Electrolysis is an effective solution for permanently eliminating unwanted hair on nearly any part of the body, including sensitive areas like the face. It works on all skin types and colors while remaining safe to use around sensitive structures like anatomical features or nerve endings.
For assistance finding an experienced practitioner, ask family and friends for referrals. Also inquire if the practitioner uses needle electrolysis; as it is the only permanent hair removal method.
Does it hurt?
Electrolysis can cause some pain, though its severity depends on your own tolerance and where exactly it’s performed; some areas will likely feel more intensely than others.
Electrolysis involves having an electrologist insert a fine needle into each hair follicle, before applying an electric current that destroys its ability to produce new hairs – creating the sensation of being pinched or pinged with hot needles.
Permanent hair removal will require multiple sessions with an electrologist. Initial appointments will likely occur weekly or bi-weekly until your area of unwanted hair is free from hair growth – this process may take years, but is worth every moment!
Along with scheduling regular appointments, it is also essential that you maintain proper home maintenance. Be sure to follow any guidance from your electrologist regarding when or how often to shave or tweeze, and try to limit caffeine and sugar before your appointment.
At each treatment session, a topical anesthetic will be applied to your skin in order to make the experience less painful. Most clients can tolerate it; however, their pain threshold and level of treatment may differ.
After your treatment session, your skin may experience temporary reddening; however, this should resolve itself over time. Some individuals may also notice temporary dark spots caused by damaged hair follicles.
As with other methods of hair removal, electrolysis requires having a high pain threshold. Otherwise, electrolysis could become uncomfortable or even more so than waxing or threading if your pain tolerance is low; in some instances it can even be more painful! But this permanent solution for unwanted hair makes most agree that its discomfort is worth the discomfort – after several treatment sessions you’ll likely be thankful that you persevered! If any anxiety about pain arises during treatment sessions, ask your electrologist for some numbing cream prior to each treatment session!
Does it sting?
Electrolysis is an extremely safe method of permanent hair removal, employing direct current into each individual follicle to sever its blood supply and shrink portions of tissue that surround each hair follicle to prevent new growth – usually leaving behind only an almost imperceptible scab on the skin.
Clients receive a skin numbing cream that they should apply at home an hour prior to electrolysis sessions in order to make them more comfortable. Many practitioners also employ an indirect numbing gel that directly covers the skin prior to starting the actual procedure; sensation levels vary according to person and location – typically the upper lip being particularly sensitive.
An electrology session depends on how close to the pain threshold an electrologist works. An experienced practitioner should be able to quickly destroy hair follicles; however, those that have grown more deeply into your scalp may require longer.
As it is essential that patients adhere to their electrologist’s treatment plan in order to achieve maximum hair removal, it may take multiple sessions depending on your individual circumstances – as some hair follicles will regenerate while others remain dormant due to genetic, hormonal or other influences.
Some clients experience an adverse skin reaction following electrolysis, often on their face. This may be caused by temporary hair removal methods used in the past or medications taken; thus making it essential to follow an individualized skin care program tailored specifically for you.
Folliculitis, an inflammation of hair follicles in the skin, may cause clusters of pimples in the treatment area. To avoid this happening, patients should cleanse their skin with antibacterial creams or cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide prior and after electrolysis treatments, and apply triple antibiotic ointment or cortisone cream as required.
Does it cause scarring?
Electrolysis is generally considered safe when used for hair removal; however, as with all treatments it may cause side effects like scabbing and irritation in certain people. If this happens to you it is important to consult an electrologist so your skin heals correctly without permanent scarring occurring.
After your treatment, pinpoint scabs may form at the opening of each treated follicle, which indicates your skin healing properly. To maintain hygiene around these areas and keep them free of infections and maintain moist scabs it’s essential not picking at or scratching at them as this could lead to infections forming beneath. You can use triple antibiotic ointment as another layer of protection and try gently washing with warm water then patting dry as soon as possible after gentle washing with warm water followed by patting dry. You should also refrain from picking or scratching as this could potentially spread infections further causing greater irritation all around.
For people with darker skin tones, temporary hyperpigmentation (dark spots) in the treated areas after sessions is more likely than not due to irritation triggering pigment-producing cells to produce excessive pigment production and result in dark spots which will gradually fade over time as your skin returns to normal.
Stay out of the sun after treatment to reduce your risk for abnormal pigmentation in the treated area and use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher protection.
If your skin is sensitive, try using a lightening cream to speed the return to its normal pigmentation levels faster. Your electrologist can suggest an appropriate product.
Staying on schedule with your electrolysis appointments is key to quickly and effectively removing facial hair, such as that from chin hair removal. Treatments should take place weekly or biweekly until all facial hair has been eliminated completely – usually 8-12 months. If this becomes impossible for any reason, alternative solutions such as tweezing or depilatory cream may still work; just know they won’t be as efficient at doing it.
Does it work?
Electrolysis involves injecting a small current directly into each hair follicle, cauterizing its blood supply, destroying its root and tissue sheath and eliminating hair. Once treated, all follicles will have been permanently eradicated.
Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for facial areas, though you must commit yourself to receiving treatments and attending regular appointments in order to achieve optimal results. A larger area may require multiple sessions ranging from 15 minutes to one hour each; an electrologist can instruct you as to when you should visit so as to catch unwanted hair growth at its optimum stage and clear an entire area quickly and efficiently.
For optimal electrolysis results, avoid shaving or tweezing between treatments. Instead, your electrologist may advise trimming any hair over 1/4″ length with scissors prior to your electrolysis appointment; this allows for proper treatment of the hair follicle.
Antibacterial cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid should also be applied prior and following your electrolysis appointment to avoid folliculitis, an inflammation of hair follicles that can develop when bacteria gets inside them during treatment. If persistent, consult with a dermatologist for evaluation and treatment options.
Hair growth can be affected by many factors, including genetics, hormone levels, medications and temporary forms of hair removal; as well as illnesses such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If an underlying medical condition is leading to excessive facial or body hair growth, an electrologist will be able to offer guidance in treating it effectively.
Electrologists possess extensive training to safely perform electrolysis hair removal. For your own protection, always look for professionals licensed and certified in this procedure – this will protect you from unlicensed practitioners using potentially risky devices and techniques.
