I have recently had thermolysis to remove some coarse facial hairs. I have found however that my skin reacts badly to the treatment in terms of redness, hard bumps and spots. i also now have some scarring. I have very sensitive pale skin.
I changed electrologists and have now started having blend. my skin has not reacted quite as badly to this method however does remain red in the area treated. During the treatment i could feel the hairs almost being plucked out. Is this normal, does this mean the hairs were not treated sufficiently? Im not sure whether i should go somewhere else?
Thanks
If you have the option of seeing someone else in your area, it is probably a good idea. When you find a practitioner who is truly skilled and efficient, you will not need to visit here for advise, you will know without a doubt, that you are in skilled hands. Where are you located?
Hi,
Thanks for your reply.
Im in Derbyshire, uk. I’m on my third electrologist and do not know of anyone else in my area. Are you able to recommend anyone?
thanks
Have you checked the BIAE (electrolysis co Uk ) membership list?
Hi,
Yes, i found all 3 electrologists by the looking at the membership list. Im unsure as to where to go with electrolysis from here as my problem seems to be getting worse rather than better.
thanks
Unfortunately with coarse hairs more energy needs to be used to destroy the follicle effectively. This does sometimes result in small scabs. during my own treatment I had my fair share of these but when left alone mine sloughed off and healed perfectly with no signs I had ever been treated. I didn’t use ANY after care apart from the aloe or witch that was applied immediately my treatment was over… I wanted rid of my beard ASAP so I was ok with light scabbing here and there, I never felt plucking, not once that I recall. Quite often the hairs would slide from the follicle alongside the probe as it was withdrawn.
I do appreciate that it’s not ok for everyone to have any sign that they are being treated but I believe there is a trade off between effective treatment using appropriate energy and some post treatment reaction or not so effective treatment with hardly any reaction but plucking being felt.
Maybe return to the practitioner where the hairs were removed without plucking but discuss the possibility of reducing the energy a little in the hope of less reaction but still effective treatment.
Best of luck
Follizap gives excellent advice. Some inflammation and very minor scabbing is normal. Wash gently with mild soap and water and rinse very well. These small scabs will eventually release, revealing fresh, healthy, and most importantly unscarred skin beneath.
Perhaps also the use of an insulated needle, could avoid scabbing entirely. How is your healing, generally?
Thank you for your replies.
I accept that some level of post treatment reaction is normal. However i have been left with a large area of redness and a constant burning, painful sensation to the areas treated. I also have several large (5 mm), hard, red,raised fleshy lumps 8 weeks since my last thermolysis treatment. Is this normal?
I have followed the after care instructions to the letter.
My healing generally is not great, my skin scars very easily. I have a nickel allergy also and so the latest electrologist has used a gold needle.
thanks
hi, ive just spoken to another electrologist who has told me that with the level of my skin reaction and the strength of my hair electrolysis is contraindicated and that i should consider waxing instead. can anyone advise on whether this is true?? i really dont want to wax. im assuming that my face remains not healed as it remains red with lumps 8 weeks down the line?
thanks
Hi Harp. I am a client NOT a pro but my understanding is that if you want to KEEP the excess hair and make it worse then waxing is the way to go.
I am shocked that a practitioner would have given you that advise.
Please keep looking and trialling more electrologists. You will find someone.
Or speak to the most recent electrologist about the settings and your skin reaction.
Electrolysis works on all hair structures so it WILL work on your particular hair structure.
Merely possessing a machine or being the proud owner of a diploma does not make someone an electrologist and giving advice like that would pretty well be a disqualification me thinks.
Run for the hills, don’t look back.
Issywissy’s hitting the nail on the head with what she says
I agree completely with follizap, this excuse for an electrologist, was intimmidated by your sensitive skin, and instead of directing you to a more skilled / experienced practitioner, she gave you appalling advice. Do, run for the hills!!!
Hello again Harp 
The link I’ve stuck in here is to another thread that may contain useful info for you being as how you have light coloured skin and are experiencing some scabbing/red spots. Mikes post may be of particular interest to you regarding normal healing.
It may even inspire you to carry on with the original practitioner who removed the hairs without plucking…
The scabs will only ever be temporary, when they are left alone they wont result in scars, mine certainly didn’t, the hairs wont return, they’ll be gone permanently.
It’s a fair trade off
Best wishes
Waxing is only temporary. Pulling the hairs out via waxing is no different from plucking, only faster. I have extremely sensitive and tender skin (pale, Irish, red tones) and switching to the Laurier Insulated Bulbous Probe (IBP) resolved the majority of my skin reactions from flash thermolysis. You might suggest using this probe to your electrologist, and offer to purchase and provide the probes yourself. If your skin does not heal well or in a reasonable time, you might want to consider taking daily vitamin and mineral supplements containing Biotin, Zinc, and Magnesium, as well as drinking large quantities of water throughout the day to better hydrate your skin.
“ … as well as drinking large quantities of water throughout the day to better hydrate your skin.”
Be careful on this recommendation. You never know how extreme a patient can get following recommendations. “Large quantities” is too vague.
Two months ago, a friend’s brother died by drinking too much water. The family, from Ukraine, had a son (36) who was mentally ill. He had to be watched because he wanted to “wash the evil spirits from his body with water.” Two months ago, he succeeded and also died: electrolyte imbalance.
I seriously do not think most people are so dehydrated that their skin will not heal. Again, you just never know how far someone will go with a “recommendation.” To me a large amount of water would be drinking 3 or 4 extra glasses of water. To someone else, it could be much more.
Wise words Michael. Sorry to hear about such an unfortunate loss.
Remaining well hydrated is helpful though. Many people barely drink 2 glasses of water a day, which is why this recommendation is given so often. How much you need depends on your lifestyle - sedentary or active, how much exercise, the climate, whether you drink alcohol. They say about 8 glasses a day. Some people may only need 4 or 5.
I have an online friend in the UK who approached me in regards to electrolysis. So I helped her out, explaining the process and where she could find one. She found someone from the BIAE directory and was happy with the consultation. I suggested she try others too. I didn’t hear from her for about a month so I messaged her. She replied it had been going fine, she had been going to twice weekly appointments, except this week where she scabbed. I asked whether she was as well hydrated this week and she replied, no because she was fasting and it was also very hot.
I’m sure she will heal just fine but now that she knows she can avoid them and it was not because of a change in how her electrologist works, she will be more careful in this regard.
Yikes! Well, I just thought of another recommendation: “Do not FAST during electrolysis treatment.” Wow, fasting, not drinking water and in a hot environment. Madonna Mia!
Extreme fasting elevates Ketones and can therefore create a magnificent skin environment for very nasty microorganisms, e.g., staphylococcus. (Look it up, it’s all over the internet.)
You know, we never really know what the patients are doing, do we? Post plastic surgery (home remedy) stories? You wouldn’t believe it!
Indeed Michael. I think there is a lot to be said to eating well, drinking a good amount of water and being well rested for how one reacts to electrolysis treatment and how quickly one heals.
I know I’m going on a bit but the lifestyle and diet of many of us living in the developed world leaves a lot to be desired. Negligible amount of fresh vegetables and fruit, believing we have had enough to drink because of that can of coke or cup of coffee etc!
hi
im now 10days since my last blend electrolysis session. i remain having a red area-this area had been previously overtreated- and this area feels quite painful and continuously throbs. is this normal? could i have an infection? i have not experienced this throbbing before
thanks