People often ask how long electrolysis treatments will hurt after treatment; unfortunately, each individual will respond differently.
Electrolysis occurs when an electric current passes through hair follicles, producing a chemical change known as redox reaction. Ions lose electrons at the cathode to form neutral atoms while anions gain electrons at the anode, producing chlorine molecules.
How Long Does It Take to Heal?
Electrolysis is an extremely safe and permanent hair removal method, using needle insertion into hair follicle openings, followed by applying electric current. The electric current then destroys its growth center to destroy unwanted hairs. While electrolysis may cause some discomfort, individual levels vary according to size of treated area – and modern equipment means most clients find the process relatively pain-free.
Before your unwanted hair can be permanently eliminated with electrolysis treatments, a series of sessions must be administered. The number of treatments will depend on various factors including genetics and hormone levels.
Your skin may appear red and irritated immediately following your appointment; this is normal, and should clear up within an hour or so after treatment. A cooling gel may help soothe any inflammation caused by sunlight exposure; additionally, sun exposure can open follicles to allow bacteria to enter, leading to outbreaks of folliculitis (small clustered pimples in the treatment area).
After your appointment, one side effect you may notice is a small scab forming at the follicle opening. This is part of the healing process and should remain on its own; honey-colored or darker versions exist and serve to protect healing follicles. Picking at these scabs can lead to infection; instead try using a mild cleanser with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to speed recovery.
Bruising can be an uncommon but possible side effect of electrolysis treatments, and may occur either from pressure from the electrologist’s hand on your skin or due to leaky blood vessels caused by electrolysis treatments. Witch hazel may help soothe any post-treatment bruising that occurs.
Pitting may occur following treatment; this is the result of dead spaces being filled in with scar tissue that makes the skin appear lumpy or bumpy; this scar tissue typically matures within one year into smooth tissues.
Redness
Redness is a normal side effect of electrolysis that usually lasts one or two days depending on your skin sensitivity, caused by heat generated from passing current through your skin into hair follicles. However, this should not prevent successful treatments sessions from taking place.
People with darker skin may develop temporary dark spots after attending a session that will fade over time. Common areas where this occurs include the groin area, neck and cheeks; however, it could happen anywhere on their bodies.
Redness and swelling that arise are usually temporary, and can be reduced with regular cold compress usage for 10-15 minutes each time it occurs throughout the day. Anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen may also help alleviate discomfort and swelling.
Rarely, some clients may experience a slight reaction to an electrode that causes a mild “burn like” sensation. This occurs more commonly among dry skinned clients and can be reduced or eliminated altogether by regularly applying moisturiser to the area between treatments – something especially essential when receiving facial treatments.
Some clients with dense hairs may develop a small scab around their follicle opening as a natural and harmless side effect of treatment. This scab serves as nature’s band-aid and will protect sensitive healing skin.
At first, you may experience itching around the area treated. This is caused by irritation caused by heat passing through hair follicles. Once healed, this should cease.
Maintaining a clean, dry area will help minimize swelling, inflammation and infection. A gentle soothing cream can assist the skin’s rapid recovery – we provide one portion in the clinic after your treatment to apply afterward – but we strongly encourage continuing use between appointments in order to keep skin hydrated and avoid sun exposure by wearing at least SPF 30 during this timeframe.
Swelling
Swelling occurs around the site where electrolysis is being performed, which is normal and indicative of blood vessels expanding to increase circulation in the treatment area. Over time, swelling will subside; using Arnica ointment may hasten this process.
Electrolysis sessions usually result in some swelling and mild discomfort for clients, though most won’t find it unbearable. Some areas feel more painful than others – typically upper lip and groin areas due to thin skin in those regions; cheeks and chin skin may be particularly sensitive due to being thin; chest and stomach areas also tend to be sensitive as may experience slight burning sensation from electric current.
Electrolysis treatments often cause discomfort that lasts between one to two days depending on how sensitive an area is. Elise advises her clients to use thick, soothing cream after their service and continue moisturizing regularly for one week afterward. She also suggests applying an ice pack as needed throughout the day in order to decrease inflammation and swelling.
Electrolysis treatments may lead to hyperpigmentation on those with darker skin tones, albeit temporary spots which will fade over time without being permanent. If you notice any darker spots following an electrolysis session, be sure to inform your electrologist as soon as possible so they can help address them as soon as possible.
Electrolysis may cause herpes outbreaks for those living with the herpes virus; this indicates its efficacy as a treatment option. An antiviral medication could prevent further outbreaks.
Electrolysis should be seen as a commitment, so those considering the procedure should realize they will require multiple sessions in order to see results. Although it might initially seem daunting due to being a permanent hair removal method, electrolysis is well worth waiting for when you realize you can have hair-free body parts permanently! To experience maximum effectiveness from electrolysis appointments it is essential that they remain regular – staying consistent will produce optimal results!
Discomfort
Electrolysis can cause some discomfort; its severity will depend on each person and area being treated; typically women find the upper lip is more sensitive than brows or cheeks when receiving electrolysis treatments.
Electrolysis causes discomfort because an electrical current is applied directly to each hair follicle, producing an electric current-induced sharp, short sensation similar to being pinched by hot needles or pins – something many describe as similar to being pinched by hot irons – that signals to clients that the follicles are being destroyed, marking one step closer towards having hair-free skin.
Elise recommends clients apply a thick and gentle moisturizer a few times each day and continue moisturizing their area until a week post treatment – for added effectiveness, use an ice pack during your first night to help with swelling reduction on facial areas such as the eyes.
Before and immediately after treatment sessions, it is vitally important to stay out of direct sunlight to prevent abnormal pigmentation of skin in areas recently treated by laser hair removal. In addition, the heat from sunlight can inflame newly opened follicles – leading to inflammation and itchiness. A cooling gel should also be applied after each treatment to soothe any discomfort and keep areas moisturized.
Extreme reactions to electrode treatments are rare, although in rare instances people with dry skin may experience itching or an eczema-like response to them. To minimise this possibility, daily application of moisturizer, caffeine and sugar avoidance on appointment day and not taking any serious retinoids (eg Accutane) can all help keep skin looking its best during treatment.
