While we do everything we can to take care of your skin while you are in the office undergoing treatment, we 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.
  • Get as comfortable as possible during the treatment.
  • Find the time of day that works best for you. Early or late, awake or tired—everyone is different.
  • Eliminate as much stress as possible 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. Calming herbs can help in the form of tea or tincture of valerian root, chamomile, hops, lavender, and passion flower.
  • Female clients may find that they are more sensitive during, or right before their menstrual cycle. The herbs listed above can help along with taking Maca root the last two weeks of your cycle if irritability is an issue for you.
  • 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) and 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 (whiteheads).
  • Do not wear make-up over the treated area for 24 hours. Even washing with soap can cause irritation and possible infection. If you must wear makeup, apply Vaseline over treated area first and use mineral powder and a clean disposable puff to apply.
  • You can wipe the area with witch hazel, if needed.
  • You can apply Vaseline to the treated area the night after your treatment and up to 48 hours after. This will help your skin heal even faster by keeping out bacteria, especially facial areas. Apply with clean hands preferably from squeeze bottle not tub which can become contaminated.
  • Avoid the sun for the next 72 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.
  • It is not recommended to swim in a chlorinated pool for the first 48 hours following treatment.
  • If small scabs appear, do not scratch them away. This can cause scarring. Allow them to fall off naturally. 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 discomfort should occur in closely treated areas, apply an Epsom salt compress (Add 1 tsp. Epsom salt to 1/2 cup warm water, mix and soak up with a washcloth. Lay the washcloth over the treated area for 10 minutes. Repeat this process until discomfort subsides).
  • 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 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 regularly. Throw your tweezers in a lake sharps container and take up cross stitch. It WILL get easier as we go—we promise!
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