Electrolysis Pre and Aftercare

Abigail Best Specialises in Permanent Electrolysis hair removal for all clients including Transgender, Pre GRS and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Electrolysis Pre-treatment Advice.

If you think you may find electrolysis more uncomfortable than normal you can take painkillers as long as they are not blood thinning.

If you tend to get a strong reaction after electrolysis you can take antihistamines starting on the day of your treatment and up to 24 hours after and or anti-inflammatory painkillers.

Numbing creams can also be applied to the treatment area prior to your treatment. Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding these products or they will not be effective.

Please note I am unable to apply or administer any of the above. I can only advise that these can be used if you are medically safe to do so.

Please consult your GP if you are unsure.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when taking any medication.

Remember once you start having electrolysis you must not pluck or wax any hairs out. This will prevent electrolysis from being successful.

If you want to treat hairs between electrolysis you can cut or shave your hairs only but remember that on the day of treatment, the hairs need to be at least 3 mm long so they can be gripped comfortably with a pair of tweezers.

After electrolysis.

Your skin may pink up and could be a little bumpy and or puffy. It may feel tender and warm. This will last from approx an hour to 24 hours.

Some clients may also experience small scabs about 1mm in size which can develop approx 24 hours after treatment. These can take between 2 days and 2 weeks to heal. Sometimes you cannot see the scabs, but the skin may feel rough.

It is important to follow the aftercare advice given to minimise the risk of infection and to allow the skin to heal and rehydrate effectively between treatments.

You need to avoid the following for the next 24 to 48 hours.

DO NOT

Have heat treatments such as sunbeds, saunas and sunbathing etc. This is to minimise the risk of skin pigmentation.

Have hot baths and showers.

Swim as your skin will be sensitised to the chemicals.

Do any heavy exercise that makes you sweat. This could overstimulate the area and slow down skin healing.

Apply make-up to the area that has just been treated unless it is mineral make-up.

Use perfume, soap or perfumed products on the area that has just been treated. This can cause irritation.

Use bleaching products on the treatment area.

Wear tight clothing in the area that has just been treated – on the body.

Touch the area that has been treated.

If you do have any scabbing do not pick, scratch, or rub the area with a towel or an exfoliant as this could increase the risk of infection.

Do

Wash your hands whenever you need to apply treatment creams to the treated area.

Apply aftercare at least morning and night for up to 24 hours after treatment. This helps to minimise the risk of infection after treatment.

These products promote good skin healing and rehydrate and nourish the skin. Electrolysis strips the skin of moisture leaving the follicles tight and increasing the risk of skin breakdown, so these products help to repair the skin between treatments allowing further treatment to take place.

Continue to use good skin care between treatments to maintain healthy skin so your treatment doesn’t have to be delayed due to longer healing times. you will need to use a rich nourishing moisturiser between treatments to maintain healthy hydrated skin. without it, we may need to stop treatment temporarily to allow the skin to heal effectively.

Gently cleanse the treated area and pat the skin dry with a clean towel or tissue when washing your face. Use an appropriate cleansing product for your skin type.

Use an exfoliant regularly to lift off excess dead skin that can block the follicles making insertions more difficult. Exfoliation also minimises the risk of ingrowing hairs and allows treatment products to absorb into the skin more effectively. Only do this if your skin is scab-free. Do not exfoliate for the first 24 hours after treatment. The best time to exfoliate if the day before your next treatment.

Use a sun block (factor 30 minimum), daily after treatment. This helps to minimise the risk of pigmentation on the treated area.

Follow your electrolysist's recommendations for skin treatment and aftercare.

Tell your electrolysist about any unusual reactions so your treatment can be adapted accordingly.

If you do have swelling after your treatment, you can apply a cold pack onto the area for a few minutes. Be careful not to apply Ice or cold packs directly onto the skin surface as this could cause and ice burn to occur. You can use ice put in a plastic bag covered in a towel or even a bag of frozen vegetables.

After 24 hours and as long as your skin is healing well you can resume your normal skin care routine as advised by your electrolysist.

If your skin is still feeling tender carry on with the aftercare advice for a little longer until you are happy it is healing well.

If you do happen to develop a rash or infection apply antiseptic creams. Avoid using steroid or cortisone creams on the treatment area.

If you have any concerns, you can contact your electrolysist for further advice.