Electrolysis FAQ

 

What areas of the body can be treated?

Hair can be removed from almost any part of the body.  Some common areas for women include the hairline, eyebrows, top of the nose, cheeks, sideburn area, upper and lower lip, chin, throat, neck, shoulders, back, chest, breasts, abdomen, arms, legs, bikini line, hands, feet, toes and fingers.  Hair on the eyelashes, inside the nose and inside the ear canal are only treated under the supervision of a physician.  Hairy moles may be treated with written permission from a physician.  It is perfectly safe to treat pregnant women, but the breasts and abdomen are avoided after the sixth month of pregnancy. Men often have hair removed from the hairline, beard line, shoulders, back, nose.  Electrolysis is very helpful for treating ingrown hairs which frequently cause irritation in the beard area.

Why should I choose electrolysis to solve my unwanted hair problem?

Time is one factor for choosing electrolysis in today's fast-paced world. Dealing with unwanted hair in a temporary way is tedious, costly and never-ending. Permanent hair removal frees you from this daily routine. Electrolysis also improves your physical appearance and self-image, lessens anxiety caused by the unwanted hair and helps you feel more attractive and socially acceptable. It is a choice that will enhance your own natural beauty and self-confidence. Lastly, electrolysis has been proven safe and effective over many years of use and is recognized by physicians and the American Medical Association. You can be confident that permanent hair removal will change your life in a positive and lasting way.

Are no-needle or electronic tweezing methods of hair removal effective?

From time to time, methods of hair removal have been advertised where the hair is grasped by a tweezer connected to an electric current source. The electric current allegedly travels down the hair shaft to destroy the hair root without any probe or needles. I am not aware of any reputable scientific evidence published in peer-reviewed medical journals to support the effectiveness of electronic-tweezer/no-needle methods of hair removal. It is my impression that the no-needle and electronic tweezing methods are no more effective in permanent removal of hair than ordinary "tweezing."

What about laser hair removal?

Lasers have been used for hair removal since the mid 1990's. They are safe in the hands of trained technicians but have several shortcomings:

1. Lasers work well only when a hair is in the anagen (growing) phase. On some parts of the body, less than 50% of the hairs are in the growing phase.

2. Lasers are not very effective on grey, blond or red hair.

3. Lasers are awkward and impractical to use when sculpting/shaping eyebrows and other critical areas.

4. Lasers are less effective on darker and tanned skin.

How is electrolysis done?

A fine sterile needle/probe is inserted alongside each individual hair into the hair follicle. Once the probe is inserted properly, a small amount of electrical energy is transmitted. Tweezers or forceps are then used to remove the treated hair. The aim of electrolysis is not only to remove the hair, but also to destroy the cells which produce it.

Will I need more than one treatment?

The frequency of visits depends on the amount of hair, previous methods of removal, any medications and health conditions that effect hair growth. Electrolysis is a gradual destroying of hair producing cells. Most hairs require more than one treatment. The energy required to destroy all the hair producing cells in one treatment could cause damage to the skin; therefore, a series of treatments may be required over a period of time.

How often will I need to come for treatment?

It is very important to treat the hair at the time it is resurfacing so it does not rebuild or regenerate itself. The hair follicle is in a constant state of change in its growth stages. We can only treat those hairs that are visible. Regrowth time depends on individual hair growth and previous methods of hair removal. The average time of hair reappearance after electrolysis treatment is 4-6 weeks.

How long will the entire process take?

It is impossible to predict exactly how long the entire process will take because each individual is different and there are a wide variety of factors that effect hair growth. Successful treatment depends a great deal on client willingness and ability to adhere to a treatment schedule as recommended by the electrologist. You should be encouraged within a few weeks as the area being treated looks continuously improved, the regrowth less and less, and finer and softer in appearance. Electrolysis may take weeks to months to see marked improvement and often over a year to permanently destroy every hair cell.

What causes unwanted hair growth?

We are all born with a predetermined number of hair follicles, depending on our genetic makeup. Not all of the hair follicles will produce hair. The following are common factors which may cause unwanted hair on many parts of the body. • Genetics. We probably inherited our hair growth pattern from our ancestors. • Endocrine System Imbalances. Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause have great effects on the hormones in our bodies and can produce excessive hair. Malfunctions in the endocrine system can also produce excess hair; i.e. thyroid imbalance, menstrual irregularities, polycystic ovaries, tumors and diseases. • Medications. Certain birth control pills can produce excessive hair growth. Medications used for high blood pressure and seizures may also produce unwanted hair growth. • Stress. Both physical and emotional stress can trigger hormone changes that affect hair growth. • External Influences. Abrasion, scratching, rubbing, and sunburn may all produce hair.

Who invented electrolysis?

Dr. Charles Michel first used an electric current for hair follicle destruction in the treatment of ingrown eyelashes in 1875. Withstanding the test of time, the same basic principle is still used today.

What are the methods used for the practice of electrolysis today?

• Galvanic. Direct current modality in which the electric current creates a chemical reaction within the hair follicle. • Thermolysis. Developed in the 1940s, the Thermolysis modality is a process that uses heat to destroy the hair follicle. • Blend. The Blend modality combines Galvanic and Thermolysis. All three modalities can be effective. Your electrologist will make the decision about which modality is best suited to your individual needs.

How painful is electrolysis?

There is no such thing as sensation free electrolysis. There is a slight, brief sensation of heat to which each individual has a different level of tolerance. Since the probe is inserted into the hair follicle and does not pierce the skin, the heat is the only sensation experienced. Most clients adapt quickly to the sensation. Topical anesthetics are available to lessen the sensation. EMLA or Fougera are topical creams available by prescription through your physician.

How long does the hair need to be in order for the procedures to be performed?

What else should I know before I get electrolysis done? The hairs that you want treated need to be 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch long. Do not tweeze or wax the hair! Tweezing and waxing actually stimulates hair growth and produces coarser and deeper hair. It can also do significant damage to your skin. You may clip the hair with small scissors or shave in-between treatments as long as you allow enough growth to be treated at your appointment. If possible, the area should be clean and free of makeup before treatments.

How much does electrolysis cost?

Electrolysis compares favorably with other professional health care and aesthetic services. The cost of each treatment is determined by the length of time spent in actual hair removal. Neither the number of treatments nor the total cost can accurately be pre-determined because of the many variables that affect hair growth. The overall cost is a small price to pay for the physical and psychological benefits of a lifetime of freedom from embarrassing, unwanted hair.

Who can benefit from  electrolysis?

Men, women and teens. Electrolysis is for everyone.  It is effective on all skin and hair colors.  Any texture of hair can be treated including fine, heavy and coarse hair.