Electrolysis involves inserting a fine probe into each hair follicle and sending an electric current through it, to destroy them. Each time this probe touches your scalp it can cause pain – and can even be painful at first!
Before beginning treatment, it may be beneficial to take an over-the-counter pain reliever and/or apply cooling gel directly onto the skin prior to any procedures to help reduce pain.
Do Not Wax or Tweeze
If you’re fed up with temporary solutions such as waxing, shaving and tweezing that only seem to temporarily address unwanted hair growth issues like waxing, shaving and tweezing that keep reappearing later, electrolysis and laser hair removal might be the perfect permanent solutions. Both offer long-term solutions; each comes with different advantages and drawbacks.
Aestheticians recommend against employing short-term hair removal techniques prior to receiving electrolysis treatment, since needle needs to reach each hair follicle and remove it. Tweezing or waxing may alter the shape of a follicle, making it harder for needle to get inside it; additionally, waxing/tweezing could make it more sensitive to heat during electrolysis sessions, leading to discomfort for you during your sessions.
Electrolysis is a lengthy and often painful procedure involving inserting needles invasively into each individual hair follicle and heating it to destroy them permanently. Many clients describe the sensation as being harsh and stinging, although results can differ between people. Laser treatments tend to be much quicker and less painful – clients often compare it to rubber band lightly snapping against their skin with each laser pulse.
Electrolysis typically requires multiple sessions to achieve permanent hair removal results, so you will likely need to visit your dermatologist or esthetician every week or bi-week for approximately 18 months before seeing desired results. Laser treatments tend to produce quicker results with only monthly or annual maintenance appointments needed in some cases to stop unwanted hair from growing back.
Electrolysis treatment may be more costly per session than laser, however many cosmetic offices provide financing and can help you budget accordingly. Speak to your aesthetic consultant for more details and how these options compare.
Do Not Apply Sunscreen
Avoiding tanning prior to laser hair removal is both crucial and possible, especially if seeking laser treatment in a spa or salon where non-medical personnel such as estheticians will conduct the procedure. Tanning can interfere with results and even cause discoloration within treated areas if done too soon after laser hair removal begins.
Problematic sun exposure results in unprotected skin producing pigment in its epidermis layer, much higher up than where your hair follicle lies. Melanin absorbs light before it reaches your hair follicle, rendering laser treatment ineffective against hyper-pigmentation caused by UVB rays from sunlight; hence the importance of wearing broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 protection every day to stay safe.
Electrolysis offers permanent hair removal that’s safe for any area of the body and requires more sessions than laser technology; it involves inserting a small needle into each individual follicle before administering an electrical current to eliminate its roots. Although electrolysis may be slightly more uncomfortable than laser, it works equally as effectively and works on all skin types for maximum effectiveness.
Prior to beginning electrolysis treatment, it’s crucial that waxing or using depilatories are avoided as this can damage hair follicles and stop new hair growth. Also essential is using high quality sunscreen on the treatment area every day for protection; we suggest Ere Perez Moringa All-Beauty Creme that contains botanical oils and shea butter to hydrate and soothe skin. Furthermore, for maximum results it’s wise to book appointments bi-weekly or even every week to ensure consistency and achieve the best results possible.
Do Not Apply Make-Up
Before coming in for laser hair removal treatment, it is essential that your skin be free from makeup, lotions, perfumes or deodorant in the area being treated. Wearing makeup may hinder the laser from accurately targeting its beam to your target areas resulting in less effective treatments as well as potential unwanted side effects.
Makeup-free faces also help your laser technician see the area clearly, ensuring you receive optimal treatment. It is imperative that they don’t miss any hair follicles during their procedure; otherwise, further sessions will likely be needed until all desired states have been reached.
Electrolysis and laser hair removal treatments can be costly and time consuming processes, as well as painful experiences for many individuals. Before choosing which is right for you, it’s wise to speak to an expert familiar with both options before making your choice.
Additionally, it’s wise to avoid applying any creams or other ointments in your treatment area as these products may contain ingredients which could impede results even without harmful substances present.
Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, it is advisable to avoid sun exposure and tanning beds as these will prevent the laser from finding your skin tone properly and possibly lead to darker treatment results and possible adverse side effects such as blisters, inflammation and redness.
Before your appointment, it is a good idea to shave the area being treated. This will enable the laser to locate hair follicles more accurately while simultaneously decreasing thermal injury risks during treatment. Use a razor that is free from lotions, creams or other ointments for best results.
Electrolysis and laser hair removal are both FDA-approved methods of permanently eliminating unwanted hair. While they each aim to permanently reduce unwanted follicles, electrolysis targets individual follicles while laser hair reduction targets all density of hair within your skin, slowing or stopping further hair growth over time.
Do Not Go Swimming
People looking for more long-term hair removal solutions beyond shaving, waxing and depilatories may choose electrolysis or laser hair removal as more permanent solutions. Both techniques are effective; electrolysis may be more painful and time consuming than laser.
Laser hair removal is a relatively painless procedure that uses concentrated beams of light to destroy hair follicles and prevent future growth. A technician will guide the laser toward your hairline, eyebrows or other unwanted area where unwanted hair exists; laser energy will pass through pores of skin before targeting melanin pigment and heating it to destroy hair follicles and stop future growth. Treatment is effective on most skin types and areas such as face or bikini area where sensitive areas exist such as these.
Electrolysis, in contrast, involves an intensive and time-consuming process of extracting each individual hair one at a time from your body using electrolysis machines. Clients have described the sensation as sharp stings similar to rubber bands snapping against skin surface; although topical anesthetics may help relieve some discomfort but electrologists prefer not using them due to risk of infection.
Electrolysis can be more costly and time-consuming than laser hair removal; up to 18 months may be needed for permanent results from electrolysis treatments, with skin irritation and inflammation being side effects of treatments.
After receiving laser hair removal, it is strongly advised to avoid swimming for at least 24 hours following treatment as chlorine and other chemicals can irritate treated skin, including lakes, rivers, and ocean waters. You should also limit sun exposure for several weeks post-treatment as increased sun sensitivity could result in painful sunburns or damage. When entering water it is wise to bring sunscreen along so you can enjoy your beach day worry-free knowing your skin will be protected.
