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More than likely a bad idea to do this? After tonight I may finally convince this technician to do longe sessions on my face instead of just tickle me. (She still is in shock that I feel nothing?) HOWEVER next weekend I have my 6th laser appointment... Here lies the problem;

I *can* do the electrolysis say, thursday, and followimg directions, not shave for 24 hours after said appointment, and then be clean shaven for the laser appointment on the saturday.

Im curious of the negative effects of zapping the same area so soon after electrolysis. I generally dont have any irritation from electrolysis, but obviously the same 'baby your skin in the sun' applies.

Is this a big no no and am I going to have to skip next week?

Somewhat related....I'm curious, have you done electrolysis sessions in between your laser sessions?  I'm starting laser next week and I'm being told that the next one should be about 4 weeks after...is fitting in electrolysis between those acceptable or would it matter how I react to either treatment?

Yup. Thats what Ive started doing. I do laser every 3-4 weeks and electrolysis in between. Generally speaking the laser tends to interfere with the electrolysis since the electrolysis ends up re treating some of the same hairs. Im considering dropping the laser completely after this next session or one more after that and focusing primarily on electrolysis. (Im already mostly clear of dark hairs.)

The long and short of it, there doesnt seem to be any adverse effects. Just the nature of the two treatments work against eachother. Cleanshaven for laser, let it grow for electro, retreating the same hairs that may already fall out from laser.

But, it still may be faster in the long run.

I have had laser directly after an Electrolysis Session and have also waited a couple of days. My electrologist like me to leave it 24 hrs but is not that fussed. I think the laser hurt a bit more straight after Electrolysis and I have only done it once.

Didn't harm me

Liz

Quote from: ElizabethK on January 27, 2017, 03:01:42 PM
I have had laser directly after an Electrolysis Session and have also waited a couple of days. My electrologist like me to leave it 24 hrs but is not that fussed. I think the laser hurt a bit more straight after Electrolysis and I have only done it once.

Didn't harm me

Liz

K thats good enough for me. :3

Quote from: Angela Drakken on January 27, 2017, 02:47:33 PM
Yup. Thats what Ive started doing. I do laser every 3-4 weeks and electrolysis in between. Generally speaking the laser tends to interfere with the electrolysis since the electrolysis ends up re treating some of the same hairs. Im considering dropping the laser completely after this next session or one more after that and focusing primarily on electrolysis. (Im already mostly clear of dark hairs.)

The long and short of it, there doesnt seem to be any adverse effects. Just the nature of the two treatments work against eachother. Cleanshaven for laser, let it grow for electro, retreating the same hairs that may already fall out from laser.

But, it still may be faster in the long run.

Couldn't your electrologist distinguish between the white hair and dark hair?  I'm hoping that the laser works onthe dark stuff and the electrologist only concentrates initially on the light hairs.

I also know people who have gotten electrolysis and laser on the same day.

Basically you remove all the grey hairs during electrolysis (which laser can't target). Shave, and then get laser on all the renaming dark hairs. No issues that I've seen.


Hugs,
~Brooke~

Quote from: Maybebaby56 on January 27, 2017, 04:03:08 PM
If you don't have sensitive skin, you can do laser after electrolysis, however I would not recommend doing electrolysis immediately after laser. It takes a couple of weeks to shed the zapped hairs, and it kinds of defeats the purpose of doing laser (larger area covered, weakens and eventually kills follicles) if you do electrolysis so soon after. You would potentially be wasting time and money going after hairs that are already going to shed.

I had a mixture of dark and gray/white hairs, and my electrologist would give me the once over with the laser and then start going after the light hairs using electrolysis. My routine was to wait a couple of weeks between sessions, so this worked quite well.  I finished clearing my face in less than 60 hours.  Now I just go to get the stragglers that pop back up.

~Terri 

Edit: Brooke and Staci pretty much said the same thing.

Terri

I am curious about being able to get through the Majority of your Electrolysis in 60 hours. Why do you think you were able to  do this?

The reason I ask is that I am getting facial injections and absolutely motoring along and doing 10 sessions with facial injections in 10 weeks to see if we can't clear the majority of it up. After last weeks session where a 6 x 10cm area was completely cleared in an hour I think this is entirely possible. This was the thickest area of my face left and now its gone!!!!

Liz

Quote from: Brooke on January 27, 2017, 03:59:07 PM
I also know people who have gotten electrolysis and laser on the same day.

Basically you remove all the grey hairs during electrolysis (which laser can't target). Shave, and then get laser on all the renaming dark hairs. No issues that I've seen.


Hugs,
~Brooke~

The shave straight after Electrolysis was very unpleasant but it was only a small area as I shaved the rest before going.

Liz

Quote from: staciM on January 27, 2017, 03:58:52 PM

Couldn't your electrologist distinguish between the white hair and dark hair?  I'm hoping that the laser works onthe dark stuff and the electrologist only concentrates initially on the light hairs.

Shes stubborn and doesnt WANT to. (Long story.)

Quote from: ElizabethK on January 27, 2017, 04:16:41 PM
The shave straight after Electrolysis was very unpleasant but it was only a small area as I shaved the rest before going.

Liz

Oh yes. I have used an aloe lotion to soothe and shave with after electrolysis. Apply it thick so it can be used in place of shaving cream.


Hugs,
~Brooke~

Quote from: Brooke on January 27, 2017, 05:07:07 PM
Oh yes. I have used an aloe lotion to soothe and shave with after electrolysis. Apply it thick so it can be used in place of shaving cream.


Hugs,
~Brooke~

What a great idea, My skin is just so easily cut these days I very rarely use a blade but I like the idea of the aloe

Thanks
Liz

From you girls that have some experience...as mentioned above, I'm going to my first laser appointment this Wednesday and I'm curious what I can expect.  Not as much about the pain or discomfort but what about regrowth?  I'm 50/50 dark/white and will also need electrolysis.  The day of the laser appointment I've been asked to shave, but what can I expect the days after?  Will only white hair come back with spotty dark bunches that didn't die?  Will it all come back but eventually fallout?  Just curious....thanks girls.

Quote from: staciM on January 27, 2017, 03:58:52 PM

Couldn't your electrologist distinguish between the white hair and dark hair?  I'm hoping that the laser works onthe dark stuff and the electrologist only concentrates initially on the light hairs.

Mine can.  After a laser treatment she'll give the darker ones a tug and if they don't come right out she zaps them.  I've been waiting 7-10 days after a laser to go back to the electrolysis.  I'm going to try for 90 minutes a session instead of 60 a little less often with the electrolysis. 
Should get a little more buzz for my buck and fewer days that I can't shave.


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Quote from: staciM on January 28, 2017, 10:45:06 AM
From you girls that have some experience...as mentioned above, I'm going to my first laser appointment this Wednesday and I'm curious what I can expect.  Not as much about the pain or discomfort but what about regrowth?  I'm 50/50 dark/white and will also need electrolysis.  The day of the laser appointment I've been asked to shave, but what can I expect the days after?  Will only white hair come back with spotty dark bunches that didn't die?  Will it all come back but eventually fallout?  Just curious....thanks girls.

Hi Staci

Do yourself a favour and get some Aloe Vera gel and have it in the refrigerator. Take it with you when you go to the appointment. Your face will be hot and feel a little sunburnt (maybe). Once the treatment is finished apply the gel liberally to your face to help cool it down. Other than that you need to be patient.

When you study your face you may have what appear to be brown squiggles or slight pigmentation of the skin...this goes away for me after about a week. Laser is excellent for evening out your skin tone as a side effect. You may well see the actual hair size increase in the follicle so your follicle may look like the hair just got bigger. This is part of the dying process and all hairs that have been dealt to will enlarge even if only slightly. If you have left any longer hairs these will appear shrivelled and come out immediately, unfortunately although satisfying they are likely to grow back as the laser has unlikely done enough to the follicle nodule to kill it hence the importance of a close shave.

About the 7- 14 day (YMMV) you should start seeing the odd facial hair having fallen out. Exfoliating is the best(and only way IMHO) way to remove them, I can't state this with enough importance DO NOT under any circumstances pluck the "dead ones" It is so tempting and I have heard so many people say this or similar "most of them slide right out with very little discomfort and in most cases no real discomfort at all...its (cathartic) like popping pimples. "

If, when you slide out the hair painlessly, you leave even the minutest bit of follicle and I mean miniscule, it will grow back. On each hair is a small "bulb" that contains cells similar to stem cells. If any of this is not dead when the hair comes out then it will regrow. It will come back almost immediately...it doesn't seem to take that long before it is visible again.

Over a period of time you will start to see patchy area's where the dark hair has died off almost completely. My top lip area down to the corner of my mouth has almost nothing maybe a dozen black hairs, had 3 hrs of electrolysis on it as well so almost done. I have gone from every 4 weeks to every 6 weeks for next two treatments and next time it is likely to be 12 weeks as I have nothing much left. So after 3 more treatments I am likely to let Electrolysis pick up the last few stragglers but in my case it will have dealt with over 60% of my facial hair.

Hopefully that helps answer your question

Liz

Liz, thanks so much ...that's perfect...very helpful.

Quote from: staciM on January 28, 2017, 10:45:06 AM
From you girls that have some experience...as mentioned above, I'm going to my first laser appointment this Wednesday and I'm curious what I can expect.  Not as much about the pain or discomfort but what about regrowth?  I'm 50/50 dark/white and will also need electrolysis.  The day of the laser appointment I've been asked to shave, but what can I expect the days after?  Will only white hair come back with spotty dark bunches that didn't die?  Will it all come back but eventually fallout?  Just curious....thanks girls.

I can't really speak to the pain, since nothing phases me. My first zap form laser, I had very many bald patches, by the third, most was cleared, and new darks regrew, that we were able to treat. (The light coloured hairs always come back.) It takes a week or two for the treated hairs to 'shed' so just keep shaving, I find by the third week, if it's dead, it doesn't come back. *SOMETIMES* some hairs will retreat deeper into the skin to avoid the laser, and you'll think they're gone, but they'll come back, along with the next cycle of new hairs, no panic, they just get zapped then instead. I noticed a lot of my 'stubborn' darks that haven't gone away from laser actually have blonde or white follicle/root, so they've been immune to laser just like fully blonde or white hairs. At that point all I was doing was burning hair below the surface lol I'm dropping laser entirely now and going full electrolysis now after just 6 sessions.

Quote from: Angela Drakken on January 29, 2017, 10:32:04 AM
I can't really speak to the pain, since nothing phases me. My first zap form laser, I had very many bald patches, by the third, most was cleared, and new darks regrew, that we were able to treat. (The light coloured hairs always come back.) It takes a week or two for the treated hairs to 'shed' so just keep shaving, I find by the third week, if it's dead, it doesn't come back. *SOMETIMES* some hairs will retreat deeper into the skin to avoid the laser, and you'll think they're gone, but they'll come back, along with the next cycle of new hairs, no panic, they just get zapped then instead. I noticed a lot of my 'stubborn' darks that haven't gone away from laser actually have blonde or white follicle/root, so they've been immune to laser just like fully blonde or white hairs. At that point all I was doing was burning hair below the surface lol I'm dropping laser entirely now and going full electrolysis now after just 6 sessions.

Sorry just an aside

Angela does your tech run the laser over your face or place it zap then move to the next place then zap?

Liz

Quote from: ElizabethK on January 29, 2017, 05:05:12 PM
Sorry just an aside

Angela does your tech run the laser over your face or place it zap then move to the next place then zap?

Liz

Pulse an area, then move. She doesnt run it over my face. Concenrtated pulses.

Quote from: Angela Drakken on January 29, 2017, 06:57:38 PM
Pulse an area, then move. She doesnt run it over my face. Concenrtated pulses.

Same here. I believe it's a certain number of pulses for each targeted area, which I believe depends on the hair color and thus the wavelength uses for laser.

My Current laser tech is using same equip0ment as previous place but different method which I don't think is as effective, it certainly works but not as well. Might be off to my other place.

Thank you ladies

Liz

The concentrated pulse certainly seems to work pretty effectively, and beyond feeling like getting slapped with an elastic band, there's very little pain. The wave/pass method might be simply to reduce that? (While at the same time, not being as directly effective? I'd have to do my own research to be sure.)

Quote from: Angela Drakken on January 30, 2017, 02:13:07 PM
The concentrated pulse certainly seems to work pretty effectively, and beyond feeling like getting slapped with an elastic band, there's very little pain. The wave/pass method might be simply to reduce that? (While at the same time, not being as directly effective? I'd have to do my own research to be sure.)

The wave pass method is effective but when you get to the part where we are down to odd area' especially under the nose. I think for targeting specific area the static method is preferred which is what my original laser clinic did. They were also double the price of the wave pass method. I don't know enough about laser and can find very little on methods of use for the Elux 810 which both places I have been to use. Will keep hunting for stuff

Liz

...about an hour away from my first appointment...so excited to get started, not so excited about the pain :)

Quote from: staciM on February 01, 2017, 11:29:06 AM
...about an hour away from my first appointment...so excited to get started, not so excited about the pain :)

Its not so bad. Like I said, elastic band. You'll be fine.

Thanks Angela, I'm back...and still alive.... but there were certainly some unpleasant spots...namely above the lip and a bit under the chin.  Lots of burning smells which I was told was a good thing [emoji4]

Btw, i was so impressed with the girls working there...I'm not fully presenting yet but they always used proper pronouns and always called me Staci...even though for insurance purposes my paperwork is in my given name.

Quote from: staciM on February 01, 2017, 02:49:59 PM
Thanks Angela, I'm back...and still alive.... but there were certainly some unpleasant spots...namely above the lip and a bit under the chin.  Lots of burning smells which I was told was a good thing [emoji4]

Btw, i was so impressed with the girls working there...I'm not fully presenting yet but they always used proper pronouns and always called me Staci...even though for insurance purposes my paperwork is in my given name.

Ooops yeah the smell...maybe I blot it out. Gad it went well. Did you use ice first to numb the area? Some techs do...now watch...especially when you see the first few fall out...about a week or so...if feels great
Liz

Quote from: ElizabethK on February 01, 2017, 03:47:09 PM
Ooops yeah the smell...maybe I blot it out. Gad it went well. Did you use ice first to numb the area? Some techs do...now watch...especially when you see the first few fall out...about a week or so...if feels great
Liz

They did use a special electric cooled roller that releases some sort of cooling lotion that they roll over the skin before each zap.  That certainly seemed to help.

I already have some hairs that have come to the surface (to show their ugly face)...which  must have been directly related to the treatment because my face certainly doesn't grow that quickly....but as Angela warned, I'm going to leave them alone.  Overall my face feels fine now....other than above my lip where it feels just a bit tender.

in about a week when you exfoliate your face start looking for them coming out....The laser my Tech uses has a cooled tip and she spreads cool gel but after a few sweeps the tip can get pretty darn hot...the smell is your burning hair...the firzzeled hairs on top will most likely grow back...some just do that I don't know why...sometimes if you miss one shaving and it gets zapped it looks like that and they always regrow for me...over the next week look to see them thicken up and then they start to fall out.

Hope you get a good amount "shedding" from your first visit. I was surprised about how much.

Liz

For anyone that's interested, educational YouTuber Veratasium put out a video on the science of laser hair removal.

Gotta love the smell of the laser plumes! /sarcasm

https://youtu.be/S20-1_XqVPM


Hugs,
~Brooke~

Quote from: staciM on February 01, 2017, 02:49:59 PM
Thanks Angela, I'm back...and still alive.... but there were certainly some unpleasant spots...namely above the lip and a bit under the chin.  Lots of burning smells which I was told was a good thing [emoji4]

OH GEEZ. Yeah, those spots are always a sensitive one, even after about 6-8 visits. (More densely packed hairs in a tiny area, much more sensitive skin around the mouth and under the chin, and often, a lot more passes in short succession. The more you get used to it, my techs been raising the intensity more and more, and more, the laser cant GET higher, so we just do more passes.)

Quote from: staciM on February 01, 2017, 02:49:59 PM
Btw, i was so impressed with the girls working there...I'm not fully presenting yet but they always used proper pronouns and always called me Staci...even though for insurance purposes my paperwork is in my given name.

Not many places still use my given name, and it's pretty awesome. I do get embarrassed  (I know it's silly) on my 'less than best' days, with a weeks growth just so I have enough to get via electrolysis though.. Y.Y

 It's been 5 days since my first appointment and I've left my face alone since then....I have a group meeting today and went to shave, and holy crap, what a complete mess.  I've always had a very consistent beard to deal with but now my face is a wreck....no amount of makeup is going to fix this....so discouraged.

Quote from: staciM on February 05, 2017, 12:16:13 PM
It's been 5 days since my first appointment and I've left my face alone since then....I have a group meeting today and went to shave, and holy crap, what a complete mess.  I've always had a very consistent beard to deal with but now my face is a wreck....no amount of makeup is going to fix this....so discouraged.

I'm sorry to hear things didn't go well :-(

Can you describe the mess that you speak of- we might be able to help troubleshoot with some more details.


Hugs,
~Brooke~

Quote from: Brooke on February 05, 2017, 03:50:03 PM
I'm sorry to hear things didn't go well :-(

Can you describe the mess that you speak of- we might be able to help troubleshoot with some more details.


Hugs,
~Brooke~

Thanks for reaching out Brooke.  I guess there was enough makeup...about a L of Dermablend seemed to be the right amount :). I did end up going to my group meeting.

The problem was that I couldn't seem to get close enough to get a clean shave without quite a bit of irritation, bumps, redness and cuts.  Something I've never had a problem with until I started laser removal.

The lasered hairs don't behave like normal beard hairs and can be very difficult to shave. They go all weird in the way they stick out, I hear you. Try using an electric razor before blade shaving I find that helps a heap. You need to be gentle with your facial skin...it is going to be sensitive...I understand the need to be beard free and smooth. If you are able to put up with an electric shave for awhile it will soon get to the point where is it no longer an issues...I very rarely use a blade now because it tears up my face so badly. The number of red shaving bumps I have has decreased dramatically since I dropped the blade. The electric just seems to be so much better for my skin

Liz

Thanks Liz, that's a great idea that I didn't even consider.  I've been using a blade exclusively for a few years since an electric wasn't getting as smooth as I would like (although I do have a very good one).  However, the way my skin feels right now I can certainly see how the electric would be a better choice.  Thanks again

Quote from: staciM on February 05, 2017, 07:30:22 PM
Thanks Liz, that's a great idea that I didn't even consider.  I've been using a blade exclusively for a few years since an electric wasn't getting as smooth as I would like (although I do have a very good one).  However, the way my skin feels right now I can certainly see how the electric would be a better choice.  Thanks again

Biggest downside with the electric is, it does not give as smooth as a blade but will get smoother with each treatment...

Liz

I did not have that issue with laser specifically but I did have issues with bumps, nicks, and closeness earlier in my life.

I ended up switching to a good shaving oil called shave secret. Moisturizers the face really well and also provides an extremely slick surface for the blade.

SHAVE SECRET SHAVING OIL- THE BEST SHAVE EVER! 18.75ML [Health and Beauty] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0023XF60Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ekrMybJRGNNXT


Hugs,
~Brooke~

Quote from: staciM on February 05, 2017, 12:16:13 PM
It's been 5 days since my first appointment and I've left my face alone since then....I have a group meeting today and went to shave, and holy crap, what a complete mess.  I've always had a very consistent beard to deal with but now my face is a wreck....no amount of makeup is going to fix this....so discouraged.

Usually this will be the case for the first 8-10 days or up to 14. The hairs treated by laser are essentiay burnt and crispy (and working their way closer to the surface to shed!) I always found the first 2 or 3 times after getting baked I still see black bits of the hair just below the skin surface and I cant ever shave close enough to get em. (Naturally, they're under a couple layers of skin.) By week three all shedding was done and by the 4th week Id be going in for another round. Ive heard of people doing laser appointments much closer together (two weeks) I think 4 weeks worked very well for me.

Heavier makeup should do the trick, but do take care to clean it off thoroughly and baby the hell out of your skin for atleast that first 10 days!
(Theres this Kat Von D one for covering up tattoos that works well!)

Just wait til you start yanking out greys and blondes with electrolysis. >.<

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 :)

Quote from: staciM on February 16, 2017, 11:06:51 AM
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..!)

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.

Quote from: staciM on February 17, 2017, 03:12:09 PM
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 >.<

Quote from: Angela Drakken on February 18, 2017, 01:51:02 PM
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.

Quote from: Brooke on February 18, 2017, 02:19:48 PM
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?

Quote from: Angela Drakken on February 18, 2017, 04:21:54 PM
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.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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

Quote from: Angela Drakken on February 18, 2017, 04:21:54 PM
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~

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/586085b32dd8e7dc5322bed3cb0f1207.jpg)

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

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.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170222/da8cbeecb45f7614a756c07d01b44b6d.jpg)

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

Quote from: Angela Drakken on February 22, 2017, 12:13:45 PM
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.

Quote from: staciM on February 22, 2017, 12:33:48 PM

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.

Quote from: Angela Drakken on February 22, 2017, 12:59:07 PM
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.

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

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?

Quote from: Angela Drakken on March 10, 2017, 06:12:54 PM
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?

Quote from: staciM on March 10, 2017, 06:33:46 PM
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;

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170311/8f2d410d95bc2d77bc12de9738fff302.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170311/dc3c96e17cc14ffc47a7fc912adaebe5.jpg)

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.

^ 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

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.

Hey Girls, great info in this thread. I start laser next week and have a girl to start electrolysis shortly after. I have very sensitive skin so Im a little panicked as to what may occur. The idea of witch hazel etc was something I hadn't considered so great tips. Thx so much!

I am lucky in one way. As a kid I was in a fire and burnt most of the hair follicles on both checks so I grow maybe 20 hairs on each side. Moustache and chin areas are 50/50 dark brown and grey and I have a bit of hair growth on the neck. Egad this is the part of transition that freaks me out the most. Pain and I don't do well together. LOL maybe a stiff drink before hand but realize I just have to buck up and get her done.

Thx ladies and will keep you posted.

Hugg's Niki

^ hi Niki, nice to see another girl from Alberta on here...I'm in Calgary.

Fwiw, an hour before my appointment I take two Ibuprofen and apply a few generous coats of EMLA cream on the area being treated....this works wonders for me.  EMLA cream is available without a prescription, but is stored behind the counter and requires the Pharmacists "sign-off".

Hi StaciM Im from Calgary as well. If you ever want to get out for coffee or go shopping let me know.

Thx for the tips, I will pick up the cream tomorrow to have for the first appointment. Anything I can do outside of putting me under is great..

Quote from: staciM on March 13, 2017, 09:18:29 AM
^ hi Niki, nice to see another girl from Alberta on here...I'm in Calgary.

Fwiw, an hour before my appointment I take two Ibuprofen and apply a few generous coats of EMLA cream on the area being treated....this works wonders for me.  EMLA cream is available without a prescription, but is stored behind the counter and requires the Pharmacists "sign-off".

Does the EMLA cream actually last for the duration of electrolysis. Ive read multiple accounts of it lasting little under 20 minutes..

Also I found the advice of 'covering' treated areas with the cream with plastic wrap uncomfortable to think about..

Clarification would be GREAT.

It lasts about 30min but I've found that it depends on how thick you apply it. I'm liberal and repeat a few times before starting treatment so the effect sinks-in below the surface a bit. 

I've been going for 90min appointments where my technician scatters hair removal across the face during a session because I've found that I swell quite a bit if she stays in one general area for awhile.  In addition to the initial application, while she's doing the left side, I'll apply the cream on the right so it's still numb when she moves to that side.  As my beard gets more sparse I'll reduce the appointment times because inevitably she'll be concentrating on one section during the entire session.

Hope that makes sense.

Also, FWIW, my technician once used her numbing cream on me (not sure which one) and I found that it wasn't nearly as effective as EMLA.

LOL, honestly I don't care how much the stuff costs and how much I have to use if it takes just a bit of the edge off :)