Yellowish weeping?

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I had the blend done on my upper lip for about 20 mins and thermolysis for 40 mins on my neck. This was exactly 24 hours ago.
After the treatment almost no redness was visible anywhere on my face. Very little swelling was visible on the sides of my upper lip but that was it. Even my electrolosist was ecstatic with my skin’s minimal reaction. Throughout the entire day my face was fine. Before I went to bed, I washed my face with my regular gentle face wash (Spectro brand), then applied witch hazel (alcohol free) and 2 drops of tea tree oil over the treated area. I ended it with slathering on PURE aloe vera (so pue its almost a liquid) and went to bed.

When I woke up this morning the sides of my lips (where swelling was a little visible) had these tiny pinprick crusts of yellowish pus. I washed my face (they fell off) and the tiny dots (which you can see as dots on the skin) started weeping clearish yellow fluid. This hasn’t stopped :frowning:
Besides that, there’s also a little redness on the sides of my lips and swelling/redness on my neck.

Any thoughts on what’s going on?? What should I do?

This is a new electrolysist I’m seeing. It was my first appointment and honestly after seeing 4 different electrolosists before her (all did thermolysis) I find she’s the most confident. The only thing that may have raised an alarm is that she doesn’t use gloves and she uses glasses as her magnifier instead of the regular circular magnifier/light unit I’ve seen everywhere else. She commented she liked these glasses better because the magnifier makes her feel dizzy. I didn’t think much about either. She’s got 25 years of experience and I thought to each their own.

A little info on the treatment itself. I didn’t feel the insertions. Sometimes I’d wonder why she hasn’t inserted yet only to feel the pulsing sensation. I also didn’t feel the hairs being pulled out at all. They all slipped out nicely. Each blend hair took about 17 seconds of holding the current in (until the machine beeped) and each thermolysis was about 3 seconds.

#2

Your electrologist is being “insanely” cautious but that’s fine. What you are seeing is “blood serum.” This is not “lymph” as so often incorrectly stated (and incorrect in most electrology textbooks).

Blood serum (the fluid part of the blood) is exactly as you have explained (clearish/yellowish). All kinds of “healing factors” are in the serum too. Nice and sticky too.

After an injury, collateral (nearby) capillaries dilate to allow white cells to “squeeze thru” the vessel walls to get to work and clean up the damaged site. Because the vessel wall is stretched … some serum leaks out too and can fill and overflow the follicle … and form a characteristic crust (yep, usually the next morning). Like little “honey dew” dots.

You are fine. Everything is normal and it looks like you are getting very good (WAY cautious) treatment too. No worries! Your aftercare is fine too. (And she’s correct, those mag-lamps are horrible!)

#3

Thanks for your feedback Michael! What a relief!

I’m curious as to why you say my electrologist is being very cautious though?

#4

(Cautious? … 17 seconds with blend is at the absolute top of being cautious but not to worry. I zap ‘em out (blend) in, usually, less than 3 seconds. BUT PLEASE don’t tell her to do this … shes’ doing a great job and you will have perfec skin with all this “caution!”)

Also
Note: This can look like “pus” of course, because there’s a bunch of “junk” in the fluid. Dead cell matter, some dead bacteria (resident) and a LOT of dead white cells that “gave it their all” and then self-destructed (sometimes I feel sorry for them.) I do not think you have an “infection” … not at all. Again, normal stuff. (Usually this material is absorbed in deeper follicles … on the lip, well sometimes it spills out. Sometimes on big follicles too.)

I think your zapperette is GREAT! Stay with it and get those damned hairs gone for EVER! (Yeah, we do that!)

#5

Sight unseen, I wouldn’t feel comfortable giving an explanation but I really appreciate yours Michael. I am glad you are here to explain tissue reaction so fully. Before you were here, readers would often get the message that they were being over-treated.

You have had quite an influence.

Even tough, often times, the ranting can be soooo annoying, I read on because there is a lot of helpful info.

#6

Thanks Arlene,

Last week I talked to one of your clients that thinks you are “the best in the world!” Yeah! Don’t you just love this? Being appreciated is better than money! Almost!)

I remember at school that ANYTHING that looked “funny” was immediately called an overtreatment. We went screaming around the school like a bunch of chickens, all panicked-out … and sometimes even my toupee would fly off! Once it flew out the window and landed on Wilshire Boulevard under a bus!

As you say, most of the time it’s NOT overtreatment … just normal healing stuff. I also think that sometimes when a client posts a photo we make assumptions too fast. Sometimes it’s the photo itself that looks nasty … and as you say, “You have to see this in person!”

Sometimes, I feel sorry for electrologists that might get “dissed” by others for no reason at all. You know, “EEEEKKKK, go to another electrologist.” Shit!

I had a large cancer removed yesterday (BCC) and skin graft that now needs a little follow-up radiation. I know I’m a “sicko,” but I had Dr. Chapple photograph the thing so I can post it here on Hairtell! I want people to see the amazing regenerative powers of the skin. I know that this 4X4 HOLE in my face will be nearly undetectable in a year. You’ll see.

Bottom line is that few clients get the full picture of post-treatment normal stuff. When something happens, how should they know what the damned thing is? They panic, and rightly so. Yeah, I’m definitely going to write something (with lots of photos) and put this out there for free. I hope everybody feels good about it and puts it on their own website as a free download. (I won’t write anything unless the doctor says it’s okay.)

Knowing what’s going on is more than “half the battle.” Problem is, sometimes the zapperette doesn’t have a clue either! Yeah, I have to change this. Knowing is power!

1 Like
#7

Two things caught my eye on this, Sally’s - 17 second blend and the yellow weeping. Do you have really coarse hair on your upper lip?

I don’t like to see yellow weeping. I think it is unnecessary and can be avoided because it stresses people out if they have to be face to face with others for their jobs or social life. It’s doesn’t present a favorable view of electrolysis to the public and then we have to constantly defend these myths that pop up all over the media that say electrolysis is tedious, painful and scarring. If your Electrologist does not ask you for feedback on your healing, volunteer to give her that information anyway. By letting her know how your healing went, she can decide whether or not to change the recipe and teach you about downtime for the healing process. You are not directing her on how to do her craft - you are giving her constructive feedback. I am not talking about one or two little red dots here and there or a few pinpoint scabs here and there. You should not freak out about that kind of outcome.

I’m also wondering if some of this reaction was due to the aftercare. I think it is a remote possibility, but to know for sure, next time you can use this same aftercare regime on one side and do nothing to the other side and see how it pans out.

#8

The following text is from your (Sallys) above post:
[color:#FF6666]"…The only thing that may have raised an alarm is that she doesn’t use gloves …"[/color]

Sallys, the one thing that we forgot to mention here - to you - is: even if you are in a part of the world where electrolysis is unregulated, it is important for the practitioner to wear gloves.

#9

Hi again everyone! You’ve all been great.

dfahey, yes I do have relatively course hair on the sides of my upper lip. She also did tell me to keep an eye on things and let her know how things heal so we can adjust accordingly.

Arlene, I’m really iffy about this glove thing too. I wouldn’t know how to bring it up though. When I first went in for a consultation I spotted a box of latex gloves so I assumed she’ll be using them but unfortunately that didn’t happen.

Anyway, overall great advice. Do you guys think I should leave it alone and go back there for another hour then? See how it goes? I just wouldn’t want to aggravate things and give myself an infection.

#10

There is always a constant tension between those that feel virtually nothing should take place after electrolysis, and those that try to explain that most of the time, unwanted events can happen without there being any reason to go “hysterical” about it and run to another electrologist. And, that’s my point … not that “stuff” is appropriate, but it’s understandable and not dire.

In nearly all upper lip cases, such leakage does not happen. But if it does this is not some warning of impending doom. My guess is that probably too many hairs were cleared off in a small area. This is still no reason to get up on a “high horse” and pronounce any other opinion unacceptable.

I’m trying to tell this woman not to fret about this. Still, what I have to say is never going to looked at in the context of its intended meaning. People are too absolutist in their approach and far to quick to damn anyone with even the suggestion of another opinion.

My explanation was trying to tell the person exactly what was happening; nothing more. I do get fed up from time to time with the absolutist predisposition and the implied rebuke of the person making the suggestions (me).

The implication is always: “I never do this and you are doing something wrong!” As nice as people can be; this attitude is always there whenever I attempt to explain some physical manifestation.

Of course, because of my attempts to explain things, I’m considered some reckless idiot that consistently overtreats people. NOTHING could be further from the truth.

I really should give up and just go away. And yes, I’m fed up. You all “know it all” so I’ll just shut the “hell" up.

#11

Absolutely, I think you should go back! Give her a chance to do her thing, give her the feedback she asked for. Communicating is always a two way street, Sallys.

I am so glad that we wear gloves now. It is nice to have barrier for the electrologist and the clients protection. I remember when my electrologists wore nothing on their hands, same as my dentist! I always saw them wash their hands, so that was comforting! Then the standard of care changed and they all started wearing gloves, except my former electrologist, before I was an electrologist, resisted the glove thing. So, she decided to purchase a bunch of finger cots and wore the cots on strategic fingers. Certainly cheaper than gloves but not fully protective. Eh?

Good luck to you Sallys. We look forward to hearing about your hair removal journey!

Dee

#12

I believe that the ONE RIGHT ANSWER concept is bad in the long run.
I would get very concerned about the posts that made readers hunt for Platinum and dismiss all else. I would get very concerned about the posts that dismissed or minimized galvanic and blend.

As a very busy electrologist, located just 10 minutes from Kennedy Airport and 13 minutes from Laguadia Airport, I would see people from all over the world who would just stop by for a consultations and a treatment just so that they could try the Platinum and the Laurier.

Everybody has to go out and buy a Platinum and use IBP’s? We need to stress that the skills of the practitioner are what makes the difference. How do I know? I taught in a couple of schools. In one, only Apilus was being used and some future electrologists were crap and some were phenomenal.

My comments about my personal experience with blend, and how it is the only modality that does not exacerbate my psoriasis is one example of why it is useful for us to have that ability to use all modalities. I have learned that people who react badly to inflammation, like me, might be better off with blend. I would love to do fast blend but I won’t get full control with my single pedal Platinum. Ah, how those dual pedal machines - enabling us to treat each and every follicle as its own entity - being able to control the AC and control the DC with its own pedal and determining the pulsing and timing with my 2 feet. Now that is a big WOW and deserves respect.

We can achieve great work using many techniques and tools. I have my personal favorites for certain situations because of my own skills and limitations.

HairTell has had a major impact. People come here. The traffic is high. Why elese would this place be loaded with advertising?

The thing is that, MY GOD IS THE RIGHT ONE, attitude keeps our colleagues lurking instead of positng. i know this because colleagues tell me. I have seen some improvement here and I am so happy about this and I hope that my colleagues begin to feel comfortable enough to share their opinions in this open forum.

Michael Bono, I hope you do not go away. Yes, the grumpiness is like an emotional punch but you still have a fan club and many of us put it in perspective.

#13

It is very hard to find people that really listen with an open mind or that frequent Hairtell enough to know what has been said ad nauseum about probes, epilators, healing, etc.

When a different perspective is given, it does not have to be embraced, but it shouldn’t degrade into an emotional disagreement. There are no absolutes in hair removal. We are all different and thus, we take different paths to reach the same goal.

Some of your points are erroneous, Arlene, and you keep repeating them like they are true. I will be patient and polite though and work through this with you once again.

We (I) do not dismiss galvanic or blend. It is my fervent belief that all electrologists should be intimately familiar with all modalities. If they find that they are more comfortable with one modality over another, it is none of your business, nor mine. They are still disabling hair follicles. If the consumer likes one modality over another, they are free to choose.

I am not going to throw a temper tantrum if someone uses a certain modality, a certain probe or a certain epilator different than what I use. It is none of my business because they are free to conduct their livihood the way they desire and nobody is wrong. We are talking about different approaches here in a vibrant forum. I am mainly an Apilus user, but that is my choice based on experiencing other epilators that were all excellent, but the Apilus had certain features that I rely on heavily. If I say I like something, I am being truthful and that is frowned upon? If you read the closed forums, I just encouraged a new electrologist to purchase the Instantron Elite Spectrum. I talk about the Silhouet tone VMC favorably every time the subject arises and who knows, maybe the Evolution will be the next great epilator to add to the list of greats. Apilus is not the only touted epilator on this forum.

Skills of the practitioner: I’d be money rich if I could list all the times we, myself in particular, have said that skill is number one no matter what probe, what epilator, what vision aid and light source one uses. So, really, this has to be a majorly underlined after all these years of saying this to the point of being a robot?

I have extended my hand many times to colleagues on the closed forums to come and offer their perspective here on Hairtell. I recently said that it is okay to say something like " I don’t do this like Dee or James or Michael or Josefa, but this is what I do with great success". Show some pictures, explain what you do with your multi-needle galvanic choices. Give your total treatment time. Only then, will the consumer see that there is a pattern of different ways that electrologists perform their craft. There is more than one God in this business.

There is no need to foment trouble where there is none. I hope this communication helped you understand that all the points you made have been reaffirmed here many times. Instead of sounding angry and speaking for the lurkers, it is my fervent hope that others may share. It will be embraced, I promise.

#14

I’m not so worried about gloves I know some of you think this is a no no my electrolysis is in her early 60’s and so she say’s has been doing electrolysis since her 20’s. She sometimes wears gloves sometimes doesn’t she works from her own home now pretty nice house too wish I lived there. She had an on sweet bathroom in the treatment room there is no toilet in there but there is a shower a sink and a mirror and it slides open like a wardrobe and is always left open the room is always immaculate actually she strikes me as being OCD about clean house as she always gets us to take our shoes off and well the house is beyond clean. Anyways I go up to the treatment room on the 2nd level where she walks into the on sweet washes her hands then come around the treatment bed / table chair what ever you guys call it and uses and antiseptic hand gel like you’d get in hospital and away she goes. I the treatment itself is what I’m more concerned about I’m keeping my fingers crossed all is going well shall see in time but the treatments feel no different with or without gloves.

#15

I’m about the same. I mostly work on myself, and about 3-4 other people I “help out”. I do keep gloves but if I’m working on me I just wash up and use alcohol hand sanitizer. If working on someone else I do usually use the gloves though they annoy the heck out of me. Health regulations here dont require them.

Seana

#16

I will add my voice to the glove thing not being all that much of a big deal. People have gotten along well enough for over a century without wearing gloves to perform this procedure, and they still can, if they choose. (Of course, customers can choose to go to someone who DOES wear gloves, but it is not a critical item) Gloves are really good at adding cost overhead to the procedure, and pays another tax to the oil companies.

Did you know there are petrochemicals in your hand sanitizer? Did you know you could do better with simple oregano oil? Less expensive, natural, and if you add lavender, it will boost the effectiveness, and smell nice.

Ok, strike me with lightening for voicing an opinion.

#17

Sorry, James, no opinions are allowed here… Now, go put on your yellow boots and sit in the corner.

Where’s the best place to get oregano oil, in your OPINION?

#18

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

Just a quick update:
It has been exactly 4 days (96 hours) since my treatment. I’ve taken a picture of my upper lip for you guys to see.

The worst bit is pretty obvious, but the entire area feels rough to the touch with tiny ridges that really aren’t visible in the picture (or by eye for that matter). It stopped weeping yesterday but only after I stopped putting everything on it. I just washed the area with water and soap 3 times a day.
There’s a little bit of white flakiness on the left which I’m thinking is dryness (like I said, stopped moisturizing too). I REALLY don’t want to put anything on it for it to start weeping again.

Thoughts?

qwerty Attachments

photo 3.JPG

photo 2.JPG

photo 1.JPG

#19

Did you use pure undiluted tea tree oil?

#20

Yup. Witch hazel (non alcoholic), then pure tea tree oil, then pure aloe.

Stopped that now though.