"Plastic" skin from vellus hair removal on face?

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Hello Hello Everyone,

During electrolysis treatments for the accelerated pigmented vellus hairs on my face (hair length ranges from 1-5mm) I was told that removal of these hairs would result in “shiny” skin with a “plastic” appearance. (Apparently, undesirable!) So, I was advised against removing the hairs.

Since I do not understand and cannot visualize what they mean by “plasticky shiny skin”, I cannot see why it would be undesirable. (To me, this translates to smooth skin, hence, is good!)

Would anyone have any feedback and/or experience regarding this? Also, how would having one’s vellus hair removed result in this???

Thank you.

Anamika.

#2

I think it’s just a visual thing that you either like or hate. Personally I hate it and it’s a dead giveaway that someone has had hair removal when their facial skin is super smooth and shiny (really no other way to describe it - there’s just no hair there!).

Hair gives a bit of texture to the skin (in a good way) and it absorbs light so the skin doesn’t reflect it and look shiny. The vellus hair also holds on makeup so if you get rid of all your fine hair you’ll find your makeup will slide off more easily and it won’t look as natural either.

If you’ve ever waxed your upper lip or chin, you should have a good idea of what they mean by plasticky and shiny by recalling what those areas look like with absolutely no hair on them. When that extends to the cheeks and jawbone, it just isn’t a very subtle look. As I said above it then becomes very obvious that you’ve had hair removal done on your face.

#3

“I Love Pink’s” explanation of this phenomenon is the best I’ve ever read. Thanks for this … new facts for me. Yes, “vellus hair diffusing light to create a softer look,” is spot -on! I remember a client that shaved the vellus hairs on her face, except her upper cheeks, and it looked terrible.

A 1mm long hair is pretty darn tiny. Maybe just sort out the long visible ones?

#4

All that was said is very good and very true!

May I add that each vellus hair situation is different. In consulting with my female clients, I listen very carefully to what bothers them most. Then, when making suggestions, I always emphasize that we will never conquer all of the vellus hairs and that should never be the goal - EVER! I ask them if they want their skin to look like a painted wall or a mannequin’s face? When I tell them the effort and expense that it entails to permanently remove the hair they have now with electrolysis, they verbalize that they would be satisfied with thinning the areas that bother them the most.

Vellus hair on a woman’s face serves to soften her face. Most of my clients are happy with that plan of approach. I only have one that isn’t - she wants hair removed that I think is not necessary ( and I have told her so many times). Most electrologists would think that I am unethical for continuing electrolysis care on her. I will only say that they are only reacting in a general way and they don’t know what I know about this person, thus, they can’t understand why I agree to see her when my eyes tell me she is finished.

So, in general, it is best to serve females with too much vellus hairs with a plan that thins bothersome areas - we are not aiming for total removal. Electrolysis is the ONLY permanent answer for fine, non-pigmented hair. People want what they want and as electrologists, we can serve this group if we have the desire. A proper set up is essential. Vision aid and proper lighting to highlight those hair structures is at the top of the list.

#5

Out of curiosity, what about guys who have that plasticky skin look? I thought it looked nice but maybe that’s just me lol. It seems like it might have a different visual affect than what would appear on a female face?

#6

Total beard removal and the “plastic look.”

I not a fan of removing full beards on men (unless “transitioning”). Actually, I refuse to do it any more. (I CAN refuse clients.)

I did remove the beard from a pretty well-known “sort-of celebrity” (well, a “used-to-be” one), and the guy gets a LOT of negative comments on-line. He seems to be okay with this androgynous look; I’m not.

I also removed the “platinum blond” beard from a big Norwegian guy … I thought he would look normal without the beard, since when shaved you couldn’t see it. Afterward, YOU COULD see that something is “wrong!” I think it looks terrible! I also think it was a crime to remove that beautiful blond beard. The guy looks like a Viking … with a face that never went through puberty. BE CAREFUL GUYS!

Today, if I think I’m giving somebody a “freaky” look I won’t do it.

#7

Actually, my BIG issue these days is with women that want the “full Brazilian.” I’m close to refusing to do this. Sure, a neat “package” is a fine idea. But everything? It looks freaky: like she had chemotherapy. NOT at all nice looking. I think I’m done with this.

Yeah, “no” works for me. Today’s the day … DONE. Thanks for “pushing me over the edge” on this decision.

#8

Dear Experts,

Thank you for your feedback and for taking the time to share your knowledge… :slight_smile:

I cannot say that I fully understand the “shiny”, “plasticky” look yet. Would anyone have any pictures to help illustrate??? (I think of “shiny” skin as being Nicole-Kidman-like, which I like.)

Also, would skin colour make a difference—where darker skin tones do not look “plasticky” versus lighter ones? (The waxing/plucking/hair removal method that I had used earlier could never remove the really tiny hairs, and so I cannot gauge from my own hair removal experience. As for make-up, I found that foundation tended to stick to my hairs, making them standout even more, which made my face look like a fur coat!)

Some of my 1mm long hairs are as dark as the ones on my head, while some of my unpigmented 3mm vellus hairs are distorted now due to years of hair removal. And then there are the 5mm long pigmented vellus hairs that cover the sides of my face. These are the ones that I am interested in targeting, as when they are gone, my face seems “cleaner” (I cannot think of a better way to describe it).

I do hope to find an electrologist (who is as honest as you folks) that will tell me if I am ever going overboard and targeting unpigmented tiny vellus hairs at any point…but until then, I rely on Hairtell. :slight_smile:

Thanks again,

Anamika.

#9

I have one more session with my dear zapper and then it’s all over as i return back home where there is no one to continue with. We have only done some sideburn area , darker hairs only, not blonde vellus, but its better than nothing. When I see the photos here of an entire hairy man’s back being covered I could just cry, cuz in my world ,my small face is no where near as hairy, and no where near as completed treatment wise…seems an impossible dream …
So really my only option is to use a rotary razor. Yes it makes my skin dryer looking, feeling, and is not as optically appealing but what choice do I have? Do you know of any other methods to somehow reduce the look of face hair without having the plastic look or spending hours fussing on face?

#10

I was doing treatments for vellus type hairs on my face but after going to 3 different electrologists, I had to stop due to scarring. I have tried waxing sideburns and chin area, but looks weird bc other areas have hair and the regrowth stage is tough. A couple of friends suggested using eyebrow razors on dry skin. Have you tried that? There are a few different brands out there. Sephora sells them, drug stores, and amazon sells one called Tinkle. I have tried them all. Have you tried one of those female trimmers to see if that helps the look of the hairs? It’s so tough. I’m in the same boat:(. Hope you find something that works.

#11

MichK,

You may have explained specifics concerning “scarring” in another thread, but can you tell us in detail what happened. If you have pictures of your scars, we would love to see them.

Don’t get hung up on all this plastic talk. It’s not likely to happen because you will not likely reach the level of total hair removal, with electrolysis, on a very vellus female face anyway.it is a gradual transformation done by thinning and the time comes when you just know that all the hairs that you want gone, are gone and the ones that you can barely see are not troublesome.

Danika,

I’m sure you can be helped. If you are coming to the states, we may be able to give you a nudge in the right direction. If you are somewhere else, more people are improving on their strategies and tools worldwide, just like they are in the USA. Shaving is for the birds.

#12

Thanks and I agree Dee! It sucks! I do not live in the USA. Right now shaving is my only option for the time being , though trust me , i bend my brain around how I can see you or someone equally skilled as I know it would change my life in so many ways. Even the small area that was done here on my sideburns has me thru the roof with joy and not shaving the area anymore, though not sure if that will change once time has past and i see what grows in and am no longer near an E that can clear it…

#13

I added more thoughts on my post above. Did I dream you were coming to Wisconsin, Danika!

#14

I have indented/pitted scarring on my chin and cheeks near my mouth. Also have pinpoint looking scars in the same areas( last treatment was about 4 months ago). Some other scars look like open holes but those may just be from losing a hair? I had longer type vellus hairs removed as well as dark course hairs over about a year done by 3 diff electrologists. The last women I saw said that she did not want to treat me anymore bc my skin did not heal the way she wanted it to. I’m still trying to find a way to help diminish the appearance of the scars. They are probably not super noticable to someone standing far from me, but I can easily see them. The last electrologist thought I had acne scarring in the areas that the previous electrologist was treating. Unfort, it was from the treatment…ugh. I will try and take a good photo. Also- have you ever seen pitted scars heal with time? Thanks so much.

#15

It is true that when the hair that once occupied space is removed, it may then look like a an empty hole in your skin. That doesn’t mean you are looking at a pit. I do trust that you know the before and after of your skin condition. It takes up to a year or a year and half for the skin to restructure, so you will need to let time pass before you know what your healing powers are going to be.

I will await some quality pictures. No rush. Whenever you have the time.

#16

Thanks for your reply. I can deal with the small open holes, but it is the bigger indents ( one looks like a oval) that have me worried. I will be patient and hope for the best! Do you recommend any products that may help with these types of scars? I’ve been told retin a, vit c, and alpha hydroxy acids may help…or maybe just time! I took pics earlier today but my camera dropped and is not working right. Will keep trying. Thanks again!!

#17

I don’t feel comfortable recommending anything for your problem because I can’t see your skin close up. That would be better left to someone like a dermatologist actually. All the things you mentioned for helping this along, well maybe, but I always fall on the side of Mother Nature and her special time table.

#18

Hi Michk
Do you have any updates on your dents and scars? I am in a similar situation and would love to know if things resolved with time