Electrolysis Hair Removal: Treatment Advice & Aftercare
Updated: Oct 6
Permanent Hair Removal for Face & Body
Electrolysis is a method of permanent hair removal that treats individual hair follicles using a very fine sterile probe.
The probe is carefully inserted into the natural opening of the hair follicle and a small amount of electrical energy is applied to the follicle. The treated hair is then gently removed.
Unlike laser hair removal, electrolysis does not rely on pigment within the hair, which means it can be used on all hair colours, including white, grey, blonde and red hair, as well as darker hairs.
Because individual hairs grow at different times and through different stages of the hair-growth cycle, a course of regular treatments is required.
Before Your Treatment
Before your appointment:
Leave the hairs long enough for your practitioner to see and gently remove with tweezers after treatment.
Don't wax, tweeze, thread or epilate the hairs between appointments.
Trimming or shaving between appointments is fine if required, but allow enough regrowth before your appointment for the hairs to be visible.
Keep normally hydrated.
Avoid deliberate tanning or sunburn on the treatment area.
Avoid strong exfoliation, retinoids or irritating skincare immediately before facial electrolysis.
Tell us about any medication, supplements or herbal remedies you take.
Tell us about any medical conditions that may affect your skin, healing or treatment.
Let us know if you've recently had laser, chemical peels, microneedling, injectables or another advanced treatment in the area.
Tell us if you're prone to cold sores when treating an area where they occur.
Let us know if your health, medication or skin has changed since your consultation.
Do not stop prescribed medication in order to have electrolysis unless advised by the healthcare professional who prescribed it.
How Long Should the Hair Be?
We need to be able to see the hair and grasp it gently with tweezers after the follicle has been treated.
You don't need to grow the hair excessively long.
If you prefer to shave between appointments, simply allow enough growth before your next appointment for your practitioner to see and hold the hairs.
Is Electrolysis Suitable for Everyone?
Electrolysis can be suitable for a very wide range of clients, but treatment may need to be adapted or postponed in some circumstances.
Please tell your practitioner if you:
are pregnant
have a pacemaker or another implanted electronic medical device
have epilepsy or a history of seizures
have diabetes or another condition affecting healing
have a bleeding or clotting disorder
take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication
have a weakened immune system
have a history of keloid or abnormal scarring
have an active skin infection, cold sore, open wound or significant inflammation in the treatment area
have a skin condition affecting the area being treated
have recently had surgery or another advanced treatment in the area
are undergoing cancer treatment or have a significant current medical condition.
Having a medical condition doesn't automatically mean you cannot have electrolysis. Depending on your individual circumstances, treatment may be adapted, postponed or medical advice may be recommended.
Pregnancy
Please tell us if you're pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
Whether electrolysis is performed during pregnancy can depend on the technique used, treatment area and clinic protocol. Your practitioner will discuss the appropriate approach with you.
What Does Electrolysis Feel Like?
Most clients describe electrolysis as a brief heat, sting or prickling sensation as each follicle is treated.
How it feels varies according to:
the treatment area
hair thickness
treatment settings
skin sensitivity
your individual tolerance.
Some areas, particularly the upper lip, can naturally feel more sensitive.
Tell your practitioner if you're uncomfortable so treatment can be adjusted where appropriate.
What Should My Skin Look Like Afterwards?
Immediately after electrolysis it's normal to experience:
redness
warmth
mild swelling
small raised bumps around the treated follicles
tenderness or sensitivity.
small bruise
These reactions are part of the skin's response to treatment and usually settle naturally.
After a stronger or longer treatment, some follicles may develop tiny dry crusts or pinpoint scabs as they heal.
Do Not Pick
If small crusts develop, allow them to heal and fall away naturally.
Don't:
pick
scratch
squeeze
repeatedly rub the area.
Removing a crust prematurely can increase the risk of infection, prolonged redness, scarring or pigmentation changes.
Aftercare
For approximately the first 24–48 hours, or until the skin has settled:
Keep the area clean.
Avoid unnecessary touching or rubbing.
Don't pick or squeeze treated follicles.
Avoid heavy or potentially irritating makeup if the skin remains red or sensitive.
Avoid retinoids, acids, scrubs and strong active skincare.
Avoid perfumed products directly over irritated skin.
Avoid very hot baths or showers over the area.
Avoid saunas and steam rooms.
Avoid swimming while the skin remains significantly irritated.
Avoid strenuous exercise if heat or sweating irritates the area.
Avoid waxing, threading or tweezing the treated hairs.
Use gentle skincare and moisturiser where appropriate.
Makeup
If you've had facial electrolysis, it's best to leave the skin makeup-free while it is freshly treated and visibly irritated.
Once the skin has settled and there are no open or weeping areas, makeup can usually be resumed gently.
Use clean brushes, sponges and applicators to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria to freshly treated skin.
Sun Protection
Freshly treated skin can be more vulnerable to pigmentation changes following inflammation.
Avoid deliberate tanning and sunbeds while the area is healing.
Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30–50 on exposed treatment areas once appropriate to apply skincare.
This is particularly important if you're prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Between Your Appointments
You can shave or trim unwanted hairs between electrolysis appointments if needed.
Do not:
tweeze
wax
thread
epilate.
These methods remove the hair from the follicle and mean there is no hair available for us to treat at your next appointment.
Why Does Electrolysis Take Time?
Electrolysis Is a ProcessElectrolysis can permanently remove treated hairs, but not every follicle can be successfully treated in one appointment. Hair grows through different stages and individual hairs aren't all visible or actively growing at the same time.New hairs will therefore continue to appear between appointments as different follicles enter their growth cycle.Regular treatment allows us to progressively treat these hairs as they appear.
How Often Will I Need Treatment?
The frequency of your appointments depends on:
the number of hairs
the treatment area
how quickly your hair grows
the stage of your treatment programme
whether the hair growth is hormonally influenced.
At the beginning of a course, some clients benefit from appointments as frequently as weekly or fortnightly.
As the amount of hair reduces, appointments usually become shorter and/or further apart.
How Long Will It Take?
I would not promise a fixed number of sessions for electrolysis.
A course can take many months and, for some clients, a year or longer, particularly where there is significant or hormonally influenced facial hair.
The goal is that over time you should notice:
fewer hairs
longer periods between visible regrowth
less time required at appointments.
Your practitioner will review your progress throughout your course.
Hormonal Hair Growth
Hormones can have a significant influence on facial and body hair.
Conditions and hormonal changes associated with hair growth can include:
PCOS
menopause
changes in androgen levels
some medication
other hormonal or medical conditions.
Electrolysis can permanently treat the individual follicles we successfully destroy, but it cannot prevent your body from activating previously inactive follicles or developing new hairs in the future.
This means some clients with hormonally influenced hair growth may require occasional maintenance even after completing their main course.
Electrolysis or Laser Hair Removal?
Both can be excellent treatments, but they work differently.
Laser hair removal is particularly useful for treating larger areas containing plenty of dark, suitable hair.
Electrolysis treats hairs individually and can treat all hair colours, making it particularly useful for:
white or grey hairs
blonde or red hairs
small numbers of remaining hairs after laser
isolated facial hairs
hairs that aren't suitable for laser.
In some cases, we may recommend laser first for larger areas of suitable dark hair and electrolysis later for the remaining hairs.
When Should I Contact Eco Skin Clinic?
Temporary redness, warmth and mild follicular swelling are normal after electrolysis.
Please contact us if you experience:
redness that is spreading or becoming worse
significant or increasing pain
increasing heat or swelling
pus or discharge
blistering
signs of infection
significant crusting that concerns you
unexpected pigmentation changes
skin that isn't healing as expected
any other reaction that concerns you.
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