I have recently started with electrolysis on my chin. The hairs here are very thick, and my skin is somewhat fair. I have been to about three sessions so far with this same lady, but I’m unsure if I should continue with her. After this last session, there were a few scabs on my chin, and a little bit of a “crust” like substance which seemed to go away after washing my face. The area swelled for a couple of days, but finally returned to normal. However, two days after treatment I had to shave for work. When I shaved, I guess the scab came off and now I can see little pit-like scars there. Plus, the redness has not really gone away yet. This lady that I’m going to uses a method that involves me holding a rod-type device with a handle that has a wet sponge grip on it. I was wondering if I could get some feed back on if these kinds of things are normal in electrolysis, and if this method she uses is the best one. Any information would be appreciated.
First of all, have you talked to your electrologist about the scabbing? If you haven’t, do so and she may be able to make some changes in the treatment so you don’t get any scabbing. Second, it is really important that if you do get scabs to leave them until they fall off by themselves, this helps to prevent scarring. I know this is hard if you have to shave. Scabbing is not acceptable on the face as we all have to go in public sooner or later. Maybe other body areas…
The swelling is a histamine reaction, or lymph fluid leaking into the skin. I use an antihistamine and ice afterwards just to cool the area down. If you get rid of the swelling quicker you may get rid of the crust (weeping?). Calamine (sp?) lotion works for me too.
You may have to hold an indifferent electrode in all three types of electrolysis so it is hard to say which type she is using. Give her a call and ask.
The wet sponge thing? Gross! How does she clean it between clients?
are you male or female? are you using aftercare? how many electrologists did you try before sticking with this one?
I am a male to answer your question. I tried one other electrologist before this one I have currently, but she didn’t really do a good job, and the damage it would do to my skin was not worth the seventy-five dollars she charged per session. As far as aftercare goes, I only put ice on the area to help the swelling.
That maybe sounds like blend, as I had had to hold a “wet sponge thing” during that.
Minimal scabbing is okay (like tiny pinpoint dots), but it shouldn’t be excessive and your electrologist should adjust her settings to make it as pleasant for you as possible. I’ve heard of people getting tiny pinhole kind of marks (generally on the upper lip and chin), but they usually go away after a while. The scabs coming off before they were ready might’ve contributed to that.
I don’t know about swelling for a few days as that sounds excessive. I’ve never had swelling for more than 90 minutes after a treatment, but I’m going in with thermolysis, not blend.
As for aftercare, I just use witch hazel after the treatment and everything is fine.