Clare Hargreaves-Norris

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.