Contra-indications to electrical

epilation

NVQ Level 3 Beauty

Therapy

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
What is a contra-indication?

 It is something that prevents or requires

medical referral or restricts how the
treatment is applied.
 It is important that you can recognise a
contra-indication so to prevent any
further harm to the client or yourself, and
to prevent cross-infection and secondary
infection.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
The contra-indications that require
medical referral are:

 Pregnancy
 Insulin controlled diabetes
 Moles and pigmented naevi
 Heart conditions
 Hormone imbalance or endocrine
disorders
 Clients under the age of 16

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
The contra-indications that
prevent treatment are:
 Epilepsy
 Hepatitis
 HIV Skin cancer in the treatment area
 Electronic implants
 Haemophilia
 Infectious skin diseases or disorders
 Predisposition to keloid scarring

If you are unsure of any contra-indication, you may wish to

contact a Professional Electrical Epilation Association, such
as the Institute of Electrolysis.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
The contra-indications that
restrict treatment are:
 Metal plates or pins
 Skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema,
dermatitis
 Acne in the treatment area
 Cuts or abrasions
 Severe bruising
 Recent scar tissue (up to 6 months)
 Varicose veins in the treatment area
 Recent use of micro-dermabrasion products or
chemical peels

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Contra-indications

That require medical

referral

Lets have a look in more

detail

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Pregnancy

Hair growth which appears during pregnancy

should not be treated as it will often
disappear once the baby is born and the
hormone levels re-adjust.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Insulin controlled diabetes

A diabetic client has reduced healing and

is more susceptible to infection thus, care
must be taken. If treating, offer shorter
treatments with an increased length of
time between treatments to allow for
healing.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Moles and pigmented naevi

This is to ensure that they

do not have any malignant
cells present, as any
interference through
tweezing or electrolysis
could cause the cells to
spread. Naevi also have an
excellent blood supply and
can therefore easily bleed.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Heart conditions

A doctor’s referral is required before you

can perform the treatment as the
medication that is prescribed often
interferes with blood coagulation (necessary
for an effective treatment).

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Hormone imbalance or endocrine
disorder

Depending on which hormone is affected, various

endocrine disorders can occur. Once the correct
hormone balance is achieved, generally, the hair
growth problem will return to normal and therefore
treatment will not be required. However, it is worth
noting that electrical epilation treatment combined
with medication will treat the unwanted hair growth
much more quickly than medication alone.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Clients under the age of 16

This is because the conditions that cause the hair

growth often arise during puberty and commonly
regulate themselves naturally once the hormones
stabilise. This in turn generally corrects the hair
growth problem. If the client is very insistent that
they receive treatment, or the hair growth pattern
is hereditary, then doctor’s recommendation must be
sought prior to treatment. Treatment would be
appropriate if the client was very distressed about
the hair growth and was considering treating the
growth with a temporary method. In this instance,
electrical epilation would be far more appropriate.
Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Contra-indications

That prevent treatment

Lets have a look in more

detail

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Epilepsy

It is considered a risk that the use of the

electrical current may disturb the electrical
impulses to the brain, which could result in a
fit. A client who has their epilepsy controlled
by medication is often safe to receive an
electrical epilation treatment using short
wave diathermy; however doctor’s consent
must be sought first.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Hepatitis

Hepatitis A and B viruses are more resilient than

HIV viruses and can remain on hard surfaces for
several years. As the disease is so contagious it is
recommended that you do not treat a person with
this virus. If treating you must receive a doctor’s
note, wear gloves and follow the strictest hygienic
procedures. The clotting mechanisms of the blood
are often affected; the skin heals slowly and
bruises easily. A therapist may receive vaccination
against hepatitis B, which consists of three
vaccinations over a period of 8 months.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
HIV

HIV is a virus that may lead to AIDS. HIV

interferes with the immune system so reducing the
body’s ability to cope with disease or infection. The
virus can be transmitted by infected blood entering
an open wound or through electro-epilation needles.
The virus is however very fragile when exposed to
the air and also easily destroyed by the use of
disinfectants. Because there is a small risk that
blood may be drawn when treating the client, the
treatment should not be performed.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Skin cancer

The treatment may

stimulate the cells
further and therefore
can not go ahead.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Electronic implants

The electrical current

can interfere with the
functioning of the
electronic implant, and
this could prove to be
fatal.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Haemophilia

Haemophilia is a blood condition in which an

essential clotting factor is either partly or
completely missing. This causes a person with
haemophilia to bleed for longer than normal.
This would mean that the skin may not heal
properly and continue to bleed.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Infectious skin diseases

Infectious diseases
such as infestations,
bacterial, fungal or
viral infections should
not be treated as they
could be cross
infected to other
clients or the
therapist.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Predisposition to keloid scarring

You should not treat

as there is a chance
that the client may
develop further scar
tissue in the area
being treated.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Contra-indications

That restrict treatment

Lets have a look in more

detail

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Metal plates and pins

When using a concentration of high

frequency current, overheating can occur at
the sight of the metal. If the metal plate or
pin is only very small and a distance away
from where you wish to carry out treatment
the doctor may give approval.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Skin disorders

It is important that you do

not treat the area as you
could cause secondary
infection, or if the skin is
weeping cross infection
could occur. It would also
be very difficult to treat,
as the epidermal cell build
up would make probing very
difficult.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Acne

The area should be

avoided as pustules
and inflammation
makes insertion very
difficult and
secondary infection
could occur at the
sight.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Cuts or abrasions

Treatment of the area could cause cross

infection or secondary infection.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Severe bruising

Treatment over the area would be very

uncomfortable for the client and may make
the condition worse.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Recent scar tissue

Recent scar tissue (up

to 6 months) must be
totally avoided as
pressure may cause
the scar tissue to re-
open, secondary
infection may also
occur.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Varicose veins

Treatment over
varicose veins would
be uncomfortable and
pressure could cause
the walls to rupture or
a blood clot to move.
The area must be
avoided.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Recent use of micro-dermabrasion
products or chemical peels

These products increase sensitivity, cause

thinning of the skin and may cause hyper-
pigmentation due to sensitivity to sunlight.

Clare Hargreaves-Norris