Possible Electrolysis Contraindications – Pacemaker
Recently someone asked me for an appointment for her 80-something mother. I was informed to be very careful with her mother of her pacemaker. I declined to see the mother unless she cleared it with her doctor first. The anxiety was more of a concern for me if I were to treat this 89-year-old woman with a pacemaker. Many people are a little nervous before their first electrolysis treatments because they expect it will hurt more than it does. In fact, when her daughter came for her appointment she said her mother was doing the mental exercises to prepare herself for the pulse of the electrolysis machine. 🙂
In the product manual for a pacemaker, diathermy (electrically induced heat) is listed as a potentially harmful procedure for anyone wearing a pacemaker. The diathermy treatments they refer to in the manual are delivered using much higher currents on a much larger area than the usual electrolysis treatment. Electrolysis is very target specific so interference with the pacemaker seems pretty unlikely. Wearing a pacemaker is not a significant barrier to receiving electrolysis treatment. Just clear it with your doctor first.
If you wear a pacemaker and are considering electrolysis hair removal, please provide a doctor’s note prior to attending your first appointment.
Electrolysis Contraindications – Pregnancy
I personally have no qualms about treating pregnant women. The effects of pregnancy are highly individual and some women may be more sensitive to pain but there is absolutely no reason to discontinue treatment while pregnant or nursing.
Electrolysis Contraindications – Moles (also referred to as Nevi)
Moles often grow hair and it can be fairly long and strong too! There is no problem treating the hair in moles. I advise clients to have their moles checked by a dermatologist either before or after to be sure that there is no malignancy in the mole. Other than that, treating a mole is just like treating any other patch of skin.
Other Electrolysis Contraindications
AIDS and/or Hepatitis:This risk of passing along either of these diseases through electrolysis treatment is virtually nil (and none has been recorded). Clients should disclose their status to the electrologist so they can take necessary precautions to avoid accidental needle jabs. A properly educated professional will not deny you services because of your health status.
Acne, warts, eczema or other skin lesions: Electrolysis on inflamed skin most likely hurts more and the outcome may not be predictable. Electrolysis can be performed near a pimple, but not directly in a pimple. It’s best to wait until your skin has cleared up if you’re suffering from any skin irritation. If you are taking Accutane you should discuss with your dermatologist how you can time your electrolysis treatment.
Update 2024: Electrolysis is a very safe, minimally invasive procedure with few, if any, outright contraindications. After a decade doing this procedure there isn’t any condition that excludes one from electrolysis outright. If you’re taking Accutane or something similar it’s just a matter of timing your treatments right and your prescribing doctor can help you with that.
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