Care
Pre Care Instructions
1. Hydrate! Drink plenty of water. Since ample moisture content is one of the key factors in electrolysis success, please consume as much water as possible at least 24 hours before treatment. In the hours directly before your appointment, please try to drink at least 24 ounces. This will make your treatments more comfortable and effective. It will also help your skin heal more quickly.
2. Please shave or clip (as close to your skin as possible) the areas to be treated 3-4 days before your treatment. This ensures that your hairs are in the most active stage of growth.
3. Moisture the areas to be treated before your appointment as per your regular skin routine.
4. Your diet can affect your sensitivity. Avoid stimulants like caffeine, chocolate and sugar before your appointment. Your nervous system will be calmer and your hair follicles will respond better to treatment.
5. Female clients: Avoid making appointments before and during menstruation due to increased sensitivity.
6. Some find eating a meal before treatment helps reduce discomfort.
7. Many clients find taking their favorite pain reliever 30 minutes prior to treatment helps them reduce discomfort.
8. There are many topical numbing creams that are available either with or without prescription. EMLA (prescription), LMX & Topicaine (both non-prescription) are the most popular. A stronger option is BLT (20% Betacaine, 8% Lidacaine, 4% Tetracaine by prescription).
9. For underarm treatment, avoid wearing deodorant or antiperspirant on the day of your appointment to ensure the follicle will be more receptive to treatment.
10. RELAX and BREATHE! Eliminate as much stress as possible on the day of your appointment. You are starting your journey to become hair-free! CELEBRATE!
Remember: Some re-growth is to be expected. If you will return when the first re-growth occurs, the roots will be shorter and weaker and therefore can be treated more effectively.
Post Care Instructions
1. Keep it clean. Refrain from sweating, touching, rubbing, scratching, or squeezing the treated area (s). There is bacteria on everything, and by touching your skin you are transferring bacteria from doorknobs etc. to yourself. This can cause a breakout (whiteheads).
2. If discomfort should occur, or small whiteheads should appear, DO NOT SQUEEZE. Apply an Epsom salt compress to the treated area. If small scabs appear, DO NOT SCRATCH THEM AWAY. Allow them to fall off naturally as this is your body’s way of healing the follicles.
(Mix 1 tsp. of Epsom salt with ½ cup warm water, let dissolve, soak up solution in washcloth and let wet cloth sit on treated area for 10-15 minutes (twice a day).
3. Avoid alcohol-based products because they are drying.
4. Avoid using Retinol products at least one week before treatment and one week after.
5. Avoid using products on the treated area that contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids, as they thin (exfoliate) the skin.
6. Minimize sun exposure to the treated areas for one week following your treatment to avoid the formation of brown pigment spots. ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN! Use moisturizer or sunscreen with SPF 30.
7. Do not wash or wear makeup over the treated area(s) for 24 hours after your treatment. You CAN wipe with witch hazel if needed. Your skin needs time to breathe and heal before applying potential irritants.
8. Apply Bacitracin, Polysporin, Neosporin or another antibacterial ointment or cream to the treated area for the first two nights after your appointment. Apply Hydrocortisone, Cortisone, Cortaid etc. (active ingredient 1% hydrocortisone ) if redness persists. It will help your skin heal faster and reduce inflammation and swelling.
9. Refrain from hot tubs , pools, saunas, steam rooms or extreme workouts for at least 48 hours after treatment to ensure no bacteria is introduced into the area.
10. For underarm treatments, refrain from using deodorant or antiperspirant for at least 24 hours after treatment.
11. Wear loose fitting clothing around the area(s) that have been treated to minimize irritation and maximize healing.
12. If you are not able to come in for your next appointment as soon as you would like, shave, clip or melt the hair off with a depilatory cream.