How to Prepare For Electrolysis
I previously published a post on how to prepare for electrolysis. The two main things to do to prep for electrolysis are:
1) Stop other hair removal methods, especially waxing, threading or tweezing. Trim the hair with scissors instead. Clients who never shave, tweeze, wax, or thread see the most rapid results. Don’t worry though, even if you must shave between appointments you will still see rapid improvement in the reduction of hair.
2) Exfoliation is important to prepare your skin for electrolysis. I work faster when I don’t have to pick out ingrown hairs and dead skin.
3) You may take a pain reliever beforehand or apply a numbing cream like EMLA or Zensa although most people do neither. Take your pain reliever or apply the numbing cream several hours before your treatment. Do not use compounded numbing creams. You can listen to a book, music or podcast, or try one of these soundtracks for longer appointments. Bring tape or a headband to keep the ear pods in your ears.
4) To prepare for electrolysis please stretch and massage your neck or, if we’re doing underarms, your shoulder, or for bikini work, your hips. In fact, you can save yourself money and time by purchasing the whole set of Mackenzie method books. You can also check out Bob and Brad.
I have clients less than half my age who can’t move their necks left to right without pain, I think it’s known as text neck. Your treatment will be more comfortable if you are comfortable.
DO NOT OVERTHINK THIS, IT’S JUST ELECTROLYSIS. SHOW UP ON TIME AND WEAR SOCKS AND I WILL LOOK AFTER THE REST.
Prepare For Electrolysis Aftercare
Electrolysis creates a wound, therefore, you must take some care after your electrolysis treatment. Following are guidelines for looking after your skin post-electrolysis. Electrolysis aftercare is based on your hair type and density of growth. Some clients don’t need to do any electrolysis aftercare at all. Please remember you are the best judge of what your skin needs so please refer to general wound care practices for your own benefit as well. Your post treatment care kit should include: ice pack, Epsom salt, Polysporin and massage. My clients swear by Tower 28 SOS Daily Facial Rescue. If you can’t use an Epsom salt compress immediately spray this a few times an hour until you can. There is also a cheaper generic version available on Amazon – E11ements is a hometown favourite and the one I recommend for both value and effectiveness!
One of my clients found this hypochlorous acid spray at Shoppers Drug Mart:
If I advise you to do an Epsom salt compress several times a day as part of your electrolysis aftercare it’s because your particular hair and skin type, as well as the length of your appointment, demands you give your skin some TLC until it heals. Do not underestimate the healing power of Epsom salt. To make an epsom salt compress, follow these instructions. Use an Epsom salt compress for a minimum of 1hr after your treatment, and for the few days following your treatment
Electrolysis Post-Treatment Care
To ensure proper healing of the skin it is very important you follow the guidelines below.
• Have an ice pack and chilled Epsom salt solution ready to use after your treatment. You can alternate between an ice pack and the epsom salt compress until the swelling and redness subsides. You can also use Polysporin (also known as NeoSporin) a few times a day.
•Protect your skin from the sun, especially if you are prone to hyperpigmentation.
• Sweat can irritate treated skin and cause tiny little white pimples for a day or two. Use an epsom salt compress to clear this up.
• Do not touch, pick, or scratch treated skin although massage is very helpful if some follicles have residual swelling after a few days. A gentle pressure is all that’s needed around any tender areas.
• Avoid tight fitting clothing over treated areas (bikini line will be irritated by high-cut underwear, stomach can be irritated by belt buckles or the waistlines of pants).
After electrolysis the body (and some skin types) often develops red dots or scabbing at the follicle opening. This does not indicate any permanent damage to the skin. The skin will heal within a few weeks. Do not interfere with the natural healing process by picking scabs.
Black and brown skin is prone to hyperpigmentation, which means that temporary discolouration may appear at the follicle opening. The colour can range from pink to dark brown depending on your skin tone. This side effect is temporary and will clear up within 3 months to one year. Often the skin is discoloured because of the hair growth. Once we get rid of the hair your skin will improve.
Once you begin electrolysis treatments it is very important that you stop all other forms of temporary hair removal, except trimming and, when necessary, shaving. If you continue to wax, tweeze or thread then you are wasting your money and undoing the benefit of electrolysis treatments.
Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation After Electrolysis Hair Removal