V Electrolysis + Beauty LLC

V Electrolysis + Beauty LLC is run by electrologist Valerie McLaughlin, who practiced in Cambridge, MA before opening the Salem, NH location. The practice serves Salem and nearby communities, including Pelham, Derry and Atkinson in New Hampshire and Haverhill, Methuen and Andover in Massachusetts. It is located near Routes 28, 93, 495 and 213.

Visits are by appointment only, and consultations are free. Electrolysis is priced by time: $45 for 15 minutes, $65 for 30, $80 for 45 and $95 for 60. Payment is due at the appointment, and cash, checks, credit and debit cards and Venmo are accepted. Insurers generally treat electrolysis as cosmetic, so it is usually not covered; the practice provides invoices for clients to submit but does not contact insurers. A consultation no-show is charged $42, and cancellations need 24 hours notice to avoid the full service charge.

Before a first treatment, clients are asked to stop tweezing, waxing or threading at least a week ahead so there is hair to treat, and the hair should be about 2mm long. Between sessions, shaving and trimming are fine, but tweezing, waxing and threading should stop. The practice recommends a 4 or 5% topical lidocaine gel or cream applied at least 15 minutes before treatment, and it describes the sensation as similar to a mosquito bite or bee sting, with areas like the upper lip more sensitive. Afterward, the practice suggests a mild cleanser, a zinc oxide sunscreen, a short course of an antibiotic ointment, and avoiding exfoliants, retinol and chemical peels around treatment dates.

The practice focuses on hormonal facial hair associated with PCOS, hypothyroidism and excess testosterone, and it also offers hair removal on tattoos, widow's peak and hairline shaping, and gender affirming electrolysis for clients of all gender identities. It describes itself as an ally to the LGBTQ community. Infection control follows standards set by the New Hampshire Advisory Board of Electrology and the CDC, with pre-sterilized disposable probes, nitrile gloves, disposable table coverings, hospital grade disinfectant, an ultrasonic cleaner and a dry heat sterilizer.

The practice describes its electrolysis as FDA approved permanent hair removal, inserting a thin probe into each follicle and passing a small electrical pulse through it. Courses typically run a year to 18 months of consistent treatment, and clients with hormonal conditions or certain growth-promoting medications may need more.