Electrolysis is a safe and effective way to achieve permanent hair removal, and a little bit of preparation goes a long way toward helping your skin stay happy and ensuring you get the best results. Here’s how to get ready for your appointment at So Rooted in Electrolysis:
2–3 weeks before your appointment:
Try to avoid tanning, direct sun, or tanning beds. Sun-exposed skin is more sensitive and can be more reactive during treatment.
If you’re outdoors, protect the area we’ll be treating with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.
1–2 weeks before treatment:
Let those hairs grow naturally. Waxing, tweezing, and depilatories remove the root—and I need that root intact to treat it permanently. Shaving is the only method that’s okay.
Please shave the treatment area one to two days before your appointment. Your hair needs to at least be long enough to grip with forceps/tweezers.
5–7 days prior:
Pause exfoliants, glycolic acids, retinols, or anything that might dry or irritate the skin.
Calmer skin = a more comfortable treatment.
Come in with well-hydrated skin. Drink water, exfoliate and moisturize gently in the days leading up to your session. Hydrated skin responds better and tends to feel less irritated afterward. Aim to drink at least half your bodyweight in ounces the day before and after your treatment.
24 hours before treatment:
Caffeine and alcohol can make you more sensitive and may increase redness or swelling. Skipping them before treatment helps keep your experience more comfortable.
If you have any medical conditions, allergies, or take medications—including blood thinners—please let me know beforehand. Some conditions (like diabetes or certain skin disorders) just mean we’ll take a little extra care.
Electrolysis can feel like a quick tingling or stinging. Mild redness or swelling right after treatment is normal and usually fades within a few hours. I’ll give you personalized aftercare instructions to help your skin recover smoothly.
Avoid laser, waxing, or any other hair-removal methods on the area until after your electrolysis treatment. We want your hair in its natural growth cycle for the best results.
If it’s your first time—or even if it’s not—feel free to bring any questions or concerns. I want you to feel informed, comfortable, and confident every step of the way.
After your electrolysis treatment, your skin needs a little extra love. Following these post-care steps will help minimize irritation, support healing, and keep you on track toward your permanent hair-removal goals.
Gently cleanse the area with a mild, fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water. Pat—don’t rub—the skin dry with a clean towel. Avoid scrubbing or exfoliating for at least 1–2 weeks, even if the area feels a little textured. Your skin is healing, and we want to give it time.
If you notice redness or swelling, a cool epsom salt compress can help calm things down. Keep the area moisturized with a gentle, alcohol-free moisturizer to ease any tightness or dryness.
It can be tempting to touch or scratch the area, especially if it feels a little irritated—please resist! Avoid picking at any tiny scabs or bumps. This helps prevent irritation, infection, and scarring.
For 1–2 weeks, avoid direct sun exposure or tanning beds. The skin is more sensitive right now and can react more strongly to UV rays. If you need to be outside, protect the area with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and reapply every couple of hours.
For the first 24–48 hours, avoid hot showers, saunas, hot tubs, and heavy workouts. Heat and sweat can irritate healing skin and increase the chance of breakouts or infection.
For the first 24–48 hours, skip makeup, perfumes, lotions, and anything scented on the treated area. After the first two days, you can return to your regular skincare routine—but continue to hold off on retinoids, acids, or any strong exfoliants for about a week.
Drink plenty of water and keep your skin moisturized. Hydrated skin heals more comfortably and responds better over time.
Treated hairs may shed over the next few days to weeks. Some hairs may look like they’re growing before they fall out—that’s completely normal. Please don’t tweeze or pluck; let the hairs release on their own.
As we work together on your hair removal journey, please avoid waxing, tweezing, threading or using depilatory creams on the treated area. These can disrupt the healing process and affect your overall results and customized treatment plan.
Electrolysis works in stages, and consistency is key. Your best results come from sticking to the treatment plan recommended for you.
Some redness or swelling is totally normal and should settle within a few hours to a few days. If something feels off, doesn’t seem to be improving, or you just have a question—please reach out. I’m here to support you through every step of your hair-removal journey