HOPE! Scars, pitting, over treatment, hyperpigmentation, "electrolysis ruined my skin"

[Chinnychinchin]

Hello everyone,

I am almost 2 years into my electrolysis journey now and wanted to share some hope with anyone worried about pitting, over treatment, and anyone who is terrified that their skin is ruined forever. I started my journey to remove a large number of coarse dark chin hairs on either side of my chin in the spring of 2022. I foolishly did 12 rounds of laser and it did absolutely nothing except possibly make things worse.

In January 2023 I started electrolysis with a well reviewed, lifelong pro in my area who was recommended to me by a friend who also has sensitive skin. She does thermolysis. I was worried after my first treatment because I had quite a few scabs and what looked like some weeping or burns. I shared photos on the forum and many practitioners told me it was perfectly normal and acceptable and I should go back to plucking if I didn’t like my results. And as someone scared shirtless that I had done something awful to my skin, that wasn’t appreciated or helpful and I’m sure some of you have experienced that from people on this forum as well.

After 4 treatments I started really seeing large pitting on my face along with hyperpigmentation and was understandably distressed. Now, not only did I have facial hair which CONTINUED to grow, but I looked like an acne scarred teenager as well.

In desperation I scoured the forums, looking for information. I found a few people who said that the BLEND method worked really well for their sensitive skin and set about searching for anyone in my area who practiced. There were only a few and all of them said they weren’t accepting new clients. In desperation I left a message for one of the practitioners and received a call back. She said she could tell how scared and worried I was and would set up a consultation. She also gave me so much wonderful information and I was very grateful!

It’s crazy to think I have been at this for almost 2 years! Time flies. But I’m pleased to say I am so happy with my results and my pitting is so much better!!! I don’t even see it anymore.

Two things made the difference, for me anyway, switching to blend which uses less heat and a much thinner needle (At least this electrologist does), and going less frequently, allowing my skin time to heal and calm down before the next appointment.

I will say that the blend method caused me to break out in acne on my chin every time until my last treatment where I figured out what was going on. I tried everything and nothing! Turns out, nothin is what works! All of the ointments and tea tree oil and hot compresses, polysporin, fusiden cream, and hydrocortisone we’re just gunking up my pores. I even tried Michael Bonos Emu Oil! But nothing worked. I finally gave up and started using nothing but witch hazel after washing my face with cold water. My skin was itchy as hell but I hardly got any ingrowns or acne! Hoping it works again this time

I hope this information helps people have hope as I know this forum can be tricky to navigate and there aren’t many hopeful follow up stories to the horror stories of over treatment and pitting, believe me I’ve looked!!

[Iluv2zap]

[edited]

i looked this up because in my 12 years of moderating this forum, i dont believe i EVER have seen an electrologist here just say " GO pluck instead" . I didnt find it this time either.
i did find however dee saying to go back to your temporary methods if you felt you were too insecure about your electrolysis treatments. Nowhere in your post, does it state you were plucking. most electrologist i know are constantly advising clients NOT to pluck their hairs.

[edited]

YOU were told however that from the photgraphic evidence you had provided, you were NOT overtreated. IT was me who told you that, and I stand by it. you were also addvised so by at least 2 other electrologists on this site. THe normal progression of healing for themolysis is well known. Withing 2-48 ours scaabs may appear depending on the treatment intensity. They should be small, about the size of a pinhead or smaller and fall off within 5-7 days for the most part. This is EXACTLY what your photos here show! VERY normal healing.

now compare your photos and description in that thread to the photos and description in all of the following threads which DO show the effects you purport in your own treatment:Possible overtreatment Germany collagen damage? Help :(
Overtreatment or normal healing depressions? - #4 by Geraldine
Electrolysis second session: skin reaction is scaring me a bit - #11 by erreichbar_unter
Electrolysis nightmare... pls help - #2 by Iluv2zap
Incredibly painful electrolysis, concerns post first round of treatments
Overtreatment and Damaged Skin?

All of these show what ACTUAL overtreatment looks like. Compare these to yours and there is no comparison. I’m sorry but what you presented here does not even come close. ANd it’s not overtreatment, to the contrary it shows very normal healing from a thermolysis treatment.

Now regarding aftercare, I can only speak personally, but I have never recommended ANYTHING other that cold aloe vera gel or cool water be put on skin for the first 2 hours after treatment, ever. IN fact if you look at my aftercare instructions for the last 12 years they read as follows:

"Electrolysis creates a small wound underneath the skin which destroys the hair germination cells in the follicle near the hair root . Keep the area as clean and free of contaminants as possible.
It is normal that the area(s) will become red and swollen immediately after treatment.In addition to this, the treated area(s) may feel hot and sensitive to touch.
During healing the empty follicle will fill with white blood cells, dead bacteria and other debris. Whiteheads and sometimes small scabs may form. Scabs fall off within a week and should not be picked, scratched or disturbed.

Washing the area(s) several times a day is the most important step to promoting healing . Use plain water or a mild soap without perfumes Gently soak the area with a face cloth 5-6 times daily to assist in carrying away debris. Do Not Scrub
During the first 24 hours after treatment:
Do Use to cool the area and reduce inflamation: Cool water ,Ice (not directly on skin) refrigerated aloe vera gel Gently wash the area as described above… Keep the area as contaminant free as possible…
Do not use : perfumes makeup moisturizers or lotions facial scrubs Do Not scratch, rub, or disturb the treated area. Do not use sunscreen or oils on the treated area, limit exposure to direct sunlight and use covering clothing or wide brimmed hats.
After 24 hours:

Teatree oil: Used as an antiseptic,and also dissolves scabs. It can dry the skin if used for extended periods however, so should be used sparingly.
Witch Hazel may also be used to clean the area.
Resume use of sunscreen once the redness and swelling are gone and continue to limit exposure to the sun.
Do not use tanning booths.
Do not pick at scabs or disturb the treated area. Scabs should fall off on their own within a week.
Avoid picking out or squeezing tombstones which are short little bits of dead hair that can resemble blackheads.The Electrologist will remove these properly.
Before your next appointment, remember to let the hairs grow as much as possible in order that we may grasp it with the tweezers and determine the direction of hair growth."

[edited]

if asked what to put on the skin, wherther it Michael or myself, in the last 17 years you would have recieved the same advice: Nothing but cold compresses or cool water on the site.keep your fingers off and take every measure possible to keep the area contaminant free as possible. Theres one other possibility that can create acne like reactions. The stainless steel in the probe itself. this is a common allergen because of the nickel it contains. This same reaction occurs in BOTH blend and thermolysis . IT’s very simple solution…chnge to gold plated probe. I recommend ballet.

[edited]

now is blend gentle? YEs IS it Better than thermolysis? SAme answer I have given for the last 15 years, they are all just a means to an end and all can give beautiful results given competent treatment. Is it hard to find competent electrologists to do blend in toronto where you post from? YES! They pay exorbitent rent , and no, if they KNOW That the results they give with thermolysis are every bit as good as those with blend, and it takes them 4 times the time to do the same treatment in blend, NO They are not going to offer you to do blend and dedicate that much of their time to get to the same place.

[edited]

[Practitioners here] simply said if you werent sure of the process, and were comfortable with your temporary methods, then you should stick with that. IT was and still is good advice.

[edited]

[Andrea]

Hi everyone. I have reopened this thread. I want to thank everyone for participating, and I want to remind everyone to remain civil, even if we disagree.

@Chinnychinchin, I agree with Seana that you may be misremembering some of what was said, and I understand why that upset her. Seana and others here volunteer their time to help. That said, I lightly edited Seana’s reply to reflect the tone we want to use here.

Thank you for sharing your photos and updates! I am glad blend is working for you. Photos and comments can be open to interpretation, and good-faith constructive comments are always welcome, even if we don’t all agree.

I hope that you will continue to update us, and I hope future comments will be more charitable to those who share their expertise here for free. I am grateful for for all of you!