Electrolysis scarring

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

This is difficult to write. I know I am permanently scarred from just one session of electrolysis. I don’t want it sugar coated. I don’t know what to do?

I’ve had 5 sessions of laser hair removal on my beard. They gave great results. However, within a month of the hair falling it out, it grew RIGHT BACK. It seemed in the middle of treatments like I was getting great results. Then it just started growing back more and more.

I have to have my beard removed because I have severe issues with fungal/yeast/bacteria infections in my beard. Since I was 12 years old my facial hair has reeked havoc. Endless accutane treatments, antibiotics, fluconazoles, biopsies. There is no solution but to remove the beard permanently. Even from dermatologists.

Then only positive was that I really didn’t have facial scarring. However, I am prone to scarring (I assume from so many courses of accutane). ALthough I had been off long before I had ever started laser, and laser never ever scarred me.

Since I knew electrolysis was my only option at this point, I found reference for a local electrolygist. She had 30+ experience and had glowing reviews. I told her specifically, “I am terrified of scarring.” She understood and made me feel really comfortable. She did a test patch, and it wasn’t painful at all. I honestly could’ve fallen asleep. It almost felt like a slight bee sting, but the bee was on Tylenol PM or something. Anyway, that patch cleared in redness within a day. I was ecstatic!

So, I came back 4 days later for my first two hours. Again, it wasn’t painful really. To me, laser hair removal was undeniably painful. It was unbearable sometimes. However, electrolysis seemed to be bearable. The only thing I noticed, is she said, “Your hair is very coarse, I am going to do something called a double tap.”

She zapped some hairs 7 times each. 7 TIMES EACH. However, it didn’t hurt. I never once felt the probe go in, or my hair being tugged. I only felt the electric shock sometimes.

The session was over and then I went to my car. My heart sank.

I could visibly see pieces of flesh missing. It’s like my whole pore had literally been removed. Like a cheese grater.

This texture has not changed for a week. I scabbed slightly. However, I just have very visible holes. My skin was smooth before.

I am so upset because I have to continue. My beard will NOT respond to laser hair removal.

These scars. I can’t believe it. Only one session. These are permanent. I just know it. It isn’t redness, it’s literal holes.

I will attach my skin before and after. The marks you see are the electrolysis. I have never had icepick scarring in my entire life on my face. Just compare before and after.

One picture shows the progress of the laser at one point. You can see the texture of my skin clearly isnt’t scarred. The after two photos are the scarring post one week of electrolysis

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#2

I suggest you stop treatment for several weeks and let your skin heal. Don’t worry. It’s too early to conclude that you have developed permanent ice picked scarring. The ice pick look is commonly similar to post treated hair follicles that have a “dead space” inside them and the opening pulls inward as fbroblast fills in from the bottom of the follicle. It all normalizes as wounds continue to heal. They don’t finish healing in a week.
You are one of dozens of new posts with the same story and worries about permanent scarring.

Take your time and watch ALL videos about electrolysis wound healing process from a professional. It will help you understand physiology of what you’re seeing now. I’m linking to a video part #3. I suggest to start from part 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P1oFit1VtU

When you finish watching all presentations, you can ask questions that you have concerns about still.

#3

Thank you, Fenix. I appreciate your feedback. :slight_smile:

#4

However, it’s not normal to zap a hair more than once, right? Or is it?

#5

I’s completely normal to zap a follicle more than once. Often this is part of a variable depth technique designed to kill both the dermal papillae and the ghair germination cells ( stem cells) present in the bulge.8, well that’s a little excessive but I’ve done that many on problem or distorted hairs.

I’m going to disagree with fenix’s assessment to stop treatment. Actually, I’m going to disagree quite a bit with your own assessment. You absolutely are not scarred. DO watch the healing skin videos that fenix has linked you to. The four videos are grouped under a playlist you can find here:

Having looked at your horrendous photographs of scarring, I found, actually not a thing to be concerned about. Actually the whole experience of your electrolysis experience seems to be, exactly as it should be.Your skin is going to heal comppletely with zero side efects. And no scarring.
The indented effect is described in Michaels videos,and is a part of the healing process. The whole process takes around 18 months post treatment.
Dont sweat the small stuff, really. Relax, you from your own account, are in very good hands.Trust that your body has all it needs for a perfect skin outcome.

Ice-pick scarring is the after effect of cystic acne, not electrolysis.

Seana

#6

That’s hard to answer. There is no standard to how many zaps it should take to release a hair as there are too many variables involved. While 7 zaps sounds like too much to release a hair, 2-4 zaps are possible. If she is using very low energy levels, then it’s one of the reasons why it’s taking so many zaps per hair.

Are you even 100% sure that it was 7 zaps per hair and not you mistaking hairs next to each-other being zapped fast while you thought it was same hair? Based on your photos, your skin looks calm and not inflamed considering it’s been a week after 7 zaps per hair.

#7

Oh my … I read this tonight an had to chime in. To the boy: you will be fine. Maybe stop so you will be certain of the outcome. Watch this following when you have time.

#8

I appreciate all the feedback.

The technician told me specifically that she doesn’t stop zapping a hair until it “comes out” with “a bulb” or something.

I know everyone says this is normal but I’m just concerned that maybe because I’ve taken so many courses of accutane chance that this is why my skin reacts so harshly?

Again, you guys really have made me feel loads better. I agree, the electrolysist seems to be really experienced. I had expected so much pain with electrolysis, but I could’ve fallen asleep while I was having it done/

#9

Seana, I appreciate the reference to Michael’s videos (as someone else did earlier). It’s hard to find textbook information like he goes over in his videos. I do feel better.

#10

Seana breaks into gregorian chant: Ohmmmmmmmmm…Your going to be fine kiddo…Dont worry bout it! Ohmmmmmmmmmm …channel your inner asshat…Ohmmmmmmmmm…Fill the santa barbara harbour full of sandbags…ohmmmmmmm…Beatlejuice Beatlejuice Beatlejuice!

Wait…he posted? Hot damn that’s effective conjuring. I must’ve used synchro mode.

levlion, the videos are almost a “perfect match” for you. They were produced by Michael for pretty much exactly clients like you. It’s very normal for people to get flustered and over-analyse their skin reactions and then their anxiety eats away at them, and before you know it, they are certain they have been scarred for life. The videos give you the information needed to know what is going on so you can begin to relax and trust in the process. Michael was a very talented teacher at one time, and he continues to teach today, just to a different audience.Over the years there have been hundreds and hundreds of people who have come here certain their faces will never recover from what they KNOW i scarring and disfigurement for life. This anxiety doesnt serve you well I’m afraid. So I’m happy to reference the material which may help you gain the insight that everything is going to be just fine.

The practitioner was treating the hair until it released with no traction, and a full intact bulb attached. It was the RIGHT strategy, since the release of the hair is the most important measure we have of effectiveness of the treatment.Feeling absolutely nothing when the hair is removed ( and just feeling the energy pulses) is exactly what is supposed to happen.Your electrologist did an AWESOME job. Thank her.Trust in the process!

Seana