Makeup After Electrolysis?

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I’m going to start electrolysis in a week but am terrified of pitting and scars. I already have a hyperpigmented upper lip from excessive threading/tweezing, it looks like a dark mustache. I haven’t tweezed for 6 months but the hyperpigmentation is still there, I’m praying it will heal once the hair is permanently removed.

I have to wear makeup on my upper lip, I don’t have a choice since it literally looks like a black stash.

I will not wear makeup for around 20 hours after the appointment. However, I will have to wear it after. Has anyone done this and not have adverse reactions? I’m worried it will mess with the healing since the pores will be covered with makeup.

I really don’t have any other options. I wanted to try laser hair removal but it will probably make the dark pigment even darker. Also I have PCOS and don’t think laser would be as effective.

Are there serious side effects of wearing makeup after 20 hours? I will have to wear it almost all day everyday. I will be getting it done on my upper lip and chin. I only need to apply makeup to the upper lip.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

#2

If you have to do it make sure your hands and any tools you use are cleaned before you apply the makeup. Make sure that nothing contaminates your makeup, either. Just think of it as applying something to skin that is somewhat damaged - you need to keep the area as clean as possible.

:slight_smile: I have worn tinted moisturiser probably 36 hours after a session (I usually have electrolysis in the evening, leave it for a day and then wear makeup to work the day after that.

Also, while you’re getting electrolysis… get used to having hair on your upper lip. If you’re worried about scarring and hyperpigmentation, your electrologist will probably not want to do long sessions on your upper lip. This coupled with the fact that you want the upper lip hair to be as long as possible means that you will be hairy!!
I haven’t done anything except electrolysis on my upper lip for the last two months (been having electrolysis now for three months) and am going every fortnight to give the upper lip a chance to heal. So I’m pretty hairy. Sorry if it’s TMI but just something to think about!! On the plus side, my skin has been really good between sessions!

#3

One reason I tell my clients to use Tea Tree and Aloe Vera is they help the skin recover quick enough to allow one to wear makeup in 24 hours, rather than 72 hours.

Ladies, please give the skin a rest.

putting makeup on after electrolysis is a great way to have adverse reactions that will cause long term issues. JUST DON’T DO IT!

I once had a woman get a really bad infection from contaminated makeup used just after an appointment, and all that week. She of course, blamed me for her skin problems that took 5 months to fully go away, even though I told her repeatedly to NOT PUT MAKEUP ON FOR 24 HOURS.

Go on and ignore me now.

#4

Hi Emilily,

I will be sure to use clean tools and makeup. I’ve already grown my hair out for electrolysis, I trim it every morning. So far I’m encountering ingrowns b/c I trim too closely to the skin, but I have no choice b/c my hair literally grows by the end of the night. My electrolysis said the hair has to be long enough to be pulled out. I’m hoping that will just be a day’s growth for me.

I’m not sure if I should be going every week or two weeks. My skin is so sensitive that it hyperpigments from the smallest disturbance. HATE IT. It’s even dark in areas where my hair is very fair.

Thanks for your advice :slight_smile:

#5

Hi James,

I definitely won’t be wearing makeup for the first 20 hours. It is the time period after the 20 hours that I am concerned about. There is no way I can go out in public without makeup. My upper lip looks like it has a 5 o’clock shadow, actually worse than that.

My electrolysis said to use witch hazel and aloe vera and didn’t mention tea tree oil. Do you recommend tea tree instead of witch hazel?

Also, have you ever come across a hyperpigmented upper lip and see it resolve over time? I am really freaking out. It’s been 6 months since I stopped plucking and have not noticed any lightening. It’s making me think that this is probably permanent discoloration. My dermatologist said it will take 2 years to fade but I would’ve thought to see some improvement by now… It’s literally all I think about :frowning:

Thanks.

#6

Not always possible. For me it would have meant hiding in the chamber for half a week. I actually put on makeup as soon as there were no crusts, just swellings. Carefully cleaning the face of course.

I would not do that anymore, mainly because there are alternatives to using makeup, e.g. cream to cover akne pustules.
These (medical products!) are designed to bo worn on wound skin, hide the redness, and can even be used immediately after treatment. (The inflammation of an akne pustule is pretty similar to the inflammation caused by electrolysis). If the treatment was not too heavy, of course.

#7

You’ve been given REALLY good advice by two of the best around here.
The only think I would add, is that for most people with hyperpigmentation it DOES FADE. But it does take a very long time sometimes upwards of a year.That’s with hyperpigmentation from electrolysis, we dont really have any idea how long you plucked or how extensive the hyperpigmentation is, but given time, it probably will fade too. Be patient. If possible, completely avoid makeup, but seek out some of the products Beate is discussing if that isnt possible.

Seana

#8

While I would not expect anyone to spend a week hiding out from the world (it is the reason I developed the technique I use so that is not necessary) but 24 hours without make-up is something every woman can do. Just ask Heidi Clume. :wink:

[quote=“beate_r”]

Not always possible. For me it would have meant hiding in the chamber for half a week. I actually put on makeup as soon as there were no crusts, just swellings. Carefully cleaning the face of course.

I would not do that anymore, mainly because there are alternatives to using makeup, e.g. cream to cover akne pustules.
These (medical products!) are designed to bo worn on wound skin, hide the redness, and can even be used immediately after treatment. (The inflammation of an akne pustule is pretty similar to the inflammation caused by electrolysis). If the treatment was not too heavy, of course.[/quote]

#9

Hi Seana,

Yes, I’m grateful that two of the best responded to my question.

I had my trial today and felt some tugging when the hairs were removed. I’m a little worried that they may not be treated properly. My electrologist is being conservative b/c of the hyperpigmentation, but I’m concerned that the settings may be too low. We are using thermolysis.

I really hope the hyperpigmentation fades. It has taken over my life, to the point where I cry myself to sleep at times. It’s so hard to deal with.

Thanks for your feedback.

#10

People come to me with horrible hyperpigmentation because of what they were doing to their face before electrolysis was even started. The best thing to do is to go forward, get the hair removed, without tugging and once the hair is removed, the skin will heal fine, in most cases. It may take several months to a year, but it fades. If the hyperpig is deep in the dermis, extra help maybe needed.

Initially, if hair is in the shape of a “U” or “S”, there may be some resistance in the first clearing for some hair. Blend can be used for these weird shaped hairs or thermolysis can be can still be effective, if insertions are directed correctly. If the hair follicle is not completely destroyed, on the first go around, then make sure that you keep appointments timed so that when the new hair comes in about 6-16 weeks later, that you are getting it treated when it is a fragile hair. New hair starts out as being straight in the follicle, so getting it treated at that stage, before it starts getting curvy, is a helpful strategy.

If you are prone to hyperpigmentation and you need hair removed, don’t freak out about this happening to you. It usually resolves nicely over time. Using cold aloe vera gel or cold compresses immediately after and for a few days helps to calm this down. If you can’t accept some hyperpig, then refrain from getting electrolysis or using any temporary hair removal method, or getting bug bites or abrasions or acne…etc.

#11

Hi Dfahey,

I’m so glad you responded. I’ve been following your advice on this site.

My dermatologist confirmed that the hyperpig is in the dermis, and said it will take around 2 years to fade on its own. But I think it will take longer than that at this rate. Can you advise what extra help I could use to get rid of the hyerpig?

So far it seems like my hair is straight. I’ll ask my electrologist if it’s curved. I think there is resistance because she is using low settings and the follice is not being destroyed. I will bring this up next time. She did mention that she thinks that the hair is still being treated if there is tugging? So I don’t know if this can be improved or not.

You mentioned that hyperpig resolves in most cases. Do you recall the percentage of clients that did not have the hyerpig clear?

At this point I am doubtful mine will disappear. It’s been over 6 months without plucking and without sun, and there has been absolutely no improvement. I even think the alcohol that the electrologist wiped on my upper lip yesterday may have made the upper lip darker since it’s darker in an area where there was no work done and the wipe was used. I think drying the skin makes the hyerpig darker.

I feel so hopeless. I am so devastated and embarassed of the condition. I used to be very outgoing and happy. Now I just can’t wait to come home and have a good cry.

Look forward to your response.

Thanks.

#12

I would have thought your dermatologist would be the best person to tell you how you can get extra help to fade pigmentation. Always go to the professionals! For electrolysis, come here. For medical issues, see a medical professional :slight_smile:

#13

When I was a teen, I got burned by an Iron set on high that my brother swears was not a boobie-trap, but just he had ironed his wet jeans on my bed and left it where it fell on me. (Yeah, I can’t understand why he was ironing on my bed instead of the perfectly good ironing board or his own bed. I guess I should feel lucky it only landed on my arm, but I digress) I had an unsightly burn that took up 20 to 30% of my forearm. My doctors told me that I would just have to live with it. My grandmother showed me a burn mark she got on her leg that still looked much like the one I had. Many years later, someone told me that it was not too late to get rid of that burn mark by religiously treating it with Aloe Vera on a daily basis. While I did not believe it would work, I figured it was a cheap solution to try, so I had nothing to lose. Initially, I applied it up to 4 times a day, and later got lazy and just did it 2 times a day, but after a while I noticed that it was really working. Today, only I know where that burn used to be. No one looks at my arm and asks, “What happened to you” anymore.

Remember, in the end, you have the best incentive to make yourself better. Research the heck out of what ever your problem is, and do what you can to make yourself better. Some of the answers may seem strange, outrageous, or even “too easy” to be believable, but you would would be surprised at what you can do on your own, without pharmaceutical aid.

#14

Sorry about this LONG post …

PPHP’s (edited statements):
“I’m going to start electrolysis in a week but am terrified of pitting and scars. I’m worried [make-up] will mess with the healing since the pores will be covered. I wanted to try laser hair removal but it will probably make the dark pigment even darker.”

“I’m encountering ingrowns b/c I trim too closely to the skin, my skin is so sensitive that it hyperpigments from the smallest disturbance. HATE IT. I am really freaking out.”

“It’s literally all I think about. I had my trial [electrolysis] today and felt some tugging when the hairs were removed. I’m a little worried that they may not be treated properly. At this point I am doubtful [my hairs] will disappear.”

“I feel so hopeless. I am so devastated and embarrassed of the condition. I used to be very outgoing and happy. Now I just can’t wait to come home and have a good cry.”

Hi pphp,
(Above): I edited a few lines from your recent posts. I did this to illustrate a point I’m going to make in a minute. (BTW, your reaction is not uncommon. We deal with this every day.)

Please understand that I’m super happy to see you posting your concerns. However, I’m always the guy that gets in trouble with “sensitive patients” because I’m abrupt … but, nothing is meant by it. Seriously, I’m trying to help you!

My key point is that your expression of “über-angst” (“freaking out”) is probably a reason your dermatologist offered no help … as far as treatments to hasten the removal of the hyperpigmentation. Hang on; the reason for this is coming. (I know how these guys think.)

First, all the suggestions made by my colleagues are SPOT ON! GO with what they have suggested and don’t equivocate. Remember that hyperpigmentation (PIH) resolves in all cases (yes, it takes time). You have to face the reality of “what you have” and deal with it in a calm and systematic way. All the “emotion” is not going to do one damned thing to help resolve anything.***

Now, back to the DOCTOR!

If he has determined (even incorrectly) that you are going to be a “difficult patient,” he’s not going to recommend anything for you! He KNOWS that the PIH is going to resolve on it’s own anyway (and, he gave you the extreme … 2 years … for this to resolve!). However, if he recommends some cream, let’s say, and you then think that your condition is getting WORSE because of the cream HE PRESCRIBED … Well, HE NOW OWNS YOUR PROBLEM! He’s going to have to deal with you “freaking out” (you own words) for the next two years?

A better choice for him is to do nothing and send you on your way! (And, I’m guessing that’s exactly what he did.)

Listen, you have “mangled” your skin for WAY too long. Stop fiddling with it! Stop micro-managing this and let your electrologist take over!

Make a simple plan; get the hair removed (NOT with ridiculously LOW settings that will do nothing). Your “fear of scars” will result in no permanent hair removal because the electrologist will get fearful too, and will consequently be afraid of using proper current levels. Yes, wear make-up as determined by the healing-stage of your skin, go with whatever seems right to you (“natural” or “medication”) and just hang in there!

Think about this: WHAT else can you do?

Life is NOT without complications and nobody escapes … NOBODY! Your difficulty is not permanent and WILL resolve. Just “go with the program” and stop “freaking out” about it. You post “reads” like you are thankful for the suggestions, but not entirely listening or taking the suggestions. (And let the hairs grow long enough for the electrologist!)

*** Case in point: I’m dealing with a (benign) skin cancer (BCC) on my face at the moment that is going to have to have a skin graft (plastic surgery) in January. I don’t like this one bit, but what the hell can I do about it except DEAL with it and get it done? A few years ago, my “God son” had his leg amputated (cancer) at 19-years-old. My 53-year-old friend Jim just got diagnosed with prostate cancer. You know … this is life!

Of course, now I will get some “heat” for being MEAN to a patient. But am I being mean, or am I telling you “like it is?”

#15

Talk about a SPOT ON reply!

#16

Oh thanks Dee Dee,

As you know, I value your opinion “BIG BIG time!” Can I say “mentor?”

I hope the original poster didn’t take offense to what I’ve said. (Yeah, it does happen.) I had a very good friend that died a few years ago at age 48 (cancer). He once told me, “The mental suffering is optional.” Imagine that?

The statement that the original poster made that REALLY got my attention was this one:

“I even think the alcohol that the electrologist wiped on my upper lip yesterday may have made the upper lip darker since it’s darker in an area where there was no work done and the wipe was used. I think drying the skin makes the hyerpig[ment] darker.”

If this “poor darling” (not being sarcastic here), actually said this to her electrologist … I wouldn’t be surprised if the therapist refused to work on her. I wouldn’t.

(Again, don’t take offense at this PLEASE! But sometimes it’s good to listen to what you have said, and consider how others might react. This statement could cause a “fear reaction” in many electrologists. Why? Because alcohol doesn’t “do that!”)

It’s really all about FOCUS.

One of my super-dear sweet clients had eyelid surgery from Dr. Chapple and it went very well. She is, however, an extremely “nervous” patient, and I did warn the doctor. However, NOW she has spotted a “bump” low on her cheek that she’s CERTAIN was caused by the eyelid surgery. Not possible.

Thing is, the bump was always there, but now that the upper cheek is smooth, the lower bump is more prominent. THERE IS NO CONVINCING HER! She was crying and upset (and I could NOT see the bump, actually!)

Chapple however, in his stoic British manner, has no problem with this woman and has already corrected the “bump!” (For free, of course.) BTW, this is the same woman that insisted I remove ALL her pubic hair, she’s 55-years-old … and a year later went “hysterical” on me and wanted hair transplants! She asked me to do her eyebrows in a VERY bizarre way … and I refused, case closed!

From this “Brazilian” (and two other similar experiences), I refuse to do “baldies” any more!

#17

Hi Mike,

I take no offense to your reply at all. The reasons why I worry so much is because I have terrible, terrible skin. I still have hyperpigmentation for wounds that are 15 years old. I scar from every pimple I get (even if it’s not big). And to add insult to injury, I am left with scars from my first session of electrolysis. I basically scarred from every scab that I received. I didn’t pick the scabs, I took them off when they were half hanging off and dried up. What makes me even more upset is that the scars are where I barely had any visible hair. I didn’t know that the electrologist would even think of aiming for those hairs since I couldn’t even notice them. It’s been one month and I have been applying aleo vera every night and now have started with bio oil. I notified the electrologist and she said she was shocked to hear this and that none of her clients have experienced anything similar (no way to verify if she’s being truthful). She is certified and has 6 years of experience and was very reassuring. However there was almost always tugging, and she would insert the needle a few times to try to get the hair to slide out. I think it was the multiple insertions that damaged the skin. I was really hoping for electrolysis to work for me, and honestly didn’t expect to be scarred.

I’m going to go for a laser consultation now. I just really need to get rid of this hair. I know laser won’t be permanent but will be happy for a significant reduction at this point (that is if I am accepted, I might not be due to the dark skin).

And I of course know that there are worse things that can happen. I consider myself to be extremely sensitive to others and their problems. And I will add that I stupidly thought this was melasma for the years I’ve had the dark skin. When you research ‘dark upper lip’ melasma typically appears, and I happened to be on the pill at the time I noticed it. My dermatologist prescribed a bleaching cream, but I didn’t want to use this while doing electrolysis as it can thin the skin.

I’m hoping the scars will look better with time, and pray that laser will work for me.

#18

Photo time!

I think if you really want to continue this thread in a consequential way, you should submit photos of the areas concerning you. (I looked back in the thread and didn’t find any. Maybe I missed them?)

With many clients that talk about (or even show) post-treatment problems the first thing to decide is “What is the thing?”

How can anyone offer suggestions if they don’t know what the problem is? We can talk about products to put on the skin, drinking more water or taking supplements, changing electrologist … needle type, modality blah blah blah … but, what is the THING itself.

You are throwing around all kinds of terms like SCAR, hyperpigmentation (in the dermis?), etc., with no graphic evidence (or authoritative description for that matter).

Let’s see the problem first, before any recommendations can be made.

BTW, doing nothing is also an option.