I’m not James or Fino, but I will attempt an explanation, Mrhanky and INeedHelp. I,too, wait for a response from either James or Fino because they are indeed the best sources to answer this question because of their years of experience.
First comment: I personally don’t like the fact that you both said that your skin looked like hell, scary, terrible, scabby for a few days. This outcome has never been a goal of mine on the face, though I’m certainly aware that some electrologists beleive scabbing reveals that the follicle has been probably permanently treated. Some clients healing powers are better than others, so skin manifestations are sometimes unavoidable, but I don’t believe you have to accept that look from hell scenario every time you have electrolysis. Adjustments can be made and permanency can still be acheived.
Two thoughts:
These really small,fine flesh-colored rough bumps that appear 2-3 weeks later could be ingrown hairs. If the hair that was being treated was not sufficiently treated and broke off half way down the follicle, that hair would still continue to grow. Meanwhile the body was repairing the follicle at the top and new healing tissue closed the follicle opening. The trapped hair underneath is trying to push through, thus the little bumps. Exfoliating with a Buf-Puf or using Tend-Skin would be helpful in releasing the trapped hair.
The second thought I reasoned was perhaps your body’s tissue repair mechanism just didn’t know when to stop creating new cells to repair the damage. In it’s overzealous attempt to repair, more than enough repair tissue was made and ‘spilled over’ the top, so to speak, thus the raised bumpy area. A follicle damaged by electrolysis heals from the bottom up. The area that once cradled a hair is being replaced by scar tissue. Again, it stands to reason, that gentle exfoliation may help to level out the area.
I have not experienced these bumps as a former electrolysis client and as an electrologist. I have never had a client present this problem to me. I unfortunately cannot answer the question about HOW LONG before the bumps subside. I can say though, that most skin side effects will be gone in 12-18 months as the top layer of skin is a great regenerating miracle that constantly sheds and makes new cells every 28 days, depending on your age.
Have you presented this question to your electrologist? If not, consider doing so. Seeing a person’s problem gives advantage to one. Also, see if your practioner is willing to make adjustments so you don’t have to deal with what seems to be overtreatment from my side of the fence.
I hope this was helpful. I own all the electrolysis texbooks and videos, and after perusing them, I saw nothing about small fine flesh-colored bumps as treatment side effects. My comments are based on principles of wound healing and are as reasonably close as I can get to explain what might have happened.
James and Fino - Help!
Dee
