Hello, I am new to this site and DIY electrolysis. I am considering trying it out but have a few questions.

I've heard some users complain about getting "white spots"/scars from home electrolysis. Does anyone know why this occurs? Is it from the current being too strong, the probe being incorrectly inserted, etc? Also, how common is the incidence of scarring? Are there certain areas more prone than others?

For those who got scars from it, did you try using Mederma or another scar reduction medication? If do, did it help much

Thanks!

The scars are from improper electrolysis. And it's impossible to predict whether you can get the training necessary to perform it correctly.

There is no evidence that Mederma or products like it helps any type of scars. I just asked a plastic surgeon about this product and he did not endorse it's use for scars. He said there is no proof that it works and is not product he recommends to his patients.

White spots are called HYPOpigmentation. This occurs because melanocytes are damaged from injury to the epidermis. The melanocytes stop making pigment (color) for weeks to months. Sometimes it resolves and sometimes it is permanent.

Other's can talk about their personal experience with DIY and report honestly in regard to scarring.

Dee

Scarring is one of the chances you take when you try to DIY. I have been very fortunate not to have any scarring or pitting so far (I am truly amazed I haven't!) Of course, I know people who have had professional electrolysis and had bad scarring (not from any of the pros who frequent this board) so you either way you have some risk. I DIY myself fully understanding the risks and I accept that risk.

If you must DIY, do plenty of homework before you start. Read the books recommended here, buy a pro epilator you can afford, and practice practice practice those insertions before you turn on any current. Once you get the insertions down, start with galvanic and then move up from there. To give you an idea how long it can take to learn, look at my signature; after 51 hours I am just beginning to master the blend and still 50-100 hours away (?) from moving up to thermo and flash thermo where the speed really increases but so does the risk.

DIY is a real commitment, in a small scope you are basically going to learn to be an electrologist.

I have a lot of hypopigmentation (and possible a few scars from digging out ingrowns). It bugs me, but the hair bugged me more. I think over a long period of time it might resolve. However, I also note that on other parts of my body with hair, there is often a lighter spot of skin where the hair emerges...

Thank you everyone for all the comments so far!

As for the advice by VickieCNY, can I still get scarring from practicing without the current?

No, not really because you are not applying energy to the follicle.

so would a weaker current = less scars?

First of all, SCARS are something that happen months and months later, but even then, it is rare to get scars from electrolysis, if it is preformed by a professional electrologist that uses her/his equipment correctly. I have to say also, that even the worst electrolysis can many times results in total healing.

TEMPORARY SKIN SIDE EFFECTS are just that - they are temporary. I am talking about normal inflammation that occurs when the skin is invaded whether it be by bug bite trauma, poison ivy trauma, ingrown hair trauma, bicycle accident trauma, acne trauma, cold sore trauma, laser skin resurfacing trauma, laser hair reduction trauma or electrolysis trauma.

Now to answer your question, yes, perhaps a weaker current could equal less skin trauma caused from the temporary side effect of electrolysis trauma. When you DIY, you should be working on your body areas, in my opinion. Very few people have the talent to work on their own faces.

Dee

I learned the hard way that doing your own face is an exercise in sheer frustration.

I admit I have tried it, after 30 or so hours of practice on my body. I chose an area where the laser was effective but I had some stray hairs here and there in those areas. I did 25 or so. I was able to epilate them, they came out perfect, and left large raised red marks (no scabs though) which cleared completely within 2 weeks. Using galvanic only at 0.85ma it took several minutes for them to come out and I had an annoying metallic taste in my mouth when the current stopped. But, I was able to do it, technically.

Here's the rub, something that isn't really obvious and something I had not heard about: It is very difficult to watch what you are doing on your face, keep your hand perfectly steady while inserting the needle correctly and completely into that tiny opening AND keep your head perfectly still AND keep your eyes focused on what you are doing all at the same time. And you are working backwards to boot. It took 90 minutes of frustration to epilate those 25 hairs, and I bent and broke 4 needles in the process At that rate even I gave up, with the cost of broken needles alone it would be cheaper to have a pro do it. I guess I am one of those people who has to learn the hard way

You would be surprised (not really) how many people think we are "Protecting Our Turf" when we say that attempting to do self work is not worth it and that having a buddy learn and work on you is superior to working on yourself, and that just going to a pro is better in speed and effectiveness.

What we do is all about placement, and holding the probe in place. How can one do that on oneself? It is hard enough for the practitioner to hold a galvanic probe in place for a minute or more, (we have the bonus of your head laying on a pillow) you are sitting in a mirror trying to hold your head steady while your fight or flight responce is trying to pull your head away!

But it is nice to have someone honestly confirm what we have been trying to say all along.

In the interest of completeness, maybe I would have had better luck if I had a much stronger magnifying mirror (do they sell extremely powerful makeup mirrors?), I had some sort of way to brace my head steady (maybe a table vise? ) I could have had better luck in certain spots. I conceived a few Rube Goldbergian ideas as well, probably all silly but maybe I will try a few someday just to say I tried them.

I have had some success doing work on my body, they have all healed and I haven't made any permanent marks I can find. Maybe it is just dumb luck. James, I wanted to ask you to look at some of my DIY work but I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate. I was also afraid you'd look, wince and tell me to keep my day job

Very useful information dfahey. Today I looked myself in the mirror and I was very happy to see that my hair was diminished but I had almost a heart attack when I saw those white spots in the area of my neck. Note that I have very white skin and still these spots are visible. I want to ask if these spots are going to remain as a mark or they are going to disappear. This very crucial to me
Is there any other person with a similar experience and what happened with these white spots?

PS Apart from aloe vera, I think that carot oil might help as it connects with color.