FAQs: A Guide to Electrolysis, Permanent Hair Removal
What is ELECTROLYSIS? Is it something new?
How does ELECTROLYSIS remove hair?
Is ELECTROLYSIS really permanent?
What causes the growth of excessive hair?
How long will the treatment take? Can all hairs be removed at once?
How does ELECTROLYSIS compare with other methods of hair removal?
How does the treatment feel? Is ELECTROLYSIS uncomfortable?
In addition to permanently removing unwanted hairs, are there other benefitsfrom ELECTROLYSIS?
Are there any health risks associated with ELECTROLYSIS?
How will the skin look after treatment?
How should I care for my skin between treatments?
Q: What is ELECTROLYSIS? Is it something new?
A: Electrolysis is the only medically-accepted permanent method of removing hair from the face and body. It was first developed in 1875 by Charles Michael, M.D. The effectiveness of electrolysis has been tested and verified by over 100 years of study, practice, and results.
- Electrolysis is a broad term which describes one or more types of electrical currents used to destroy unwanted hair. These include:
- Thermolysis (high-frequency current), which dehydrates and destroys the hair root by applying heat to the follicle.Galvanic current (direct current), which creates a chemical reaction with the salt and water naturally present in the skin, thereby destroying the hair; and
- “The Blend,” which is the balanced, simultaneous use of both thermolysis and galvanic currents
Q: How does ELECTROLYSIS remove hair?
A: The electrologist places a fine wire filament, about the size of the hair, into the pore, so that it enters the follicle. Then, a very small amount of electrical current is applied. The filament conducts the current into the follicle and down to the root. The hair is thus destroyed, and then can be easily removed.
Q: Is ELECTROLYSIS really permanent?
A: Yes! When administered by a skilled, licensed electrologist, it is extremely effective and permanent. Once the hair root and follicle have been properly treated, regrowth cannot occur.
Q: What causes the growth of excessive hair?
A: Superfluous hair is a condition that may affect as many as 80 percent of all women and men to some degree. Usually, it can be traced either to heredity or to some type of glandular/ endocrine hormone imbalance.
Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause create changes which may cause hairs to become noticeably thicker, coarser, and darker. Illness, certain medications, hormones, and stress can also trigger dramatic increases in hair growth.
In addition, tweezing and waxing are also known to stimulate even fine hairs to become more vigorous and visible.
Q: Which areas can be treated?
A: Assuming that the skin is in normal health, every part of the face and body (except for the internal parts of the nose and ears) can be treated.
Q: How long will the treatment take? Can all hairs be removed at once?
A: Treatment schedules are tailored to meet each client’s individual needs. Your electrologist will be happy to arrange an introductory consultation with you in order to assess several factors which will determine the frequency and length of treatment required. These include:
- The number and coarseness of the hairs
- Whether or not the hairs have been previously tweezed or waxed
- The sensitivity and general condition of the skin.
Your electrologist will usually recommend a series of treatments. All visible hairs will be removed as quickly as possible. Thereafter, as new, previously-untreated hairs emerge, treatment will be scheduled as necessary to keep the area clear.
Q: How does ELECTROLYSIS compare with other methods of hair removal?
A: Electrolysis has the advantage of being the only permanent method.Even laser treatments are not effective on all hairs. Although lasers may reduce the number of hairs, the hairs are not always completely destroyed even after several treatments.
- Waxing and tweezing tend to strengthen the hair root, resulting in darker, thicker regrowth, which may often become ingrown.
- Shaving, depilatories, waxing, and tweezing (including various types of electric tweezers) are only temporary, and require an on-going routine of maintenance in order to perpetually remove each new cycle of regrowth.
- These methods are both time-consuming and expensive.
Q: How does the treatment feel? Is ELECTROLYSIS uncomfortable?
A: Some clients find the process so comfortable that they actually doze off during treatment! Others experience varying degrees of sensation. The probe slides easily into the hair follicle and causes no discomfort. The tiny electrical current may produce a slight “stinging”, depending on the client’s own personal tolerance level and the amount of moisture on the skin.
Your electrologist can employ various options during and after treatment to reduce to a minimum any possible pain or discomfort. State-of-the-art equipment provides the most gentle, effective currents for both thermolysis and the “Blend” methods of treatment. This advanced technology has been widely acknowledged for its effectiveness and enhancement of client comfort.
In addition, use of specially insulated probes and appropriate topical anesthetics have helped to reduce sensation on the skin. Proper after-care following treatment will further comfort and soothe the skin.
Avoiding caffeine, sugar, and alcohol before treatment is also known to calm the nervous system and promote relaxation.
A: The cost is actually very moderate as compared with other beauty and health-care services. When you calculate the expense and inconvenience of life-long use of razors, depilatories, wax, and other temporary methods of hair removal, you will realize that the costs – both in time and in money – are considerable. Electrolysis is an investment in yourself that will continue to yield life-long benefits and satisfaction.
Q: In addition to permanently removing unwanted hairs, are there other benefits from ELECTROLYSIS?
A: Yes! You many notice that your skin will gradually become more refined. Pore size is often diminished. Dark patches and shadows on the face and lip where hair was present become lighter and clearer. Excessive oil production may be normalized. Many clients who were plagued for years by various skin eruptions and ingrown hairs, often report a disappearance of these conditions.
Problem perspiration and underarm odor are frequently reduced following treatment of this area.
After you have experienced for yourself the many benefits of electrolysis, you will wonder why you ever allowed unwanted hair to detract from your appearance and self-confidence.
Q: Are there any health risks associated with ELECTROLYSIS?
A: During the past several years, prevention and control of communicable diseases has become a major concern for us all.
You can be certain that your electrologist will give first priority to your health and well-being before, during, and after treatment. Electrologists are fully-licensed professionals who are thoroughly trained in effective sterilization and sanitation procedures required by law.
Vigilant use of sonic cleaners, dry heat and sterilizers, and disinfectant solutions combat infectious agents on all instruments.
Pre-sterilized, disposable probes are used to ensure the highest level of protection.
Q: How will the skin look after treatment?
A: Electrolysis generally produces no adverse side effects. However, it is perfectly normal for a slight and temporary redness or swelling of the skin to occur in the area of treatment. This usually disappears completely within a few minutes to one hour. Occasionally, honey-colored scabs, which are a normal part of the healing process, may appear on treated areas of the body within two to four days after treatment.
Q: How should I care for my skin between treatments?
A: Your electrologist will administer appropriate after-treatment care to ensure the optimum comfort and well-being of your skin. Thereafter:
- Avoid unnecessary touching of the area.
- Cleanse very gently with a mild, uncontaminated cleanser.
- Do not scrub or remove any small scabs which may appear. They must be allowed to heal thoroughly without being disturbed.
- Hydrogen Peroxide, applied with sterile cotton, is especially recommended for combating bacteria.
- Aloe Vera gel, antiseptics, antibiotics, and other topical preparations, applied with clean applicators, may be soothing and promote the health of your skin.
- It is best to use only uncontaminated, medicated makeup for several days after treatment.
- Pat gently with an ice cube to reduce any temporary swelling.
- Stay out of the sun for several days in order to avoid any possible pigment changes.
- Ideally, wait three to five days before using hot tubs, saunas, or pools, which may overheat or contaminate your skin.
- Do not shave treated areas until totally healed.
- Do not wear tight-fitting clothing or panty-hose immediately after treatment on legs or bikini line.
Copyright © 1989
June A. Ladd
Licensed Electrologist
Specializing in Permanent Hair Removal
Licensed by the State of California in Thermolysis, Electrolysis, and
Blend.
