1. Contra-indications to electrical epilation
NVQ Level 3 Beauty Therapy
Clare Hargreaves-Norris

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. That require medical referral Lets have a look in more detail
Contra-indications
That require medical referral
Lets have a look in more detail
Clare Hargreaves-Norris

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. That prevent treatment Lets have a look in more detail
Contra-indications
That prevent treatment
Lets have a look in more detail
Clare Hargreaves-Norris

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Skin cancer
The treatment may stimulate the cells further and therefore can not go ahead.
Clare Hargreaves-Norris

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. That restrict treatment Lets have a look in more detail
Contra-indications
That restrict treatment
Lets have a look in more detail
Clare Hargreaves-Norris

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. Clare Hargreaves-Norris
Cuts or abrasions
Treatment of the area could cause cross infection or secondary infection.
Clare Hargreaves-Norris

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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