Strange reaction? Scabbing on face?

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I saw a new electrologist today as the fantastic woman I normally see doesn’t work the day I am available. I noticed today was more painful that usual, but I put that down to hormonal stuff or just maybe the emla cream didn’t work long enough.

Now I notice I have developed scabs on my face and neck where it was treated- A reaction I have never had before with the two previous women who treated me.

I do apologize for the rubbish pictures, but you can sort of see what I mean from them.

The clinic I go to gave me lavender oil and said it would help, and told me to put ice on it- Said these things just ‘sometimes happen’.

Is this a normal reaction?

#2

Maybe I’m worrying too much, but the area is visibly more inflamed/red that usual and still feels quite sore.

I posted previously about ‘ingrown hairs’ that were actually my KP skin problem flaring up, a non-issue that has now been resolved. Bar that, I’ve not had much of a problem with reactions to electrolysis- After about an hour the redness goes away and the next day most of the swelling.

A gold probe was used and it was thermolysis (not sure of the spelling)

#3

Dragons,
Unfortunately, the photo’s are pretty rubbish and dont show very much at all. The first photo shows some inflamation on the upper lip but isnt clear eenough to make out and nothing can be seen from the second photo.
Scabbing DOES happen when we are doing work on face no matter how much you try to minimize it. It doesnt necessarily equate to scarring and in the majority of cases heals just fine.That you have communicated the reaction is more than you are prepared for to the electrolysis establishment you have done the right thing. I dont however think there is any cause for concern.
I feel we need a “hitchhikers guide to electrolysis” , which just like the original, had the words “Dont Panic” written accross it in big red letters.

I’m not sure if you recieved thermolysis though? Using a gold probe for thermolysis doesnt make a lot of sense. They are designed to give good conduction of DC currents. Many techs use iinsulated or stainless probes for doing thermolysis. That you found your treatment more painful, may be that you got blend and were feeling DC currents you werent used to?
Seana

#4

Could you possible upload higher quality pictures? It’s so hard to tell what’s going on here!

Did your face bleed at all during treatment? I’m guessing this is an okay reaction to have–more than normal for the face, but okay–but a) I’m not a professional and b) the pictures are really blurry.

I’ve also read that lavender oils shouldn’t be put directly on the skin? Not sure what others think/have heard about this.

#5

When i killed hairs in my own skin there was slightly better healing when i used the gold probes instead of their stainless steel counterparts. Ok, now i am using Lauriers and like both the tapered as well as the IBPs better for thermolysis (Synchro and Multiplex on my Pure)

#6

I’m not saying it isnt impossible someone would use gold probes for thermolysis beate, just a lot less likely I think. The incidence of “scabbing” as well seems to suggest a different kind of healing than themolysis would give. I tend to equate pinpoint scabs more with lye presence .If Dragons can provide better photos or even give a better decription of what they see, it might be cleared up.

EDIT: actually after looking at both photos and looking at the swelling again, I think the reaction IS consistent with blend being used. I do leave the possibility I’m wrong,but only better photos and description will really tell.

#7

Ahaha, I know the pictures are really awful. The pains of having a mid-price smartphone! I may add some better ones if these are still there in a few days.

The gold probe was used because I usually have sensitive skin, and my regular electrologist has the same view as Beate in regards to healing with the probe.

I did definitely receive thermolysis, though. It wouldn’t make any sense to use blend on me (especially without telling me)- It hasn’t been done before and I’ve never waxed/done anything to distort the follicles. From what I understand (I might be wrong, though!) blend is usually used for that?

Either way, it’s good to know that it can sometimes happen. I was concerned that maybe the settings were too high or something as the healing was going so well with the other electrologists.

#8

Thank you for at least clearing that up.
No blend isnt just used for distorted follicles ( though it can do that very well).

Regardless of modulation though, the results are the same. The likelyhood of there being any long lasting problem is very very small, and that you communicated this ( and it’s taken into account when treating you) is the best resolution one could hope for.

I’m ot used to seeing the swelling more than 24 hours after treatment, so if this is lasting a lot longer than that it is worth keeping an eye on and posting better pictures.

Seana

Seana

#9

As far as aftercare goes, please don’t put lavender oil on it. Essential oils are very strong. Tea tree oil if the area needs cleansing but only lightly. Ice is too strong for skin - you need a barrier such as a towel in between.

The easiest after care is cold, pure aloe vera if you can get it. Wash the area gently with soap (I use a very gentle soap free wash but that is my personal preference).

#10

Ah, I didn’t mean just putting ice straight on. I did wrap it in a face cloth first :slight_smile: My usual aftercare is aloe (Immediately after treatment in the clinic) then using witch-hazel gel at night and morning for two days. Usually works very well for me, the lavender was recommended specifically for the scabbing issue. I’m trying it, but I don’t expect much.

I will just see how this progresses. If it’s still as bad tomorrow with the redness and the inflammation I will go back to the clinic and have them check on it.

#11

Wee update- I went back to the clinic as the inflammation/redness was still there and was still quite uncomfortable. I saw the woman who has treated me (very successfully) before, and she agreed it was a strange reaction. She said the irritated area looked slightly infected, that they were forming into white-heads. She took some pictures, is going to follow up with me next week, Is talking to the woman who treated me and is giving me a free treatment next time as the amount of hair removed by the other woman was unsatisfactory (My chin and underneath usually takes about 25 mins, this was not totally cleared in the 45 mins I was treated by the other woman.) Her advice for the healing was to keep applying the witch hazel and to generally leave the area alone.

Overall, I’m confident in the clinic and do not intent to stop treatment there. I would NOT book another appointment with the other woman though, to me it seems too much to be coincidental that it a) hurt more b) caused a bad reaction and c) was a remarkable amount slower/ far more missed hairs.

#12

To totally confirm, they take a note of what probe and type of electrolysis was used each time. The note said thermolysis and gold probe, so the scabs were not caused by blend.

#13

I totally understand your dedication to stay with this clinic, it sounds like they are taking good care of you.
The “leave it alone” advice is good. I always like teatree oil for it’s antiseptic qualities but I’m not going to recommend it this time because I think less is better is the right approach.

#14

Ballet gold probes are completely compatible with any modality of thermolysis. Scabbing is not always a problem on the face when gold probes are used with thermolysis. Electrologists need to choose good recipes for intensity and timing, along with the right probe ( gold is a good choice). I use gold ballet probes with any thermolysis mode and I use thermolysis modes 98% of the time.

Scabbing occurs when the “recipe” is not balanced, when insertions are not carefully performed. First full clearances on a virgin area can result in more skin reaction, too.

I wouldn’t freak out about your outcome. You’ll be fine. It’s good to talk to your Electrologist so she / he can give you reassurance.

#15

That’s why this was so strange dfahey, the area has been cleared several times before with the exact same method and my healing has typically been really rather good. No issues with the gold probe. The woman who treated me is someone new to the clinic and to treating me, Honestly I have to say I doubt her method rather than anything else.

It looks really freakish, but it’s starting to calm down a bit now. I’m just going to leave it be and check in with the clinic next week :slight_smile:

#16

I give up. I’m throwing in the towel:

#17

LOL!