By:
Vickie Mickey, CT

To Consult – to seek information, to act in an advisory capacity.

• This is the first time you can demonstrate your professional skills!
• 5 Seconds is the time it takes for an individual to develop an impression of you!
• Make that first impression professional in all forms of communication!

• Answer the phone in a professional manor and don’t use an answering service!
• Answering services are not human – that person needs a personal contact to address their personal needs.
• Receptions are excellent but need proper training to address the needs of that client.
• Develop a script for personnel to use.

• Every patient/client needs a consultation!
• Completed patient form necessary for proper the consultation.
• When the patient arrives at your office have a clipboard with paper work attached along with a pen.

• Discuss pertinent health information.
• Ask for updates on health history as the treatment plan progresses.
• Explain contraindications to electrolysis.
• Discuss any physical condition that may affect treatment.

• Have patient sit on clean treatment table.
• Review the treatment form, discuss the information on the form with the patient step by step.
• Address contraindications, medical history, and prescription medications.
• Discuss temporary methods of hair removal, modalities used in electrolysis and laser hair removal.
• Wash hands.
• Position patient on treatment table, view area to be treated. Observe distribution of hair and
• Discuss best modality for permanent hair removal pertaining to this patient.

• Discuss treatment time, scheduling of appointments, and cost per treatment for optimal results.
• Explain to patient the growth cycles of hair, along with types of hair and how they are affected by modalities.
• Visual aids deliver a clear understanding of the hair growth and the process of the currents in the follicle.
• Give an oral instructions and printed aftercare sheet to the patient.
• Explain regrowth.
• Cutting or shaving is permissible however, there needs to be ¼ inch of hair visible on the skin to remove it with electrolysis for each appointment.

• Explain infection control procedures.
• Discuss perceptions and anxieties.
• Office policies and procedures should be discussed.
• Treatment goals and plan should be included in the consultation.
• Cost of appointments, modality, how often the patients need schedule appointments.
• Have signed consent for treatment procedures before proceeding!

• Explain to the patient that trimming, cutting or shaving of the hair between appointment is acceptable however you need ¼ inch of hair to remove with electrolysis at the next appointment.
• Explain the skin reactions to the electrolysis as mild swelling and redness.
• Close each consultation with written before/after care information.
• Ask if they would like to schedule an appointment.
• Document – all information received in consultation on the patient records!!

• Do not use soap, water, or wash cloth on treated area for
24 hours.
• Cleanse treated area with mild antiseptic, witch hazel,
Seabreeze, or alcohol for 24 hours. Antibiotic cream will enhance healing.
• No make-up on area for 24 hours.
• No sun or tanning beds for 24 hours.
• Apply ice to area if swelling last more than 60 minutes.
• If tiny scabs develop do not dislodge, they will disappear in 2-3 days.
• If you have any concerns, please call the office.

• Hair must be approximately one-quarter inch long( the electrologist must be able to see the direction that the hair follicle grows).
• Area to be treated cleansed and free of make-up.
• Must refrain from temporary hair removal methods, cutting or shaving hair is acceptable.

• How do you do electrolysis?
• Explain the process of sliding the needle in the hair follicle, applying current to terminate the blood supply at the derma root of the hair.
• Is electrolysis permanent?
• Yes, it is approved by the FDA and AMA as the only proven method of hair removal.
• Does electrolysis hurt?
• There will be a slight sensation in the area to be treated however certain parts of the body are more sensitive such as the midline of the body. Topical anesthetic can be applied prior to your appointment to help with the sensation. ( Example the upper lip is more sensitive in the middle.).

• Will I be red and swollen in after the treatment?
• There may be some redness in the area treated. Usually the reaction is gone in 20-60 minutes.
• How long are the appointments?
• Usually the appointments are scheduled for 15-60 minutes, depending on the area to be treated and person’s tolerance.
• Will there be scaring?
• No. A well training electrologist can treat an area without damaging the tissue. After care is just as important as the treatments being completed in a skilled manor.

• Why can’t all of the hair be removed at one appointment?
• Hair grows in stages 80% of the hair present on the skin at one time is in the growing stage. Hair cannot be treated in the anagen or telegen growth cycle. Not all the hair grows at the same time on the body. Hair growth cycles is on the average 8 weeks for the body, 8-14 weeks for the face, and 4-6 years on the head. Distorted hair follicles may need more than one treatment to resolve the hair growth.

• An indication is a sign or symptom that something exists. Superfluous hair is an indication that electrolysis is necessary to remove the hair regardless of color, pigment, or texture.
• Contraindications is disease, condition, or medication that may be temporary or permanently preclude a patient from being treated with electrolysis.

• Metal Implants such as pacemakers, rods, plates, intrauterine (IUDs).
• Diabetes – have doctor’s consent to treat, do not treat lower extremities.
• Cold Sores – Do not treat if the area is active with breakout. Request that prophylactic medication be taken before appointment.
• Epilepsy – seizures can be activated by the electrolysis current. If the client is on medication have physician release to treat!
• Sunburn – do not treat until skin is completely healed.
• Moles – hairy nevi should not be treated unless physician releases you to treat.
• Inflammation – wait until skin is healed.
• Eczema – areas of eczema outbreak should not be treated.
• Hair in nose or inside the ear should not be removed.
• Children under the age of 12, if female child they should have started their menstrual cycle and had 6 periods.

• Electrolysis is the only proven method of hair removed recognized by the FDA.
• Electrolysis can be performed on all skin types, hair color, and hair types.
• Electrolysis can be used on all parts of the body except for inside the nose and ear.
• Electrolysis is very precise, eyebrows are a perfect examle.

• Patient must stop all forms of hair removal except cutting or shaving. Hair must be ¼ inch long for removal during an appointment.
• Electrolysis is costly compared to home style hair removal.
• Electrolysis can cause discomfort.
• Electrolysis can result in redness after an appointment.
• Make up cannot be worn for 24 hours after an appointment in the area treated.
• Extensive electrolysis can take months, even years to complete.