Before starting my electrolysis experience, I would like to know the difference between two. I was thinking both are same but when I searched this forum to find similar conditions and remedies,I realized that both are different. Please help.
I started going for thermolysis sessions last year in March. I went there once a week for an hour of treatment on my upper lip, chin and sides for about 6 months. She was using very low settings and I never had any of those pinpoint type of brown spots. Then I moved and found a lady practicing blend method. She called me once in 10 days for 45 mins to treat my chin and upper lip only. This one was a bit more painful than my previous treatment. I used to see very very small brown spots once in a while on my upper lip. After 4 treatments, I moved again to a new place and found a lady having more than 25 years of experience in doing thermolysis. I started doing that. Now she calls me for 15-25 mins every two weeks. I guess hair are growing slowly now. But I have many clearly visible (from 3-4 feet) brown spots on the treated area for about 4-5 days. And then I have shadow on my upper lip. I asked her abt that and she says it is ok to have them and do not worry abt that. Stop looking at the mirror !!! But when these brown spots go, I have shadow on my upper lip. I asked her abt it and she told these are new hair not the old one she treated before. I am always embarassed in front of people either because of brown spots or shadow. I am not sure how to hide them. Any Suggestions?
You know, when an electrologist destroys the tissue under the skin that supports and nourishes hair, the client should be helped along to understand that there are going to skin manifestations. When one has any trauma from any source, the skin goes into overdrive to heal the hurt. Some people are prone to hyperpigmentation no matter if you receive a perfect treatment. A bug bite, a cut or scrape, using harsh chemicals or certain cosmetics can cause the skin to flip out for some people. With electrolysis, we do as much as we can to strike a balance so we don’t overtreat or undertreat. You will have some signs after treatment because of the nature of getting a probe slide down to a target area in individual follicles and then releasing the correct amount of energy to permanently affect the hair. If you did a bunch of temporary measures prior to electrolysis, then this makes the task more challenging. If you have thick, deep hairs, then more energy is required to affect that hair permanently and more energy can mean more time to heal in those beginning treatments.
Are the brown spots tiny scabs?? Maybe the shadow is from new hair that is ready to sprout under the skin? Maybe this is normal hyperpigmentation for your skin type? If you heal within a week, you are doing fine. Are you examining your skin with a 15X magnification mirror?
Hair grows in cycles, so don’t expect perfection before 9-18 months. If you are prone to skin darkening from trauma because of your particular immune system, then your skin will gradually come back to normal after the hair is permanently treated and treatments are not needed anymore.
We had a discussion about makeup for covering up spots on the face not too long ago. Please use the search feature to find it. If you have trouble, let us know and we’ll try to help you.
It sounds like your time spent with the electrologist is diminshing and that is a good sign. Can you give more detail about what your skin looks like after treatment? What is your aftercare routine like?
Is the shadow due to the hair? Did you have it before? Often, shadow on the upper lip could be pigmentation of your skin unrelated to electrolysis. There are also several medical conditions that can cause it. You should consult a dermatologist about it unless you think it only appeared after treatments by the latest electrologist.
When we talk about scabs, we’re talking about tiny pinpoint scabs that appear a few days after the treatment and fall off within the next few days. If you have just dots, then it’s called pigmentation. Darker skin is especially prone to it, but your electrologist should be working with you to find a setting that doesn’t cause it. You may also want to invest into tea tree oil and apply it several times a day to get rid of the pigmentation. Are you using any aftercare at all?
i am sure that these tiny brown spots are scabs and they disappear in 5-6 days. i do not have any pic but i will start taking after next treatment. i have not checked my skin in 15x mirror but i guess the shadow is because of hair + little bit of pigmentation (i have type IV skin). magnifying mirror might be helpful to check this.
sometimes (when outside temp. is high) i use ice in the plastic bag while going home from the electrolysis clinic. the electrologist uses aloe vera lotion (walgreens brand). i use 70% alcohol on the treated area twice a day for 2 days.
Don’t use alcohol. It dries out the skin. Get Witch Hazel from Walgreens instead.
Are they using the pure clear aloe vera (like that used for sunburns) or a lotion with it in it? You should be using the clear stuff. The lotion clogs pores.
I wouldn’t use ice either. Witch hazel should be enough. Keep the area clean.
Be sure to use sun screen protection as well. Your darker skin explains some things about possible hyperpigmentaion issues. Do use the purest aloe vera gel you can find, preferrably at a health food store. I wouldn’t use a 15X magnification mirror. It really is a cruel thing for a woman to use because it distorts imaginary flaws that oridinary people can’t see anyway.