Question ...pro advice needed?

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

Hi,

A while ago I posted here. I have started to get some electro done on my back area. I am also being treated by laser in different areas. I have a question… After seeing my laser tech a couple of weeks ago. I told her I was getting electro done, and she looked at the area and she said scabbing was not a good thing… she has done electro for many years and still does it… she said try turning down the setting. My current electro tech says there is nothing that can be done about scabbing… it is just part of the procedure.

So my question is this, my laser tech is more expensive in terms of electro costs… however she says that it is not neccessary to have those side effects…therefore I am gathering she can provide treatment without them.

Do I stick to my current electro and go for a longer period of time e.g 1 hour with scabbing or do I go my laser tech and go for a shorter period of time say half an hour… I know which one i would prefer but is it feasible to go for weekly half hour sessions on the back area…seeing it is a large area etc etc… thoughts anyone?

#2

Here is my opinion on this:

Scabs are a routine side effect when working on the body and one should not worry about body scabbing. I don’t like to see scabbing on the face, though it happens sometimes, and I work harder to use strategies to prevent scabbing from happening on the face.

When we talk about accepting scabbing on the body, those scabs must conform to certain guidelines, meaning, the scabbing should not be very large. Tiny pinpoint scabbing is not problem as they heal and slough off in a week or two with no adverse effects to the skin. In the case of large scabs, that may or may not join together to form irregular patterns,then we are talking about overtreatment,and this scenario should be corrected and avoided in the future.

So not all scabs are equal when we talk about body work like on your back. Tiny scabs that do not connect are okay and all will heal well. Large scabs that may or may not connect is caused by overtreatment. They will take longer to heal, but they will heal pretty well. In the case of larger scabs, the electrologist can adjust intensity and timing, work on making perfect insertions and scatter his/her work to avoid these kinds of scabs.

If you are not treated with enough intensity, the hair will be treated insufficiently. If an electrologist is afraid of causing even little tiny scabs, he/she may undertreat the hair and the client will be plagued with regrowth and prolong the whole process. Body scabs are not a problem in my view, but, I repeat, there are limitations as to what is acceptable as far as size of scabs and how close those scabs are together. Some areas of the body are very moist and, true, it may be impossible to avoid scabbing.

Do avoid exercising and excessive sweating after a treatment. This will help limit scabbing, too.

You didn’t describe what the scabbing looks like so it’s not easy to judge who to stay with for electro on your back. I tend to fall into the camp of those that say tiny scabs are acceptable, if not desirable, for body work. I’m not afraid to use intensity if it means the regrowth rate will be less AND the scabs are the type and size that will heal and slough off in a week or two.

Dee

#3

My electrologist says that scabbing is not as common on the face as on the body. For one thing clothes are not rubbing against the face.

I agree with Dee. Scabs are well worth it if the treatment is more effective. They’re just little pinpoints.

I want to remove the remaining upper arm hair with electrolysis. It’s too fine for laser. My electrologist recommended that I wait until I am done boating for the season. Apparently scabbing is more common on the upper arms (on the inside triceps where it rubs against the sides of the chest) if the area is exposed to the sun regularly. I suppose it’s the comination of heat, sun and shirt sleeves rubbing against the arms.

Body hair is very resilient and you have to be aggressive (within reason) to permanently remove or reduce it, whether it is laser or electrolysis.

RJC2001

#4

My scabs are very small … they would be close to pinpoint . None are touching as such but some are close together.

So do you think I should stick with current electro and keep up my longer appointments?

#5

Yes.

Just let me add a little story here. Over the last 6 months,I have had a few clients come to me who complained that they were seeing a local electrologist for two years and did not notice any difference. One client was having hair removed from her arms and it is true, her arms were pretty hairy after weekly treatments for two years. I did an hour long treatment and when I saw her the following week, she said she had scabbing and was puzzled because her arms always looked normal after treatment and she was concerned about the scabbing. The scabs were already sloughing off after a week and they were pinpoint. I reassured her and all went well after that. She is hairfree today and satisfied. This client was being undertreated and wasted a lot of money and time.

Dee

#6

Yes.

Just let me add a little story here. Over the last 6 months,I have had a few clients come to me who complained that they were seeing a local electrologist for two years and did not notice any difference. One client was having hair removed from her arms and it is true, her arms were pretty hairy after weekly treatments for two years. I did an hour long treatment and when I saw her the following week, she said she had scabbing and was puzzled because her arms always looked normal after treatment and she was concerned about the scabbing. The scabs were already sloughing off after a week and they were pinpoint. I reassured her and all went well after that. She is hairfree today and satisfied. This client was being undertreated and wasted a lot of money and time.

Dee

what if no scabs have occured? could this be a sign that treatment is not good? i mean how can one tell when there are no scabs…how long should one wait while during while having treatment to know if treatment is effective? should one look at time frame or something as such <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> like after few months or something

#7

A treatment can still be effective if there are no scabs. Some clients scab more than others, some don’t scab at all. Not all professional epilators are equal either, for delivering a smooth consistent flow of current to the follicle and can cause unnecessary scabbing. Some probes/needles are better than others and some professionals make better insertions than others. As you can see, there are many variables consider in this matter. I personally just wanted to reassure you that there are acceptable levels of scabbing for the body if they do occur and there are varying opinions in electrologist circles on whether scabbing is good or bad.

I think by approximately the six month mark of consistent treatment to an area that has been cleared with follow up maintenance sessions, that one should be seeing some beginning signs that all is going the right direction. Of course, you should definitely be able to know for sure by one year or shortly thereafter, that your sacrifice was worth it all. You can not judge effectiveness after a couple months. You really have to get through three hair growth cycles or 9-12 months of clearings to make sure this is going in your favor. If you give up before then, your are cheating yourself and you’re not giving your electrologist a fair shake either.

Dee

#8

I think it is rather a difficult thing, because there seems to be such a complete difference in opinions from different sources. From the research I have done some say its acceptable some not… no wonder people are a little hesitant in doing electrolysis. Also, you seem to have to have a little bit of ‘blind’ faith in your electro to whether they are providing effective treatment or not.

#9

You’re exactly right malie, you do have to have blind faith. Same goes for other situations we find ourselves in.

Is mega doses of Vitamin C good for us or is it not? There are many conflicting studies on Vitamin C. Who do we believe? Is the surgeon operating on me going to be top par and bring about safe, desired results? Did the mechanic’s who serviced the plane, correctly pay attention to ALL details? Did the journalist reporting a story include ALL the facts and were they true? Is this restaurant’s food handled and prepared correctly or will I get sick afterwards? Is this the right laser with the correct levels, in the right hands for my situation? Is this the right electrologist for me that knows well the art and skill of preforming electrolysis?

We are at the mercy and trust of others everyday we live. In the case of electrolysis, this forum exists and thrives on others sharing what they know to be true and effective and there is plenty of opportunity to dispute what is being said about a particular question. Some things are not cut and dry, so you weigh information and do what you think is best for you. I stand by what I said about the scabbing concerns you had and I would encourage others to chime in on this subject if they disagree. Thanks for bringing this concern to hairtell, malie.

Dee

#10

I’ve posted about scabbing before and here is my opinion. It is only what I observed and what works for me. There is a big difference between scabs that are like little pin pricks and take less than a week to heal up and scabs that are deep and leave permanent marks. I have a few of those that are still there like little pock marks from acne. I got those from an electolygist that had the setting too high doing blend. I could hear the sizzling and smell it. I quickly changed to someone else. I still get scabbing on my face, not on my upper lip because the setting is turned down. I suppose it will take longer to treat that area but I would rather not have the scabs there and I can’t handle the setting higher there anyway. I do get scabs on my face especially under my chin. They are usually cleared up within a week. My tummy scabs but they clear up also. I was going to a woman who said she was doing blend (not) and I never had any reaction at all. Just a bit red that would fade in a few hours. Although I didn’t seem to see much results either. That is why I switched. I am happy with the balance now. A little scabbing but better results.

#11

No worries Dfahey.

Regarding my conclusion on my scabbing. I was treated on a different part of the back last session, and I recieved little to no scabbing. I figure it must be the sensitive nature of the upper back and shoulders and it takes a little longer to heal up, I remember when I had acne there it would always take a while to heal. My scabbing lasts a little over a week then they seem to all fall off.

So, I have decided to have a 2 week break and let my skin completely heal up. Then, I am going to let my laser tech have a go on me…and I am pretty sure my skin will react the same way regardless… on that position of my body. After that I will most likely return to my current electro.

#12

iv read to have the whole package i.e (excellent equipment, an electrologist with very good skills etc) would be excellent

but what if one was a really good electrologist but had old equipment…what about then? to go or not to go?

#13

A really good electrologist with older equipment will do good work, but not as fast as one with newer equipment. There may also be more of a chance of temporary red dots, scabs, or pigment.

In most cases, your results will be fine, it will just take longer to get there, and in the case of irritation, it may take longer to clear up.

#14

yea but thats the thing m getting tired of my current one with new equipment not doing enuf time that i want a session which is only an hour i only get half…so you see m gona take longer anyway coz of this which is kinda of the same as one with old equipment.

i was gona give another one a try but which a member here goes to and is quite satisfied and told me the person is fast but has old equipment

#15

Then go!

Obviously, someone working slower, but working longer will get more done than someone working fast (and I don’t know that she uses her newer equipment to its full potential in the first place) yet not working long enough.

Let us know how it works out.

Keep in mind that I can only give generalizations on a question like this. A masterful practitioner with a 1920’s spark gap machine with vaccum tubes in it, who has synergy with her equipment could work faster and more effective than someone using an Apilus Plantinum, who never bothered to learn how to use it well.

#16

kool, il try and make a consultation with her soon and see how that goes and go from there lol

#17

Scabbing does not need to be present to show effectiveness.
Insulated probes can help lessen the scabbinh and it is more common to see the pinpont scabbing on the body but should never be on the face especially if it’s bigger than a pinpoint. if you have repeated scabbing get a new electrologist. Also you should be ablt os see improvement of the area by half after the first visit.

#18

about 3 weeks since my last serious appointment. As, I said earlier I am taking a break and re-evaluating the situation.

I have no more scabs present. However, I seem to have hyper/hypo forget which one it is, darkening of the skin…where the scabs use to be. I am starting to think they are possibly not going to go away, I am using a Vitamin E cream three times a day, to promote healing.

Do these typically fade over time. I am not overly concerned, I already had scarring in that area as a result of acne. However, it would be nice for it to clean up.

I am beginning to think I may stop with the electro and just cross my fingers and attempt laser, as I have seen fairly good results so far. I will judge this once I start getting regrowth after my third treatment. The only reason for the swap is that my city doesnt seem to have well doesnt have any dedicated electros, they all operate out of beauty salons…this is hardly what I wanted.

#19

Malie, the system works better when you help it out. Please put your location in your profile, and perhaps, someone on this board knows of a decent electrologist who is actually an electrologist, and not someone who dabbles in electrolysis in between perms and nail jobs.

Good electrologists don’t have time to do anything other than electrolysis. If they want to offer other services, they hire, or partner with others to do that.