Need a second opinion on if this is normal

[nicky101]

Hi all. I got electrolysis done originally Match 31 and then two weeks later on April 11 to the same area. My electrologist uses galvanic blend for reference. The picture attached here is from today. I haven’t gone back for any electrolysis yet, I’ll likely continue but in a different area until this area heals up completely.

My question is, does this look okay or normal for healing? I met with my electrologist earlier this evening and showed her and she reassured me that it’s normal and will heal over time. I’m concerned it’s permanent scarring but she said everything looks okay and none of it is scarring and that it just needs more time to heal and she recommended to keep the area clean and apply an antimicrobial or healing jelly and massage to promote healing. I’ve been alternating Vaseline and polysporin. I’m just a little concerned because my first session I had with her I didn’t have this reaction. Just want to make sure we didn’t do something wrong and any pointers on how to help this area heal would be appreciated.

I am seeing my doctor in two days and getting a referral to a new dermatologist since my old one dropped my insurance provider just to get a few more pointers and second opinions. I’ve gotten a lot of laser and electrolysis before (On the face) and never quite had a reaction like this so I just wanted some reassurance.

(Also apologies for the lighting in the picture, it looks like there is yellowing in my skin but it’s just the light I took the picture in)

[nicky101]

Here is a picture when it is dry and has nothing on it.

[Thermo]

If these pictures are taken two weeks after treatment, then it appears her treatment was too strong. The redness and uneven texture are a normal part of your skin’s healing process, but I would expect a better outcome after two weeks of healing, especially on the face.

I don’t see anything concerning for permanent scarring, but I expect you will have some remaining hyperpigmentation for another month or so. Regardless, you should rest assured that it will heal normally without any creams, procedures or other intervention.

[nicky101]

This is around my bikini zone area for reference! I’ve had many hours of thermolysis on the face with no issue so that’s why I was a little concerned/scared to have this sort of reaction.

Thank you for the concise and thought out response though! I’ve been spiraling a little bit over this. I just wanted to know if this was overtreatment or something else. She said we could work different areas in order to allow for more healing time in between areas/sessions.

I did get a second opinion from a doctor and they prescribed me an antibiotic ointment (Mupirocin) and hydrocortisone cream to apply to the area in order to help with healing/reducing irritation. Do you think it would be safe to utilize these products? Or should I just use a moisturizer of some kind instead? Or just leave it completely bare? I was under the impression it’s helpful to keep an area healing like this moisturized, is that wrong? Thank you again for any insight, I greatly appreciate it!

[nicky101]

This is a pic from today. I’ll probably just check back in in a few weeks with another update but I’d still like to know what the best aftercare would be at this point to maximize healing and reduce the appearance of the textural difference in the skin if anyone has any recommendations.

Thanks for any insight!

[Thermo]

I completely missed that this was in the bikini area. A stronger treatment is more acceptable in this area, but such apparent redness and uneven texture after two weeks are still unacceptable by my standards. If this is simply caused by a too aggressive treatment, there isn’t much you can do that will make a dramatic difference to the healing. In my experience, time is the best remedy.

However, now that I think more about your case, you said that a) this is in the bikini area, b) you’ve not seen this skin reaction before, and c) it remains red and lumpy many weeks after treatment. I wonder if this might be a fungal infection which can be very typical of this area regardless of electrolysis.

You could see a doctor for peace of mind and a proper diagnosis, or try an over-the-counter antifungal cream if you can’t get to a doctor.

[nicky101]

I was prescribed Mupirocin but I don’t think that’s an antifungal. Gah I don’t know what to do then
When I see my dermatologist next week I’ll show them and see if they can help out more.

In the meantime I can only hope it will improve with time. Last question, if I am left with some scarring what are common procedures that people utilize to repair scaring after electrolysis? I’m hoping to not have any more reactions like this in the future as I’ll be a lot more cautious but I’d at least like to have an idea of what I can do to help make it look better.

[Jdesloges]

First thing, I’d never do blend on a bikini line. Too slow and will cost too much. Secondly, this will heal. Get some E11ements spray for healing. It’s inexpensive and works amazing. You can buy it on Amazon. Always you know if the trauma is worth it if you can not feel the needle being inserted into the hole beside the hair and you can not feel the hair being taken out. The bikini is notorious for ingrowns and I think that could be contributing to your skin issues. Do not use hydrocortisone cream, it’s will encourage hair growth. You can watch my utube at Jade clinics of what a treatment should look like and compare that to what you see happening with your Electrologist. If she’s pulling the hairs out (tweezing) than find someone else.

[nicky101]

Thank you so much for the recommendation! Yeah part of the reason I won’t be going back to this electrologist is because I simply can’t afford it lol and secondly she does tweeze the hairs so I’m assuming that’s not a good thing. I showed this area to my usual laser and electrolysis tech and she’s confident it will heal too. If you’re wondering why I went to someone different for this, it’s because currently my usual electrologist/laser tech won’t treat the bikini area so I’ve been trying to find someone who can.

I’ll try out the e11ements spray, do you just spritz it on and leave it on or wash it off?