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Electrolysis
Pre-Care
- You must work as close to
your pain threshold as
possible for the most
effective treatment.
- Get as comfortable as
possible during the
treatment.
- Find the time of day that
works best for you. Early or
late, awake or tired,
everyone is different.
- Eliminate as much stress
as possible on the day of
the appointment.
- Your diet can affect your
sensitivity. Avoid
stimulants like caffeine,
chocolate or sugar on the
day of your appointment.
- Avoid sun exposure 48
hours prior to your
treatment to avoid dilation
of the blood vessels.
- 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.
- 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.
- Some find a meal just
before treatment helps
reduce discomfort.
- Many clients find that
taking their favorite pain
reliever 30 minutes prior to
their appointment makes
their treatment more
comfortable.
- 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)
- 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.
- Pain or the fear of pain
should not keep you from
getting hair permanently
removed if you really want
it.
Electrolysis
After-Care
- 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).
- 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.
- Avoid perfume or
alcohol-based products. They
will dry out your skin. You
can wipe the area with witch
hazel, if needed.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- Do not swim in a
chlorinated pool for the
first 48 hours following
treatment.
- 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.
- 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.
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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