Electrologist Said LHR Caused Ingrowns? True??

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Hi All,

I had another post a week or so ago regarding whether ingrown hairs could be induced by (improper) LHR sessions. I posted an update/questions here as that post was inactive I believe.

Anyhow, a quick refresh - I started getting ingrowns on my lower legs for the first time ever after several LHR sessions over the past couple years. They itch. They are red and unsightly. They are numerous. It may be entirely coincidental that I first got them after LHR.

Today I did an inpromptu drop-in on an Electrologists office as I happened to see one in my area while shopping. She only had about 5-10 minutes to look over my legs (not a true consult) as she had a client on the way.

Right away, she said she was concerned about all the red/raised bumps on my legs. I told her they had occured after several LHR sessions. She wasn’t surprised and responded that, to her understanding, LHR (in some people at least) can cause the skin to over-produce keratin and, because of this, the follicle becomes too “tough”/thick for any remaining/fine hair after LHR to push through - the result being ingrowns.

So, after that long winded explanation, here are my questions :slight_smile: -

*To the professionals out there - does her explanation seem plausible? have you heard of this occuring?

*Is it ok, and even good, to exfoliate between electrology sessions if you have ingrowns? If so, is a sugar or salt scrub better?

*Sidenote: The electrologist gave me her card and a brief medical questionnaire in case I decided to go with her and she seemed fairly knowledgable. However, I believe she has only been in business for about 2-3 years.

Thanks again for all your help and insight!

#2

Exposure to sunlight and/or heat (i.e., LHR), can exacerbate the dehydrated and ‘hardened’ skin of the lower leg causing the skin thicken and with time to eventually form a callus; it is no wonder that ingrown hairs happen in that environment. The skin is doing its job and so is that electrologist. Give her your business; she knows what she’s talking about!

Exfoliation: YES! Sugar and honey together slowly melt to make a hydrating and gentle scrub, and salt and oil removes dead skin and leaves behind a protective barrier. Merely rinse both after a gentle massage, let the scrub do the work, not the pressure of the hands.

Hydration: YES! Use an oil-rich moisturizer or apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (yes, it protects and prevents water evaporation from the skin) over an inexpensive water-rich lotion (preferably with no artificial fragrance).

The faithful use of both exfoliation and hydration will result in skin that is supple and soft; and eventually, with electrolysis, skin that is hair-free!

#3

Linda,

Thanks for your response, much appreciated!

I will start with the exfoliation scrubs right after my legs have healed a little bit more and just apply with the hands.

For the sugar scrub - does one simply mix honey and sugar together or are there other ingredients? Should it be warmed up?

Regarding the lotion, I have what I believe to be a good, natural product, that is unfragranced, has Vitamin E, Aloe and Chamomile, and is water rich (water is the first ingredient listed). It is oil free however, as I tend to break out easily so I go for non-comdogenic/non-oil based moisturizers. I hope this fits the bill. I also use non-soaps in the shower (ie; natural, glycerin based soaps with aloe), I’ve read these are best for natural retention of moisture in the skin as typical bar soaps strip the skin of its natural moisture.