Permanent Hair Removal with Electrolysis in New Westminster

To ensure maximum comfort, effective hair epilation, and optimal skin healing:

1 Month Prior:

• Discontinue Prescription Retinoids: Stop Tretinoin, Retin-A, Differin, or Tazorac on the treatment area 4 weeks prior.

• Avoid Aggressive Treatments: No chemical peels, microneedling, laser, or cosmetic injections (botox/fillers) in the target area 4 weeks prior.

2–3 Weeks Before:

• Stop All Root-Removal Methods: Do NOT wax, sugar, pluck, thread, or use depilatory creams on the area. The hair follicle must be present and active for electrolysis to work.

• Note: Shaving or trimming is permitted up to 3–5 days prior, as long as hair is visible at appointment time.

1 Week Prior:

• Discontinue OTC Actives: Stop over-the-counter Retinol, AHAs (glycolic/lactic acid), BHAs (salicylic acid), and exfoliating enzymes on the treatment area 7 days prior.

• Avoid Sun Exposure & Tanning: No direct sun exposure, tanning beds, or spray tans on the treatment area for 1 week prior. Sunburned or artificially pigmented skin cannot be treated.

24–48 Hours Before:

• Hydrate Intensely: Drink plenty of water in the 24 to 48 hours leading up to your appointment. Deeply hydrated hair follicles conduct current much better, making the treatment faster, more effective, and significantly more comfortable.

• Exfoliate Gently: Gently exfoliate the area 2 days prior to remove dead skin cells and prevent trapped hairs.

Day of Appointment:

• Clean Skin: Arrive with clean skin free of lotion, oil, deodorant, heavy creams, makeup, or perfume in the treatment area.
• Avoid Caffeine & Stimulants: Do NOT consume coffee, energy drinks, or stimulants on the day of your treatment, as caffeine increases skin sensitivity and nerve responsiveness.
• Avoid Alcohol: Do not consume alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment.
• Wear Comfortable Clothing: Wear loose-fitting, clean cotton clothing over the treatment area to prevent friction post-session.

Failure to follow pre-care and post-care guidelines may lead to increased discomfort, hyperpigmentation, delayed healing, or adverse skin reactions, and may require your session to be rescheduled.

Electrolysis creates temporary micro-inflammation in the follicle. Following strict post-care prevents infection, hyperpigmentation, and scarring.

First 24 to 48 Hours (Crucial Healing Window):

• Wear Clean, Loose Cotton Clothing: Wear loose-fitting, breathable cotton clothing over the treated area to avoid friction, trapping heat, or irritating the sensitive follicles.

• Do NOT Touch or Scratch: Keep hands off the treated area to prevent bacterial transfer and infection. If necessary, wash your hands before touching the area.

• Avoid Sweat & Heat: No heavy exercise, gym workouts, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, or hot showers for 48 hours.

• No Swimming: Avoid swimming pools, lakes, and ocean water for 48 hours due to bacteria and chlorine irritation.

• Keep the Area Clean: Wash gently with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. Pat dry with a clean paper towel.

• No Makeup or Active Skincare: Do not apply liquid foundation, concealer, powders, perfume, or active skincare products (such as AHAs, BHAs, Retinols) to the treated area for 48 hours.

• Apply Soothing Care: Apply pure aloe vera gel or a recommended antibacterial post-care ointment with clean hands or a cotton swab.

Days 3 to 7 (Recovery Period):

• Do NOT Pick Micro-Scabs: Small pinpoint pin-prick scabs may form—this is a normal part of the healing process. Let them fall off naturally. Picking or scratching may cause scarring or hyperpigmentation.

• Sun Protection: Apply a broad-spectrum zinc-based mineral sunscreen with SPF 30+ daily. Avoid direct sun exposure on the treated area for at least 1–2 weeks post-treatment.

• Do NOT Pluck, Sugar, or Wax Between Sessions: If hair grows back before your next appointment, you may shave or trim only. Plucking or sugaring will reset hair growth cycles and reverse your progress.

Failure to follow pre-care and post-care guidelines may lead to increased discomfort, hyperpigmentation, delayed healing, or adverse skin reactions, and may require your session to be rescheduled.

Electrolysis is the only 100% permanent hair removal method recognized by the FDA and Health Canada. A micro-fine probe is inserted into individual hair follicles, where a mild electrical current destroys the hair growth center (papilla). Once treated, the follicle can never produce hair again.

Yes! Unlike laser hair removal (which offers hair reduction), electrolysis permanently eliminates hair follicles. Once a specific follicle is completely treated, hair growth in that follicle is gone forever.

The number of sessions varies per individual and depends on hair density, growth cycles, coarseness, and hormonal factors. Because hair grows in three distinct phases (anagen, catagen, telogen), electrolysis can only permanently destroy follicles during their active growth stage. Regular, consistent appointments ensure every follicle is caught at the right time.

Treatment frequency depends on the area being treated, hair density, and your growth cycle. Most clients start with weekly or bi-weekly sessions to target hairs in their active growth phase. As hair density decreases and growth slows, appointments are gradually spaced further apart (every 3 to 6 weeks) until the area is completely hair-free.

Most clients describe the sensation as a brief, mild sting or warm tingling feeling. Modern electrolysis equipment allows us to fine-tune energy settings to ensure your maximum comfort. Sensitive areas can also be managed with shorter treatment sessions.

• Hair & Skin Colors: Laser relies on pigment (melanin) contrast and works best on light skin with dark hair. Electrolysis targets the follicle directly and works on all skin tones and all hair colors—including blonde, grey, white, and red hair.

• Permanence: Laser provides permanent hair reduction; electrolysis provides 100% permanent hair elimination.

• Precision: Electrolysis treats one follicle at a time, making it ideal for shaping eyebrows, facial hair, and targeted body areas.

Sugaring removes hair from the root for smooth skin that lasts several weeks, making it ideal for fast, large-area hair removal (like legs or Brazilian). Electrolysis targets individual follicles for permanent removal. Many clients combine both methods for long-term hair management.

Want to learn more about choosing between methods for your face? Read our Facial Hair Removal Guide for a complete breakdown.

Electrolysis is safe, precise, and effective on almost every part of the face and body, including:

• Face & Neck: Eyebrows, upper lip, chin, jawline, cheeks, sideburns, neck, and beard line. For detailed tips on treating facial hair, check out our Facial Hair Removal Guide.

• Sensitive & Small Areas: Ears, hairline, fingers, toes, and breasts/areola.

• Body Areas: Underarms, bikini/Brazilian area, abdomen, back, shoulders, arms, and legs.

Immediately following treatment, you may experience slight redness, mild swelling, or localized heat, similar to a minor sunburn. This usually subsides within a few hours to 24 hours. Small, pinpoint pin-prick scabs may occasionally form—this is a normal part of the healing process and should be left to fall off naturally.

Yes! You can shave or trim hair between sessions as needed. However, you must NOT pluck, wax, sugar, or thread the treatment area between appointments. Root removal methods reset the hair growth cycle and make it impossible to treat those follicles during your next session.

Yes! We welcome minor clients! All clients under 19 years of age require a signed parental/guardian consent form, and clients under 16 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian present in the treatment room throughout the entire session.