Slight scabbing is normal after electrolysis treatment and should not be picked at as this could cause infection or scarring.
Cooling the area before and after treatment helps to decrease swelling, redness and itching. Applying a cold compress encourages blood vessels to constrict and decreases inflammation.
1. Apply Aloe Vera
Maintaining proper hydration of the skin is essential in avoiding it from becoming tight, and we suggest applying fragrance-free aloe vera gel directly after and throughout electrolysis treatments, to moisturize without clogging newly treated hair follicles and reduce any swelling or redness on the treatment area.
Hydrating properties of the gel provide antiseptic and vasoconstrictive benefits that promote faster healing for clients with pigmented or hyper-pigmented skin, and contain antibacterial agents to kill germs that might re-infect newly treated follicles.
Electrolysis treatment may lead to what appears to be scabs on areas treated, which is actually lymph fluid draining out of hair follicles and drying on the surface – this is part of the normal healing process and should not be picked at as this could result in scarring. Applying gel regularly is often effective at keeping treated areas moist.
Pitting (a lumpy or bumpy appearance of the skin) may occur in areas of treatment on either face or body. This is caused by electrical current activating dead space inside follicles and producing wound collagen to fill this space, pulling the skin downward. When combined with swelling of skin it causes pitted appearance. Over time it should improve; during which time wound collagen “matures” into smooth tissue over time. It may take up to one year of using gel in order for this process to take place successfully – although you may need to continue using gel for at least that long.
After electrolysis treatment, tiny bruises may occasionally appear as a result of damaging to blood vessels feeding follicles by an electric probe. They will usually subside within days. To speed this process up further, applying Arnica ointment could prove helpful.
Prior to receiving electrolysis treatments, it is highly advised to stop plucking, waxing or any other methods of hair removal for three to five days prior to scheduling an appointment with an electrologist. This will allow enough time for new growth so they can be visible for capture by their tweezers.
2. Cool Your Face
Electrolysis treatment should allow the skin to heal by closing off follicles. Following electrolysis, symptoms may include itching, tenderness and redness which should subside within a few hours and is considered normal by your body. Swelling may occur post procedure but typically lasts only a few minutes before subsiding again.
Cooling the skin with an ice pack can help relieve its discomfort, redness and swelling as well as speed up its recovery time. Furthermore, this treatment also works to minimize any scabbing that may have resulted from electrolysis treatment.
When faced with scabbing issues, it is vital not to pick at or scratch at scabs as doing so could cause them to rupture & become infected. Scabs serve as nature’s band-aid – they form when blood cells called platelets & fibrin stick together to form a seal over wounds containing blood, liquids and bacteria while healing occurs on its own.
If the itchiness of a scab bothers you, try applying an emollient cream from your doctor or pharmacist to soothe it and apply a cold compress on your face for 10 minutes at a time – this should reduce its itchiness as well as make removing them easier!
Electrolysis is an effective and long-term hair removal solution with few side effects compared to waxing or shaving, yet improper electrologist selection could cause more severe side effects than expected. If possible, get recommendations from people who have had electrolysis done on them or from your family doctor before selecting your electrologist.
If you find that you are experiencing itching, redness, or an eczema-like reaction after receiving treatments, it is advisable to discuss this with your electrologist as they can provide advice and treatments to reduce these symptoms. It is also crucial that you follow aftercare advice in order to protect the follicles from infection & enable healing properly.
3. Stay Hydrated
Hydrated skin conducts electricity more easily, which makes it essential for electrolysis treatments such as radiofrequency (RF) and galvanic current (Galvanic). Without moisture in the skin, treatments like this may result in scabbing as well as dry, flaky and itchy patches on your body. To stay properly hydrated throughout these procedures it’s essential that we drink enough water each day, which also has many health benefits for ourselves and our skin! Keeping up this habit will benefit both parties involved!
Moisturize and exfoliate gently prior to an electrolysis appointment in order to minimize scarring from scab formation, and allow the electrologist to more easily work on the area when treating. Should scabs form it is important not to pick at them as this could result in scarring. Scabs are natural components of healing processes and will eventually shed off on their own.
Whenever scabbing occurs, it’s wise to apply either hydrocortisone cream (found at most pharmacies) or an over-the-counter steroid ointment in small amounts to reduce redness and itching and relieve your scab within 48 hours.
Drinking plenty of water prior to any treatment can help hydrate the skin, while also aiding the electrologist with visualizing and grasping roots with their tweezers. Caffeine should also be avoided and sun exposure avoided on this day of appointment to minimize irritation. When bleaching hair between appointments be sure to allow enough time for roots to regrowth so the electrologist can see them easily with his/her tweezer.
If you shave or wax in between appointments, the resulting scabs from these treatments could interfere with the efficacy of electrolysis. We advise waiting until hair length allows our tweezers to remove it effectively – also helping reduce frequency of future sessions and shorten growth cycle. When sweating heavily after electrolysis sessions is excessive sweating can allow bacteria into open follicles leading to infection of electrolysis sessions.
4. Stay Clean
Electrolysis is an easy, safe, and permanent way to get rid of unwanted hair. It can be used on many parts of the body for both men and women alike. There may be side effects from electrolysis treatment; such as redness, swelling, welts, tiny blisters, scabs and dryness of skin which should be addressed immediately; generally these only last a few days and can be managed effectively if the appropriate precautions are taken beforehand.
Melfol Calm Balm is an ideal daily cleanser to avoid these side effects and to reduce any future scabbing that may arise following treatments. However, it is crucial that any form of hair removal such as shaving is avoided for at least 24-48 hours post treatment in order to protect the treated area and avoid micro cuts and scrapes to the skin that allow bacteria into open follicles causing infection; so this advice must be adhered to strictly.
Keep in mind that light scabbing is a completely normal part of the healing process, with these scabs consisting of lymph fluid that has drained out from treated hair follicles and dried at the surface of skin. Do not pick at or pick off these scabs as picking may result in permanent scarring – instead moisturize your area regularly to help avoid their formation in future treatments and ensure any scabs do not form.
After your treatment, avoid tanning for 48 hours and use high-SPF sunscreen when heading outdoors. Excessive sweating can introduce bacteria into open follicles and cause minor infections; to reduce this risk it is also wise to forgo exercising on both days of an appointment and for 48 hours afterwards.
Selecting an experienced electrologist who utilizes sterilized equipment can also help avoid unwanted side effects after electrolysis. You should make sure they are certified by New York state. Selecting an ideal electrologist will ensure your skin heals appropriately and you are satisfied with the results.
