Working your electrolysis treatments into your busy life can be an especially daunting task, particularly if you are full-time. First of all, there are the days before your treatment when you need to let your facial hair grow a bit so that your electrolysis tech can do her or his job. This can be a very unflattering couple of days and we certainly do not want to be seen out and about with hairs on our faces. We then have to make time for the treatment itself. And lastly, there is the recovery time to deal with. How do we look our best with a face that’s all bumpy and red?

If timed right, you’ll be able to schedule electrolysis treatments without becoming a hermit.

Before Your Treatment
It is best to give your electrolysis technician (ET) a day and a half to two days of facial hair growth before your appointment. This makes it easier for your ET to find, grab and zap your hairs. This will help them to clear more hair in less time. We all know how expensive electrolysis is, and anything we can do to add value to our session works in our favor. Unfortunately, the time prior to the treatment can be facially unflattering.

If possible, schedule your session on a Saturday. This way you can begin to let the hairs grow on Thursday (after work). Any new growth on that day will be negligible and you won’t feel self-conscious. Friday, the growth will be a bit more obvious, but you can use a good cover product to hide the unseemly stubble. By Saturday, your growth should be plenty accessible to your ET and you'll be all set for an optimum session. If you are earlier on in your permanent hair removal endeavors or have a heavier beard, you can probably wait until Friday to let the hair grow because of the volume and density of growth.

If you simply cannot get a Saturday appointment or need to be out-and-about prior to your treatment, use your cover product. There are many good ones on the market and you’ll feel more self-confident knowing your hairs are concealed.

To battle the feelings of self-consciousness and isolation, take this time prior to treatment as a time to pamper yourself with a long relaxing bubble bath, candles and aromatherapy (try some aromatic candles from Illuminations and a full spa treatment from Red Envelope). This is a great time to remind yourself you are a girl and doing so will give a fabulous lift to your psyche. Give yourself a manicure, pedicure, shave your legs and do everything else you can do to feel beautiful.

Right before your treatment, cleanse your face with witch hazel and a facial pad. This will remove dirt and oil without over drying your skin. Clean skin will mean fewer breakouts that often occur after treatments. Also, avoid salty foods and MSG. Salt in your body retains water, which will make the treatment more painful. Also, be careful to avoid caffeine.

After the Treatment
When you’ve finished your treatment, your skin will have been through hell and will look like it.

Directly after your session apply a generous about of calamine lotion to the areas worked. This will alleviate irritation and burning. Apply ice to alleviate swelling. You may need to re-apply the calamine lotion as the wet ice sometimes washes part of it off. Later, on the day of treatment, use an aloe skin product to help with your skin's recovery.

If you need to go out after a treatment, use a green based concealer to off-set the redness. Apply with a small brush or applicator then cover with foundation. Unfortunately only time will rid you of the bumps, but if you take care of your skin with aloe, that time will be lessened and in no time you will be your beautiful self.