Your electrologist will develop a personalized and confidential treatment plan tailored to meet your specific hair removal goals, with regular sessions being key in reaching permanency.
As these methods interfere with anagen phase hairs’ growth, this slows down their progress and diminishes electrolysis treatment’s efficacy. It is recommended that you refrain from plucking and waxing to ensure maximum success with electrolysis treatment.
Don’t shave
At first glance, using a razor between electrolysis appointments might seem tempting but shaving may actually delay results as your hair growth cycle takes several weeks to complete; interrupting this process through shaving is likely to delay its completion.
Staying on track with your treatments is the fastest way to speed up the results you see, so commit to a treatment schedule set by your electrologist that best meets your needs and keep to it! Your electrologist should offer customized plans but the key factor here is keeping to them!
Electrolysis involves inserting a fine, sterile needle-like electrode into each unwanted hair follicle and then administering a small current discharge to destroy its hair growth tissue, eventually rendering that particular follicle incapable of producing new hair and thus permanently eliminating it from your body.
Electrolysis does not work on all forms of hair or skin. Multiple sessions may be required in order to completely rid an area of unwanted hair growth; therefore, it’s crucial that you follow the treatment plan recommended by your electrologist.
When experiencing any regrowth between electrolysis sessions, it’s essential not to touch or trim it with tweezers or waxing products as this could uproot early anagen hairs, forcing these follicles back into growth – potentially prolonging false regrowth until electrolysis appointments have ended.
Depilatory creams like Nair can act like chemical razors; for a gentler experience after your appointment use natural and gentle body cleanser and moisturizer instead to keep the area hydrated and soothed so as not to be too reactive to the procedure.
Don’t use depilatory creams
Depilatory cream is a chemical solution designed to dissolve the protein (keratin) that holds hairs in place and thus, dislodging them. When used excessively or on sensitive skin, however, depilatory cream can lead to burning and swelling as it has a high pH level that damages outer layers while irritating inner ones – best to stay away from these types of creams as their use could prove hazardous if coming in contact with eyes.
Prior to an electrolysis appointment, it is best to forego shaving and other forms of hair removal such as waxing as only those hairs in their growing phase will be targeted during your session – any other methods will only make those same hairs grow back more slowly than they had originally. Furthermore, makeup should not be applied until 24 hours post appointment so as to prevent bacteria from entering open follicles and leading to breakouts.
Electrolysis provides truly permanent results when practiced over the full length of its natural hair cycle, which typically takes 18-24 months on most body areas. Only then will you be able to cover an area using this procedure.
Electrolysis hair removal often takes more time than laser hair removal to clear an area, as electrolysis is one of the only techniques which targets and destroys stem cells that contribute to hair growth in its bulb at the base of hair follicles.
Don’t tweeze
There are various methods available to you for getting rid of unwanted body hair, from shaving and tweezing, waxing, sugaring and in-office or at-home laser hair removal to electrolysis – none of these techniques permanently stop new growth of hair in treated areas unless electrolysis occurs first.
Electrolysis, an FDA-approved procedure, involves inserting a thin needle-like electrode into each hair follicle without puncturing the skin, then administering an electric current through it to destroy those areas in which nutrients for hair growth reside. Once destroyed, existing hairs can then be plucked off using tweezers. Electrolysis works well on all skin and hair types alike and even is safe for those living with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
No process can be completely pain-free; waxing may cause some minor discomfort that has been likened to having a rubber band snap against their bare skin. But waxing remains far less painful than laser hair removal which may take up to 1 hour per treatment area.
Before scheduling an electrolysis appointment, be sure to inquire with your practitioner as to any specific guidelines they might have for preparing yourself. In general, avoid shaving or tweezing prior to an electrolysis session, as this makes it harder for the electrologist to reach the base of hair follicles.
Additionally, it is wise to refrain from rubbing your skin or drinking caffeine as this can increase stress levels and make electrolysis more uncomfortable. If the pain associated with electrolysis concerns you, talk to your electrologist about numbing creams – alternatively commit to multiple treatments at the beginning – you will usually notice that hair growth gradually reduces over time or stops altogether!
Don’t rub
As part of its mechanism to destroy growth sources, inserting the probe into a follicle to destroy them causes some heat, which may result in some people feeling some degree of discomfort during the procedure. Everyone’s tolerance level varies; some areas like groin and neck may be more sensitive.
If you are considering electrolysis, it is essential that you prepare the area ahead of time. Avoid applying lotions or oils on the day of your appointment as this could cause irritation. Instead, keep the area moist by applying fragrance-free aloe gel. Apply a cold compress after every session for swelling relief.
Make sure to avoid direct sunlight for at least 48 hours prior to your appointment as prolonged exposure may dilate blood vessels and increase their dilatation. If necessary, wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Furthermore, applying a numbing cream directly on the treatment area before your visit could also prove helpful.
As with electrolysis sessions, bleaching your hair prior to an appointment may interfere with its results and compromise them. Therefore, it is best to wait until after electrolysis sessions have concluded before bleaching your tresses in order to ensure strong roots that won’t be compromised by bleaching; bleaching also delays hair regrowth from new growth, taking 10-30 sessions before permanent hair removal can take effect from hair follicles.
Don’t overdo it
Maintaining a regular treatment schedule is crucial to successful electrolysis as each new hair must be caught at its optimal growth state, making every session count. Missed appointments could cause your target hairs to go into dormant mode and make treatment much more challenging.
Electrolysis provides permanent hair removal whereas shaving or other temporary methods simply remove surface-level hair removal. Electrolysis works by permanently damaging germ cells that produce new hairs while simultaneously disabling the hair follicle so it cannot grow back, which means electrolysis takes significantly longer compared to other methods in order to achieve permanent hair removal.
Electrolysis can be a painful procedure, although its intensity will differ from person to person. Most describe the sensation as no worse than a pinch, mosquito bite, or quick snap; additionally it’s recommended that you consume lots of water prior and post appointment in order to hydrate follicles properly and ensure an efficient outcome.
Before scheduling an initial appointment with an electrologist, be sure to verify their license, insurance coverage and membership in the Association of Professional Electrologists (APE). Seek referrals from friends, family or healthcare providers; it’s also wise to inspect the clinic to make sure it’s clean and that employees wear gloves when handling needles.
When starting out with electrology services it is wise to choose an electrologist that uses only needle method hair removal treatments. Other salons may advertise themselves as offering “electrology” but actually use photoepilators or electronic tweezers that do not provide long-term hair removal solutions. It may be wise not to schedule multiple appointments too closely together in the beginning for optimal results.
