Preparing for your visit

  • Dry skin can result in treatment that is less comfortable and less productive than it would be if the skin were healthy and moisturized. Avoid dehydration and be sure to include regular use of moisturizers in your skin care routine (but avoid retinol/retinoids).

  • You may perform gentle exfoliation prior to your appointment in order to avoid spending valuable treatment time freeing ingrown hairs.

  • A small amount of growth is needed in order to see and treat each hair, at least 1/8 inch. 3 days' growth is sufficient for most people. You may trim or shave between appointments, but your tweezing days are over!

  • Avoid drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages prior to treatment. They can cause dehydration and increase sensitivity. Some people experience increased sensitivity prior to or during menstruation. Using acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed prior to treatment may help.

  • If you plan to use numbing cream, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Numbing product should be applied to clean skin 1-2 hours in advance, depending on the brand, and should remain on until your electrologist removes it. It’s important to start with clean skin, as other skin products and natural oils can act as a barrier, preventing the numbing cream from properly absorbing. An occlusive barrier should be used, such as plastic wrap (we recommend a textured cling film, like Glad Press ‘n Seal). This will both keep the cream from drying out, and create a warm environment which will make the product more effective.

  • A photo will be taken of the treatment area before and after each session, and stored securely. The purpose of this is to track your progress and be aware of any health or safety issues. Photos will never be published without your permission, whether or not your face can be seen.

  • Please plan to arrive on time. We won’t keep you waiting, and we won’t keep the appointment after yours waiting, either. We understand that sometimes life happens, and we will always try to make up for lost time if we’re able, but it is not guaranteed. Time lost due to late arrival cannot be refunded. Please provide 24 hours’ notice for any changes or cancellations to avoid a cancellation fee of 100%.

What to bring:

  • Your mask/face covering

  • A beverage in a closed container

  • A jacket or blanket if you tend to get cold

  • Cozy socks. You will be asked to remove your shoes before sitting on the treatment table. Shoe covers will be provided if you'd prefer to leave your shoes on.

What not to bring:

  • Pets or small children

  • Heavy perfumes

  • Your phone conversation or any music/videos/games without headphones

Caring for your skin after treatment

After your electrolysis treatment, you may notice skin sensitivity, redness, swelling, or small, hive-like bumps. These effects usually last anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days, depending on the individual. A few days after treatment, tiny pinpoint scabs may develop (no picking!), and you may experience the occasional white head, particularly in areas that tend to be more oily (still no picking!). This is all perfectly normal. Some of it is a histamine response, and some of it is your skin detecting trauma and responding with increased blood flow, formation of protective crusts (scabs), and increased cell production. While your skin is in this vulnerable stage of healing, it is vital that you keep it clean, cool, and out of the sun.

Be as gentle as possible with your skin for 2-3 days following treatment. Use only gentle cleansers and alcohol-free witch hazel to keep the treatment area clean. Avoid harsh, perfumed, or alcohol-based products. Avoid activities that might cause you to sweat a lot (e.g., strenuous workouts, hot tubs, saunas). If your skin feels hot and sensitive after treatment, you may want to apply cold packs and/or aloe vera gel. Remember that sun exposure during healing can result in temporary hyperpigmentation (dark spots). When it’s time to shave again, be sure to use a clean new razor.

We carry a number of products that will help provide relief and speed healing, but the most important thing you can do for your skin at this time is “as little as possible.” No rubbing, no scrubbing, no picking, no popping, no sweating, no sunning. Rest up, stay hydrated, use gentle cleansers, and be kind to yourself.

You will probably notice new hair appearing within a short time. Remember these are not the same hairs we just treated. Your skin has roughly 1,000 hair follicles per square inch, and these follicles are constantly cycling through stages of growth, shedding, and even lying dormant.

If a hair we treated was particularly coarse to begin with, it might return at least once as a smaller, shallower version of its former self. Hair that we’ve treated before or that you previously plucked will take about 6 weeks or more to make a return appearance. Don’t lose heart, remember this is a marathon not a sprint, and stick to the prescribed schedule. The results will be life-changing!