Electrolosis and make-up

[Riannah]

I'm starting with electrolosis in january and I wonder how I should go the appointment, makeup-wise.. I normally never leave the house without make-up. I always wear foundation and mascara etc. I am guessing though that for electrolosis the face needs to be clean of any products. I maybe could still wear eye-makeup but I'm not sure if electrolosis gives teary eyes? Wearing eye-makeup with laser was defenately not a success LOL..

Do you wear make-up to your electrolosis appointments?

[K8]

I wear eye-shadow and mascara and lipstick.  I put a little foundation on my nose to cover the large pores there, but the rest of my face is clear of makeup.  You can ask your electrolygist, but I think it would be easier (more successful) if you were clean-faced in the area to be worked on.

- Kate

[Riannah]

That makes sense. Thanks Kate. I'm not looking forward to not shaving for 2 days and going in public with facial hair and no make-up, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do I guess. I don't have a lot of facial hair and the ones I do have are mostly white, but I'm so used to always shave that I'm sure that this will make me feel even more self-conscious than I already do. Especially in public transport. I may wear a burqa, lol..

[K8]

I know what you mean about the not shaving, but I think a burqa would draw more attention.   At some point I realized that the whiskers weren't that visible.  One time when I was feeling sorry for myself, a GG friend point out that she has more on her chin than I do (which was true but I hadn't noticed).

Just hold you head high and go about your business.  If your experience is anything like mine, either no one or very few will notice.  And the really nice thing is that gradually there are fewer and fewer to worry about.

- Kate

[K8]

BTW Riannah, I always carry an electric razor to my electrolysis sessions so that I can shave immediately afterward.  Then at least I will be clean-shaven as I do some shopping on the way home.

- Kate

[Cassie]

My routine is not to shave on the morning of treatment and not to shave the morning after treatment (friday evening is my favoured treatment time). No makeup should be worn on the area of treatment although I usually wear it up until i set off for the appointment taking it off in the loo at work before I go. If you're having your upper lip done it may make you wince a little - you could try Emla cream to reduce the pain there. Sneezing is a much bigger risk in my experience!

[K8]

I asked my electrolygist today.  She said that makeup on the area being worked on just makes it more difficult and may increase the risk of infection.

- Kate

[JennX]

I asked my electrolygist today.  She said that makeup on the area being worked on just makes it more difficult and may increase the risk of infection.

- Kate

This is correct. You want your face to be clean and clear of anything (makeup, creams, oil, etc). Also since you need to grow out your facial hair a bit for the tweezers to grab a hold of the hair, facial hair + foundation = yuck. The two simply don't work together.

[Cindy]

Same response. Even if you do laser they want you clean shaved but no make up, for electro they need something to grab onto. Kate's idea is cute and you can take some makeup with you for the journey home.

Just for fun The first time I went for laser I had not shaved, since reading the pamphlet said not to. I went as a guy and met the nurse doing it and who assessed me. She said I need to shave your neck to start, and that I've never shaved a guy.  I explained that the pamphlet said not too. She replied that is a guide for woman. I replied that I was a woman undergoing HRT. Instantly she responded, I've never shaved a bearded lady before. With a big smile.

Cindy