What is causing little red pinprick marks?

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I have been aggressively doing electro for a couple of months. I say aggressively because it is a LOT of electro compared to what I have read about on this forum. Anyhow, for the first month and a half I had no reactions except for some red dots on the underside of my chin. Then at the month and a half mark I started seeing some teeny, tiny whiteheads pop up on my upper lip and chin. It was never a lot, only a handful. More concerning to me is a feeling of tightness in the skin of my upper and lower lip for 2 days, inevitably followed by tiny red pinprick marks/(scabs?)for 1-2 days.

What are the reasons for these little red dots? What about the tight skin feeling and occasional tiny whiteheads? They are barely noticable but the dry skin starts to flake off a bit. That is more noiticible than the pinprick marks IMO. What is it?

#2

I’ll give you my experience, and let the pros chime in and correct me where I am off.

First, what modality is she using? (galv, blend, thermolysis, flash, microflash?) Do you know what machine she uses? (Apilus, Instantron, Fischer, Silhouet-tone, etc?)

The whiteheads sound like impacted hairs. Are they painful to the touch? Are the heads large?

I suspect the tight sensation is just from normal treatment. Is the skin a bit red also?

The dots are scabs. Don’t disturb them, they will disappear in a few days. They are a normal part of the healing process. On the face, I believe they can be minimized by using newer, better equipment and an operator skilled in using that equipment (this has been my experience.) But, no reason to panic, they do heal.

The good news: I have experienced all you have described, both receiving professional electrolysis on my face, and as a DIYer on the body, and all of that is not uncommon and will heal with time.

#3

Thanks for your response Vickie. My gal does blend using a Clareblend Ultrablend.

The whiteheads are really, really small and they do not hurt or bother me at all.

My skin feels tight and is red right after treatment. Then the red dots appear a few days later as does what appears to be dry, flaky skin. The dots turn a brownish color.

So the dots are scabs? They aren’t really that crusty. This morning I tried to scratch one off to see if it was a scab that would come off easily. I couldn’t scratch it off. I didn’t try any harder because I didn’t want to hurt my skin. My last electro was on Tuesday morning and I still have the red/brown dots on my upper lip.

What causes scabs? I notice on my upper lip the insertions feel strange. It’s hard to describe but it feels like after she has inserted the probe and turns on the juice for a few seconds, the probe “breaks through” some sort of resistance in the skin and then goes a teeny bit deeper. What is that and could that be the problem?

#4

Yes, the newer computerized equipment certainly can yield better skin results as long as energy levels and insertion technique is right on.

Scabbing is a result of overtreament or too shallow of insertions.

DO NOT TOUCH OR ATTEMPT TO PICK OFF SCABS!!! Let Mother Nature do the mending. Help her along by using witch hazel, aloe vera gel and snmall dabs of tea tree oil at bedtime for the first three days especially.

Express yours concerns with your practitioner.

Dee

#5

Come to think of it, they may still be ingrown/impacted hairs. I used to get small whiteheads from shaving, where the finer hairs ingrew (the cheeks especially). Since you are a GG, the hairs would be finer and it stands to reason the whiteheads would be smaller.

The break though sensation may be the needle pushing past the bulge? I found inserting the needle in a tight follicle as far as I gently can, then turning the juice on for a second or two helps the follicle “loosen up” and allow the needle to go all the way down easily. (Is that acceptable form?) Maybe that is what is happening in your case?

#6

Thank you for your responses. Dee, I normally do not pick my scabs. I only did it because I was talking to a potential new electrologist by phone and describing the marks and she asked if they came off easily with my fingernail. I told her I didn’t know because I never tried (due to the advice on this forum). Thanks for your advice on aftercare. I still haven’t gotten around to picking up some witch hazel or aloe gel but I do use tea tree oil. I will talk to my electro about this.

Vickie, I would be interested to know if you are correct about the breakthrough sensation being the needle pushing past the bulb and whether that is proper technique or not. On a related topic, one day my electro seemed to be turning on the current AS she inserted the probe. It was painful and I told her. She never did it again. I think I did mention the breakthrough sensation to her but I can’t be sure. If I did she was not able to explain it.

#7

The whiteheads sound like infected follicles filled with lymph fluid. Are you wearing makeup? Or touching the area? It’s hard to keep our hands off. I know I don’t realize how often I touch my face until I try not to touch it.

#8

I try not to touch the area. I don’t know if I am doing it without realizing it. I do wear makeup. Maybe it’s the makeup? I have been wearing makeup the entire time I’ve been doing electro (2-3x week for 2 months) but have only recently had this issue. And the whiteheads only last a day, two at the most. I would love to not wear makeup and I realize how much it is stressed on this forum that you must let your skin breathe and heal but I just can’t go without it in my line of work. I try to just use the mineral powder makeup and a bit of concealer.

#9

Regarding whiteheads: I have not seen them associated with ingrown hairs. Sometimes they just happen. I encourage keeping hands off and skin clean and cool immediately after treatment to avoid this type of breakout. The white material in the follicle is pus - the stuff of infection. It is very important NOT to mess with these.

Regarding the tiny red pinprick marks: Pin point scabs occur on the lining of the follicle. Since the follicle is an indention in the skin, the injury to the follicle will sometimes show us as a tiny internal scab. You will see the very top of the scab on the surface of the skin.

The treatments can cause some swelling that result in that tight feeling skin. My favorite coolant for newly treated skin is witch hazel with some wintergreen alcohol. The alcohol increases the antiseptic level of the witch hazel without being so drying. Ice can be overused and result in harming the skin.

Vickie: This is just my opinion, and might not be the belief of others, but using the current to insert deeper into the follicle (past the bulge) might actually cause the needle to break through the follicle wall. Have you had a chance to watch the Schuster videos? These videos show actual insertions and how the needle can move around in the follicle - before any current is applied.

#10

I agree with your ice comment, Barbara. I give certain clients a small ice pack wrapped in gauze before they leave my office. The ice only lasts 5-10 minutes before it melts. I make smaller bags on purpose so it can’t be overused.

I’m also thinking that it is possible the follicle wall being punctured. I guess it would be a good idea to describe this sensation with your electrologist, so if you continually feel this, she can correct her insertions.

Dee

#11

Thanks guys! Barbara, your explanation of the marks I see makes perfect sense. Dee, thanks for your input.

#12

Interesting, can tiny whiteheads be caused by shaving (and some sort of infection from the shaving) alone? I only seem get them a couple days after shaving, or after electro or laser (maybe that is from the shaving of the area a few days later?)

Barbara, I haven’t seen the Schuster videos, but I remember someone mentioning them here a while back. Does anyone know where I can find them? I couldn’t find them on T.E.S.

I am not sure if the push/op sensation I feel is pushing past the bulge, or I am breaking through the follicle wall or bottom of the follicle. I feel the push/pop as I insert but I do not feel any kind of pain or pinprick feeling, like I would feel if my insertion was way off (would I feel any kind of pain if I did break through the follicle?)

#13

Shuster video’s can be purchased at Prestige Electrolysis. Texas Electrolysis Supply should have them??? , but I haven’t looked on their site for a long time.

Yes, you may feel pain after you break through the wall of th4 follicle as the energy is applied. There could be some bleeding/bruising as well.

Dee

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#14

Texas Electrolysis Supply has the videos as well.
The truth is, their web site does them little good, as it is not very functional, and doesn’t even come close to showing all the products and services they offer. For that information, one has to call them on the phone and talk to a real person. Their catalogues are not all that complete either, mostly because they always have new stuff coming in, and they don’t even try to put all their products and services in one place.

On these things, they are very unorganized, however, I have never received the wrong part, or the wrong product, or any mistakes on my orders with them. ON THE OTHER HAND Prestige has always had a better web site, and a much prettier catalogue (and higher prices) but I have repreatedly received the wrong items, or errors on my orders, and the so called customer service never owns up to their mistakes. This means the customer ends up having paid for something he or she did not order, but needing to re-order what was actually wanted in the first place! That is all well and good if you actually have use for the erroneous item, but I have been sent things by them that I still don’t even know what they are, and they never refunded me my money, and I could just SCREAM!

They even sent me a FEMALE LAB COAT with my name on it, and swear that I specifically ordered it that way, instead of having special ordered a MALE LAB COAT with my name and business name on it. I guess they think I am either a tranny or a cross dresser.

At a convention, I purchased two probe holders, but they only had one left on hand, and said they would mail me the other. So I took one in hand, and for my $50, I was sent in the mail some plastic bags with little pieces of plastic squares. They again would not make good. So I was out $50, and I still needed to pay ANOTHER $50 to buy another probe holder cord from Dectro, or Texas Electrolysis Supply.

Either way, ordering with them is a gamble, and I just don’t even deal with them any more for that reason. My advise is to get a prestige catalogue, and call Texas Electrolysis Supply and order what you found pictured in the Prestige Catalogue from TES. In many cases, they have the same product for less, and in the case of some products, they have even lesser priced equivalents for even more savings. Just let them know that you want that type of product, but not necessarily that brand name.

#15

Hi James:

You said:
“They even sent me a FEMALE LAB COAT with my name on it, and swear that I specifically ordered it that way, instead of having special ordered a MALE LAB COAT with my name and business name on it. I guess they think I am either a tranny or a cross dresser.”

Tranny, such as a transmission on a car?

I’m not sure that would be a politically correct term
to use for an MTF transsexual?

Also if they were a TS they certainly wouldn’t go by a
male name such as James.

Alicia

#16

James, they couldn’t have used that excuse. If you were transgendered, you would not have ordered a female lab coat with your male name on it. Would make it hard to pass :wink:

#17

I think you both get the picture.
They were so wrong, and would not own up.

If my wording genuinely offended you, I apologize, but it was said for effect.

#18

Hi James:

I don’t think there are too many transwomen
who would care to be called a tranny.

I’m just trying to help you and others who
might not realize it to undestand
that many of us find it offensive
and demeaning.

I know you meant no offense though since I know you
treat trans clients all the time, and besides that
I’ve been exposed to your humor enough.

It’s a lot less controversial than someone saying:
“lipstick on a pig”

#19

Hi there,
Everyone has done a great job of explaining where these marks come from, but there are a few factors during the treatment that could make a difference. Sometimes the current will travel faster due to conditions of the skin and perhaps the current needs to be adjusted. Is you skin healthier (more hydration especially) or greasier (an oily skin type will commonly react this way).

#20

Interesting. I make sure to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water per day. I also have normal to oily skin. I definitely have an oily T zone.