After Your Visit
Your skin begins healing immediately after an electrolysis treatment. Most reactions are temporary and are a normal part of the healing process. Following these aftercare recommendations will help your skin heal comfortably and allow you to get the best possible results from your treatments.
The first 24 hours after treatment are the most important. Please follow these recommendations to help prevent irritation and infection.
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Do not touch the treated area with your fingers. Bacteria can easily be transferred to freshly treated skin. Barbara will provide a cotton pad moistened with witch hazel and wintergreen alcohol to use immediately after your treatment.
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Do not pick or scratch the treated area.
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Keep the skin clean by gently washing with a mild soap or cleanser and water.
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If you are prone to breakouts, witch hazel, salicylic acid, or a mild acne treatment may be helpful. If you work in the healthcare industry, an antibiotic ointment may provide additional protection.
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If you have any concerns about your healing, please contact Barbara.
Freshly treated skin needs time to heal. For 24 to 48 hours after your appointment, avoid activities that may introduce bacteria or irritate the treated area.
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This includes:
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Hot tubs
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Swimming pools
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Lakes or pond water
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Heavy sweating
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Exercise that involves shared gym equipment
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These precautions help reduce the risk of irritation while your skin heals.
Permanent hair removal is the greatest benefit of electrolysis. Before reaching your permanent results, however, you may experience temporary skin reactions. The type and severity of these reactions depend on your skin, the intensity of treatment, your electrologist's technique, and how carefully you follow your aftercare instructions.
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Most reactions are mild and resolve on their own.
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Redness
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Redness is the most common reaction after electrolysis. This is caused by increased blood flow to the treated area and usually fades within several hours.
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Applying a cool compress with witch hazel immediately after treatment can help soothe the skin.
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Histamine Response
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Some clients experience small, raised bumps that resemble mosquito bites shortly after treatment. This temporary histamine response usually appears within a few minutes and typically disappears within several hours.
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If you experience a stronger reaction, Barbara may recommend:
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Applying a topical antihistamine.
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Taking an over-the-counter oral antihistamine before future treatments, following the manufacturer's directions.
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Applying a witch hazel compress with a small amount of wintergreen alcohol.
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Occasionally, bumps may last longer than expected. This is uncommon and is generally not a cause for concern. Keep the area clean and avoid picking, scratching, or squeezing the bumps.
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Pinpoint Scabs
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A day or so after treatment, a small pinpoint scab may form at the opening of a treated follicle. This is a natural part of the healing process and acts as the skin's "band-aid" while the area heals. Pinpoint scabs are more common on body areas and less common on the face.
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If a scab appears, keep the area clean by gently washing with mild soap and water, then rinse and pat dry. Avoid rubbing the area. An antibiotic ointment may be used to help keep the scab moist and protect against infection.
Do not pick or scratch the scab. Allow it to fall away naturally as the skin heals.
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Pimples & Pustules
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An occasional pimple or pustule may appear a day or two after treatment. A pustule is a small, inflamed, blister-like lesion and is an infrequent reaction to electrolysis.
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If you are prone to developing pustules, applying a warm compress when you arrive home after treatment may help prevent them from forming. Salicylic acid may be used sparingly to help dry a pustule once it appears.
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Barbara finds that much of the skin irritation she sees is related to digging or picking at the skin before treatment. Repeated tweezing can also contribute to ingrown hairs, inflammation, and pimples. Permanent hair removal can help clear this problem when tweezing is the cause.
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Clients often ask whether electrolysis causes scarring.
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When properly performed, electrolysis does not cause scar formation. A scar is permanent fibrous tissue that develops after a significant injury. Electrolysis treatments create small, temporary lesions that normally heal without scarring.
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Over-treatment, improper aftercare, or repeated trauma from tweezing and picking may contribute to temporary skin changes such as pitting or pigmentation changes.
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Some individuals, particularly those with melanin-rich or olive-toned skin, may experience temporary post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). This usually fades once the skin has fully healed and treatments are complete.
Every person's skin heals differently.
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If you experience a reaction that concerns you, please contact Barbara. The first treatment often produces the greatest skin response, and discussing your healing allows future treatments to be adjusted when necessary.
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Barbara uses medically sterilized instruments and a new pre-sterilized, disposable electrolysis probe for every treatment. Following your aftercare instructions and avoiding tweezing between appointments are important steps in achieving the best possible results.
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Please follow the directions provided with any over-the-counter products you choose to use. This information is provided for educational purposes and should not replace medical advice from your physician.