Great, thank you! I will search for these and certainly try it out. Will let you know how I get on.
Hi,
Wanted to post how my electrologist feels I am getting on, so others can see. I have sent her the pictures I have posted on this thread and keeping her up-to-date how the treated areas are healing.
1st set of treatment 1 pics sent, following is the electrologist reply:
Thank you for letting me know how you have got on following treatment, and you excellent photos. The reaction you are experiencing is not entirely uncommon. Unfortunately you obviously do have sensitive skin, but that is all it really amounts to. The erythema (reddening of the skin) is an entirely common reaction, and can last in some cases in excess of a week, although it does usually go much quicker than that. Unfortunately it is usual to not get the full extent of the reaction during a patch test because it is a rather unrealistic test as only a few hairs are removed, unlike a full treatment session. This is why I always suggest a fortnightly appointment for the second appointment, but stress it should be played a little by ear as we never know exactly how the skin is going react. Two weeks usually covers the recovery for most people, however if more time is needed, then we can always postpone the second treatment. Conversely if the client is confident that everything is all ok, we can schedule more regular appointments if desired. It would definitely be prudent to wait the full two weeks and make an appointment for maybe Monday 2nd November, which is a little longer, and if things haven’t settled down by then, although I would expect they will have, then we can always postpone another week. Often what I have found in the past is that client’s skin can get used to the treatment, and the reaction reduces after a few treatments, but of course that isn’t always the case. If you like we could try a few hairs using blend and see if the reaction is any better using that method. Normally the sodium hydroxide produced in the skin would be a bit of an irritant, however it is neutralised by the cataphoresis at the end of the treatment, so hopefully this wouldn’t be an issue, so it could be worth trying at the start of the next session and see how you react to that. I also think we’ll go back to using the gold needles as they are less allergenic than the stainless steel used in insulated needles (like wearing gold earrings instead of stainless steel). Please let me know what you think of what I have said/suggested.
2nd set of treatment 1 pics sent, following is the electrologist reply:
The new photos show a huge improvement, pretty much as one would expect, which is good news. As for the soreness, this is also to be expected. Some clients hardly experience any soreness, and others unfortunately do. I myself have had treatments where I have not only experienced soreness, but also where the area has felt bruised for about a week, however it always goes and heals ok, it’s just a little unpleasant at the time! Trying blend may well work on you, however we can’t be sure how you will react. The sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) could very well be an irritant to you, although as I have said before, it would usually be neutralised by the cataphoresis following treatment, however the irritation already caused during treatment may be sufficient to cause a reaction. It is difficult to know how your skin will react without trying a section first.
I would be happy to make an appointment for you on the Wednesday morning at 11am, or could do the Tuesday at 1pm if you prefer. I think it would be ok for a second treatment then as I think we will be able to avoid the area already treated by treating more the sides of your face, rather than going over the same area we have already treated again. Alternatively we can wait until you return from your trip. Let me know what you would prefer to do.
Hi,
I have my next treatment tomorrow at 11am. I have been drinking water regularly, and have kept my skin routine really simple and hydrating so that its in the best condition possible. Hopefully the after treatment reaction will be better this time.
James, hi, I haven’t been able to get my hands on any vitamin C powder as yet- the stores I have been to don’t stock power/crystals so may have to order online. Will have to postpone trying it out until a few days after treatment if I find it in the supermarket later today. Also, to test again, I tried out a little tea tree oil under my chin and, unfortunately, it was red this morning 
Hi Pokka,
You can get it from Holland & Barrat, well, they have it on their website at least.
James - can you let us know if the above is okay or if it’s a different type of powered Vit C we are after? Thanks 
Hi Stopit,
Thanks, as always, for your help. I had found that one on the website, but when I went to the local store I found they don’t stock it. I may pop in to their big store in Bluewater rather than ordering online… the post is so slow in my area at the moment.
I had my 2nd treatment today. This time 40 minutes treating the sides of my face. The treated area is quite red and bumpy. So far I have used Iced gel packs, thermal water, witch hazel and aloe vera twice. My electrologist thinned the area some more… I am embarrassed to post the pictures as the hair has grown in fully, plus, I can’t take a good enough photo myself. I’ll try to get someone to take one tomorrow. I’m quite far from clearance and starting to feel like the obstacles are stacking up; lack of time, distance to electrologist, limited treatment time due to skin reaction, and inability remove the hair any other way - meaning, I can’t shave.
P.s. Sorry for the rant at the end.
hey pokka, it sounds like your getting abit down! try not to! believe me i know how you feel, i have had a bad week this week aswell, the sunlight on my face in the car as i am driving to work highlights every hair and it ruins my day… ridiculous i know.
Ive found myself constantly looking at my face to see exactly how far the hair spreads, its becoming obsessive!
However it is Friday, i have an appointment tomarrow at the place you and stopit found for me and whenever i get sad i try and read a success story on here!
We will be alright in the end Im sure of it! We have to be really, i cant walk around looking like this for the rest of my life.
take care pokka
If theres anything i can do or you want to chat or anything you can private message me anytime
bec xx
Hey Bec,
Thank you for your encouraging and supportive words. I am really trying to stay positive. Honestly, I find myself saying snap out of it, at times. It’s silly I know, but you just can’t help it when everything gets too difficult. I am really busy with work and so am now thinking I may not be able to set aside 4 hours every other week for a 40 minute appointment. I’m quite worried, some scabs were still evident from my first treatment on wednesday when I had my second appointment; My electrologist commented on this and noted that marks have remained where scabs had been. I understand they will fade but this always takes ages for my skin, even with very small spots I’m left with marks.
We won’t walk around like this for the rest of our lives, just as long as we try to stay strong and focus. Thanks so much, Bec. You’ve got me back on track.
Hi James,
I managed to get the vitamin c powder! I wasn’t sure about quantity, but made a paste and applied it to the treated areas and left it on for 10 minutes. After this I washed my face with tepid water, patted my skin dry and applied my night products afterwards. I have to say my face felt very smooth and only slightly pink in places, which is fine as this dissipated after 15 minutes. Hope I did this right, but please let me know if I haven’t.
Thanks.
Treatment 2 (+3days) pictures
I had the treatment on Wednesday but, as mentioned, could not take any good pictures myself so had to wait until my sister could take them for me. The treatment was focussed on the sides of my face. [color:#3366FF]Can anyone see anything of concern here?[/color] I only ask as I have noticed some larger pores in the pictures in areas of treatment that were not there two weeks ago.
Right side of face (2 pics):
Left side of face (2 pics):
I have the same problem with large pores. I never noticed them until after I had electrolysis. I have them on the cheeks and the sides of the upper lip. I think they are now noticeable because they are now empty with no hair growing in them and that makes them appear larger (pros, am I correct on this?)
Except for a few pustules and ingrowns, your skin looks very nice and I don’t see anything to be worried about. My skin looks much worse a few days after treatment and it heals with time. I envy the relatively fine, straight hair you have
The truth is that once completed the process of healing, the skin has a much better look than the one before the electrolysis.
3 of the 4 parts of the follicle have been removed, therefore, hair removal is irreversible. Following the opening (pore hair) is closed because through it, nothing will appear.
It’s like when the surgeon sews a few stitches to close a hole in the ear. The edges are joined forever. If he has been working with their job, nobody will notice that once there was a hole.
Does she perform thermolysis as well? You could get a good clearing of most, if not all of those hairs if you gave her enough time and she was able to do work efficiently. The scabbing could be reduced or even eliminated, but if she can’t bring this down so there is no scabbing or just a few pin point scabs, then so be it. This is nothing to run from because the scabs are still small and it will heal fine. How long does it take before the scabs slough off for you?
Use the tea tree oil and then apply aloe vera gel over top that for at least three days. Do you know if she is using stainless steel probes? Has she tried insulated or gold? What size probe is she using? The energy is rising to the top layers of skin causing the crusts to form. This is the hard part for clients because you aren’t suppose to be concerned about the depth of the insertions, the correct type and size of probe used and such.
Some people just have big pores genetically, by the way and is not related to having to electrolysis.
Hi everyone,
Thank you very much for your replies and help, Vickie, depilacionelectr & Dee.
Dee, this was the easiest way for me to answer your questions & hopefully is also easier to read.
[color:#6600CC]Does she perform thermolysis as well[/color]?
Although she mentioned she has a blend machine, I recently found that she has actually been use thermolysis from the start. She tried blend on me in the last treatment (I posted her email reply where she explains this), it hurt sooo much; It felt like an injection heating in in my skin. She explained the machine had got much higher than she expected it to and changed the settings, but after trying two hairs we stopped as the sensation was not something I could bear.
[color:#6600CC]How long does it take before the scabs slough off for you?[/color]
Some scabs hadn’t sloughed off before the Wednesday (28th Oct) appointment, but most had. So 2 weeks+ at the moment. I use Thermal water, Witch hazel and Aloe vera - I don’t use tea tree oil as I get rashes from it, I wish I could.
[color:#6600CC]Do you know if she is using stainless steel probes? Has she tried insulated or gold? What size probe is she using?[/color]
She used insulated probes, which were stainless steel, in the first 40min appointment. She said that the reaction from that treatment was not what she would have wanted so decided to switch to a gold probe for the second treatment. I’m sorry I don’t know the probe size.
During the treatment she was cleaning the needle, it was making a pinging noise like the probe was being plucked like a guitar… Why does this need to be done?
[color:#6600CC]Some people just have big pores genetically, by the way and is not related to having to electrolysis.[/color]
I don’t have large pores in general, just some in the area where I’ve had electrolysis.
So, have I got this right, this is just because the hair has been removed and the pore now appears larger? [color:#000099]Will these pores get smaller as the hair that grows back comes back thinner?[/color]
hey pokka, glad to hear you are feeling a bit more positive! we will be ok in the end hun. My skin is also a great concern to me as you know and i have pin point marks from electroysis but i just hope they will fade in time. The way i am looking at it is that i literally could not cope with the hair, laser made it worse so what choice do i have! lets just hope our skin heals. I am also interested in the question about pore size as i have noticed that i have tiny holes where the hairs were that i assume are pores that used to have thick hairs sticking out of them!! gurrr!! will they shrink back down now the hair is gone?
thanks, talk soon pokka
bec x
Oh, I remember that you wrote all that information before. So sorry you had to repeat it.
Blend is a great modality, but clients seem to think it hurts more, depending on what epilator is being used. Some brands offer more comfort than others with the blend programs they offer. From what I see, thermolysis would be very good for your skin.
Tissue sticking to the insulated probe means the intensity or timing is too high, so that may be why you are having scabbing for a couple weeks. She can bring this down by adjusting that intensity and timing to where the hair slides out nicely, but how can you suggest that to her?? That is always the dilemma here when we suggest suggest things because you, the client, are not supposed to telling your electrologist what to do! No one wants to insult or cause hard feelings with the electrologist because she/he is usually a very nice person. I can say this to you, but I have no idea how you may or may not want to handle this.
Pinging? I’m thinking that the probe isn’t being lifted back in a straight line after the energy is released at the bottom of the follicle. Are you sure you are not hearing a crackling sound?
Once a thick hair is removed, there is an empty space that the hair once occupied. It will fill in with time. If it doesn’t, then so be it. I just know that the vast majority of clients skin appearance improves with good electrolysis care. Some people come in with so much damage from temporary methods and ingrown hairs and after they run their course of treatments with electrolysis over 9-18 months, the skin is dramatically much brighter and smoother because there is no hair “there” to irritate the skin anymore. I see this mainly with my people of color clients and it is so very satisfying to be a part of giving them back their lovely skin.
Are you really sure that the tea tree oil was being applied correctly? I like this stuff. I am not disbelieving you, but I am curious if you were using a pharmaceutical grade and how much and how often often you were using it.
Even if I end up with the large pores, believe me I won’t complain. I am very happy with the improvements in my skin and it still looks better with a few large empty pores than it did with all that hair and the ingrowns etc
frequently, the appearance of larger pores is due to the now empty follicle filling up with sebum, now that there is no hair to wick that oily substance up and out of the indentation. It fills the pore and stretches it a little.
Hi Everyone,
Just to update quickly, I have more scabs now. Have taken some pictures and will post once I’m back in the UK. I have realised that the only way I can get clearance by the end of this year is to go to someone based closer to where I live. Work is crazy at the moment, so something will have to give. Unfortunately that will have to be the luxury of an Apilus electrologist
Insulated probes & sizes - what types/settings should clients look out for (for use on female facial hair)?
I understand different body parts results in different follicle sizes, which require different probes, but I’ve always wondered whether probes are something that clients should look out for during electrolysis trials.