Eletrolysis AND laser less than 48 hours apart..?

[Angela Drakken]

Thanks again girls.  I figured I should update things.  I'm 2 weeks after my laser appointment and shedding is almost complete.  Shaving was much better the second time, even with a razor.  Also, I just had my first electrolysis appointment yesterday for an hour and it went really well.  45min before the appointment I took 400mg of Advil Migraine relief and lathered up with numbing cream and it was a breeze.  I wish she could have kept going but she had another appointment booked right after.  She started around my chin, which I'm sure is an easy and less painful spot but at least it was a positive experience:).  Next laser is in a couple weeks....~4 weeks after the first.
Also, sorry for the hijack

Don't apologize, it's relevant. Especially since you're smashing out laser and electro simultaneously. I just met my new electrolysis tech tonight and she ROCKS. She actually books appointments around *MY* schedule and not the other way around, go figure! I also didn't have to leave a cold cloth over my face for like 20 minutes after I got home. (I seem to be even less irritated after an HOUR with this girl than 15 minutes with the old one, and this time we were basically able to full clear my face for the first time..!)

[staciM]

Great to hear that you found someone you like, I remember you commenting before on how horrible the previous girl was.  I seem to got lucky and found someone that I like as well.  It only took a few hairs for her to tweak the settings and it wasn't uncomfortable at all....honestly, i  thought laser felt worse. 
I'm only very slightly swollen after a few days in the area that she worked and have a few small red spots...pretty manageable and hopefully that goes away quickly.

[Angela Drakken]

Great to hear that you found someone you like, I remember you commenting before on how horrible the previous girl was.  I seem to got lucky and found someone that I like as well.  It only took a few hairs for her to tweak the settings and it wasn't uncomfortable at all....honestly, i  thought laser felt worse. 
I'm only very slightly swollen after a few days in the area that she worked and have a few small red spots...pretty manageable and hopefully that goes away quickly.

Yeah.. lol I don't use foundation or concealer, the longer I continue with electrolysis I may cave in and start >.<

[Brooke]

Yeah.. lol I don't use foundation or concealer, the longer I continue with electrolysis I may cave in and start >.<

I only started needing the foundation after about a year of laser and electrolysis. Partly due to the time it takes to grow out hairs that my tech can (quickly) easily target.  I also still have some dark hair stragglers that are both visible and slow to grow.  I no longer shave between electrolysis sessions (every 2 weeks) due to the slow hair growth for reference.

[Angela Drakken]

I only started needing the foundation after about a year of laser and electrolysis. Partly due to the time it takes to grow out hairs that my tech can (quickly) easily target.  I also still have some dark hair stragglers that are both visible and slow to grow.  I no longer shave between electrolysis sessions (every 2 weeks) due to the slow hair growth for reference.

How soon after electrolysis can you put on the coverup? Assuming it's after the first 24 hours after the folicle has closed and begin to heal?

[Michelle_P]

How soon after electrolysis can you put on the coverup? Assuming it's after the first 24 hours after the folicle has closed and begin to heal?

Welllll...

It's supposed to be 24 hours.

I cheat when I have to be out that evening.

I'll wash my face to remove any gels and such from the post-electrolysis cleanup Jodie does, and then I'll shave with an electric razor.  That is followed with a generous application of witch hazel, my preferred aftershave which tends to tighten pores.  Then, I will coat the area with an aloe vera gel, both antibacterial (17% alcohol) and a good sealer/primer for any open follicles.

I let that dry for a half hour or so while I get dressed or whatever.  Once dry, I'll apply my concealer and foundation over the dried gel and go on with my usual makeup drill.

Since I've been doing this the number of irritated follicles a few days after treatment has been much lower, and my skin appears to recover more quickly than on the occasions where I put makeup on within a day of electrolysis.  I actually use this routine the day after electrolysis as well.



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[Angela Drakken]

Super helpful. Witch Hazal is one of my best friends! Thanks Michelle. :3

[Brooke]

How soon after electrolysis can you put on the coverup? Assuming it's after the first 24 hours after the folicle has closed and begin to heal?

In my use case I typically only need it after three days of electrolysis or more. As of now I tend to clear the face with each session (1 hour) unless it's a new growth cycle. If it is a new growth cycle I tend to use foundation after 48 hours.

This is a different approach than when I was having a much faster growth rate and would get stubble within 12-18 hours. At that time I would also cheat before the 24 hour mark.

We are getting the point where the stragglers (dark hairs ) are making it difficult to get enough growth on the finer blonde hairs. Next session we are going to go with the multi needle technique for the dark hairs (multiple needles target a single hair at the same time for longer periods. Instead of 3-4 seconds (blend) it's about 60 seconds of galvanized current.

I also have about 40 dark hair on my chest and stomach that haven't gone white/blonde yet. Will be doing the same thing for those.

At least for me at this point the foundation isn't needed before the 24 hour mark.


~Brooke~

[Angela Drakken]

Here I am again almost a week later. My face is still hamburger. Y.Y I took pictures to show the tech and ask her opinion on what I rather we should be doing diffently with treatment and aftercare

[Michelle_P]

Angela, that redness is a sign of irritation, such as a bit of an infection that got into some pores.  I take a number of steps to reduce the infection rate that I get on my pores, and it seems to help.

1) The morning of electrolysis, I wash my lower face for four minutes with antiseptic skin cleanser, chlorhexidine gluconate.  KEEP AWAY FROM EYES!  I rinse and pat dry with a very clean paper towel.
2) Then, I apply my numbing gel or cream in the work area, and cover that with plastic wrap to reduce evaporation and let the lidocaine do it's thing.  DON'T USE TOO MUCH, OR COVER A LARGER AREA THAN WILL BE WORKED ON!  This stuff can cause a real headache and other problems if too much gets into your system.

After treatment:
1)  I wash my lower face again for four minutes with antiseptic skin cleanser, chlorhexidine gluconate. Pat dry with a very clean paper towel.
2) Apply witch hazel, just splash it on like an aftershave.
3) Once that dries, apply a coat of aloe vera gel to soothe and protect the skin.  Let that dry a half hour if you plan on putting another layer on top.

Repeat the witch hazel and gel coating after shaving or washing the face for the next couple of days.

Here's my wrinkly mug two days after completely re-clearing the upper and lower lip and chin area in about 3 hours of electrolysis.  There's not much irritation.

[Angela Drakken]

It must just be my baby skin Y.Y Ive been pretty OCD about looking after it and still this happens.

[staciM]

It must just be my baby skin Y.Y Ive been pretty OCD about looking after it and still this happens.

Angela, I've found Witch hazel to be quite helpful.  Are you using the one sold at Shoppers?  If so, I'm fairly certain everything they sell has alcohol in it.  The one I'm using is made by Thayers and is Lavender witch hazel with aloe Vera combo and specifically says "Alcohol free".  I found it at an Organic speciality store.

[Angela Drakken]

Angela, I've found Witch hazel to be quite helpful.  Are you using the one sold at Shoppers?  If so, I'm fairly certain everything they sell has alcohol in it.  The one I'm using is made by Thayers and is Lavender witch hazel with aloe Vera combo and specifically says "Alcohol free".  I found it at an Organic speciality store.

Yes my girlfriend works at the local holistic and natural health store. Somethings gotta be wrong. At this rate Im still going to be red walking in the door for the next go.

[staciM]

Yes my girlfriend works at the local holistic and natural health store. Somethings gotta be wrong. At this rate Im still going to be red walking in the door for the next go.

Ok, then I got nuthin

If your new girl is good, I'm assuming she should be able to make some adjustments to her machine....I know my girl was making changes as we went when she saw how my skin was reacting to different intensities, pulse widths etc.  Are you using blend or thermolysis?  Perhaps try the other?  Fwiw, I'm using thermolysis.

[Angela Drakken]

Ive had both. This usually happens a couple days after and lasts for however long..

[Angela Drakken]

Good news update, I spoke to the electrologist, as I suspected, even the 'aftercare' regimen recommended by the other place was... 'flawed' I followed her suggestions, which were similar to what my girlfriend bought for me and the new products have been working wonders. 2 days and my skin is clear of virtually all irritation.

Not so good news, I have a new batch of dark hairs sprouting. I'd REALLY hate to begin laser again but I *MAY* have no choice?

[staciM]

Good news update, I spoke to the electrologist, as I suspected, even the 'aftercare' regimen recommended by the other place was... 'flawed' I followed her suggestions, which were similar to what my girlfriend bought for me and the new products have been working wonders. 2 days and my skin is clear of virtually all irritation.

Not so good news, I have a new batch of dark hairs sprouting. I'd REALLY hate to begin laser again but I *MAY* have no choice?

So what is the new recommended regime and associated products?

[Angela Drakken]

So what is the new recommended regime and associated products?

Well before the original electrologist had me slathering my face with nothing but polysporin. (Weird considering there arent really any open sores or wounds, anywho..)

The new tech recommended any sort of lotion with vitamin E in it as it promotes healing.

These are what my girlfriend bought me;





As soon as I get home I soak a cloth in cold water (ice cold since were on a well.. Lol) and apply it to my face for a few minutes.
Apply the witch hazel, and then the natures aid. (Twice a day for the natures aid. Morning and night.)

Was shaving with a wetblade less than 24 hours later with no issues instead of an electric.

Now if only the darks would stop growing back.. I may just say to hell with it and still go pure electrolysis. Infinitely slower but.. It SHOULD be permanent.

[staciM]

^ very similar to what I'm using, although I use the Thayers witch hazel with lavender and aloe and a gel a lot like that called Hydraplus

http://www.dectro.com/en/post-epilatory-care/hydraplus-34-3606

[MyMichele]

It really depends on what type of laser and electrolysis you are getting. From my experience straight thermolysis is more irritating and painful as opposed to galvanic and blend. If your face is irritated I would not do laser until that subsides. If the electrolysis leaves a mark or redness the laser will be attracted to the dark and could cause pigmentation issues.