Electrolysis creates a small amount of temporary damage beneath the skin which destroys the hair germination cells in the follicle near the hair root.  To ensure the best healing, proper preparation and care is needed.

For 24 hours PRIOR to and up to your appointment

DOs

✔  STAY HYDRATED!  This makes healing and pain management SO much better

✔  Eat.  Keep blood sugar levels up and avoid caffeine

✔  Discontinue the use of Accutane, Retinoids, Benzoyl Peroxide, Skin Care with active ingredients

✔  Moisturize.  Up until right before your appointment will make the skin more elastic which is ideal for healing

✔  Exfoliate your skin regularly.  This will remove debris from the follicle making treatment easier and potentially faster

✔  Let your hair grow for 2 - 3 days prior to your appointment

DON'Ts

✖  Shave, wax, pluck or remove hair by the root

✖  Come in after chemical treatments on your face (facials, chemical peels etc.)

✖  Bring more than one person with you.  The rooms are small and the Electrologist may need room to move around

✖  Shave or trim.  The hair needs to be long enough to grasp with tweezers (2-3 days of growth)

✖  Pick at scabs or disturb your skin.  Your Electrologist can assist with minor extractions

FACE

Witch Hazel and Aloe Vera can be applied liberally using a clean cotton ball immediately after electrolysis to soothe, calm redness and prevent infection.  Continue applying Aloe 2-3 x per day for 3 days.

After treatment, you may experience the following:

• Redness, swelling and sensitivity of the skin in the area which has been treated up to 48 hours

• The treated area and surrounding skin may feel hot for up to 48 hours

• The skin may itch as the healing process takes place

• White pustules may form in the treatment area.  Do not pick or pop them.  Follow these instructions to limit this reaction:  Add unscented Epsom salts (2 tbsp) to boiled (and cooled to warm) water (2 cups) to a bowl.  Put a clean cloth in the bowl and let it absorb some of the salt & water.  Do a compress on the treatment area the evening of and the morning after treatment.  

Avoid the following for 48 hours after treatment:  

• Touching the treated area and do not pick any scabs that may form

• Self tans or fake tans as these can cause irritation to the skin, also avoid perfumes, and perfumed body lotions

• Direct sunlight, or sunbed treatment. UVA and UVB can cause pigmentation marks to appear on the treated

• Saunas, solaria, sun beds and steam treatments

• Hot baths, showers

• Swimming and hot tubs

• Applying make-up to the treated area.

• Applying soap or perfumed products to the treated area

• Activities for 48 hours that stimulate blood flow following treatment

Do not pluck, tweeze, thread or remove hair with wax or depilatory cream remover between electrolysis treatments, as this will interrupt the hair growth cycle. It is safer to simply trim any noticeable unwanted hair with scissors

BODY

It is important to take extra special care of the treated area, especially within the first 48 hours of treatment. This will give the skin a chance to settle, will allow the heat reaction in the skin to return to normal and prevent infection of the treated open follicles.

After treatment, you may experience the following:

• Redness, swelling and sensitivity of the skin in the area which has been treated for up to 48 hours

• The treated area and surrounding skin may feel hot for up to 48 hours

• Pin dot crusting or small scabs may appear within the treated area

• The skin may itch as the healing process takes place

Avoid the following for 48 hours after treatment:  

• Touching the treated area and do not pick any scabs that may form

• Self tans or fake tans as these can cause irritation to the skin, also avoid perfumes, and perfumed body lotions

• Direct sunlight, or sunbed treatment. UVA and UVB can cause pigmentation marks to appear on the treated.

• Saunas, solaria, sun beds and steam treatments.

• Hot baths, showers

• Swimming and hot tubs

• Applying make-up to the treated area.

• Applying soap or perfumed products to the treated area

• Activities for 48 hours that stimulate blood flow following treatment

• Wearing tight or restricted clothing over treated body areas

To prevent irritation, scarring and the spread of infection, do not pick spots or small scabs which may appear a couple of days after treatment and depending on the skin, may take between 7–21 days to heal. Fine scabs are a normal post reaction response to the treatment, especially in the initial stages of having electrolysis.