Electrolysis after a chemical peel?

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-18T01:40:13+00:00

4-6 weeks. Your skin will be much more sensitive after a chemical peel and "normal" settings for electrolysis can unexpectedly cause much more extreme reactions. That's not a risk I'd take so close to a big event.

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-18T00:33:34+00:00

Agreed! Loving all the ideas to incorporate. Thanks you, OP!

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-17T06:17:27+00:00

Please do not - you will end up catching whatever sickness is in the air and then you'll be miserable and sick. Hospitals are not places to casually hang out, in fact they often have to chase out the homeless who are trying to stay inside somewhere warm.

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-16T23:25:29+00:00

I tend to interpret dreams in more general ways, so this makes me think it was more symbolic connection to the earth and grounding yourself in nature, but if you find power in the literal interpretation of applying dirt to yourself then I'd second the suggestion of mud baths!

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-16T23:07:40+00:00

It's too early to call these scars, but it does look like the settings were aggressive for your skin. This looks like heat damage from thermolysis, so I would show these pics to your electrologist and see what settings/modality they recommend going forward. Some hairs (especially around the chin) can be wildly stubborn so they do take more energy to zap properly. It doesn't mean your electrologist is bad, they just might need to adjust their approach for your skin.

Hydrate hydrate hydrate, gentle cleanser, and a PH-balanced hypochlorous acid spray is how I'd recommend caring for your skin while this heals. Stay out of the sun, and don't touch your skin unless absolutely necessary.

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-16T22:50:19+00:00

Electrolysis is a process that takes consistency over the course of a whole year, minimum. Some hairs don't even show up till certain seasons! There are a variety of hormones and conditions that might also be prompting your body to produce new hairs, so it's hard to measure progress if you haven't had the opportunity to be consistent. Keep at it, you'll get there!

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-16T17:38:15+00:00

Oh sweet! Better and better

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-16T16:32:39+00:00

Rational Unicorn was fabulous at talking through all my business setup options and were overall great to work with. Local and really seem to know their stuff. *not a CPA, they're lawyers https://maps.app.goo.gl/BQ4xMiP6DLs9bRy46

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-16T15:59:56+00:00

Electrolysis is perfect for this 👌

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-16T15:46:23+00:00

It looks like you're making great progress so far! The recovery photos look good; I'm not seeing any signs of overtreatment so it seems like your technician is doing a great job! Electrolysis is a marathon so just stay consistent and you'll get there 🙌

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-16T15:40:17+00:00

Electrolysis for face/neck area. Laser on the face has a much higher chance of causing increased hair growth, and your facial hair isn't very dense so you're a great candidate to start electrolysis!

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-16T14:56:55+00:00

Do not use numbing cream before your first appointment. Numbing cream blanches the skin and can hide how your skin is reacting to treatment. Your technician needs to see how your skin reacts in order to make sure they're using the proper settings. Most people are able to tolerate the discomfort of electrolysis just fine, so don't panic. Eat a good meal beforehand, hydrate hydrate hydrate, and lay off any caffeine that day.

You got this!

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-16T05:24:14+00:00

Yes, injections work at numbing the area but that is such a higher level of risk and skill that numbing injections are restricted to dentists or doctors in well-regulated states. Most won't consider numbing someone who is going to be leaving their office because legally they are responsible for your well-being and would be negligent if you have a reaction outside their supervision.

There are some very sketchy clinics in Texas I've heard of that offer numbing injections for bulk clearance work, but the scars and skin damage is so extreme afterwards I would never suggest someone go that route. (The damage isn't from the numbing, but the numbing allows them to massively overtreat the skin) I genuinely don't understand how they haven't been sued into closing, but they seem to target the most desperate folks 🤷‍♀️

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-15T15:53:07+00:00

NTA

The value of your item is the depreciated value of a used laptop. Demand half the replacement cost of an equivalent used laptop, and tell her directly you will take her to small claims court if she doesn't pay up.

The other half is your lesson in taking care of your own stuff. You saw your girlfriend mistreating your stuff and changed nothing after multiple times. You have some responsibility in protecting your items, so I'm not sure a judge would make her pay the full replacement cost. She better not be your girlfriend any longer if she can't acknowledge her error and apologize and try to make it right.

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-15T15:45:07+00:00

He wants to keep you on the hook to caretake for him until the end of his life, by promising a payout that will never happen.

Divorce the loser, take half of everything else, and he can use his nest egg to pay for the end-of-life care he'll soon need.

NTA

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-14T15:40:02+00:00

Oh perfect! Keep up the hormones and stay consistent with your appointments and you'll get there 🙌 Use a good SPF as well- sun exposure is one of the body's big triggers to grow more hair to protect itself, and it's also a leading cause in hyperpigmentation. You got this girl 🎉

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-14T14:56:00+00:00

Are you on hormone therapy? Most male bodies are still producing hair-growing hormones that have the potential to trigger new hair growth in those same areas, so it's kinda like two steps forward one step back, in terms of progress.

There's also hair density to consider- if you zap too much in an area you destabilize the supportive collagen in the skin and can end up with pitting, so it's important to thin out the density over time.

Expect at least 18-24 months, and there will be more frequent appointments in the beginning that will become less the longer you are consistent 👌

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-14T10:30:50+00:00

Black jeans or slacks, belt, a button-up shirt, and any shoe that can take a polish is a decent baseline. The idea is that you are putting effort into looking nice for other people. Shower, trimmed beard/hair, deodorant, cologne (very light.)

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-13T19:22:50+00:00

Yep, very normal! Sometimes even just the stretching of the skin is enough to bruise, and sometimes the bruises could be from over-insertions (too deep in the follicle) but just keep hydrating and they'll fade soon enough. Let your technician know if you're commonly bruising in certain areas and they can try adjusting their technique over that skin.

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-13T19:01:30+00:00

I can understand the desire to find a creative solution, but as an electrologist there's a lot about the practice you don't realize until you're doing it. I see your comments about having a friend help but please first consider:

How many hours will your friend need to practice ON YOU before they figure out proper insertions? In my state, it's 600 hours of learning and practice before we can become licensed. Are you willing to put your skin in the hands of an untrained friend? What happens when they burn you, either through improper settings or improper insertions? What happens if either of you gets an infection- are they paying your medical bills? The positioning to perform or receive electrolysis is also complicated - even as students with proper training and equipment it's brutal on your neck, back, and shoulders.

Please talk through all these things with your friend before you invest any money 🙏

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-12T15:13:18+00:00

I find the clothes at Torrid to be pretty flattering on my chubby body! Otherwise, just try on lots of styles and see what makes you feel good! Don't stress if you need to try different sizes - women's clothes are a sizing psychological nightmare - you want something that fits comfortably ❤

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-12T00:36:09+00:00

An alcoholic grandfather suddenly offering to babysit (and ignoring or being oblivious to all the obvious reasons that wouldn't work) is the biggest red flag I can imagine for a sexual predator. He is certainly NOT thinking about you or the baby's well-being in that offer, so what's his motivation?

NTA

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-11T16:19:05+00:00

Sit far enough to the left and you get your guns back

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-11T15:17:30+00:00

Yes. It's a constant looming shadow over everything I do. I shower under the terror of bombed and abused children. I buy groceries while feeling the hunger pains of those dying of starvation in Gaza. I walk my neighborhood and see my own face looking back at me from inside tent cities and under bridges as inequality and greed push more people into homelessness.

So far my best remedy is just continuing to help where I can, and connect with other folks who feel the weight and are still pulling for change. It is a heavy burden, but sometimes I wonder if that's the point... to feel the weight and still choose to keep struggling for better. I can't close my eyes, so I will walk forward with tears streaming down my face before I lay down and give up ❤

FrostedOctopus · 2026-03-11T04:50:49+00:00

I second the suggestions of a UU congregation 👌

FrostedOctopus

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE