad than good. Stick with simple: witch hazel during the day and tea tree oil at night is best.

#5

Oh my this sounds like over treatment I would suggest communicating with the electrologist,and maybe consider going elsewhere.

#6

Audrey, I’m pretty sure it’s overtreatment. The face has such high density of hair that it might be best for you to work sporadically over the area rather than focus too much in one spot. You don’t want to create a cave behind the skin!

Did you get some other treatments from other practitioners? How did those turn out?

#7

I agree with Dee, clearly this practitioner was unable to interpret the skins’ reaction, and adjust her settings. Perhaps someone here could refer you, to someone else in your area.

#8

Hello everyone! Thank you for the concerned replies. I did take pictures (both before and after) and will post them here for comparison as soon as I can get them transferred to my computer.

I haven’t talked to the practicioner yet. At first I was too overwhelmed trying to manage the area (I scar very easily, so once it became clear how much damage may have been done, I’ve been really worried). Now, I want to get some feedback from others (you guys included) to make sure I approach her about the right problems in the correct manner. I will also invite her to this thread, as Arlene suggested — she actually is registered here, but rarely posts.

In terms of caves as Bryce mentioned — that’s what I’m most scared about. There are many shallow depressions all over the area and a particularly gruesome one (discolored brownish and everything) near the corner of my mouth. I’ve been constantly researching the last week trying to understand what I can do to help prevent this from turning into pitted scarring.

Anyway, I’ll update again when I get my photos uploaded.

#9

Oh, also, I need to do a lot of driving around this Friday — sun exposure I can’t get out of.

Can anyone here recommend a good sunblock to help prevent the area from spotting? The skin on my face breaks out really easily, especially from sunscreens, which is what’s making it hard to find a usable one.

I could also use recommendations on a gentle facial cleanser, suitable for use on the damaged tissue — the one I usually use has alpha-hydroxys in it and the area did not react well to them.

Thanks if anyone has a suggestion. :slight_smile:

#10

The best sun treatment is Para-Amino-Benzoic-Acid (PABA), zinc and water. For direct application, get the pills from your local supplement outlet and mix it with water and rub into the skin. You should also take some internally.

#11

Hi everyone. Sorry about the delay — RL stuff, dermatologist appointments, and trying to find the camera’s USB cable. :wink:

I’ve uploaded images for before, after, and several days after treatment. I would appreciate feedback on these images, as well as advice: am I justified in being concerned? What sort of stance and attitude should I take about this matter when I contact the practicioner?

The second image indicates where different practicioners worked. Because 4 different electrologists in my area were all being highly recommended (including on this forum), I decided to give each one a 60m session and see who I liked best. I had each practicioner work in a different area of my face so I could compare the results easily. Practicioner #4’s area is the one I’m very concerned about.

Here’s a link to the comparison photos. The image is quite large in order to show detail; you may need to zoom in, depending on what browser you’re using:
http://premium1.uploadit.org/Mineralogy/comparison_1701-1708-1738.jpg

Note: In case this info is important, there is much less lymph seen here than there was immediately after Practicioner #4’s treatment because I had to dab at it a few times while driving to other appointments (it was beginning to run down my face).

#12

Thanks for the pictures. Those who click on the link will get the full size versions and blow ups.

I can see why the fourth worker’s results alarmed you after what you had before. I can’t say if you had more hairs removed in a smaller area, your hydration was better that day, her treatment energy was off, or if her insertions were shallow, but the good news is that this will fade. If you use Tea Tree Oil overnight, and Aloe Vera during the day, while getting a good dietary, and/or supplemental intake of vitamins C, A, E, D-3, and zinc, you should find that this is a memory in no time at all.