Hair follicles go through two distinct phases, anagen (growth phase) and telogen (resting phase), wherein when in anagen, they can be destroyed through electrolysis.
Electrolysis offers the only permanent hair removal method. In order to achieve permanency, multiple treatment sessions will need to be scheduled in order to achieve complete removal of unwanted hair.
How long does it take to see results?
Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal treatment. If performed properly, electrolysis will render hair follicles incapable of producing hair – meaning no more shaving, waxing or plucking! But for maximum effectiveness it is necessary to have a treatment plan and regularly attend appointments in order to reap its full benefits.
Timeframe for permanent hair loss depends on several variables, such as your growth cycle and area being treated, along with your consistency with treatments – we advise treating at least a small area at least once every week, although permanent results are possible with less treatments.
Understanding why you require multiple electrolysis treatments is also key. Hair follicles follow cycles of growth, rest and replacement; therefore it may take multiple treatments for all follicles to be in their appropriate phases for destruction.
Therefore, some individuals mistakenly believe they are experiencing regrowth following their first electrolysis treatment. But in actuality they could just be witnessing the appearance of fine, blond tips that were invisible before but have since grown longer and coarser over time – or they could be experiencing folliculitis which causes inflammation of hair follicles that manifests itself through clusters of pimples around treatment areas.
Usually, it takes eight-12 sessions to effectively and permanently destroy all hair follicles in an area. However, this depends on how thick and dense the hair growth is in that region.
Although electrolysis treatments may appear time consuming at first, once you experience the freedom from shaving or waxing again you will realize it was worth every treatment! Plus, electrolysis allows for safe removal of hair without risk of razor burn, ingrown hairs or folliculitis!
Electrolysis has proven to be much less painful than shaving or waxing for many clients, often being described as a pinch, snap, or build-up of warmth sensation. If discomfort arises before or during treatment, taking a mild pain reliever 30 minutes beforehand could help ease it further.
How long does it take to heal?
Your skin type will dictate how long it takes for electrolysis treatments to heal; immediately following treatments your skin may appear red, tender and slightly swollen; applying an ice pack can soothe these symptoms and speed recovery. However, sun avoidance should also be prioritized after receiving electrolysis therapy as any treated areas could potentially experience irregular pigmentation changes.
Electrolysis treats each individual hair follicle and, after being damaged by the needle, they take time to enter their resting phase before reingrowing hair follicles appear again. By keeping up with regular appointments and attending regularly scheduled sessions, more active follicles will eventually cease growing back and you should experience lasting results.
Your results of treatment may have caused finer and more manageable hairs to remain, which does not indicate true regrowth but simply represents its success over time. If your strength of hairs increases significantly it’s time to visit an electrologist as this could indicate that their insertion technique or needle size needs reviewing.
Scabs often appear at the opening of damaged follicles. These honey colored or darker-hued scabs serve as nature’s band-aid; it is best to let them fall off naturally rather than pull at them as this could cause infection. Bleaching may make it more difficult for an electrologist to see the roots of your hairs; tanning or excessive sweating also dilate blood vessels, increasing treatment pain significantly; for added comfort and ease use a topical numbing cream on areas to be treated before your appointment.
How long does it take to prevent regrowth?
Electrolysis sessions required for permanent hair removal can vary depending on an individual’s circumstances, with approximately 40% of hair follicles destroyed during each treatment session, leading to up to 18 treatments over a period of 18 months in some areas of body hair removal.
Electrolysis treatments require multiple visits in order to permanently clear an area, leading many individuals under its spell unaware that this process requires several trips. Due to its time-intensive and costly nature, many may become discouraged with it and abandon it – yet this is the only way to ensure all unwanted hair has been successfully eradicated from their bodies.
Electrolysis treatments work by having an electrologist insert a thin probe into each hair follicle’s opening, and apply a small electric current through it, which targets its dermal papilla to disrupt its ability to produce further hair growth. This stops its future use for growing another head of hair.
Hair grows in cycles, meaning there are always some hairs growing at any one time. Therefore, it’s not surprising to notice some new growth after your first electrolysis appointment – however this growth does not represent new hair but regrowth from hairs already in growth phase before treatment began.
Many clients misinterpret regrowth as new hair growth, leading them to believe their electrolysis treatments aren’t effective. It is also important to remember that there are thousands of hair follicles on both your face and body; some might be inactive while others only lie beneath the surface skin layer.
Before scheduling an appointment with an electrologist, it is crucial that you find one with whom you feel comfortable. Ask around and get recommendations from friends and family members, while also verifying if he/she has enough experience and certifications. Once you find one you like, arrange a consultation so you can ask any questions and voice any concerns regarding how long it will take to clear an area.
Can I shave in between appointments?
Electrolysis should be seen as a permanent solution for hair removal; once completed, hair won’t come back!
Shaving between appointments will promote hair growth, counteracting any potential benefits from electrolysis treatments. Shaving cuts the hair shafts making it more difficult for an electrologist to insert their probe into dermal papillae to destroy follicles.
Plucked between electrolysis sessions should also be avoided as this can disrupt anagen phase hair follicles and force them into an early transition to telogen, making removal with electrolysis harder.
People new to electrolysis may mistakenly think they’re seeing more hair growth after beginning treatment due to false regrowth, an effect known as false regrowth that occurs as part of the normal process and usually lasts several months after commencing. Don’t be alarmed though; this simply indicates that existing surface hairs have not yet been addressed by their electrologist during their treatment program.
Over time, you will notice that existing hairs are coming up less rapidly, becoming thinner, finer, and lighter in appearance – an encouraging sign that you are on track towards reaching your goal of permanent hair removal!
At an electrolysis session, a small, hair thin probe is inserted into the natural opening of your follicle and an electrical current is passed down it to its base where a chemical and thermal reaction occurs that destroys its ability to produce further hair growth follicles, leading to their eventual expulsion from skin and no longer having the capacity to grow new ones.
Electrolysis treatments require multiple sessions depending on an individual’s desired result and are recommended weekly or biweekly until hair follicles have been successfully targeted. You may require touch-up sessions in the future as new hair follicles surface over time; by adhering to professional advice and managing hormonal fluctuations you should achieve long-lasting electrolysis results.
