First experience jitters

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Alright. I am another first timer who is freaking out! I went for an initial consultation with a recommended electrologist (she was also mentioned on this site as being highly qualified). I want the hair on my upper lip and the stray hairs on my chin gone and she did a trial treatment on these areas using short wave thermolysis with a gold insulated probe.

My hair is from my lovely Italian ancestry and the moment someone made fun of my moustache when I was thirteen, I shaved it off. Over the years, my routine became shave and then pluck the hairs that I could still feel with my fingers. I never knew plucking caused them to turn more coarse over the years until I started investigating electrolysis recently. I am now 36. Eesh.

I thought the initial consultation went ok. I didn’t really feel too much pain during the treatment - but afterward she said, “oh, I forgot to turn the blower on.” I had no idea what she meant and went on my merry way.

For a couple of days I had some red flat spots which didn’t sound unusual after going through previous posts here. However. After about three days, I noticed I had what looked like pimples to me - although they did not have whiteheads on them. There were about 6 of these bumps on the left side of my mouth. I called and she said I had an infection which concerned me seeing as how I did everything she told me to for aftercare. (ice for five minutes, wash with anti-bacterial soap, follow with hydrogen peroxide and top with pure aloe).

She had me come in to look at it the next day and said it wasn’t an infection after all and that she had “never had anyone react that way.” Then after a moment, she recanted. She said she used to see reactions like this with older machines and since she forgot to turn the “air blower” on it essentially made her newer machine like the older ones. Has anyone ever heard this?

Anyway - she told me not to worry, it would clear up. Which they did about 3 days later so I made an appointment for the actual first visit. I went this past Wednesday for 15 minutes. She turned on the blower and turned down the heat. I never felt plucking but did feel tugging. A couple of hairs she could not get out and said I had “plucking privilages” on those because the hair disappeared too quickly back into my skin and they would pop out in a couple of days. Again, has anyone else ever been told this? Problem is - I can’t remember exactly where those two plucking privilges are and I don’t want to pluck a wrong hair nor do I want them treated again next week.

Also, on the area under my nose it was really painful (I’ve never plucked there) and I smelled burning hair once which completely freaked me out. What was that, why did it happen and will I get a scar there?

Another issue: I could feel pricks in my skin several times. I didn’t know that was bad until I came back to this forum afterwards. I have no idea if I felt a prick as the needle went in or if I felt the prick when I was being zapped. Is there a difference? Could someone explain why this is bad and does it mean I will definitely have scarring or could skin recover from this?

I’m sorry - I know this is very long. My concern is whether or not I’m getting good treatment. I am so terrified of getting skin damage but also very depressed about having this hair. I know the answer will be to try many different electrologists but I think my concern will always be the same. How do I know if I’m getting good treatment when I am completely new at this? I have read it takes many months for scarring to show up. How do you know if something is done sooo wrong to your skin that you will get scarring? Can you ever know right away?

It is extremely difficult to put the fate of my skin in the hands of a stranger and going around from stranger to stranger ups my anxiety even more.

I should mention my skin reaction this time around. Even after the burning smell, pricks and hairs she couldn’t get…my skin seemed to do ok. No pimples - just a few red spots again which seem to be disappearing. I have one tiny scab on my upper lip - but not where I had the blow out.

I am not following her aftercare, though. It seemed too harsh. I am using tea tree and aloe now.

If someone thinks my experience sounds fishy - please let me know. I can’t find any info on the other electrologists in my area (absolutely none) and would hate to just go out there on blind faith.

thanks so much.

#2

Since you did not put your location in your profile, no one who knows about practitioners in your area can help you either.

#3

Dear Jen,

You bring up lots of issues:

  1. Highly recommended on this site could mean anything from one’s sincere electrolysis experience, to an electrologist self promoting or even to an electrologist referring a friend/colleage. It is all here and I have enough written clients’ histories to know it. Yes, I have seen these clients who have been to the electrologists referred here and have heard comments that make me question the poster’s motives. This is why I urge seekers of electrolysis to visit several electrologists before embarking on what will be the answer to your unwanted hair.

As electrology professionals, if we make referrals based on limited personal experience, our integrity and credibility is questionable. I feel that if we educate others as to what to look for in treatments so that the consumer can make an educated decision, that is most fair.

I am aware that professionals make referrals all of the time and as a consumer, I have often been disappointed as referrals are often to networks in business and personal relationships.

  1. Regarding the blower…
    I also have this feature on one of my epilators and it is merely a way to help cool the tissue as we are working and is also a nice sensation for some, a good distraction. This feature is not detremental to your treatment success so forget it as it isn’t an important enough factor to be concerned about.

  2. Regarding the pinpoint scabs and the breakouts…
    Scabbing can happen. Breakouts can happen.
    How do you minimize this?
    Well, ice can actually be a bad idea in some cases as it makes the pores contract and prevents the natural flow of sebum. Sure, you want to reduce swelling but often times it causes more problems. Applying aloe immediately following treatment is better than icing but even still some clients like the ice, ask for the ice, the ice is not a problem for everyone. If you are an oilier skin type, forget about the icing. Antibacterial soap is not the best soap to use in this region. It kills harmful bacteria yes, but it also kills the beneficial bacteria and can cause harmful strains of bacteria to become immune to the antibacterial properties so… with all of my bla blabing… stop icing, use the aloe for sure, and wash with a mild gentle soap like Cataphil. Use a bit of tea tree oil on the breakouts should you see them again, don’t use hydrogen peroxide, it too kills good bacteria along with the harmful.

4)Newer machines or older machines have nothing to do with air probes, blowing as you referred to it. Some old machines have that feature too. Not using the blower is not going to make the machine like an older one and you can tell her I told you so. She can just be added to the list of those who hate me for seeming like a know-it-all. Newer machines have the ability to work at higher settings and faster timings and are programmable; “blowing” is not part of that new - old criteria.

  1. I am not sure what sensation you are referring to when you mention the pricking. Can you explain this?

  2. As an electrology instructor, I am not familiar with the “plucking privledge” concept. Furthermore, since I don’t see the hair, the ingrowns, the skin or even the technician at work, I can’t comment on that at this time. Are you currently shaving the area prior to treatment? Do you have lots of tiny hairs? Sometimes with very hairy upper lips with so many tiny hairs, it can be a challenge to grasp a single hair however this is rare and almost exclusive to white hairs.

I hope I offered something useful. You are not Electrologist choice limited as you mention. I know of 3 offices in Austin: Lydia Flowers, Nancy Metzger, Bette Napier Pritchett. I have no idea if they are good or not but it is up to you to interview them and evaluate based on criteria that you can find at this website. Visit: http://www.hairfacts.com/tips/zapchoose.html

#4

Hi Jen,

I started having work done on my upper lip a little over 2 months ago and it isn’t exactly one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had. The upper lip is the most sensitive area and it will smart a bit when being worked.

I too have had some of the red spots you mentioned as well as a few “bumps” in the area, post treatment. The main thing to remember about this is to keep the area clean with a mild soap, no washcloths or rubbing the area, and pat the area dry with a clean towel.

Do not use any antibiotic or greasy ointments on the area, the area will heal better with exposure to air and the OTC antibiotics will actually cause some degree of irritation to the skin in most people. It is absolutely essential to adopt a hands-off attitude for any area that’s been treated as touching the area will damage any healing scabs and rub bacteria into the treated follicles. Peroxide and alcohol are also not a good idea. Aloe applied after cleansing is a good idea, but it is also a very good idea to use a non-greasy, zinc based sunblock on the area for at least 4 days post treatment. From my own experience, the best way to deal with the area is to just let nature take it’s course and heal naturally as much as possible.

As a side note, I would suggest that you consult with other electrologists and see how they work before committing to one person for your work. You will find out that there is a wide range in the qualities of work between practitioners.

Joanie <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

#5

Highly recommended on this site could mean anything from one’s sincere electrolysis experience, to an electrologist self promoting or even to an electrologist referring a friend/colleage. It is all here and I have enough written clients’ histories to know it. Yes, I have seen these clients who have been to the electrologists referred here and have heard comments that make me question the poster’s motives. This is why I urge seekers of electrolysis to visit several electrologists before embarking on what will be the answer to your unwanted hair.

As electrology professionals, if we make referrals based on limited personal experience, our integrity and credibility is questionable. I feel that if we educate others as to what to look for in treatments so that the consumer can make an educated decision, that is most fair.

I am aware that professionals make referrals all of the time and as a consumer, I have often been disappointed as referrals are often to networks in business and personal relationships.

I have suggested to several consumers here on hairtell and another forum that they go see you , Arlene, even though I have no personal relationship with you to know if you are a skilled electrologist or not. I can make an educated guess that you probably are based on your posts and your numerous credentials. Am I to understand that I shouldn’t be advising consumers who live in your area to contact you, but rather generically tell them to sample several electrologists and by the way, good luck!?

I think we had a very good discussion about this very point recently and every electrologist that contributes to this board piped up and said they would starve if their only motive for checking in here was to gain clients. We all know that this site does little to pay the bills for us. I really don’t see any problem with mentioning names of electrologists that could be a possible starting point for a new consumer to explore, as it is their decision anyway as to who they will or will not call. WE,as in all electrologists that post here, have always recommended that the consumer SHOULD sample as many practitioners as their heart desires.

If you would prefer that I not mention you by name as an expert electrologist, then please tell me so. Trouble is, I have such faith in your abilities and it seems ashame to hide someone who has skill from the needy hairy.

#6

Dee, the greatest professional honor for me, is the referral. When people I know ask me for referrals, I try to find someone. People who have interacted with me have already had consultations, have a general idea of what to look for and an established criteria that will help them to make appropriate choices.

HOWEVER, when anonymous people ask me for referrals, as they often do via email, I have a different approach.

For example, a few minutes ago I responded to an email asking me for the name of an electrologist who can work on eyebrows. Since I don’t know the person, I sent the following response:

[i]Dear (I am withholding the name):

I think HairTell is a wonderful place to get information.
The sister site is HairFacts.
FIRST, visit the HairFacts website to read the criteria to help guide you in finding a suitable electrologist.
THEN, visit the credentialling organizations membership directory that lists electrologists by state

HAIRFACTS website http://www.hairfacts.com/tips/zapchoose.html
ELECTROLYSIS ORGANIZATIONS:
http://www.electrology.com
http://www.scmhr.org

That is the best I can do for you as I really don’t know who the most skilled electrologist is in your area.
In the meantime, what you can do is, start clipping pictures from magazines that depict eyebrows as you
would like yours to look. The preexisting shape of your brow will determine how close your electrologist
can get to your ideal.

All the best,

Arlene

[/i]

Dee, the thing is, I know the equipment you use, I know the magnification you use, I know your level of committment and understanding and compassion so I too feel comfortable referring you.