This is my first posting and I am an Asian male. Recently, I have been getting electrolysis done on my upper lip, using the blend method. So far it has been slightly over a month now (5 weeks total- appointments have been once a week with 15 minute sessions). I am concerned about the markings that are still showing up. In addition, my face has never been exposed to the sun. Also I have been using NeoSporin for a period of 5 days, as the electrologist reminds me to do this, after every session with electrolysis.
Before considering electrolysis, I haven’t been shaving like most males do. Instead I was tweezing the individual hairs out, and every month or so they would grow back. I never had an issue with tweezing since I was doing it very carefully and cleanly (pulling them out in the same direction that they were growing, containing the black bulbs at the end of every hair).
I have noticed that the electrologist is not pulling each hair by force, as she has been applying the electrical needle current 4-5 times per hair, to ensure that each would slide out easily (she told me that tweezed hair are usually harder to get out)
So within these 5 weeks of electrolysis using the “Blend Method”, the electrologist applied a “Level 3” for one session, while all of the other sessions were set at “Level 2”, after mentioning her about the red purplish markings (they look like blood spots under the skin) that have been showing up. My electrologist said it will heal, but I am still very worried if these marks will actually become permanent. Please help, as I am very nervous if I should proceed getting this area cleared.
You will heal, but I would not do every week if she is using an older machine especially if this is the reaction you are getting. Give it two weeks to heal, perhaps. I would NOT USE NEOSPORIN. A lot of people are allergic to the neomycin in this stuff. Again, DO NOT use Neosporin as it could interfer with your healing. Use witch hazel and cold aloe vera gel during the daytime and tea tree oil at night time, just a dab. Do this for at least three days.
Your hairs look pretty concentrated, so hopefully she is scattering her work. How old is her epilator? Level’s mean nothing because all epilator brands are made differently. Do you have the ability to sample other electrologists that do MicroFlash thermolysis so you can compare modalities? Tell your practitioner about your healing and see if she can play with the intensity and timing to reduce skin reaction. Sometimes it is possible and sometimes you just have to accept that in the beginning, before you achieve a first, full clearance. This is the roughest it will ever be. Do stay on top of this though, as repeated overtreatment can cause skin problems later down the road.
This will heal, but good aftercare is a must and Neosporin does not figure into what is good aftercare. Keep it as simple and natural as possible and thanks for the pictures.
This looks similar to the reaction I received after my second treatment. The lady that was working on me used a high thermolysis settiing. After about 2 weeks it’s almost all gone. There is still some pigment under the skin but I believe that’s healing as well and almost not noticeable. Just like that was said in the post before mine, as long as the area isn’t consistently overtreated you should be ok.
Well I noticed that the machine being used is modern looking, as it has a digital display (for the timer and settings i think) and makes chirping/beeping sounds.
For these three:
witch hazel
cold aloe vera gel
tea tree oil
Is there any specific kind I should use?
Sorry if it is a silly question. I have never used any of these products before.
Make sure the tea tree oil is a phamaceutical grade. It will say so on the bottle. WalMart and Target sell nice brands for under $6.00 per bottle. I like Target’s ‘Origin’ brand better as far as smell goes. Jason’s is a good brand, but typically more expensive. Use the clear aloe vera gel. Keep it in the fridge. Get it as close to 100%“pure” as possible. Health food stores have it, but Fruit of the Earth brand is much less expensive. I like Thayer’s witch hazel, either lemon or peach scent. Medicated Thayer’s witch hazel is lovely, too, especially if you have oily skin. However, any plain witch hazel will do and most drug store brands are cheaper than Thayer’s. www.Herbspro.com sells Thayer’s by the case or individually or you can go to www.prestigeelectrolysis.com to purchase if you can’t locate these locally.
Sounds like her machine may be up-to-date, which is helpful. Please talk to her about your concerns because she knows your situation better than those of us hanging out here on hairtell. Ask her what more she can do to minimize your skin reation.