I just had my first electrolysis treatment, and overall, I was (and am) very pleased. I had 30 minutes and the electrologist thinned both lips and sides. I don’t have coarse hair, except for some on the upper lip, so I think that helped her to treat more hairs quicker.

Pain was tolerable. Side effects were minimal. Mild redness that has already gone (two hours later). The worst of all was the anti-inflammatory cream that she used post-treatment. It stank!

My electrologist seemed knowledgeable and good at her job. She was quick, I didn't feel any plucking, and I felt very comfortable with her. The only thing that worries me a bit is the machine that she used. It is not a computerized machine, and she didn’t even know the brand of it.

I know it depends on many factors, but on average how long does it take for upper lip full clearance? Also, I heard that sometimes people get scarred by electrolysis due to (I suppose) incompetent electrologists. Is scarring something that happens soon after the treatment, or is it something that people realize that happened to their skin years after the treatment?

Scarring is rare, but it can show up months down the road. Full clearance depends on many things. It can take any where from 20 minutes to 5 hours to flly clear an upper lip. Repeated overtreatment causes scarring. You will know if you are repeatedly overtreated because you may not heal well within a week or so. Temporary side effects may happen, but should subside soon with good aftercare. Tell your electrologist if you have any concerns.

Even if she has not invested in better equipment, if she knows her epilator and is adept at using it correctly, you will still get permanent hair removal.

The fact she doesn't know what brand of machine she is using is a bit... odd. It should say right on the front (Apilus, Instantron, Fischer, etc.) Especially since she has been using it for a long time I assume?

Everything else about your visit sounds positive and a sign you found a good electrologist!

The time it will take to clear depends on several factors. Are you male or female (I assume female?) Skin type?

My electrologist said that she wouldn't treat the same area too often, and I was happy with that too. I will start with weekly visits, and then I will probably visit her once a fortnight.

I couldn't see any brand name on the machine. It seemed quite old too me, but the electrologist was quick. I am not sure if it is possible to find the machines that you use in the US here, as I am in Australia (Melbourne). In addition, I was very pleased with the electrologist. So, I don't want to give her up to find a better machine.

I am female. I think Skin type III.

No need to give her up! If you are happy because she is skilled enough to remove the hair with good healing outcome, then onward march.

2nd day post-treatment and my face is absolutely normal. No redness, scabs etc. Awesome! I just used tea tree oil on the treated areas, as you have suggested several times. It smells much better than the anti-inflammatory cream that the clinic tried to sell to me!

I am going to have diamond microdermabrasion in a couple of weeks. How many days do you recommend to wait before/after electrolysis?

I am not sure I understand the question.

In most cases, you would wait until your electrolysis were finished to do microdermabrasion. If you have done electrolysis, you would wait at least 3 to 4 weeks before doing dermabrasion and if one has done a dermabrasion, one would want to wait the same amount of time before doing more electrolysis, if one wanted to be on the safe side. Some guides would say 6 weeks in either case.

Yes, please avoid microdebrasion until you're done with electrolysis. Since you need to go in for electrolysis at least every 3 weeks or so, there is really not enough downtime for you to do it now.

I would recommend using witch hazel instead (a few bucks at a drugstore). It's not as harsh as tea tree oil. You can use the oil once or on parts that are most irritated. But on the majority of areas I would use witch hazel a few times a day.

Just dab tea tree on sparingly with a cotton swab. Do not contaminate the bottle by double dipping, though! Get a fresh swab. Don't use your hands either for applying or you will contaminate the bottle. Many people do not like the smell of tea tree oil and thus, will not use it even though it would be helpful.

I didn't know that I should avoid microdermabrasion. I had actually microdermabrasion about one week before my electrolysis treatment. Just to clarify things, I am talking about microdermabrasion. Not dermabrasion.

If exfoliation is ok in between electrolysis treatments, why not microdermabrasion too? It's just a deeper, non-invasive exfoliation process.