Professional hair care

Sterex

Sterex is the UK's most trusted name in professional electrolysis, and has been the industry-standard brand for permanent hair removal supplies for over 40 years. Our Sterex collection brings together the complete professional range that working electrologists rely on — Gold, Insulated and Stainless Steel needles in every size, BNC and Banana Plug needleholders, sharps disposal, aftercare and hygiene products. Whether you're a newly qualified electrologist sourcing your first kit, an established practitioner restocking consumables, or a clinic ordering trade-pack quantities, you'll find the genuine Sterex products you need here, with proper next-day stock availability and free UK delivery.

Why Sterex is the professional standard

Sterex have been manufacturing electrolysis needles and equipment in the UK since 1983, and the brand is genuinely synonymous with electrolysis in the British professional industry. Sterex needles are precision-manufactured to medical-grade standards, individually packaged and sterilised, and engineered specifically for the three main electrolysis modalities — Galvanic (chemical), Thermolysis/Diathermy (heat), and Blend (combined). The brand also runs the Sterex Academy, the most respected electrolysis training provider in the UK, which means most BIAE-registered practitioners trained on Sterex equipment and continue to use it throughout their careers. If you're working professionally in electrolysis in the UK, Sterex is almost certainly the brand you trained on and the brand you trust.

Shop Sterex by category

Sterex needles

The heart of the Sterex range, and the consumable every electrologist gets through fastest. Sterex needles are sold individually in sterile packaging, with the size, type and length clearly marked for proper clinical use. Choose from three needle types depending on your treatment modality and skin sensitivity:

  • Sterex Gold Needles (F2G, F3G, F4G, F5G in Regular and Short) — gold-plated needles for clients with sensitivity to stainless steel, including nickel allergies. Hypoallergenic and biocompatible, the Gold range is the go-to choice for sensitive-skin clients and is widely used as a first-line professional standard.
  • Sterex Insulated Needles (F2I, F3I in Short) — coated insulated needles that limit the active treatment area to the tip of the needle, reducing surface heat exposure and skin reaction. Ideal for delicate skin, fine hair, or any treatment where precision and minimised epidermal effect matter. Particularly useful for facial work and reactive skin types.
  • Sterex Stainless Steel Needles (F3R Regular, F3S Short, F4S Short, F5S Regular and Short — sold in Box of 50 trade format) — the workhorse needles for general electrolysis use. Cost-effective for high-volume practices and clinics, available in box-of-50 packaging for proper trade buying.

Needle size selection (F2 through F5) corresponds to needle diameter — F2 being the finest for very fine hair and delicate skin, increasing through F3, F4 to F5 for stronger, deeper-rooted hairs. Most working electrologists keep multiple sizes in their treatment room and select per client and per area being treated.

Needleholders and connectors

Sterex needleholders are designed for compatibility with Sterex epilators and other professional electrolysis machines. Two fitting standards are available depending on your equipment:

  • Non-Switched Needleholder with BNC Connector — the standard fitting for most modern professional electrolysis units
  • Non-Switched Needleholder with Banana Plug — alternative fitting for older or specific machine types

Always check your epilator's connector type before ordering. The needleholder is the critical link between your machine and the needle, and using the correct fitting ensures consistent current delivery and treatment quality.

Hygiene and sterilisation

Treatment-room hygiene is non-negotiable in electrolysis, and Sterex provides the cornerstone products you need for safe, properly compliant practice:

  • Steri-Cleanse 500ml Pump — the professional-grade surface cleanser and pre-treatment sanitising solution used across UK clinics for treatment-area preparation. The 500ml pump bottle is the right size for daily clinic use.
  • Sharps Box — proper BS-7320-compliant sharps container for safe needle disposal in line with HTM 07-01 healthcare waste guidelines and BIAE practice standards.
  • Sterex Extra Caps (x5) — replacement protective caps for needleholder hygiene between clients.

Client aftercare

Post-treatment aftercare is where client comfort, healing speed, and treatment outcomes are properly determined. Sterex's aftercare range is formulated specifically for post-electrolysis skin:

  • Sterex Natural Aloe Vera Soothing Gel (1000ml pump) — the salon-size aloe vera gel for post-treatment application, calming the skin and reducing redness immediately after electrolysis.
  • Sterex Aloe Vera Gel 200ml — the mid-size for treatment-room use or to retail to clients for home aftercare.
  • Sterex Natural Aloe Vera Soothing Gel 35ml x 10 — single-client retail or take-home sachets for clients to use at home between appointments.
  • Sterex Natural Witch Hazel Gel 200ml — astringent witch hazel gel for post-treatment toning, calming, and supporting skin recovery. Particularly useful for clients with reactive or oily skin types.

Equipment accessories

The supporting equipment that keeps a working electrolysis treatment room running properly:

  • Sterex Footswitch — replacement footswitch for hands-free current activation during treatment. Essential for proper treatment technique and an accessory most practitioners eventually need to replace once their original wears out.

About electrolysis: the only proven permanent hair removal

Electrolysis is the only method of hair removal recognised by the FDA as truly permanent. Unlike laser or IPL (which work best on pigmented hair against contrasting skin), electrolysis works on every hair colour, every skin tone, every hair type — including white, grey, blonde, red, and very fine hair that lasers can't target. By inserting a fine needle into each hair follicle and applying a measured electrical current, electrolysis destroys the hair growth cells permanently, hair by hair. Performed by a qualified electrologist, it's the gold-standard solution for facial hair, transgender hair removal, body hair, and clients for whom laser isn't suitable.

Working professionally in electrolysis in the UK requires proper accredited training (the Sterex Academy and the BIAE — British Institute and Association of Electrolysis — are the recognised professional bodies), insurance, and ongoing CPD. Sterex's products are designed to support qualified practice at every stage from training to established clinic.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Sterex Gold, Insulated and Stainless Steel needles?

Gold needles are gold-plated for clients with metal sensitivity, particularly nickel allergies — the gold layer is hypoallergenic and biocompatible. Insulated needles have a non-conductive coating along most of the needle shaft, restricting current delivery to the tip — best for delicate skin, fine hair, and minimising epidermal reaction. Stainless Steel needles are the standard cost-effective workhorse for general use. Most electrologists stock all three types and select based on the individual client.

What needle size should I use?

Needle sizing (F2 to F5) corresponds to diameter, increasing from finest (F2) to thickest (F5). Choose based on the strength and depth of the hair being treated and the client's skin sensitivity. F2-F3 are typical for facial hair and finer body hair; F4-F5 for stronger, deeper terminal hair on the body. The Short and Regular variants relate to needle length — Short for shallow follicles like upper lip and chin, Regular for deeper follicles on the body.

Are Sterex needles single-use?

Yes — Sterex needles are individually sterile-packaged and strictly single-use. After treatment, the used needle must be disposed of in a proper sharps container (like the Sterex Sharps Box) in line with healthcare waste protocol. Never reuse electrolysis needles, regardless of the client.

What needleholder do I need for my machine?

Check your epilator's connector type. Modern Sterex epilators and most professional units use the BNC connector. Some older or specialist machines use the Banana Plug fitting. The two aren't interchangeable, so confirm before ordering. If you're unsure, your machine's manual or manufacturer support will confirm the correct fitting.

Do you need a professional account to buy Sterex products?

Sterex products are professional-use supplies designed for qualified electrologists. Our range is available without trade account requirements, but we expect Sterex needles, needleholders and treatment supplies to be used only by properly trained practitioners. Electrolysis performed without proper training carries serious risks of skin damage, infection, and scarring — these aren't products for at-home casual use.

How should Sterex needles be stored?

Store in their original sterile packaging, in a cool dry place, and use before the expiry date marked on the packaging. Don't open the sterile packaging until immediately before use, and discard any needle whose packaging has been compromised. Proper storage and handling is part of maintaining clinical hygiene standards.

What aftercare should clients use after electrolysis?

Sterex Aloe Vera Soothing Gel applied immediately post-treatment calms redness and supports skin recovery. For the following 24-48 hours, clients should avoid heat (saunas, hot baths, exercise), sun exposure, makeup over the treated area, and tight clothing on body areas. The Sterex 35ml retail sachets are properly useful for sending clients home with the right aftercare product. Witch Hazel gel can be useful for clients with oilier skin or those prone to reactive redness.

Are Sterex products UK-made?

Yes. Sterex is a British company that has manufactured electrolysis needles and equipment in the UK since 1983, and continues to do so today. The British manufacturing heritage is one of the reasons Sterex products are trusted across UK clinical practice — quality control, regulatory compliance, and consistent supply are all properly maintained.

Is electrolysis the same as laser hair removal?

No — they're completely different technologies. Laser uses light energy targeted at pigment in the hair, which means it works best on dark hair against light skin and doesn't work on white, grey, blonde or very fine hair. Electrolysis uses electrical current delivered through a fine needle

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Sterex

Sterex is the UK's most trusted name in professional electrolysis, and has been the industry-standard brand for permanent hair removal supplies for over 40 years. Our Sterex collection brings together the complete professional range that working electrologists rely on — Gold, Insulated and Stainless Steel needles in every size, BNC and Banana Plug needleholders, sharps disposal, aftercare and hygiene products. Whether you're a newly qualified electrologist sourcing your first kit, an established practitioner restocking consumables, or a clinic ordering trade-pack quantities, you'll find the genuine Sterex products you need here, with proper next-day stock availability and free UK delivery.

Why Sterex is the professional standard

Sterex have been manufacturing electrolysis needles and equipment in the UK since 1983, and the brand is genuinely synonymous with electrolysis in the British professional industry. Sterex needles are precision-manufactured to medical-grade standards, individually packaged and sterilised, and engineered specifically for the three main electrolysis modalities — Galvanic (chemical), Thermolysis/Diathermy (heat), and Blend (combined). The brand also runs the Sterex Academy, the most respected electrolysis training provider in the UK, which means most BIAE-registered practitioners trained on Sterex equipment and continue to use it throughout their careers. If you're working professionally in electrolysis in the UK, Sterex is almost certainly the brand you trained on and the brand you trust.

Shop Sterex by category

Sterex needles

The heart of the Sterex range, and the consumable every electrologist gets through fastest. Sterex needles are sold individually in sterile packaging, with the size, type and length clearly marked for proper clinical use. Choose from three needle types depending on your treatment modality and skin sensitivity:

  • Sterex Gold Needles (F2G, F3G, F4G, F5G in Regular and Short) — gold-plated needles for clients with sensitivity to stainless steel, including nickel allergies. Hypoallergenic and biocompatible, the Gold range is the go-to choice for sensitive-skin clients and is widely used as a first-line professional standard.
  • Sterex Insulated Needles (F2I, F3I in Short) — coated insulated needles that limit the active treatment area to the tip of the needle, reducing surface heat exposure and skin reaction. Ideal for delicate skin, fine hair, or any treatment where precision and minimised epidermal effect matter. Particularly useful for facial work and reactive skin types.
  • Sterex Stainless Steel Needles (F3R Regular, F3S Short, F4S Short, F5S Regular and Short — sold in Box of 50 trade format) — the workhorse needles for general electrolysis use. Cost-effective for high-volume practices and clinics, available in box-of-50 packaging for proper trade buying.

Needle size selection (F2 through F5) corresponds to needle diameter — F2 being the finest for very fine hair and delicate skin, increasing through F3, F4 to F5 for stronger, deeper-rooted hairs. Most working electrologists keep multiple sizes in their treatment room and select per client and per area being treated.

Needleholders and connectors

Sterex needleholders are designed for compatibility with Sterex epilators and other professional electrolysis machines. Two fitting standards are available depending on your equipment:

  • Non-Switched Needleholder with BNC Connector — the standard fitting for most modern professional electrolysis units
  • Non-Switched Needleholder with Banana Plug — alternative fitting for older or specific machine types

Always check your epilator's connector type before ordering. The needleholder is the critical link between your machine and the needle, and using the correct fitting ensures consistent current delivery and treatment quality.

Hygiene and sterilisation

Treatment-room hygiene is non-negotiable in electrolysis, and Sterex provides the cornerstone products you need for safe, properly compliant practice:

  • Steri-Cleanse 500ml Pump — the professional-grade surface cleanser and pre-treatment sanitising solution used across UK clinics for treatment-area preparation. The 500ml pump bottle is the right size for daily clinic use.
  • Sharps Box — proper BS-7320-compliant sharps container for safe needle disposal in line with HTM 07-01 healthcare waste guidelines and BIAE practice standards.
  • Sterex Extra Caps (x5) — replacement protective caps for needleholder hygiene between clients.

Client aftercare

Post-treatment aftercare is where client comfort, healing speed, and treatment outcomes are properly determined. Sterex's aftercare range is formulated specifically for post-electrolysis skin:

  • Sterex Natural Aloe Vera Soothing Gel (1000ml pump) — the salon-size aloe vera gel for post-treatment application, calming the skin and reducing redness immediately after electrolysis.
  • Sterex Aloe Vera Gel 200ml — the mid-size for treatment-room use or to retail to clients for home aftercare.
  • Sterex Natural Aloe Vera Soothing Gel 35ml x 10 — single-client retail or take-home sachets for clients to use at home between appointments.
  • Sterex Natural Witch Hazel Gel 200ml — astringent witch hazel gel for post-treatment toning, calming, and supporting skin recovery. Particularly useful for clients with reactive or oily skin types.

Equipment accessories

The supporting equipment that keeps a working electrolysis treatment room running properly:

  • Sterex Footswitch — replacement footswitch for hands-free current activation during treatment. Essential for proper treatment technique and an accessory most practitioners eventually need to replace once their original wears out.

About electrolysis: the only proven permanent hair removal

Electrolysis is the only method of hair removal recognised by the FDA as truly permanent. Unlike laser or IPL (which work best on pigmented hair against contrasting skin), electrolysis works on every hair colour, every skin tone, every hair type — including white, grey, blonde, red, and very fine hair that lasers can't target. By inserting a fine needle into each hair follicle and applying a measured electrical current, electrolysis destroys the hair growth cells permanently, hair by hair. Performed by a qualified electrologist, it's the gold-standard solution for facial hair, transgender hair removal, body hair, and clients for whom laser isn't suitable.

Working professionally in electrolysis in the UK requires proper accredited training (the Sterex Academy and the BIAE — British Institute and Association of Electrolysis — are the recognised professional bodies), insurance, and ongoing CPD. Sterex's products are designed to support qualified practice at every stage from training to established clinic.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Sterex Gold, Insulated and Stainless Steel needles?

Gold needles are gold-plated for clients with metal sensitivity, particularly nickel allergies — the gold layer is hypoallergenic and biocompatible. Insulated needles have a non-conductive coating along most of the needle shaft, restricting current delivery to the tip — best for delicate skin, fine hair, and minimising epidermal reaction. Stainless Steel needles are the standard cost-effective workhorse for general use. Most electrologists stock all three types and select based on the individual client.

What needle size should I use?

Needle sizing (F2 to F5) corresponds to diameter, increasing from finest (F2) to thickest (F5). Choose based on the strength and depth of the hair being treated and the client's skin sensitivity. F2-F3 are typical for facial hair and finer body hair; F4-F5 for stronger, deeper terminal hair on the body. The Short and Regular variants relate to needle length — Short for shallow follicles like upper lip and chin, Regular for deeper follicles on the body.

Are Sterex needles single-use?

Yes — Sterex needles are individually sterile-packaged and strictly single-use. After treatment, the used needle must be disposed of in a proper sharps container (like the Sterex Sharps Box) in line with healthcare waste protocol. Never reuse electrolysis needles, regardless of the client.

What needleholder do I need for my machine?

Check your epilator's connector type. Modern Sterex epilators and most professional units use the BNC connector. Some older or specialist machines use the Banana Plug fitting. The two aren't interchangeable, so confirm before ordering. If you're unsure, your machine's manual or manufacturer support will confirm the correct fitting.

Do you need a professional account to buy Sterex products?

Sterex products are professional-use supplies designed for qualified electrologists. Our range is available without trade account requirements, but we expect Sterex needles, needleholders and treatment supplies to be used only by properly trained practitioners. Electrolysis performed without proper training carries serious risks of skin damage, infection, and scarring — these aren't products for at-home casual use.

How should Sterex needles be stored?

Store in their original sterile packaging, in a cool dry place, and use before the expiry date marked on the packaging. Don't open the sterile packaging until immediately before use, and discard any needle whose packaging has been compromised. Proper storage and handling is part of maintaining clinical hygiene standards.

What aftercare should clients use after electrolysis?

Sterex Aloe Vera Soothing Gel applied immediately post-treatment calms redness and supports skin recovery. For the following 24-48 hours, clients should avoid heat (saunas, hot baths, exercise), sun exposure, makeup over the treated area, and tight clothing on body areas. The Sterex 35ml retail sachets are properly useful for sending clients home with the right aftercare product. Witch Hazel gel can be useful for clients with oilier skin or those prone to reactive redness.

Are Sterex products UK-made?

Yes. Sterex is a British company that has manufactured electrolysis needles and equipment in the UK since 1983, and continues to do so today. The British manufacturing heritage is one of the reasons Sterex products are trusted across UK clinical practice — quality control, regulatory compliance, and consistent supply are all properly maintained.

Is electrolysis the same as laser hair removal?

No — they're completely different technologies. Laser uses light energy targeted at pigment in the hair, which means it works best on dark hair against light skin and doesn't work on white, grey, blonde or very fine hair. Electrolysis uses electrical current delivered through a fine needle