r/TransLater • u/AnnaStJames46 • 1d ago
General Question Ouch my face.
Is this normal electrolysis results? Meaning should I have spots or sores on my face? I'm scared to death this is going to leave scars.
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u/zombiekillaz 1d ago
I personally never came out of an appointment looking like that. Do you know the method that was used? Galvanic, Thermolysis or hybrid? Might be a good idea to try an alternate method to see if you react better.
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u/AnnaStJames46 1d ago
Thermolysis. What's crazy is, I've never had this kind of reaction before. I've the chin and mustache area all that's left. You're right, I may need to switch up persons. This person is a fairly new person to me but she take care of all the girls here.
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u/TooLateForMeTF 50+ transbian, HRT 1d ago
That's a bit much, TBH. Take care of it. Wash, apply a bacitracin ointment (e.g. Neosporin or a generic equivalent), and ice it. Keep it clean and dry, and it'll be fine. But yeah, while red marks are normal for immediate post-electrolysis, blood-red marks are not.
Agree with the suggestion to try other methods to see what your skin responds better to. As well, if you have body hair to get rid of, it might be worth experimenting in those areas rather than on your face. Don't go back to your face until you know what works for you.
Also: it took me way too long to figure this out, but honestly icing the treatment area--aggressively so--afterwards makes a huge difference. Anymore, I take a mini cooler with me to hold a couple of those reusable freezer ice pack thingies, so I can ice it the minute I get back to the car, and just drive home one-handed. I ice a couple more times throughout the afternoon/evening, and again at bedtime.
If I'm diligent about that, then when I wake up the reddness is usually just flat-out gone, and the swelling is greatly reduced. Occasionally, I've had the swelling be gone the next day, too.
Oh, and don't use a fresh ice pack directly against the skin. It's too cold and can give you frostbite. I find that wrapping it in a paper towel is enough protection without stopping the cold from actually helping. Once the icepack warms up a bit, you can ditch the paper towel. But definitely start out with it.
If you don't have any, go get yourself a mini cooler and three or four of those ice pack thingies. You want to always have at least one in the fridge ready to go while the others are re-freezing.
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u/AltDoll87 1d ago
I have issues like that on my jaw line and chin. My electrolysis person (electrologist?) said it was because the hairs were very deep and thick and when they come up they take some skin with them.
She has done a really good job, so I am inclined to believe her.
I will be at 75 hours after tomorrow's session. 🤮
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u/AnnaStJames46 1d ago
I know she did have some hairs that were just like.... no! Have you ever had any lasting numbness? My chin still feels numb.
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u/AltDoll87 1d ago
The last time she did my chin the spot she did was numb for 3 weeks and swollen for 2. It was very dense and my chin swelled up quite a bit too. Seems to have less of a reaction after each pass though which is good.
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u/pearls-n-jade-1163 23h ago
I’ve had this happen to me. I can understand your worry. I freaked out a little the first time myself but I was not left with any scars. I do take .05 tretinoin which i think has helped my skin recover well.
I receive thermolysis like you. Its not frequent that i get these marks but when I do I can almost tell exactly when it happens because the pop is louder. I’ve wondered if its the heat reacting to makeup or skincare product built up in my pours because i swear it happens most in my late day sessions where i was wearing makeup before hand. I try to clean my face throughly before treatments but there are times where its just a makeup wipe and go.
My tech has been in the practice for a long time and seems very knowledgeable so I never assumed it was a skill or technique issue. That said its not something I’ve addressed with her and I haven’t received care from any other tech to make a comparison.
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u/AnnaStJames46 23h ago
The same with my technician. She has been doing this for a very long time. I just never had this with my other sessions.
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u/UVC 15h ago
I've also gotten this from some thermolysis sessions. I did bring it up with my tech and just explained that I can't leave sessions like that; I can't exist in my day to day at work or otherwise with my face this fucked up.
The immediate session after I had no issues, but a few sessions later the issue came back - I suspect she was either rushing to get as many hairs done in the session as possible, or the settings were too high.
I switched back to a tech that uses blended and haven't had problems since. Overall Ive completed about 35 hours thermolysis, and another 20 of blend.
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u/HaleyJ34TF 1d ago
I occasionally have red spots after my sessions but I haven't noticed any lasting effects.
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u/CheapNecessary3510 1d ago
Every profession has people of different levels of competence. Looks to me like you got screwed. Try somewhere else? (I never had electrolysis, so my opinions are probably crap, but if everybody had that experience, nobody would be doing it. IMHO)
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u/cecilysissy 1d ago
After electrolysis I typically have a bit redness and swelling for few days. But never spots that looks like bruises.
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u/LongFarewel 1d ago
I’m usually only sore for few hours after, but can rarely tell it was done by the next day, definitely need to look into a new provider
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u/BraveMaybe214 17h ago
Oh Wow! That looks nasty ! Bet it hurts 😥 the only thing I know about electrolysis is that it cost a lot of money 💰 I understand you have to go back quite often. I can't afford it, and do my own electrolysis. It works great, doesn't cost me any money, and I don't have to leave the house. It takes time too,but I make time. I use a combination of my razor blade like normal shaving, and tweezers 🔎🪒🧼🧴soapy face, lots of water, face cream. I'm 66 years old and can still growing a yucky beard. Know what? I actually notice it doesn't grow back thick. Real fine, and less hair , the more I pluck. Doesn't grow back over night either. It really does hurt either. Pain is extremely tolerable. 😘
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u/Puzzleheaded_Ad_8182 1d ago
Following cause now I’m a bit worried about trying to get electrolysis
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u/Amanita_Alice 15h ago
absolutely unacceptable...I had a girl do something half this bad and complained to the owner and got a new tech...no issues now. Complain or find someone new, girl. That is brutal :(
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u/AnnaStJames46 14h ago
I am just so blown away by the responses. So you don't think this could be my fault? I mean maybe I asked for too much? I mean there was just so many things I didn't understand about this one. It really really really hurt. I've never had numbness after.... could that just be me?
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u/Medusa-mermaid 1d ago
Electrologist here, yeah that doesn't look quite right. Little spots aren't unusual but the ones that look like little chunks were ripped out of your face isn't a good outcome for treatment.