before, during, & after electrolysis

  • For optimal results, it is crucial that clients adhere to their recommended visit schedule. Treating hair in its early growth stage is far more effective for permanent removal.

    1. To ensure the best treatment experience, avoid consuming caffeine, salt, and alcohol (for sensitive clients, this includes fast food, Chinese food, Mexican food, chips, ham, and beer for at least 24 hours before your treatment. These items can lead to water retention, causing your follicles to shrink and potentially increasing discomfort).

    2. If desired, apply a numbing agent 30 minutes before your treatment. Ensure your skin is clean and dry. Cover the area with Glad Press, Seal Saran Wrap or plastic (air can deactivate the numbing agent).

    3. Proper hydration is essential. Dehydration may require higher intensity settings,-increasing discomfort. Aim to drink 8-10 glasses of water daily, and be sure to hydrate before your appointment. Well-hydrated follicles conduct heat and current more effectively, making the treatment less uncomfortable.

    4. Clients should use a water-based moisturizer (not oil-based) both in the morning and at night. Your epidermis needs hydration to plump up skin cells, providing an ideal surface for the treatment.

    5. Reframe from hair management practices (shaving) 3-5 days prior to your treatment.

    6. If you're receiving facial treatment please refrain from wearing makeup before your appointment. Please come with a clean face. Its best for the procedure and maximizing our session time.

    Clients who are very sensitive to the electrolysis process have the option to consider these additional recommendations.

    • Taking Benadryl the night before and the night after your treatment can help counteract any histaminic reactions that may occur during the treatment process.

    • Consider taking Ibuprofen 10-15 minutes before your treatment to alleviate any slight discomfort you might experience. Liqui-gels are recommended as they dissolve more rapidly and enter the bloodstream faster.

    • Having a meal before your treatment can also reduce discomfort. Many clients who come in on an empty stomach have reported a significant improvement in their comfort during the procedure.

  • During your electrolysis treatment, it's important to follow these instructions to ensure a safe and effective experience:

    Communication:

    Communicate openly with your electrolysis technician. If you experience discomfort or have any concerns during the treatment, let them know immediately.

    Staying Still:

    Remain as still as possible during the treatment. Any sudden movements can disrupt the precise process of electrolysis.

    Breathe Through It

    A natural response is to instinctively hold breath and tense up when faced with moments of discomfort. However, it's essential to understand that the opposite approach is more beneficial for a more comfortable experience: Embrace controlled breathing throughout the procedure instead of resisting it. By taking slow, deliberate breaths in and out, you can help your body relax and release tension.

    Comfort Measures:

    If you are experiencing discomfort during the treatment, your technician may provide breaks or suggest ways to minimize it. Follow their recommendations.

  • After treatment, expect your skin to appear red, and histaminic reactions are normal. A typical histaminic reaction lasts for six to eight hours, although individual experiences may vary. Treat your skin gently, and we recommend warm compresses for fair skin and cooler compresses for melanated skin.. Use aloe vera (fresh or gel) throughout the remainder of the day.

    Also, it's essential to follow these care instructions to ensure optimal healing and results:

    1. Avoid Touching or Scratching: Refrain from unnecessarily touching or scratching the treated area to prevent any potential irritation.

    2. No Soap or Makeup for 24 Hours: Avoid using soap and makeup over the treated area for the first 24 hours, as they may lead to irritation.

    3. Avoid Friction: Wear loose-fitting clothing to minimize friction on the treated area.

    4. Avoid Certain Products: Steer clear of perfume, alcohol-based products, acids, retinoids/retinol, scrubs, chlorine, harsh products or ingredients for at least 3 days or until the area has healed.

    5. Swimming: It's advisable to wait for at least 24-48 hours after your electrolysis session before swimming. This allows your skin to heal and reduces the risk of infection. If you plan to swim in a chlorinated pool, make sure the chlorine levels are balanced. High chlorine levels can irritate the treated skin. If you intend to swim in the ocean, ensure the area is well-protected from saltwater. Saltwater can be harsh on the treated skin and may cause discomfort. After swimming, rinse the treated area with clean, lukewarm water to remove any residual chlorine, salt, or pool chemicals.

    6. Minimize Sweating: If you've had treatment below the neck, try to avoid excessive sweating for a period after the procedure.

    7. UV Protection: Protect the treated area from UV rays by avoiding direct sun exposure for at least 24 hours before and 48 hours after treatment.

    8. Avoid Heat and Steam: Refrain from taking excessively hot baths, direct shower spray, swimming, exercising, using steam, hot cooktops, or practicing hot yoga immediately after treatment.

    9. Select Light Lotions: Opt for soothing, non-greasy lotions or creams to moisturize the area.

    10. Deodorant Rest: Avoid using deodorant for the first 24 hours after treatment.

    11. Apply Soothing Moisturizer: Use a soothing lotion or moisturizer like HydraPlus, Yi-zhibaume, or Alovive to keep the treated area well-moisturized.

    12. Manage Discomfort and Swelling: Apply a cold water compress or ice pack for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, if needed, to alleviate any discomfort or swelling.

    13. Sunscreen Protection: If necessary, apply sunscreen to the treated area. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 25+ daily to reduce the risk of hyper-pigmentation.

    14. Avoid Scratching Scabs: If small scabs appear, resist the urge to scratch them. Allow them to naturally fall off, as this is part of the healing process for the treated follicles.

    15. Moisturize Continuously: Keep the treated area moisturized to support healing.

    16. Epsom Salt Compress for Discomfort: In case of discomfort in closely treated areas, apply an Epsom salt compress. Mix 1 tsp. of Epsom Salt with 1/2 cup of warm water, soak it up with a washcloth, and lay it over the treated area for 10 minutes. Repeat until the discomfort subsides (primarily recommended for fair skin).

    17. No Tweezing: If you can't make it to your next treatment as soon as desired, refrain from tweezing. Instead, avoid waxing, threading, or plucking in the treated area. You can trim the offending hair with small scissors or shave it.

    18. Pigmentation Concerns: If you're prone to pigmentation, consult your Electrologist for recommendations on lightening products or regimens to correct and prevent pigmentation in the treated area.

    19. Expect Re-Growth: It's normal to experience some re-growth. Returning for treatment when the first signs of re-growth occur allows for more effective treatment, as the roots are shorter and weaker.

    Remember that proper aftercare is essential for achieving the best results and maintaining the health of your treated skin. Follow these guidelines to promote healing and minimize potential complications.

  • After a successful treatment, it's common to experience the following effects, which are part of the healing process:

    1. Redness: Redness in the treated area is normal and expected.

    2. Mild Swelling: Light swelling of the treated tissue may occur temporarily.

    3. Potential Activation of Herpes (Cold Sores): In some cases, treatment can trigger the activation of Herpes (cold sores), especially in individuals who are prone to this condition.

    4. Isolated Follicle Secretion: It's possible to observe isolated follicle secretion after the treatment.

    5. Sensations: You may feel a warm sensation or a prickly feeling, depending on the treated area.

    6. Skin Reactions: Reactions such as redness, swelling, or the formation of tiny scabs should be seen as signs of healthy skin repairing itself as quickly as possible. The intensity of these reactions varies among individuals, as everyone heals differently.

    7. Bruising in the Eyebrow Area: The eyebrow area, in particular, can be susceptible to bruising due to the presence of tiny blood vessels close to the skin's surface.

    8. Healing Timeline: Although the treated area may appear to return to normal relatively quickly, complete healing of the skin can take up to 18 months.

    Understanding that these effects are part of the natural healing process can help alleviate concerns. Following post-care instructions diligently will assist in minimizing these after-effects and contribute to a successful treatment outcome. Remember that individual responses to treatment can vary, and patience is key to achieving optimal results.