After an electrolysis treatment, it is typical for the skin to become red and slightly swollen; this should fade within several hours but could last up to two days.
Maintain a clean environment by applying antibiotic ointment or calamine lotion as directed, avoiding excessive sweating which could allow bacteria into open follicles and lead to infection.
1. Avoid Soap
Skin is the largest organ of our bodies and its most sensitive organ. When wounded, it may react by developing redness, swelling, welts or blisters as temporary side effects; they should be addressed immediately in order to avoid permanent damage to the skin.
For optimal skin health between electrolysis treatments, it’s best to take special care with the area around your needles. Avoid soap, perfumes and alcohol-based products and do not rub your skin, instead opting for gentle liquid cleanser such as Dove or Cetaphil. In addition, warm not hot towels should be used when washing with warm water while blotting or patting down areas where skin has been touched by electrolysis treatments.
Maintaining moisture on the skin after electrolysis treatments is also crucial, and special preparations have been designed for this purpose, including ones containing aloe vera or other essential oils to reduce redness and bruising, moisturize and provide antibacterial properties.
Some patients will experience a slight bruise from electrolysis needle entering hair follicles and damaging small blood vessels, and witch hazel is an ideal treatment to aid healing faster. With its antiseptic qualities and its astringent action on skin cells, witch hazel provides excellent bruising treatment post-electrolysis.
As hair follicles heal, scabs may form at their opening. This is actually beneficial, providing natural protection from bacteria that might enter and cause infection in an open follicle. Scabs may appear honey colored or darker depending on where your follicle has healed; eventually it will fade as your follicle heals completely.
Ideally, excessive scabbing should not occur after your treatment; picking at it can lead to infection and should not be done as this could increase if not addressed in some other manner by your electrologist or it could indicate too dense hairs that require removal through alternative means or maybe you require another form of electrolysis such as blend.
2. Avoid Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating introduces bacteria into your skin, potentially leading to infections. For this reason, it is best to refrain from excessive sweating for 48 hours following electrolysis treatments.
As another step in treating skin conditions, you should avoid touching or rubbing the area being treated. Doing this may increase the chance of infection. When cleaning it off use antiseptic solutions such as alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or witch hazel to keep skin infections at bay. Also try not to use soaps with harsh ingredients that irritate skin too much.
After electrolysis treatment, it is also crucial that you avoid prolonged sun exposure for at least 48 hours post-treatment in order to protect your skin from becoming irritated by exposure to UV rays. Wear sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 rating whenever going outdoors.
Staying on schedule with electrolysis appointments will enable you to quickly eliminate unwanted hairs as soon as they appear, while regularly scheduled maintenance visits help eliminate them permanently. Missed appointments could force you to wait until new hairs start growing back before receiving treatment again.
On the first day after your appointment, it is common for the treated area to appear red and slightly swollen as this indicates open follicles susceptible to bacteria growth. To minimize any infections that might develop as a result, avoid scratching or irritating it as this could result in infections spreading further – consider using antibiotic ointment or calamine lotion if it becomes irritated for added relief.
Before, during and after your electrolysis appointment it is also crucial that you drink enough water as this allows your follicles to be fully hydrated in order for treatment to work effectively. If dehydration sets in then treatment will become far more challenging – you might even benefit from taking an over-the-counter painkiller or anti-inflammatory tablet in case any discomfort arises during or following your session.
3. Avoid Sun Exposure
Electrolysis works by inserting a fine probe into each hair follicle and sending an electrical current through it, producing a sensation often described as prickling or stinging. We strive to make the experience as painless as possible for clients; many clients may experience some temporary redness or tenderness following their session which usually subsides on its own; if discomfort remains after that period of time then dabbing a small dab of our Ere Perez Moringa All-Beauty Creme filled with soothing botanical oils may offer relief.
Electrolysis hair removal requires that sun protection be prioritized; during this method of permanent hair removal a burst of heat is introduced into each follicle cauterizing it and all associated structures before leaving it open to sun UV rays that could result in brown pigment spots (hyperpigmentation). Once exposed to sunlight these spots can become difficult or impossible to lighten without further treatments.
Electrolysis patients should wear high caliber broad spectrum sunscreen over their treated area for at least 48 hours post treatment to protect themselves from swelling or tenderness, especially if experiencing significant reactions such as redness. This advice applies particularly when experiencing substantial swelling.
Before an electrolysis appointment it is wise to shower and cleanse the area to be treated, in order to rid of bacteria or excess oil that could potentially cause infection. Also it may be wise to take an anti-pain tablet as directed an hour beforehand as well as applying a lidocaine cream either purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by your physician for added numbing effects.
Prior to their appointment, patients should forgoing tanning, saunas and excessive sun exposure for one week in order to reduce dilation of their blood vessels and create an easier experience during treatment. It would also be prudent for them to stay away from caffeine, sugar and chocolate as these substances could increase skin sensitivity and cause more discomfort during their experience.
Finally, patients should avoid plucking, waxing or tweezing hairs in the treated area as this can lead to infection as well as irritation. If shaving becomes necessary it is advisable that an electric razor equipped with a disposable cartridge be used.
4. Avoid Alcohol
When cleaning the area where electrolysis has been performed, it is recommended to use an alcohol-free, non-abrasive skin cleanser. This will help minimize risk to bacteria growth while speeding healing time and making recovery simpler for yourself.
After your electrolysis session, we recommend refraining from applying deodorants and perfumes near the areas treated for 24 hours post-appointment to reduce irritation and infection caused by these products. Also, for best results use sunblock on affected areas for 72 hours post-treatment to protect their skin from UV rays.
Drinking plenty of water is key to the success of electrolysis hair removal sessions. Staying properly hydrated allows for easy hair removal while also slowing their regrowth rate.
On the day of an electrolysis appointment, it’s best to avoid activities which cause excessive sweating as this could expose open follicles to bacteria that could potentially lead to infection. If sweat does accumulate however, make sure you wipe down the area with antiseptic and apply your antibiotic ointment/calamine lotion according to directions.
Scabs may occasionally appear after receiving electrolysis treatment, and are generally harmless and part of the healing process. To ensure optimal results from electrolysis treatments, avoid picking at these scabs, as this could cause scarring and infection to set in. If any appear, notify your electrologist so they can monitor them closely for signs of infection at your next appointment.
To maximize your electrolysis treatments, it is recommended that you come for appointments on a regular basis. The more frequent your appointments are, the more effective the results will be. It is also essential that you refrain from shaving, waxing or plucking hairs in between treatments; doing so could compromise their effectiveness and decrease their effectiveness. Should it become necessary to take action between visits to electrolysis treatments, make sure all shaven or clipped hairs measure no shorter than 1/8 inch in length before shaving/clipping them back out again when needed between visits for best results.
