For almost two years, I have been having the thermolysis method of electrolysis used on my face. My upper lip has become severely pockmarked and discolored and I also have problems with pockmarks and discoloration on other parts of my face too.
Recently, the person I have been seeing was gone for about a week and a half, so I just let my hair on my face grow. As my facial hair grew out, I eventually realized that the hair on my face looked almost identical to how it did when I first started seeing her. Not only that, absolutely none of the discoloration on my face faded.
I wish I would have started seeing someone else sooner because when I look in a mirror, the pockmarks and discoloration on my upper lip make it look like I have a very noticeable facial hair shadow and in certain light angles it looks extra rugged. My upper lip looks like that even the day after an appointment. This is very disconcerting to me because it is my intention to eventually live as a female. I actually think my upper lip looks kind of like the upper lip of Rambo on one of his movie covers. I think I look like a freak now because my facial features have been softened by female hormones, but I have a very manly looking upper lip from the deep pock marks and discoloration.
As far as attempting to treat the pitting and discoloration, what I did first, which I sadly regret not doing sooner, is make the decision to never see this electrolygist again. I have also done a large amount of research to learn of any treatment methods for my skin damage and I would eventually like to try having multiple medium-depth chemical peels done by a dermatologist.
My only motivation for making this post is to help prevent others from going through the same painful experience, which is realizing that after spending thousands of dollars on electrolysis, you have actually done nothing else but scar your face into looking much more masculine. I actually genuinely doubt now that I can ever pass for a female because of how dark the skin on my upper lip appears. I think the only way someone could know the dark shadow is not caused primarily by facial hair is to put their eye right up to my lip. It has become clear to me that this happening is not the norm, so I feel it is my duty to let you know the name of the electrolygist who has been working on me, in case you want to act on my recommendation to not have her work on you. Her name is Joyce Osborne and she has offices in Mayfield Heights, OH and Willoughby, OH.
I would be interested in knowing what the community’s suggestions are for what I should do under these troubling circumstances. Please keep in mind that I would prefer to not post a picture of my face, even if the upper half is cut off. You will just need to trust that my e-mail is sincere and I would have nothing to gain by writing a misleading post.
Did you heal well and soon after each treatment, like within a week? What modality was used? How many minutes did your treatment last on your upper lip? Did someone recommend this electrologist because they had a good outcome? Did you ever talk to her about any concerns you had?
All these questions will not reverse your outcome, but I ask so others can watch and learn from your story. This is why we preach skill and the need for continuing education and mentorship, along with, the need for using updated equipment, quality magnifaction and lighting.
hi there, i seriously feel for u for having to deal with the scars and discoloration but not to mention all your effforts for the past 2 years been a waste in that the hairs dint get killed at all within this time frame.
Were you having weekly treatments for the past 2 years? Or was that only for your last treatment which was spaced 1.5 weeks apart. I am just wondering why you did not see the hairs werent getting killed.
How long afterwards did you realise that you look identical to when you started.
How long was each treatment that she worked on?
I hope you will reach your goal in getting the clearance and rid of this hair problem. Please dont be discouraged. Chemical peels is one route for treating skin damage…But long term they can cause damage as well.
There are other treatments as well outthere. Just do more research. For example derma-roller to treat scars etc. Whatever you do make sure you do lots of research so your better informed.
I hope you don’t mind answering a couple of questions.
I am also a woman like yourself who had a lot of facial
hair removed.
What area are you from?
How many hours in total have you spent on electrolysis?
How does your face look in the days immediately after
treatment?
Do you use anything on your skin to help it heal
in the days immedialtely after treatments?
Since I have completed my facial hair removal,
other than for touching up a stray hair or two,
I have had two microdermabrasion type treatments on my face.
I think they have helped with my skin texture and tone,
and someone close to me has made the same observation.
You may want to consider that and also seeking out
another electrologist.
Take a tip from me though. Don’t give up and keep positive.
You can and will get past this if you do those things.
I was getting a 45 minute a week treatment for about the first 6 months.
For the next year and a half, I was treated twice a week for one hour.
I think the reason I never realized sooner how much hair was still growing on my face was the fact I was going in twice a week. It was only when I didn’t see her for a week and a half that I got hit with the reality of how many hairs are still growing densely and/or course.
I spent 45 minutes once a week for about 6 months. Then I spent one hour twice a week for about a year and half.
My face after treatments looked discolored and pockmarked, just like it did during the week and a half I did not get electrolysis.
I would use witch hazel on my face after appointments.
I have already made the decision to never see this electrolygist again.
One point I made that I want to emphasize again is that even the day after an appointment, my upper lip looks like it has a dark masculine facial hair shadow because of how bad the pockmarks are.
One of the things that should be discussed during the consultation for treatment is what the client should be seeing as the treatments progress.
What should happen is this: Select an area to start on and clear that area at each treatment. Within 2 months, the amount of hair in that first area should be noticeably reduced and the area to be treated should expand.
If consumers were aware of these things, then potential skin damage could be averted.
That said, I had a client come to me who had received treatments in California. She was concerned because one side of her chin had crevices and discoloration that she was sure came from her previous treatments. She had very coarse and deep hair. She was willing to have me treat her - and after her third treatment with me - those crevices/pocks were disappearing. We were both happy about this! Skin does have an amazing ability to heal. Get some products with peptides and hyaluronic acid ingredients. They might help the appearance of your skin.
It makes me sad that electrologists who get complaints about the effectiveness and skin results don’t do something about their techniques.
Check out this girls insurance she shouldnt be allowed to practice with this technique. Not sure how it is in your neck of the woods but the training here in glasgow for all beauty and electrologists is completely awful nowadays.
I am so sorry that you have had to go thru this. Since your situation is complicated by the marks and hyperpigmentation, this can get lengthy. Suffice is to say that if you are interested in resuming treatment, I would be happy to talk with you. I am in the Willoughby, OH area. I have been in practice for 31 years, licensed, continuing ed., yada, yada…
Contact me thru this site if you want.
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