Skin Damage, And The Treatment Of It

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I should start by saying that I’ve had electrolysis for years, and up until now never noticed any problems. However, since starting female hormones, I’ve noticed that the areas I had heavy electrolysis in (namely, the upper lip and chin) don’t look so healthy. I wouldn’t say I have bad pitting or scarring, but the areas do look rough, coarse, and a little bumpy. It almost looks as though I had bad skin due to years of sun exposure (I never go in the sun) or had suffered some kind of burn that left a thin layer of scar tissue. Close inspection of the upper lip, especially, reveals obvious skin damage.

My question is, what do I do now? I don’t look awful by any means, and most people probably wouldn’t notice anything (I get lots of nice things said about my skin, actually.) However, I think the bad texture looks masculine, and my face doesn’t feel as smooth as I’d like. Would conservative treatmens (Retin A, glycolic acid, etc) help, or should I go right away for the full strength chemical peels or laser skin resurfacing? I guess I should ask my dermatologist, but I wanted to see if anyone else on here had had this problem, and what they did about it. I am still VERY pleased with my electrolysis, by the way, and don’t blame my electrologist for what has happened. I don’t see how one can have that amount of hair removed, and not end up with at least a small amount of skin changes.

#2

Are you completely done with electrolysis? How long have you been completed? If you are, I would start with an at home glycolic peel and see what happens. I have seen them do wonders! You may need something deeper from a dermatologist, but I would be weary about potential side effects of anything that penetrates deeper (like a laser or a high % chemical peel). It sounds like you are not too unhappy with things, so start mild. . . you can always increase treatments. Also, a poster here “Toni” has posted on healing after skin damage. Search for her information and you will find her personal account of how her skin damage resolved itself in time. I know the specific circumstances are different, but maybe some things in her posts will help you, too.

#3

I’m not too unhappy, but I do think I’ll need something done. Maybe if I hadn’t started hormones (which seem to have thinned my skin)I would be ok, but the more I look, the less pleased I am. The upper lip and chin are the worst.

Obviously, I am very happy with the electrolysis itself. I still go in every so often for touch-ups, but they are very brief. I guess I will start with glycolic acid night cream, and take it from there.

#4

Try a glycolic peel kit instead of a cream. They are a bit more agressive and produce better results from what I have experienced and seen. They should run you about $150 max, but are well worth it. If you’d like I can pm you my routine that is working great, but I do not want to push specific products in the open. I am speaking only from personal experience, not pushing any products and don’t want to be seen that way.

#5

I know what you mean. There is no way that I can answer some questions without giving actual product names, and yet, this leads to charges that I must be getting paid by the companies, book authors, and even individual practitioners. Of course, if that were true, then I really would be typing this on my yacht with a bevy of beauties giggling in the background as we sip good merlot.

Oh, well, back to reality.

#6

My skin is looking crap too…it looks dry bumpy sort of and doesnt look its smoooth baby skin self as it did before electrolysis. I am not completed either. Today actually happens to be exactly 1 year since i started and at the moment my treatment is 3 weeks spaced. Round in week 2 i see finer hairs popping up, still course ones on chin but these are spread out. so i doubt m complete but its really frustrating at this stage as i thought i wud have been done by 1 year year not ONLY be 3 weeks spaced. The hairs look definatly reduced but i also have doubts cause i think what if i stop for 4 weeks, or 5 or 2-3 months what will these areas look like them…m wondering also by now the course ones should have gone but the spaced out ones on chin area keep appearing n m pretty sure its in same position even after an year…il keep this up for another couple of months but if it hairs still keep popping then m done with electrolysis for good i cant keep patience nomore especially after an year and still be to 3 weeks spaced. as well as im getting realy really tired of the recovery procedure waiting for skin to heal each time and my skin looking the way it is rough, dry, and NOT SMOOTH.
i will pull up my thread and do a full update there newayz…

at the moment m thinking of buying the the silkia oil and the epidermx2 microdermabrasion kit from http://www.goldportbeauty.com/microdermabrasion.htm
seeems like it will work and i have read good reviews for the combination of 2.
so yea will see just not sure if the epidermx can be used while having electrolysis. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

#7

If I need a peel, I think I’ll probably head to the dermatologist ( I don’t trust myself to do it at home) which costs less, anyway.

I don’t think I probably better do anything till I don’t have to have any treatment anymore, which may be a few more months. I don’t have to shave the area anymore and don’t have any visible or coarse hair, but I’m still zapping some long, fine ones and a few small poky ones. It only takes about 20 minutes every few weeks to get everything I haze.

#8

I am referring to a peel kit, which contains several peels for that amount, not just one. I agree, if just one were that price, I would go straight to the derm! I’m sure you could do it because the % of glycolic is lower and therefore has less risk of side effects. It’s up to you though but I would love to know what you decide and how the results turn out. As far as lasers, I have read that fraxel is the best for mild scarring and skin damage, however it’s very expensive and I am kinda leery of lasers these days.

#9

Fraxel is very new, and I am loathe to try the “hot new thing” which often turns out to be useless or even harmful. I think I am going to try home treatments (including Renova or similar, it won’t be hard to get a prescription) and if that doesn’t work, I’ll have a blue peel or a deeper chemical peel done. Chemical peels have been around forever, and I trust them more than lasers.

#10

Oh, I forgot to mention. . . I don’t know if you have ever tried a facial self-tanner, but when I use these I get a nice even bronzey glow to the skin that seems to minimize any imperfections. I still wear my SPF 30 so I am protected, but don’t look so pasty white!

#11

I’m going to address something that has not been discussed in this thread.

WeRNotAfraid and SIMRAN may be having different issues here.

WeR has begun female hormones, and I will assume (no time to look further) that you are a female going through menopause? Time changes our skin. It is uncommon that a woman will age without the things happening that you describe. The skin around the mouth gets wrinkled, the chin gets folds and wrinkles. Overtreatment can result in a different texture in skin - such as pitting or a sinking of the tiny area, resulting in skin being concave. It doesn’t sound like you think that is happening. I currently see clients who began their treatments in the 1960’s will my former colleague. These are little “old” ladies who grow a big bad hair now and then. For most of them - their skin looks great! Very few of them have a little skin damage, but their treatments were done with old-timey epilators. I do believe that the newer epilators help us give a better treatment.

SIMRAN seems to be describing unhappiness with not being done yet. It is rare that a person will be done in 12 months exactly. It can happen - some people are done with small areas in 6 months. If a client is compliant with no tweezing, and they have consistent treatments, half of the hair should be gone in 2 months. In two more months half of that hair is gone - and on and on. If there are genetic or hormonal factors (that are usually impossible to KNOW FOR A FACT) then a person might require a clean up now and then throughout their lives. This is one disadvantage to laser. Some people do not grow all their hair this year. They take a lifetime to produce all their hair. Lasing all areas of skin for new growth forever does not make financial or health sense. I have always believed that lasers have their place, and some people benefit greatly from them. (Just want the electrology detractors to know this.)

#12

Actually, I’m a transsexal and I’m only 26. Hormones have softened and thinned my skin some, but I am a long way from becoming old and wrinkled (I hope!) Again, don’t get my wrong, I love my electrolysis and I am almost done. However, I do think it left me with a little bit of skin damage. Some of it may be my fault, since I didn’t always follow the most rigorous after care regimen. However, I do think it’s hard to end up with perfect skin after having that much hair removal. Going 2-4 hours a week, week after week, for a long time would be pretty hard on anybody’s skin. The only problem areas are the upper lip and chin, which got the most heat and most treatment. My neck/sideburn area/back of neck/eyebrows look great, with no damage.

#13

My skin is looking crap too…it looks dry bumpy sort of and doesnt look its smoooth baby skin self as it did before electrolysis. I am not completed either. Today actually happens to be exactly 1 year since i started and at the moment my treatment is 3 weeks spaced. Round in week 2 i see finer hairs popping up, still course ones on chin but these are spread out. so i doubt m complete but its really frustrating at this stage as i thought i wud have been done by 1 year year not ONLY be 3 weeks spaced. The hairs look definatly reduced but i also have doubts cause i think what if i stop for 4 weeks, or 5 or 2-3 months what will these areas look like them…m wondering also by now the course ones should have gone but the spaced out ones on chin area keep appearing n m pretty sure its in same position even after an year…il keep this up for another couple of months but if it hairs still keep popping then m done with electrolysis for good i cant keep patience nomore especially after an year and still be to 3 weeks spaced. as well as im getting realy really tired of the recovery procedure waiting for skin to heal each time and my skin looking the way it is rough, dry, and NOT SMOOTH.
i will pull up my thread and do a full update there newayz…

at the moment m thinking of buying the the silkia oil and the epidermx2 microdermabrasion kit from http://www.goldportbeauty.com/microdermabrasion.htm
seeems like it will work and i have read good reviews for the combination of 2.
so yea will see just not sure if the epidermx can be used while having electrolysis. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Simran, I can sympathise with you as I’m having some doubts about electrolysis too, but all I can say is don’t give up now. I know it can be difficult, but it’ll be worth it in the end!