Electrolysis is FDA-approved as an FDA permanent hair reduction technique, and requires skilled electrologist to identify each site of hair growth before administering an electrical current that heats and destroys each follicle while not harming surrounding skin cells.
Pain levels during treatment vary for each person. Here are a few suggestions to make your experience more bearable:
1. Schedule Your Consultation
There are various techniques for eliminating unwanted hair, from traditional strategies such as shaving, tweezing and waxing to more cutting-edge treatments like laser or sugaring. But only electrolysis actually stops hair growth permanently by using an electric current to permanently destroy individual follicles that produce hair follicles thereby permanently stopping further production.
Beth Gillette, beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and an experienced electrologist herself, emphasizes the importance of seeking out licensed professional electrologists before beginning treatments for hair removal. Electricians are trained to target individual follicles with just enough electricity to destroy them without harming surrounding tissue – the best way to find out if this treatment option is appropriate is through consultation services.”
Once you’re ready to begin your search for an electrologist, ask for references from past clients who can vouch for their satisfaction with them. Or search online for a reliable and certified electrologist.
Based on your goals and skin type, it may be necessary to arrange multiple appointments over the course of a year or so in order to treat each follicle individually; growth cycles vary so multiple treatments may be necessary before getting one permanently to stop growing.
Some individuals experience temporary redness after an electrolysis treatment session, which can be uncomfortable but beneficial if continued moisturization of the area and use of an ice pack or roller is necessary. “For extra sensitive skin types, try applying a topical anesthetic cream or taking oral pain medications as appropriate,” suggests Gillette.
Electrolysis treatments tend to be more painful than laser or waxing treatments; its intensity will depend on each person. Electrolysis also takes longer as your electrologist works on individual hair follicles rather than mass areas at once with laser.
2. Schedule Your Treatments
Once you’ve identified an electrolysis provider that meets your expectations and provides lasting results, the next step should be scheduling electrolysis treatments regularly. According to Green, in order to achieve permanent hair removal from an area it typically takes 10-14 treatments; each hair follicle goes through three-stage growth cycle that includes anagen (growing phase), catagen (transitional phase), and telogen (resting phase). It might take additional sessions depending on a person’s unique circumstances – lasting results could take more or fewer sessions depending on their situation.
Electrolysis is a relatively uncomfortable procedure; the level of pain will depend on both your pain threshold and body area being treated. “Some areas tend to be more sensitive than others, particularly around the groin and neck,” notes Alana Dzurek from Beverly Hills Hair Free, while upper lip, cheeks and chin tend to take it well. Some electrologists offer numbing cream for clients with particularly high pain thresholds or treating sensitive skin; this option may not always be available or offered as standard practice.
Electrolysis hair removal takes much longer than laser hair removal: treating one follicle at a time takes much more time and often requires multiple sessions in larger body areas like legs. According to cosmetic injection expert Sadyk Fayz, electrolysis may even take several hours per session when treating larger body areas like legs.
Finalize an electrolysis session by being dedicated to taking good care of your skin after each treatment session. As Limoges notes, electrolysis can open pores in your skin, making it more susceptible to bacteria and the possibility of hyperpigmentation. To minimize this risk, she advises limiting sun exposure, washing with gentle cleanser, using thick moisturizer and possibly even icing the area after every session.
After your first electrolysis treatment, you should notice a decrease in unwanted hair within weeks to months. If this hasn’t happened yet, speak to your electrologist about what further steps they can take to boost progress.
3. Take Care of Your Skin
Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal method. A trained electrologist inserts a fine wire into each hair follicle and passes an electrical current down this wire, effectively killing off its source – creating an electrolytic current which destroys its root.
As each hair needs to be addressed individually, it may require multiple sessions in order to permanently eradicate follicles. Therefore, it’s best to schedule treatments regularly with an electrologist, who will determine how many sessions are necessary in order to leave your skin hair-free.
Immediate post-treatment reactions may include red and swollen areas that should subside within several hours. Applying a cool compress may provide temporary comfort while helping reduce inflammation. Furthermore, any activity which could irritate open hair follicles – such as excessive sweating, tanning or prolonged sun exposure – must be avoided to ensure effective results.
Your skin may be extremely vulnerable after treatment and at an increased risk for hyperpigmentation. To protect it, it’s important to avoid direct sunlight and use a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher; also avoid tweezing and waxing as these will irritate the area further.
After their treatment, some individuals may experience “pitting”, which may be uncomfortable. This occurs because the dead space created by hair follicle removal becomes filled with scar tissue which then creates pits on their skin. It takes around one year for wound collagen to mature into smooth tissue; as such, its appearance should gradually reduce over time.
As well as sunscreen, your electrologist will also provide you with an aftercare kit consisting of soothing cream and skin care cloth for use during and after each treatment session. Apply the soothing cream at least once daily after each appointment until at least three days have passed since treatment – keeping the skin well hydrated is critical in helping electrolysis work more effectively.
4. Take Care of Your Hair
Unwanted hair can have a substantial effect on your quality of life. It can lead to emotional stress, anxiety and even depression; and lead to skin damage such as acne and scarring if it remains. There are various options available to remove unwanted hair – waxing and laser treatment are among them – while electrolysis offers permanent solutions.
An electrolysis session begins by inserting a thin needle into the opening of a hair follicle and passing an electric current through it; this effectively destroys it forever. Each individual hair follicle typically takes only minutes to be completely eliminated through this method.
Electrolysis may take time and patience, but is still the less invasive choice for hair removal. While laser hair removal only removes currently growing hair follicles, electrolysis destroys every one in an area being treated, providing true permanent removal.
Electrolysis may be uncomfortable, depending on your pain tolerance and area being treated. You may experience mild stinging or burning sensations during treatment; most people can tolerate them. To minimize discomfort during your appointment, take an OTC painkiller beforehand.
Care must be taken after sessions as your skin can become sensitive. To reduce risk of inflammation and prevent redness or swelling, moisturize with gentle products to moisturize the area and avoid scrubbing – using mild cleansers or toners can assist.
No matter which hair removal method you opt for, it is vitally important that you hire an expert electrologist who understands your specific needs and has ample experience to produce optimal results.
Contact us today for more information about permanent hair reduction solutions and to schedule an initial consultation with a licensed electrologist – we look forward to helping you achieve your goals!
