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Before & After Care

While your Electrologist will do everything they can to take care of your skin while you are in the office undergoing treatment, they are also relying on you to do your part to make the treatment as smooth and successful as possible. There are a few things you can do before and after a treatment to reduce complications and ensure you are getting the most out of each session.

Before Electrolysis

  • You must work as close to your pain threshold as possible for the most effective treatment.

  • If you are getting a dense area treated like the bikini, or beard, shave the area being treated 3-5 days before your treatment (depending on regrowth rate). Ensure regrowth is at least 1/16" to 1/8" in length. 

  • Exfoliate and moisturize the area.

  • Your diet can affect your sensitivity. Avoid stimulants like caffeine, chocolate, or sugar on the day of your appointment. 

  • Female clients may find that they are more sensitive during, or right before their menstrual cycle.

  • Drink plenty of water the day before, the day of and the day after. Thermolysis works by heating up the moisture in your follicle. Hydration will also help your skin heal more quickly. Drinking alcohol the night before an appointment can dehydrate you as well. 

  • Some find a meal just before treatment helps reduce discomfort.

  • There are many topical creams that are available either with or without a prescription. EMLA (by prescription), Greencaine (non-prescription) are the most popular. Apply creams 2 hours before your appointment and cover with plastic wrap. Then, touch up 30 minutes before your appointment. 

  • 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. 

After Electrolysis

  • Following your treatment, do not touch or scratch the area treated. This can cause bacteria to transfer to the treated area, which will cause a breakout (whitehead)

  • Using a cold compress the first 24 hours will help with swelling, and inflammation. Ice for 10 minutes up to 3 times a day. 

  • Schedule your next appointment (to ensure you get your preferred time slot)

  • Avoid any friction.

  • Apply a soothing or antiseptic product (Bacitracin/Polysporin) over the areas that are sensitive or subjected to infection during the first 48 hours after the treatment. 

  • Avoid very hot baths and saunas. Take a warm bath, if necessary. 

  • Face: Do not wear make-up over the treated area for 24 hours. Even washing with soap can cause irritation and possible infection. Be gentle.

  • Avoid the sun for the next 48 hours to prevent the rare 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. Apply an overall sunscreen (min. SPF 30) during the first 48 following treatment. 

  • It is not recommended to swim in a chlorinated pool for the first 48 hours following treatment. 

  • If small scabs/whiteheads appear, do not scratch/pick them. This can cause scarring. Allow them to naturally heal. This is nature's way of healing the follicle that we have treated (the scabs are lymph fluid that has drained out of the follicle and dried up). Keeping the area moisturized will often curtail the formation of scabs. 

  • If you are prevented from coming in as soon as you would like for your next treatment, DO NOT TWEEZE! The offending hair(s) can be clipped off with small scissors or shaved. 

  • Remember: Some hair re-growth is to be expected but will not show until four to eight weeks from first appointment. Hairs that you see in a week are new hairs NOT regrowth. Weekly appointments are recommended at first if you have been tweezing/waxing/threading regularly. It will get easier as we go!

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