Our doctor has determined that you have a medical indication for electro-epilation. This brochure provides information about what electro-epilation entails for you. Please read this information carefully.HOW DOES ELECTROEPILATION WORK?A thin needle (as thin as the hair itself) is inserted past the hair and into the hair follicle. You won't feel anything, as this is a natural opening in the skin. After a few seconds of electric shock, the hair is released. After this, a few more seconds of current are applied to the empty hair follicle to destroy as much of the remaining hair-producing cells as possible.CAN EVERYONE BE TREATED?This method is suitable for gray and blonde hair, as well as thin hair of a different color. These hairs cannot be removed with a hair removal laser. The method is time-consuming and strenuous, and therefore only suitable for small areas.WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?The goal is to reduce hair growth and any medical complaints (such as inflammation and dark spots due to ingrown hairs). Unfortunately, it's not possible to guarantee that hair will never grow back in the treated area. Due to bodily changes (for example, hormones or medication), it's always possible for fine hairs to transform into new, thicker hairs. A hair must be treated several times before it is permanently removed. The hair root contains so many hair-producing cells that they can't all be destroyed at once. However, the hair will grow back progressively thinner and less pigmented.IS IT PAINFUL?The treatment may cause a burning sensation. Some people find this painless, while others find it painful. If the treatment is truly too painful for you, you can request EMLA cream. This is a skin numbing cream that should be applied thickly at least one hour before the treatment. It will reduce the skin's sensitivity.HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED?This is difficult to say, as it depends on many factors, including the amount of hair, its growth rate and thickness, and the frequency of treatment. On average, results are only visible after three months. This doesn't mean that the excess hair is completely gone, but that the hairs become somewhat thinner and the space between them becomes slightly larger, as some hairs are already permanently absent. The treatment is initially scheduled once a week. As the hair regrowth slows down, the treatment frequency is reduced to once every two weeks, then once every four weeks, and so on. Generally, it takes 1.5 to 2 years for the hair to be sufficiently gone.HOW LONG DOES THE TREATMENT LAST?This depends on the area being treated. The maximum time for this treatment is 30 minutes, as this therapy is strenuous for both the practitioner and the patient.WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE FIRST CONSULTATION WITH THE SKIN THERAPIST?During your first consultation, the skin therapist will inform you about the treatment process. The most important points are outlined in this brochure. Initial photographs will be taken to better assess the treatment's effect. A trial treatment is usually performed during the first consultation. This trial treatment is important to determine the correct settings. A small area is treated using various techniques during the trial treatment.HOW SHOULD YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION?For proper advice and an overview of your hair growth pattern, it is essential that you refrain from plucking your hair (tweezers, waxing, epilation, or threading) for six weeks prior to your first consultation. You may shave or trim your hair during this period. However, you should also refrain from shaving or trimming your hair for seven days before your first consultation. If you do so, you will NOT be able to receive treatment.HOW SHOULD YOU PREPARE FOR THE TREATMENTS?During the electro-epilation treatment, it is strictly forbidden to pluck hairs with tweezers, waxing, epilation, or threading. Epilation causes the hair follicles to be (temporarily) empty, rendering the treatment ineffective. You may trim or shave the hairs during the treatment. However, the hairs must remain long enough to be easily picked up with tweezers during the treatment. Furthermore, ensure that the area is free of cosmetic products.PROTECTION FROM SUNLIGHT BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENTIf you expose yourself to the sun unprotected after electro-epilation, noticeable dark discoloration may occur. This can remain visible for months or even years. Therefore, you should carefully protect the treated area from the sun, starting six weeks before treatment and continuing for at least three months afterward. If you use sunscreen, it should be of sufficient strength (SPF 30 or higher) and reapply every two hours, but not on the day of treatment.POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS AND COMPLICATIONSImmediately after the treatment, you may experience brief redness, mild swelling, and small bumps on the skin. This is harmless and will disappear on its own. During the treatment process, light or dark spots may appear. These usually fade after a few months to a year. However, sometimes these spots don't disappear completely. This side effect is more common in people with darker skin tones and in people who haven't sufficiently avoided the sun. The skin is fragile after the treatment and should therefore be treated with care. Leave the skin alone as much as possible. You should always report any complaints, irritations, or changes to your skin to the skin therapist immediately.COSTS AND COMPENSATIONFor treatment prices, please see the quote. You must pay these costs after each treatment. For women with excessive facial hair, most health insurance companies will reimburse part of the treatment through your supplementary insurance. |
