Hi all, I started my electrolysis journey last January . I would get a lot of scabbing on my upper lip. After several months it eventually got so much better and now for the past few months, I would only have some swelling and redness. I don’t know if my extremely sensitive skin got used to it or if the electrologist learned to work on me better or maybe both.
My sister just started as an electrologist 2 months ago so I have been having her work on other areas of my body but I let her work on my face because she has been working on many others with no issues. I had her ask the other more advanced electrologist what she normally uses on me so that she could do the same thing and I was hoping to not have a bad reaction. However , I had some blanching and small white bumps immediately afterwards (I still occasionally had white bumps with the other woman but not really any scabs after). Then the next day I got more redness and some little “holes” which are now scabbing.
I am including a link with a couple pictures. There were a few more white bumps than I circled but they weren’t coming out in the photo. The other 2 pictures are 1 and 2 days after. I’m not sure what went wrong that my skin reacted this way again. I know she used an insulated size 3 probe and synchro plus set to 200 and did 2 pulses. That is what the other woman told my sister she did to me. She was treating the coarse dark hair.( I know I have a lot of blonde hair to be treated still. ) I don’t plan on my sister working on my face again unless we can figure out what she can do so my skin doesn’t look like this after.
Your sister should consult with the more advanced electrologist to understand the difference in treatment. If the settings are the same yet producing different post-treatment results, then the issue is of skill and technique.
The holes are a result of the current reaching the epidermis and injuring the skin around the follicle opening. The white spots are typically pustules from treated hair matter that remains in the follicle. They could also just be holes from overtreatment where the skin is still blistered - that is, if you pick away at them, you’ll see a hole form and then a scab a day later.
I imagine that the issue around your sister’s technique is that she is raising the probe too high in the follicle, which makes it easier for the current to reach and injure the epidermis in this way. Insulated probes are used to minimise this, so it’s a concern for her that this has happened despite using one. Judging by the remaining hairs, I would also be using a smaller probe next time.
I don’t personally use synchro or Apilus machines, so I’ll let others leave their view on those settings.
As for your healing, you should absolutely avoid scraping off the scabs that have formed. Feel free to continue a gentle skincare routine but avoid any exfoliants on the area for a week at least.
Hi, I use an Apilus machine and in my opinion Synchro is too powerful for the upper lip. I prefer to use Pico for this area - and Synchro for coarse/stubborn hair and less sensitive areas. Hope you manage to find the right programme for you and continue on a successful electrolysis journey.
I rarely use Synchro Thermolysis on an upper lip. If I did choose to use this modality, I would start low and move it up gradually, while using an insulated probe (4 or above) and diligently watching the skin surface. The surface should look undisturbed.
Any modality is about choosing the right energy level, by starting low and moving it up until the hair slides out.
You were over treated. Let it heal and absolutely don’t go back to that area until it is completely healed. You will have scabs forming in 48 hours. Do not pick. Re-read the advice given above.
It is a totally beautiful thing when an electrologist understands and uses proper skills to disable hair follicles - CORRECTLY. Whether it be with Synchro Thermolysis or Picoflash, Blend or Galvanic. It’s not the method. It is the skill that comes with experience, that is the most helpful. That is what brings fruitful, lasting results. Consumers worry about their skin looking like yours after a treatment, which is understandable. It is unnecessary to have this outcome. Always communicate with your practitioner. Feedback is important.
In the meantime, I personally like cold-pressed, organic aloe vera gel that is kept in the refrigerator. Use it liberally right after a session and for three days. Apply it without contaminating the bottle! Evaluate if it helps you. There are all kinds of opinions for aftercare. This is what has served my clients well for years.