Electrolysis Pre-Care

  1. You must work as close to your pain threshold as possible for the most effective treatment.

  2. Get as comfortable as possible during the treatment.

  3. Find the time of day that works best for you. Early or late, awake or tired, everyone is different.

  4. Eliminate as much stress as possible on the day of the appointment.

  5. Your diet can affect your sensitivity. Avoid stimulants like caffeine, chocolate or sugar on the day of your appointment.

  6. Avoid sun exposure 48 hours prior to your treatment to avoid dilation of the blood vessels.

  7. Female clients may find that they are more sensitive during or right before their menstrual cycle and may want to avoid making appointments during that time.

  8. Drink plenty of water the day before, the day of and the day after the treatment. Dehydrated follicles are more difficult to treat. Hydration will also help your skin heal more quickly.

  9. Some find a meal just before treatment helps reduce discomfort.

  10. Many clients find that taking their favorite pain reliever 30 minutes prior to their appointment makes their treatment more comfortable.

  11. There are many topical creams that are available either with or without a prescription. EMLA (by prescription) and LMX (non-prescription) are the most popular. EMLA should be applied an hour before treatment. You should apply generously and cover with a piece of saran wrap. Use medical tape to keep in place. Hose or bike shorts over the bikini area will help keep saran in place and warm the area. Heat will activate the numbing cream even more. A stronger option is BLT (20% Betacaine, 8% Lidacaine and 4% Tetracaine, by prescription only)

  12. Do not use Retin A, Tazorac or any serious retinoid for at least 1 week prior to your electrolysis treatment. Discontinue Accutane for at least 6 months prior to electrolysis.

  13. Pain or the fear of pain should not keep you from getting hair permanently removed if you really want it.


Electrolysis After-Care

  1. Following your treatment, do not touch or scratch the area treated! Bacteria are on everything and by touching your skin you are transferring bacteria from doorknobs, etc. to the treated area. This will cause a breakout (whiteheads).

  2. Do not wash or wear make-up over the treated area for 24 hours. Even washing with soap will cause irritation and possible infection. Translucent powder is permissible.

  3. Avoid perfume or alcohol-based products. They will dry out your skin. You can wipe the area with witch hazel, if needed.

  4. Apply Bacitracin, Polysporin, Neosporin or another antibacterial ointment or cream to the treated area the night after your treatment. This will help your skin heal even faster, especially facial areas. Apply with Q-tips or clean hands. If your skin is still irritated on the second day, apply a Hydrocortisone cream (Cortisone, Cortaid, anything with 1% hydrocortisone or hydrocortisone acetate). It is anti-inflammatory and will reduce redness and swelling. Also works on pimples!

  5. Avoid excessive sweating if having work done below the neck. Sweat can cause bacteria to enter into the open follicles and cause minor infection. Exercise before your electrolysis appointment instead of afterward.

  6. Avoid the sun for the next 72 hours to avoid the formation of brown pigment spots. Your skin defends against UV rays by producing pigment, which will deflect some of the harmful rays. If your skin is injured or traumatized it can over-produce pigment in those areas. This can result in hyper-pigmentation. ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN.

  7. Do not swim in a chlorinated pool for the first 48 hours following treatment.

  8. If small scabs appear, do not scratch them away. This can cause scarring. Allow them to fall off naturally. This is naturešs way of healing the follicle that we have treated. (the scabs are lymph fluid that has drained out the follicle and dried up) Keeping the area moisturized will often curtail the formation of scabs. If discomfort should occur in closely treated areas apply an Epsom salt compress: Add 1 tsp. Epsom Salt to 1/2 cup warm water, mix and soak up with a washcloth. Lay washcloth over treated area for 10 minutes and repeat until discomfort subsides.

  9. If you are prevented from coming in as soon as you would like for your next treatment, DO NOT TWEEZE! The offending hair can be clipped off with small scissors, shaved, bleached or you can use a depilatory such as Nair.

  10. Remember: Some re-growth is to be expected. If you will return when the first re-growth occurs, the roots are shorter and weaker and therefore can be treated more effectively.

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