Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and works very effectively in most people.
Most individuals experience only minor discomfort during and following electrolysis treatment by skilled practitioners.
But every individual’s skin has different levels of damage threshold, making choosing an electrologist with care essential in avoiding permanent skin damage. Seek recommendations from family and friends before beginning treatments; also get a consultation before commencing treatments.
1. Electric Shock
Electrolysis is a hair removal method that employs electrical current to destroy each individual follicle’s growth center and is generally painful; however, how much discomfort you experience depends upon both your personal pain tolerance and area being treated.
Finding an electrolysis technician you trust and is licensed and certified can be difficult, so to get started it may help to ask friends and family members for referrals. Furthermore, do a bit of research prior to making an appointment by reading online reviews as well as visiting websites to see if there are pictures or testimonials from past clients available on those sites.
One of the main risks associated with electrolysis is electric shock. In case you experience one, it is critical that medical attention be sought immediately to help decrease any possibility of permanent harm to your body or organs. If symptoms such as loss of consciousness or irregular heartbeat arise, call 911 immediately or head to an emergency room immediately.
Electric shock can damage skin and internal injuries, as well as affect nerves and the brain – leading to depression, anxiety or seizures in some instances. Without proper post-shock care it could also result in infections or death.
To avoid electric shock, ensure the area where you’re undergoing electrolysis is dry. Furthermore, use a numbing cream before your appointment if possible for additional comfort.
Electric shock occurs when electric current passes through a substance and induces redox reactions, or chemical processes where substances lose or gain electrons, typically via dipping an positively charged electrode (anode) in solution with negatively charged electrodes (cathodes) containing an electric current that alters its chemical composition through either oxidation or reduction, producing solid or gaseous products, with sometimes the solvent itself also becoming oxidized or reduced during this process.
2. Burning
Electrolysis treatments typically cause a mild burning or stinging sensation that usually passes within a few minutes; applying ice after your session may help. Some individuals have particularly sensitive skin; it is therefore vital that their electrologist use numbing cream during treatments.
If you have sensitive skin, it may become slightly discolored after having hair follicles removed. As time progresses and your body adjusts to this procedure, these dark spots should gradually diminish over time.
Rarely, electrolysis sessions may cause pustules – small inflamed blister-like lesions that typically appear on the face and shoulders – after each treatment session. Pustules result from increased blood flow to an area due to hair follicle removal and their removal causing disruptions on its surface; pustules serve as a sign that your body is healing it properly.
Normal electrolysis treatment area reactions include bruises. This is caused by the needle of the electrolysis probe hitting a capillary (small blood vessel) feeding into a hair follicle. Although bruising is likely, its appearance usually fades within several days or more quickly with arnica ointment application; although our clients often report faster healing processes using arnica cream.
Swelling can also be a side effect of electrolysis treatments, especially those covering larger treatment areas. This is caused by blood vessels expanding to increase circulation; once this process has taken place, swelling should subside within a few hours. To minimize swelling and limit any possible bruising after treatments, cooling the area with a cold towel after each appointment has proven successful in helping reduce it further.
Are You Worried about Electrolysis Leaving Permanent Scars Behind? One sure way to avoid permanent scarring from electrolysis sessions is to do your research and select an electrologist with plenty of experience treating all types of skin. Speak to friends and family members or search online for “electrologist”. Selecting an unqualified electrologist could be one of the greatest health mistakes ever.
3. Irritation
Many individuals are worried about how electrolysis will impact their skin. But with an experienced electrologist performing permanent hair removal treatments, electrolysis should not cause irritation to your skin. Just make sure to follow all instructions related to your treatment, including applying quality moisturizer after electrolysis to maintain skin health and avoid irritation afterward. In case any redness and swelling do occur after electrolysis treatment is complete. If necessary use an ice pack on the affected area to reduce redness and swelling.
If you suffer from sensitive skin, speak to your electrologist about numbing before beginning electrolysis treatment. Although more intense than other hair removal treatments like laser, such as electrolysis has been proven safe for all genders – not just women! Shaving, tweezing and waxing only temporarily remove unwanted hair while electrolysis permanently eliminates it for good – they only stimulate further hair growth!
After treatment, it is normal to experience some redness and scabbing in the area; however, these should only last a few days and will clear on their own. If redness persists for longer than expected or there has been overtreatment of an area, your electrologist can adjust needle sizes, current settings, or treat more slowly in order to decrease it.
After receiving electrolysis treatments, it is wise to avoid sunbathing and tanning as much as possible in order to protect your skin from abnormal pigmentation caused by heat from electrolysis processes. If necessary, wear sunscreen with an SPF high enough rating so as to protect it from sun damage.
Pitting is an extremely rare side effect of electrolysis, yet it may occasionally arise. This happens because dead spaces left by destroyed hair follicles become filled with scar tissue, creating pitted marks on the skin. Galvanic methods of electrolysis often result in pitting as the dead spaces fill in with scar tissue to give an uneven and pitted appearance to your skin; but it could happen with any treatment method.
Pitting should only be temporary, and should clear up once your scar tissue matures into smooth skin. If this condition exists in you, it is recommended to visit your physician as soon as possible for medical evaluation and advice.
4. Infection
Electrolysis destroys hair follicles and leads to infection that spreads into surrounding tissue, necessitating proper conditions during treatment in order to minimize this threat and any additional damage. For optimal results, avoid scratching or tweezing of the treated area until healing has taken place.
Your skin type could affect how you experience electrolysis; some individuals experience redness following or during treatment and this should subside within 24-48 hours after your session. People with darker skin can sometimes develop dark spots as a side effect of electrolysis treatment but these should fade after time. Following an electrolysis appointment, apply a fragrance- and menthol-free moisturizer immediately – these tend to be gentler on skin than fragranced and menthol-containing moisturizers.
Electrolysis treatments often cause an unsightly side effect known as scabbing, which can be irritating. Scabbing typically happens when hair follicles are damaged during treatment – this might happen if an inappropriate needle type was chosen or the electrolysis procedure wasn’t completed correctly; though skilled hands usually avoid this problem entirely. While scabbing may rarely happen in some instances, occasional outbreaks have occurred nonetheless.
Infection can sometimes create unintended side effects that are difficult to diagnose. For instance, having herpes can increase your risk of electrolysis treatment in an affected area, leading to herpes outbreaks. Antiviral creams have been shown to help stop repeat outbreaks as well as autoinoculation risk in other parts of your body.
Pitting is an infrequent but unpleasant side effect of electrolysis. This condition occurs when an empty hair follicle becomes filled with scar tissue, giving the skin a pitted appearance. Over time, however, scar tissue will contract and close the gap eventually; in the meantime however, swelling makes the situation look worse. Pitting usually resolves within one month.
If you’re concerned about how electrolysis will impact your skin, talk with someone who has had it done for advice about selecting an electrologist. Experience and reputable service are essential; ask questions about credentials and training as well as references before making your choice.
