Distressed newbie - don't think this is normal

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Hello everybody,

I’m new here and would desperately like some advice. I recently decided to have electrolysis on my feet (toes mainly, but also on top of feet) and chose an electrolysis based on her professional membership and length of experience (25+yrs); she works as a beauty therapist offering other services, but offers electrolysis to clients on a regular basis.

I’ve never had electrolysis before, but had IPL (different practitioner) some years ago on my face - there was no problem with that whatsoever apart from some light redness for the first few hours. I’m female with a celtic complexion and very dark hair. A lot of the hairs on my toes were quite hoarse. I do have very sensitive skin and have a few skin allergies.

The therapist was very thorough with checking my medical background and was clear that I have sensitive skin. She said that she would use a ‘gold needle’ due to my sensitivity. She explained that I might get scabbing for a few days aferwards, which could stay for 12wks as the worst case scenario.

Her first attempt was so excrutiatingly painful that I couldn’t bear it and had to stop after a few minutes - I normally have a high pain threshold, have no fear of needles, tweezers, waxing etc. She told me to buy a local anaesthetic cream and apply that beforehand - we rescheduled the appointment. When I returned the following day, having applied the cream (correctly), the session was fine and the pain was far far bearable.

The skin was extremely angry afterwards and after about a day or two of being bright red, it had calmed but the scabs had appeared - some large and dark red. I thought they would go after a few days but no…they are still there. I kept telling myself that it must be “normal” and went back for a second appointment. When she saw the state of my toes, she didn;t seem concerned and said “well, I did say it could take 12wks”. She proceeded to remove a few extra hairs from my toes (not from the scabs, but very close by) and from my feet, having made no adjustments from the first time.

I complained that it was hurting again and she did turn the machine down. Now, 5 days after the most recent apt, the scabs on the area where the heat was turned down are a lot smaller than the other areas where the heat was adjusted.

After 19 days after my first appointment, the scabs are still as dark and large as before, although there is some healing going on. I’ve since been reading the forum on here and it would seem that what I am experiencing is not normal, and is most likely the therapist using either too much heat or being too fast or both.

I’m very distressed about the condition of my skin as it’s very unsightly and I can imagine it staying like this for weeks on end. I’ve been following proper after-care and not at any point did I go into the sun, swim or exercise for the first 48 hours (I haven’t been in the sun or swimming at all in fact!).

I’m going to upload a pic - this is how all my toes and an area on the feet look :cry: I’m sorry that it’s such a rubbish picture but my camera has broken and I only have my phone, which isn’t great. But you can get a gist of what it’s like:

qwerty Attachments

electro 19days.jpg

#2

Sorry again for really poor picture quality!!

I’d really appreciate your opinions. Surely this isn’t how I should be looking almost three weeks later??? :frowning: :frowning:

#3

It’s difficult to see well from your picture but I looked the issue up in Mike Bonos book and it seems to fall within what is considered normal. It may take up to 4 to 6 months to resolve but all things being well you should be hair free when all’s said and done

#4

Hi hairy paws,

Don’t be alarmed. Generally, even in the best case scenario the toes scab or pigment. I had small scabs on every treated follicle for weeks afterwards and then pigmentation but you would never think it now looking at the skin.

Yes… with a modern epilator and other equipment advancements plus an electrologist that is skilled in making the best of what he/she has, this can be minimised but for most clients it will be something they experience.

If she feels the lower setting is still effective enough to do the job, then continue with that.

#5

http://www.hairtell.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/86222/Michael_Bono.html#Post86222

#6

Thank you for the replies and reassurance.

However, the photo I’ve uploaded is really not showing the true degree of scabbing. There are a couple of normal sized scabs, but they are mostly not pin-head size, they are the size of several pinheads together, they are much large than the size of the hair follicle. Some of them are even an extended triangular shape. I wish they looked like the ones in the picture, but they do not.

I have seen a few pictures on here of similar scabs and then general response has been that they are unacceptable.

I’ll try to get another photo, as the one I’ve taken makes it look like they’re faint.

I feel like crying. :frowning:

#7

I don’t think there are any scabs in the pictures in the link I posted because it does not show anything for the days after treatment.

Anyway, how are the second lot?

Don’t lose hope, they will heal. It will just take time.

#8

The toes are the slowest to heal area, of the whole body. Temporary scabbing and pigmentation are very common and can take several months to fully clear, but the end result will be perfect. What concerned me about your post, was that a second visit was necessary to clear the area. On average both toes, for a first clearance would take 10 or 15 minutes in total.

#9

Toes can be slow to heal as shoes and socks rub against the tissue. With normal skin cell renewal, the dark spots will become lighter.

Immediately following electrolysis toe treatments, apply a cold compress to reduce inflammation. For some folks, inflammation is followed by hyperpigmentation.

Also, do not pick at any scabs that may form.

Also, remember to apply sunscreen if you are wearing sandals or exposing your feet outdoors in daylight. At this time, the sunscreen I suggest is MDSolarsciences.

On a final note: shop around for services. Start talking to people about hair removal and get recommendations and perhaps you will find a more skilled practitioner.

#10

From what i can see in the photo looks like hyperpimentation. This is very common on toes. Do not worry, these are temporary and can last up to 4 to 6 months.
This is why I think it is important for the electrologist to inform her client of all possible side effects.

#11

I’m in agreement with the other Electrologists. Toes, feet, fingers, hands are most prone to scabbing and take the longest to heal due to their distance from the heart and receiving the least amount of circulation. However, it’s my professional opinion that an insulated probe would have minimized the sensitivity and side effects, especially in that area. When you go back, perhaps you can discuss with your electrologist the possibility of using an insulated probe vs. a gold probe.

#12

Anything is worth a try, but I believe that most toe hair is so shallow that in many cases, a full insertion would still leave the insulation on the outside of the skin. I am not sure it matters if one has a bare or insulated probe on most toe and finger jobs.

#13

I use both gold and insulated probes for these areas. Hyperpigmentation is nil to a brief period of time where little brown dots appear and in a short period of time, it fades nicely.

#14

The reason I had to go back was that there were hairs that she couldn’t reach due to their position in the hair cycle/length.

Thank you again for all of the comments. I feel much more reassured now. But I do still think that some of the scabs are unacceptably large and indicate a more slap-dash approach.