Numbness, Contusions After Electro?

[Julie Marie]

I had electrolysis Wednesday late afternoon.  Right now, 42 hours later, parts of my face are still swollen and numb.  And there's a contusion about the size of a raisin on my lower lip.  Two other of my friends go to the same lady and both are tickled pink with her.  I seem to be the only one to have these bad reactions. 

Last time my upper lip blew up like a puffer fish.  And there have been other times my face stays swollen for days.  And I've noticed pocking around my mouth, where most of the work has been done, which doesn't seem to be going away.  I was blessed with smooth skin but I'm losing that.

Has anyone else experienced things like this? 

What I'm wondering is does the fact that my other friends had laser first make it so that the electrolysis doesn't have to be as aggressive?

I don't know, but this is worrying me.  I know I have to get rid of the facial hair and most of it is white now so electrolysis is the only option.  If my friends hadn't had such success with her I'd go someplace else but they just love her.  And I know she has a great reputation in the community.  So it's either me or not having laser first is why I'm having these reactions.

I mean, this is my face and it's getting wrecked!  If I didn't care how it looked I wouldn't be having electrolysis in the first place.  This is really bothering me. 

Julie

[Steph]

Julie everyone reacts differently to electro, and what is great for one person doesn't necessarily mean it will be great for another.  Your tech should be adjusting her power output to treat the different areas of the face.  I know that mine has the levels she uses on me recorded for her reference.  It does seem as though she is using too much power on you, but I am no expert on this.

There is a member here who is an electrologist but her name escapes me.  Hopefully she will see this post.

Steph

[Nikki_W]

There is a member here who is an electrologist but her name escapes me.

"Lisa CPE" Karen's electro

[Kate]

Swelling is a common reaction, and can take days to go away... especially around the mouth. I wouldn't panic about that. I've seen pics of E2000 patients that were terrifying... and yet they healed.

The contusion, I dunno though. Too much power, applied too long, or at a bad angle could have damaged something. It'll most likely heal, but may take awhile.

The pocking worries me, as I always hear of it as a sign of poor technique or the risks of thermolysis. Is she using blend or pure thermolysis? I don't have any experience here though.

Kate

[HairBeGone]

Hi, I hope you don't mind me jumping in here.  I'm an electrologist and I have Google set up to send me anything new on the web with "electrologist" in it.  So it sent me a link, and here I am.

There are several possibilities why you are having this swelling.  If your electrologist is using a stainless steel needle, you may be allergic to the nickel in it.  Ask her to try a gold needle.   

How much time was spent on the upper lip?  More than 30 minutes in a 7 day span is over treating the skin.

What does she apply or do for after treatment?  Ask for ice or a cold compress.  If she doesn't have that available, take a small ice pack with you.  Even freezing a bottle of water and holding it against the skin as you drive will work. 

The contusion is from either getting very close to or actually piercing a capillary.  I don't think I've ever done this on the upper lip, but that's not to say it's not a possibility.  This happens on the brows more easily... ever noticed all those capillaries under the brow bone?  That's why black eyes from an impact to the area happen more than the same impact on another area.  Icing immediately can help with that as well.

Be sure to express these concerns to your electrologist.  She needs the feedback in order to at least try to make adjustments you can live with.  And then there are a few that no matter what we try, their skin is just too sensitive.  Which reminds me, are you taking any medication that is photosensitive?

[Julie Marie]

She uses thermolysis. 

The only meds I take are Spiro, Progesterone, weekly injections of Estradiol Valerate and a multi vitamin.  Before and after a session I'll take ibuprofen to keep the swelling down.  When allergies act up I take Alavert. 

I talked to her about the gold needle and she felt it was just that the current was too high.  And there are times I've had almost no bad reaction at all.

The first time I went to see her she estimated 100-125 hours to complete the face.  Both my friends are almost done and they are under 75 hours.   She usually averages 75-100. She said the extra time was because I had a heavy beard.  I was surprised to hear her say that because I've never thought my beard was heavy.  The upper lip, yes, but the rest of the face, no.  At least I didn't think so.

I'm okay with having reactions just as long as there is no permanent damage.  Like Kate, the pocking really concerns me.  I don't want to have permanent scarring from this.

Julie

[Ricki]

Sorry Julie no experience with Electrolysis wish i could add but i cannot
good luck'
Ricki 

[Hazumu]

I've e-mailed Lisa with a link to the root post in the topic.  She should pop up in a day or two.

-K

[cindianna_jones]

Julie, I did have an operator early on who used far too much current.  I have some very slight pocking.  But I don't think that anyone notices.  I had massive swelling for my marathon sessions with her.  Those were some really horrible days in my life.

Cindi

[Lisa CPE]

Karen alerted me to this thread via email.  Julie Marie let me ask you a few questions:
1.  How long are your sessions?
2.  How far apart are they spaced?
3.  How dense and coarse are your facial hairs?
4.  Are you applying any make-up after your treatments?
5.  Are you keeping your hands away from the treated area?
6.  Are you drinking lots of water before and after your appointments?
7.  Had your upper lip been treated before and did your electrologist completely clear     the upper lip or thin the hairs? 

I agree with HairBeGone that you could be having an allergic reaction to stainless steel needles.  Ask your electrologist to use one of the gold plated needles.  If she does not own any she will need to purchase a package of 50.  If it is the nickel that you are reacting to you will see a dramatic difference in your skin post treatment. 

If you are going for marathon sessions in the beginning you will have significant post treatment skin reaction.  Thinning the hairs is easier on the skin versus trying to treat every visible hair in an area. 

Applying make-up over the treated area can introduce harmful bacteria into the skin.  If you do use concealer be sure to purchase a new bottle from the store and let the pores close before applying it to the skin.  Keeping the area clean and dry will speed recovery time.

I would discuss these items with your electrologist. I hope that this helps.  Let us know how things go.
Lisa CPE