I went to my first electrolysis appointment on Saturday morning for the hairs on my arms. It is now Tuesday night as I took these photos and write this. I’m a bit concerned as I have red dots in areas where the hairs were removed and they have not gone away.
Is this normal to have? Will they go away? The red marks are more noticeable in person than in my photos. I have another appointment with her this week and I don’t know if I should call and cancel if this is not normal. Any input and advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for reading.
Yes, it’s normal. Apparently your electrologist is doing a good job. In the next few days these little dots become small scabs that will fall in a couple of weeks, do not touch. Try washing the area two or three times a day with warm water and soap. Apply Betadine at night when you’re home. Probably you’ll feel itchy and want to scratch, do not, please. There is a way to minimize the size and appearance of these small scabs, ask your electrologist if he or she has any objection to using insulated needles and if not, order yourself a box of needles insulated bulbous Laurier (size 3 short or medium) and take them when you have a new session.
If your electrologist is not familiar with the use of insulated needles, remind her that she should lower the intensity. She will need a few minutes to become accustomed to. You chose the best (and the only one I would say) to remove such hairs, the Electrolysis. It is closely observing the area, if I’m correct (and frankly I think it is) as you will see all those red dots appear no hair anymore. She is acting on all hair at any stage and this is good because the area will remain cleared forever.
This is a normal response that will disappear. Keep in mind that the next appointment will bring new pinpoint scabs that may make you think that the old ones aren’t going away. The longest that one little scab would stay is 2 weeks, but they also can disappear within days. It can also happen that your skin will react differently each time, so you may notice little scabs one time, and not another.
Insulated needles aren’t for every epilator, so I think you should talk to your electrologist about your concerns. He/She may be able to change some settings - but please do remember that this reaction is not a bad thing. It actually looks good, as you can see that there are not broken or ingrown hairs from the treated follicles. You can be assured that THOSE hair follicles have been properly disabled!
This might be an instance that Vaseline Constant Care might help prevent a reaction. It’s not OTC, though - can be purchased through a medical supply.
Your red marks are 100% normal and desired. You have white skin and you are seeing the normal healing process called angiogenesis. (I have written extensively about this and won’t bore you.) No scab will form following these marks.
Again, do nothing. The healing process, from any wound, is completed in 18 months. YES! a year and a half! (Most of the time, you don’t see this, but it is taking place. You cannot change this.) The simple “motto”: “if it’s red or brown it will go away.” Now, white? That’s another story.
