Electrolysis - preventing the red bumps

[Karen]

Hi everyone...

I would love advice on how the prevent the red bumps that come about a week or two after treatments.   

I had a test spot done on my face and it was redish after for a few days, and then about a week or two after I started to get red bumps / in grown hair i assume.   

I cant afford to have traces of treatment given my family and work.  What can I do?

Thanks

Karen

[Rachel_Christina]

Hmmm I have had two sessions so far, my hair is very fine now after 8 sessions of laser, so maybe this is why there is a difference, but I have hard lumps immediately after the session, and redness.
The redness is gone after n hour and the lumps maybe 3 or 4 days later.
But after a week of electro I run the risk of the odd horribly sore break out.
I hope you figure it out anyway, maybe certain creams are irritating it?

[Karen]

Thanks.

My issue is I am older and have grey course hair.  I did two laser sessions with amazing success on the dark hair.  So I think it is the course hair causing the bumps and ingrown.   It's really frustrating...I want it gone and need a strategy to prevent the red and bumps. 

Thanks!

Karen

[Rachel_Christina]

Thanks.

My issue is I am older and have grey course hair.  I did two laser sessions with amazing success on the dark hair.  So I think it is the course hair causing the bumps and ingrown.   It's really frustrating...I want it gone and need a strategy to prevent the red and bumps. 

Thanks!

Karen

Hmmm but after a week or two I'm sure you probably return to your usual skin routine no?, instead of the safe Aloe Vera routine that the electro people suggest for the first few days?
I think the brake outs I was having only happens once I return to my own routine. You know?

[islandgirl]

I don't know if you can totally eliminate the red bumps after electrolysis. I have had over 130 hours and still have them. I did find that ice immediately after treatment followed by baking soda paste being applied area really helped me. For the past few months, I could not apply the paste as I had to drive two hours each way to get the treatments. From what I have read, the reaction to the needle is different for everyone. Hopefully you can find something that works for you. Remember to keep hydrated and apply a good moisturizer!

P.S. I have used 'Witch hazel' for shaving bumps and have had very good success.

[Lucy Ross]

Try as many operators as you can, too.  You can have different results even when two operators use the same machine!  One has more skill, better lighting, better magnification, better quality needles, better pre/after treatment.  Some machines are just inherently more comfortable, the way they deliver their juice.

My operator worked out how to avoid any lasting effects pretty quickly, dialing in just enough voltage to kill follicles, and always liberally slathering on the aloe vera when done on the cataphoresis roller.  Initially she did give me a lasting raised lump in one spot - too much current, not enough moving around.

[JudiBlueEyes]

I am also over 100 hours so the hairs are thinner and there is less residual redness now.  The bumps were quite noticeable even a day later and I used ice for an hour afterwards.  My electrologist uses aloe when she's done.  This past winter when I got home I started rinsing with a cool cloth and applying A&D Ointment and that really helps it heal.   As noted we're all different so I hope you find something what works for you.   

[Kendra]

I know this won't help immediately, but over time as density of hair decreases and skin seems to adapt to electrolysis the redness and bumps don't appear as often or at all.  My first couple months were literally rough and then became easier and much less visible.

I endured a few odd looks initially but no direct comments.  One thing that helped motivate me was remembering all the times I cut myself shaving or went to the office with a rash from shaving in a hurry.

[KathyLauren]

I am hoping that, as we get the coarse, bristly hairs eliminated, that my electrologist can turn down the juice for what remains.  That should make a difference for the red bumps.

[DawnOday]

I'm 60 or so hours in and surprisingly Ms zits didn't get much irritation. Nanci hits it with witch hazel and cools it down with aloe. I have noticed is all comes out much easier when you give up your morning cup of coffee and make sure you are drinking your daily gallon of water. But really I think it comes down to the electrologist. Nanci has taken extra caution because I am on blood thinners so maybe she has it set down a notch or two.

[Doreen]

Hi everyone...

I would love advice on how the prevent the red bumps that come about a week or two after treatments.   

I had a test spot done on my face and it was redish after for a few days, and then about a week or two after I started to get red bumps / in grown hair i assume.   

I cant afford to have traces of treatment given my family and work.  What can I do?

Thanks

Karen

I have friends that swear by witch hazel.. aloe vera helps too to reduce & promote healing.

[kaitylynn]

My Electrologist uses Sea-Breeze while she works and I use it as a scrub daily.  I also swab with alcohol pads a few times a day for several days.  I avoid makeup and lotions for a few days as the pours close back up.  I have used Witch Hazel for years as a facial soothing lotion, nothing wrong with using it!

[Karen]

Thanks everyone. 

I will use aloa and witch hazel, and ice.   Stay tuned.

Wishing I could disappear for 2 months and get it done...

Hugs

Karen

[Michelle_P]

I have friends that swear by witch hazel.. aloe vera helps too to reduce & promote healing.

That's pretty much what I've been doing for 200 hours of electrolysis.  No makeup for 24 hours after; Keep the face clean, splash on witch hazel after washing with warm water to get the pores to close uo, and I use an aloe vera gel (Trader Joe's unscented, when I can find it...)once the witch hazel evaporates to seal things over.

Sometimes I have had a few electro-zits, but not much.  Ingrown hairs are more the issue these days as the last of the follicles wake and start shoving out hairs in random directions.

[BillieC]

I go once a week (more in the summer). I've been going for a year and half. I still get a few red bumps. My cheeks and upper lip are mostly done. For me what I've come to for aftercare is - medicated lotion during and immediately after a session, ice all the way home (30 minutes), Arnica Montana gel (any brand) as needed for the next couple of days.

[Karen]

Thanks everyone!   I really appreciate the help.

I am now working to ramp up my appointments and get at it...cant wait to get down this long road.

Hugs

Karen

[Karen]

Hi all.  OMG my dark fascial hair is back.   After 2 really good laser treatments, I thought all my dark hair was gone....until this week, suddenly a 5 o'clock shadow reappeared.  Talk about Dysphoria.    Feeling like a set back.  Booked an emergency laser treatment for tomorrow to get rid of them fast. 

Still working on a plan for the grey hair. 

Thanks

Karen

[heather3791]

I am currently 14 treatments in. I got the red bumps initially and even got full on pimples just a couple hours after treatment. I tried witch hazel and it didn't help me personally. I am terrified of pimples...they suck so bad. Here's what I did out of shear desperation: I dabbed on some wintergreen 70% rubbing alcohol an hour after each treatment. Then dabbed some more on again every couple of hours until bedtime. I put some on one more time after shaving in the morning. Since then it's solved the problem. (And yes, I know that alcohol is not recommended to use on your face because of the drying out etc. But again...pimples suck!)

[BrandiYYC]

I know this won't help immediately, but over time as density of hair decreases and skin seems to adapt to electrolysis the redness and bumps don't appear as often or at all.  My first couple months were literally rough and then became easier and much less visible.

I endured a few odd looks initially but no direct comments.  One thing that helped motivate me was remembering all the times I cut myself shaving or went to the office with a rash from shaving in a hurry.

This has been my experience also, less and less red bumps. I am getting less inflammation on my upper lip also. 62 sessions in trying to go 2-3 times per week, although I have had the last 2 weeks off.

[vickijonesuk]

I've had four sessions of two hours and each time my face balloons up so I look like a hamster. Tried anti inflammatories and Antihistamine so far, ice on the way home but doesn't seem to make a lot of difference - any ideas gratefully received