Electrolysis swelling

[Colleen♡Callie]

Just finished my second electrolysis appt. and I'm curious as to what tried and true methods for reducing swelling that already started.  Ice and aspirin help prevent more swelling from happening, but the issue is it takes me an hour to get home so some swelling has already occurred.  Any tips on reducing it?

[Eveline]

Honey, does your electrologist have a refrigerator that you can keep an icepak in? Mine has a little mini fridge in her office.

[Colleen♡Callie]

No she doesn't

[Muffinheart]

First couple sessions I puffed up, then my electrologists suggested "EMLA" cream.
You apply it one hour before, it numbs the area.
Easy to apply, never had any effects or problems, and so glad I used it.

[Eveline]

I usually put a thick layer of 100% Aloe Vera on the treated areas right after electrolysis - it seems to help a bit...

[Kitty June]

Perhaps bring a cooler with ice packs next time. It might work if they don't sit too long or the weather is cool. Good chance of that right now. If your here in the east, just open the window.
Brrr gonna crawl under the blankets now.

[FrancisAnn]

I've had some terrible swelling sometimes. Aloa Vera is so cooling & nice, uses lots & lots of it until any irritation goes away. An ice bag also helps. Good luck. Once during the summer I got too much sun after a treatment & my face was so terrible for days, so no sun if you are lucky enough to be in a warm climate. 

[Ms Grace]

Sadly swelling is just a by product of the process. I found it took several hours for it to go down. My electro recommended avoiding creams and whatnot for at least 24 hours due to the risk of infection. I was just using alcohol wipes to keep my skin clean. The worst of the swelling would be down by the next day. What process are you using - thermolysis (single needle/electricity) or galvanic (multi-probe/heat). I'm using galvanic so recovery might be different for thermolysis.

[AnonyMs]

I've not started electrolysis yet, so this is just a guess.

I'd ask an doctor what might work best. I've used Voltaren (diclofenac) for inflammation and it works wonders - it sounds similar but I don't know if it would work for electrolysis. Regardless of that I'd expect there's more effective medications than aspirin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diclofenac

I think I'll ask I endo about this next time I see him. He seems to know all sorts of useful things.

[Julia-Madrid]

Many places will suggest their own technique for reducing pain and swelling.  Ice, carefully appied so as not to burn your skin, would help, as would an anti-inflammatory that you know works for you.  My clinic recommends applying a little rosehip oil before bed for a few days after electro.

After a session (presently I am doing 3 hours a week) I ensure that all makeup is removed and then wash with a gentle antibacterial soap.  At least this reduces the possibility of infected follicles etc.

[jenifer_n]

You can always pick up some of the chemical ice packs. They will do the trick but as you progress the amount of swelling does diminish.

jenifer n.

[mfox]

Here's what I use to limit the redness and swelling after Laser and Electro:

• Antihistimine tablet (Loratadine). These are over the counter (like "Claritin"). Taken morning of appointment
• Ibuprofen tablets (1 - 2 hours before appointment)
• 1% Hydrocortisone cream ("insect bite / sting relief") after appointment.
• Ice packs (you can get single-use instant activated cold packs in first aid supplies at a drug store).

The recovery for me is a lot faster when I use a combination of these.