I have been getting electrolysis (Thermolysis) on my face for quite a while now. I would say that I have had about 5 full clearances. On this last clearance, I have noticed that a small dark spot, about the size of a dime, seems to have formed as the hair has grown back. I thought it was just maybe the way the hair was growing back, but I can still see the spot after shaving. Looking closely in the mirror, it seems like the skin adjacent to the hairs on that spot is dark, not just where the hair is popping out.
I wonder if the skin could actually be bruised. I have had bruises form on my arms and chest before from electrolysis, but never on the face. Could it also be irritation from the hairs trying to pop out of the skin? Anything else it could be?
Could be a bruise, but bruises turn colors, going yellow as the blood absorbed. Your electrologist is in the unique position of putting on her magnification glasses and actually taking a closer look. Have you asked her opinion?
How long is “quite awhile”? Do you feel and see any improvement? Five clearances is good. Hair grows in cycles, so if he/she can keep you clear, this will get you to the end game plan successfully. So how long have you been going? Every week? How many hours a week? Every three weeks? How many years or months?
I have been going for about 10 months. As I am doing my entire upper body, I am only able to get a full face clearance about every 1.5-2 months. I have noticed a big difference. Now after about 3 or 4 days, my facial growth is where it previously was after 1 day.
Lately it seems that the growth all around has significantly slowed. It seemed for a while that it would just keep growing and growing. I guess after 10 months, most hair growth cycles should have been treated.
I have been getting treated an average of 3 hours a week by a fast electrologist. It’s an agressive schedule, but I don’t have much of a choice since I am treating such a large area.
I’m sorry. Some more questions for you to help me understand this better.
By “entire upper body” do you mean face,neck (front and back) upper chest and upper back, upper arms and shoulders?
You are on an aggressive schedule, but are you focusing on one area, like your face? Are you keeping that area hair-free each time you go in and then moving to the next area with the same concept of clear and maintain?
As far as your original question goes about the small, dark spot, has your electrologist looked at it under her magnification and given you her opinion?
Yes I am doing the entire “upper body” ,minus the forearms.
I am focusing on multiple areas at once, but do get each cleared fully before moving to the next. It seems to be working pretty good, but with that much area, there are always going to be areas that get neglected a little longer. Since I am not looking to completely clear the face, just thin, I usually get a full clearance every couple months and then see how it looks as it grows out. I do try to shave a week or so before on areas that have been grown out quite a bit, just to make sure that hairs being treated are in the growth phase.
I have not seen my electrologist lately, as she was out for a few weeks, but will see her today and see what she thinks about the spot.
I would urge you to take some pictures so you can track your progress.
Also, if this was me, I would probably concentrate on one or two areas because it seems like you’re spreading yourself too thin with treating so many areas at once. Even at 3 hours a week, I don’t see how you can get all the hairs in the right phase each time. You’re definitely letting a bunch slip by which will make your treatment period longer overall.
What type of hair do you have on all these areas? Dark? Coarse? Sparse? How much hair? Do you have pictures?
Sorry for the delay. The hair on the face was pretty dark and course. It has thinned as treatments have progressed. Other areas have somewhat thin hair.
I had my electrologist look at the dark spot. She didn’t think that it was actual darkening of the skin but simply a few more hairs growing in the area. I had her remove them. About a month later, the spot is slightly visible but has lightened up quite a bit. Hopefully it will continue to lighten. I will post pictures as soon as I can.
Great. What you described is typical coloration for a light colored mole that is being treated. The hairs are thick and bunch together and that makes an area look darker as the hair starts to rise to the surface. I guess this can happen also if a mole is not present.