Proceeding With Caution

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Hello everyone! I am new here. Thank you for sharing your expertise and support. I have learned a lot from this forum, and now - some questions… :slight_smile:

(1) Although very rare, I understand that scarring is possible, and that it can take up to several months to manifest. In that case, wouldn’t it be possible that the first signs of scarring could show up after one has already had numerous sessions? Or are there always clues that should lead one to stop or modify treatment to avoid scarring before it starts?

(2) And along those same lines, what is the benefit of a “full clearance” up front (other than speed, financial, and cosmetic)? The electrolycist suggested that I do this, but since I am not sure how my skin would react and heal, and given my lack of clarity about possible scarring, I was kind of apprehensive. I opted for 15 minutes once a week (a slow thinning out) instead of a half-hour or hour. I am also thinking that I would be less likely to be overtreated, as I am doing thermolysis and I was reading somewhere about the dangers of overlapping fields. But is it more traumatic to the skin for me to do more short sessions than fewer long ones?

My priority is the health, safety, and appearance of my skin throughout the process of receiving treatments and for the rest of my life. I am not really concerned about getting the hair gone fast, or spending a few extra dollars if need be.

Thanks for your replies!
Charmingstarla
Lithonia, GA

#2

Welcome!

I give people their options and they choose what is best and comfortable for them. If you want to proceed slowly, that is totally up to you. Getting a first, full clearance is awesome and is a good plan indeed, but if you need to ease into this to get some level of trust first, then that is a better plan for you.

I can do all modalities of electrolysis, but I choose to use three types of thermolysis mainly, depending on the structure of the hair or sensitivites of the individual. Thermolysis is not damaging in the way you fear. Skilled hands along with skilled decision making and observations during and after a treatment session, will assure that you won’t have any scarring side effects down the road. You will have TEMPORARY side effects that should go away within hours to a week depending on the area being treated and how you care for your skin afterwards. TEMPORARY, NORMAL side effects are unavoidable and are not the same as scarring! Redness, swelling, some pinpoint scabs are temporary skin manifestations, so don’t freak out about that.

Keeping in close communication with your electrologist, meaning, TALKING to her or him when something concerns you or pleases you is something you should do. We can only assist you so much here to help you sort out some concerns you may have. Your electrologist should always be consulted first. We like quality pictures and before pictures are really helpful. So, keep that in mind if you want honest comments from those brave enough to comment.

Since you are apprehensive about skin outcome, it is okay to proceed slowly to get to know what your electrologist is like. Better yet, try to get more than one 15 minute treatment from different electrologists so you can compare how it feels and heals. We, electrologists are all different, but we can all get you hair-free. You have to weigh and compare. You will know when something feels right or not so right. Reading this forum is a good start to help sharpen your instincts.

#3

I am curious: What area(s) and how much hair you are talking about?

Yes, you are in charge of how often and how long you receive your treatments. If you go about treating a large dense growth with only 15 minutes a week treatment, it can take a long time. I can understand starting out slowly, but most people want to reach completion sooner - so they can enjoy the time and freedom that comes with it. It is a matter of developing trust in your electrologist…

#4

Thanks for the replies! The problem areas are the chin and jawline. Estimated clearance time one hour.

I guess I am still unclear about how to avoid future scarring. I mean, even with normal temporary aftereffects, and good aftercare and monitoring, is scarring ever a “surprise”? That’s what I don’t really understand.

#5

Scarring is very rare. If you have a treatment and your temporary side effects, like i described above, are gone within minutes, to hours to less than a week or even ten days, you can feel assured that all is well for the future. If on the other hand, you have oozing of yellowish fluid, chunks of skin removed along with the hair and develop scabs larger than a period at the end of a sentence all over your chin and jawline, then you need to talk to your electrologist, as this is something you don’t want to repeat over and over again.

If you freak out and focus on a few red dots or pin point scabs here and there, then electrolysis is not for you and you will have to deal with the hair for the rest of your life. When I see people initially, my goal is to remove all the hair ASAP. It is done carefully, with close observation of the skin, with the aid of microscopic vision. There are rare cases where I choose to go slower, but most cases are done with the goal of getting all bothersome hair off speedily, unless the client tells me they want to go slower. The only thing I ask of them is not to question me as to why they are not finished by month 18.

Millions of people have had electrolysis over the past 140+ years and have beautiful hair-free skin. There is no scarring . Just find a skilled professional and be aware of healing guidelines mentioned above. Smoking, too much sun and eating crappy food is far more damaging to your skin than electrolysis will ever be. Smoking and sunning especially, can interfer with and delay good healing outcome, so keep that part of the equation in mind if you get treatment.

#6

Here’s a trick for you, charmingstarla. One I wish I’d have known earlier. Get a few test patches, preferably on the body.

Some will say body work has stronger temporary side-effects and might not be a fair indication as to what happens to the face. But, in my opinion, it’s a very good way of getting to know how an electrologist works, without having to put your face on the line.

I once went to a woman who had a very nice website, an Apilus Senior and, according to her, 10 years of experience. Sounds great, right?

Her place was grimy and, other than the needle, none of the instruments had ever been disinfected, never mind sterilized. There was no hand washing, gloves, disinfecting of my skin or anything like that. She had to leave the room twice during the test treatment and at some point her 10 year old kid barged in.

I thought, oh well, maybe at least she’ll have some skill.

Sadly, she did not. Nearly all the hair came off singed and due to bad insertions there were plenty of sizzling sounds, surface burns and a hole.

Luckily that was my leg and not my face.

And that’s why I recommend test patches on the body.