Skin Damage Update

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

As I posted previously, I have become alarmed by the condition of my skin in the areas I have had electrolysis on. As a MTF TG, I had complete beard removal. I’ve used several different practitioners over the years, but never had any warning signs, such as scabbing or prolonged redness.

The areas I’ve had work on on my face definitely don’t look too healthy up close. The lip and the chin are the worst; my upper lip has some pitting, and hyperpigmenation. My chin has some minor pitting and uneven texture.

I am sure this was caused by the electrolysis. I just now turned 30, but am often mistaken for 20, so I know it’s not age. The problems are ONLY in the areas I have had work done; the rest of my skin is flawless. It didn’t show up right away, but over the past couple of years the damage has become much more apparent. I don’t know why this happened, since I went to “the best” electrologists, except that maybe with that much treatment it’s kind of inevitable.

I am going to see the dermatologist to see what can be done, and I will try and post some pictures then. I think they can use a special camera to really zoom in, giving you a better idea of the problem.

#2

Have you ever had laser treatments on these areas? Side effects? Do you smoke? Do you protect these areas from sun exposure? Nutrition-wise, do you eat fruits and vegetables everyday? I’m not clear on your electrolysis experience. How many electrologists did you see over time (years)? You say you always healed well after treatments? Just fishing here to see if all this makes sense. When was your laser hair removal treatment with electrolysis or laser? I’d love to see a quaity picture,WRNA. This is very interesting as I trust your observaton.

Thanks,

Dee

#3

I don’t think she’s treated his face with laser. From what I recall, she only tried laser on underarms once.

#4

Hi:

I’m guessing you meant to say she.

#5

Edited :slight_smile:

#6

WeRNotAfraid, exactly how long did it take before you noticed these changes in your skin? I’m getting my upper lip hair removed and even though no damage is present there yet I’m scared if damage will show up later, since I have been very aggressive with the treatments going in 45 minutes every week.

#7

You can’t judge by others’ treatment. You don’t have male facial hair on your lip, you’re not on hormones, and you’re not being treated by the same electrologist or probably even with the same machine, settings, and method.

We always recommend not to overtreat an area. Don’t treat any spot which hasn’t compeletely healed from previous treatment.

#8

Hi:

It is possible that you may have some pitting and unevenness as a result of electrolysis.

Early on I found that my skin was very sensitive to too much work being done at once or in one area. So I limited my sessions to 2 hours, spread out over the entire face and did one session of that every two weeks. It took longer to be completely finished, but I think it was better for my skin.

Then afterwards I used a good skin cream for a few days following a session to help it heal.

Other than skin damage its possible to have differences in texture due to aging or smoking, and if the two of those are combined it can get pretty scary. Too much sun can also cause problems. I knew one transwoman who claimed the vertical creaselines in her upper lip were from electrolyis but were more likely from age and smoking.

I’m sure that the previous doesn’t apply to you too much other than the inevitable aging which we all encounter.

At this stage of things you are probably wise consulting a dermatologist as you mentioned. You may want to try something like microdermabrasion which might even out your skin surface somewhat. I’ve tried it a couple of times and it did help somewhat.

Alicia

#9

Hey everyone, I’m back and will answer some of the questions I’ve been asked.

  1. Never had laser on my face; when I started hair removal, laser was brand new and very expensive, and knowing what I know now I wouldn’t have used it anyway.

  2. I do not smoke and eat a pretty good diet

  3. The bulk of my facial electrolysis has been done by two people, both us which were certified by the AEA and very well trained. I never had any serious skin reaction like scabbing, though sometime of course after long sessions my skin would be red. I used to go in for 2-3 hours a week, and sometimes as much as 4 hours

I am NOT horribly mutilated or anything, it’s just that the skin doesn’t look so hot. The upper lip is the worst, with the hyperpigmentation. None of those showed up right away, it took a few years before I started noticing a problem. I believe that all that heat (I had flash and microflash) left tiny amounts of scar tissue which built up over time and caused collagen depletion. I am going to see a dermatologist and will hopefully at some point undergo laser skin resurfacing.