Electrolysis is a safe and medically APPROVED treatment method by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for PERMANENT hair removal on people of all skin tones, types, and hair types.

 

Electrolysis works by inserting a fine probe or filament into the natural opening of a hair follicle. A small amount of current is applied to create a chemical or heat energy reaction to destroy the hair root. Electrolysis is a much slower process as the hair follicles are treated individually and treatments are scheduled weekly or bi-weekly.   The total number of sessions will vary from person to person. Factors which may play a role in the number of electrolysis treatments required include the thickness of the hair, underlying hormonal imbalances (including Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - P.C.O.S.), and the previous forms of treatment that have been applied to the area (e.g. plucking, waxing, threading, etc.).

 

 

Timing is Everything
Many factors influence hair growth. In order for the hair to be permanently removed, it must be treated while the hair is still attached to the dermal papilla. This occurs in the anagen stage of the hair growth cycle.

Most clients return once a week or every other week as needed. But the unwanted hair will be gone forever once the series of treatments is complete. The length of the treatment is from 15 to 60 minutes depending on the size of the area.

Other Things to Consider
It is important to have an initial consultation with a trained hair removal technician to assess your individual case history. Every client will be on a different treatment program and the technician must take the following points into consideration, as they will affect the treatment process.

• The area to be treated
• Previous history of hair removal
• Medication (Previous & Current)
• Underlying medical conditions
• The age of the person to be treated
• Gender difference/Transgender/Cisgender
• The skin’s texture and moisture level (dry vs. moist)
• The vulnerability of the skin (hyposensitivity vs. hypersensitivity)
• The texture and nature of the hair (coarse vs. fine / straight vs. curly)

Understanding the factors affecting hair growth will enable the client to have reasonable expectations, and assist the client in making the commitment necessary to achieve their desired results.

What are some of the side effects of electrolysis?
It is normal to see some redness and welting (bumps) in the treated area. This typically disappears within a couple of hours after treatment. In a few individuals who have sensitive skin, a slight skin irritation in the form of red spots will appear in the treated area. A minor bruise, localized swelling, tenderness, and some hyperpigmentation may occur, but these side effects are very uncommon and are only temporary.

 

Does Electrolysis hurt? 

Electrolysis can be uncomfortable and somewhat painful. Some clients opt to purchase a topical numbing cream from the pharmacy to assist with pain relief. You can expect a slight reddening of the skin occurs during or immediately after treatment but this will only last for a short time

 

Prep Your Skin Before you come to your appointment

• HYDRATE 24 hours before your appointment! When your Skin and Hair is well hydrated, you get better results and the treatment goes smoother. Drink lots of water!
• DO NOT SHAVE more than 3 days before treatment or hair will be too short to treat. In order for the needle to follow the hair follicle and more easily remove the hair, there needs to be at least 1/8th of an inch of hair above the surface of the skin. 
• Avoid plucking or waxing for 2-3 weeks before
• Avoid sun exposure 48 hours prior to your treatment to avoid dilation of the blood vessel and use sunscreen. 
• 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.
• If you are having electrolysis on your face, do not wear any makeup.  Please remove makeup from the face before your appointment.
• If you are having electrolysis done on your underarms, do not wear any deodorant 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.
• Many clients find that taking their favorite pain reliever 30 min prior to their appointment makes their treatment more comfortable
• AVOID RETINOIDS. Do not use Retin A, or any topical retinoid for at least 1 week prior to your electrolysis treatment. Accutane should be discontinued for at least 6 months prior to electrolysis. Having electrolysis services done while on retinoids could result in permanent pigment changes and scarring.

While receiving electrolysis treatments, it is very important to be practicing a good skin care routine. Your skin needs to be healthy and well hydrated to get the best results. Using skin care products that will not irritate the skin will help reduce sensitivity and minimize reactions. 

If you have any health conditions that impact your skin, heart, blood, or hair growth you should always consult your physician first.

The following post-treatment care suggestions should be followed for the first 24 hours after treatment.

 

• No sun exposure for 24 hours or your skin can hyper-pigment 
• No cream on treated areas for at least 24 hours
• No touching the treated area with fingers as this can cause infection
• No picking scabs. If scabs occur, this is a normal process of the skin healing and you can cause scarring to yourself by picking scabs as the skin is healing.
• DO NOT tweeze or wax between appointments as you will UNDO the treatment. However, you can cut hair or shave as an alternative.
• DO NOT use deodorant for 24 hours after if underarms have been treated.
• DO NOT wash the treated areas with warm water or soap for 24 hours after treatment.
• In general, avoid any kind of activity that would subject the treated skin to irritating conditions while it is in the healing stage.
• Keep the area clean with soap and water, witch hazel, hydrogen-peroxide, or other antiseptics.
• Apply ice to the targeted area to reduce any swelling if necessary.
• Be advised by your electrologist, apply an antibiotic cream to help minimize infection risk in the treated area.
• Picking off the scabs also makes the skin take much longer to return to a normal appearance because it interferes with the healing process
• Do not use any abrasive scrubbing action on the treated areas.
•  Do not visit a tanning salon or get a sunburn on the treated area for at least a week after the hair removal.
• If you must wear makeup a light layer of Vaseline is recommended to seal the pores, prevent loss of moisture and to prevent infection from bacteria. You can also purchase medicated makeup.
• If any reaction occurs which appears related to your electrologist treatment, contact your electrologist for further care instructions.