Electrolysis is an effective and relatively painless solution to permanently eliminate unwanted hair. Most people find electrolysis comfortable.
Consistent treatments should be conducted on a consistent schedule to catch each hair at its optimal stage in its growth cycle, making regular appointments with an electrologist essential. Sessions typically last 15-80 minutes.
The Ideal Hair Length for Electrolysis
Electrolysis remains the only proven technique for permanent hair removal, having been in practice for over 100 years and remaining an effective solution against unwanted body hair. While laser hair removal only targets pigment in hair follicles, electrolysis destroys dermal papilla to stop future growth of unwanted hair growth – it is safe for all hair colors, skin types and levels of sensitivity.
Electrolysis sessions depend upon having hair at an ideal length; otherwise, electrologists cannot insert their fine probe into your follicle and target its root effectively. If your locks are too short, however, an electrologist may struggle to locate your follicle, leading to damage in other parts of the scalp or even damaging nearby tissues.
To prepare for an electrolysis treatment, it is wise to refrain from waxing or depilatory cream use in the days leading up to your appointment. This will allow your hair to reach an appropriate length and make the process as comfortable for you. Generally speaking, electrolysis causes only minimal discomfort, typically described as a pricking sensation or slight sting; if this causes undue distress to you or you are concerned about pain during this procedure, your electrologist can apply topical anesthetic prior to beginning.
Electrolysis treatments will require multiple sessions before they provide desired results, due to how your hair grows in cycles of growth, rest and shed. Each hair in any given area will be at different points on this cycle; thus multiple treatments are necessary to capture all unwanted hair in its appropriate stage for destruction.
Once you reach a satisfactory point with your results, electrolysis sessions no longer need to take place at regular intervals; however, some hairs will continue to grow slowly after your electrolysis treatment has concluded; therefore it is vital that you maintain an appointment schedule and do not miss any sessions.
How Long Does Hair Have to Grow Before Electrolysis?
There is no standard answer when it comes to how long hair needs to be for electrolysis; the length depends on your own unique growth cycle, your skin type and where on your body you want it done. In general, however, the longer it is when starting electrolysis treatment the better it works as it allows more hairs in their anagen phase as opposed to catagen or telogen phases of growth cycle for electrolysis to work best.
Before commencing electrolysis, it is wise to refrain from shaving or other forms of temporary hair removal such as waxing. Furthermore, depilatories or waxing should also not be used between appointments unless advised by your practitioner.
Electrolysis offers an extremely safe and permanent form of hair removal suitable for all types of skin and hair colors. The process involves inserting needles into individual hair follicles before heating the probe with heated plates in order to destroy germ cells that cause hair growth.
Though it requires more time and multiple sessions than laser hair removal, electrolysis is a highly effective treatment option for unwanted facial or body hair growth. It works particularly well on blonde, red or gray strands which do not respond as well to laser treatments; additionally it’s ideal for people with histories of waxing or tweezing that have caused hair follicles to become misshapen and bent over time.
Electrolysis treatments can be found at many salons, medical spas, and dermatologist offices; as well as independently owned businesses (including some home-based practices). When selecting your practitioner it’s essential that they have been fully trained with Sterex VTCT electrolysis qualifications to ensure the best outcome possible.
Most patients report minimal discomfort during electrolysis treatments, though some may feel slight burning or prickling sensations near the end of each session; other might notice redness and scabbing on their skin afterwards. It is essential that treated skin is protected from heat, sun exposure or irritation for 72 hours post procedure.
How Long Will Electrolysis Take?
Electrolysis sessions required for permanent hair removal can vary depending on a number of factors, including hair growth rate, number of follicles to treat, and skin sensitivity. On average, most clients require 8-12 electrolysis treatments in a particular area before all unwanted hair has been eliminated permanently.
Some parts of your face, such as eyebrows, tend to require additional treatments than others because the hairs there can be more resistant to electrolysis hair removal treatments than in other places on your face. Furthermore, facial hair tends to grow denser than elsewhere on your body – this makes electrolysis treatment harder for these parts.
One factor that can influence how many electrolysis sessions you require is how long between sessions you allow between treatments. This gives your follicles time to heal after being treated and prepare for future appointments; otherwise, too many missed appointments could cause your hair to regrow quickly, making removal more challenging in future appointments.
Electrolysis sessions vary in terms of pain intensity depending on an individual’s tolerance for discomfort and the sensitivity of the area being treated; most clients report feeling minimal discomfort and have described it as feeling like being pinched by needles. A topical anesthetic may be applied prior to each treatment in order to numb your skin and make the experience more bearable.
Electrolysis appointments typically cause some initial redness and swelling that will dissipate over the following day or two depending on your skin sensitivity. You may also observe small reddish brown pinprick scabs that naturally fall off within a few days if there was more sensitivity involved with your appointment; these should eventually disappear as well.
Electrolysis offers many people who do not qualify for laser hair removal the opportunity to eliminate unwanted hair without pain, regardless of hair or skin color or type. Electrolysis treatments may even help eliminate stubborn regrowth after receiving laser treatment, so it’s essential that patients remember electrolysis is an ongoing process before beginning treatments. Remembering this may take several sessions before seeing results is best advised before embarking on electrolysis treatment.
How Can I Prepare for Electrolysis?
Prepare yourself for your first electrolysis appointment by doing several things. First, avoid bleaching your hair too close to an appointment as this makes it harder for the electrologist to see its root. Use a numbing cream before your appointment as directed on its label and stay out of direct sunlight as it can dilate blood vessels that could harm your skin.
Before scheduling any medical hair removal treatments, such as waxing, plucking or shaving, short-term removal methods such as waxing, plucking and shaving must be avoided as they could disrupt its effectiveness. Furthermore, it’s wise to forgoing depilatory creams (shave gels) which contain chemicals which damage epidermal layers, making it harder for needles to enter hair follicles effectively.
Finding an experienced electrologist trained in needle electrolysis is essential. While other providers may advertise themselves as offering electrolysis, many simply provide temporary results via electronic tweezers or photoepilators that may or may not provide permanent solutions.
Your individual treatment sessions depend on several factors; however, generally speaking you will require weekly or biweekly treatments until your treatment area is clear of all hair. Thereafter, appointments should decrease until only occasional stray hairs remain and then annual touch ups are necessary to remove those remaining from their follicle.
Be sure to follow any post-session care instructions from your electrologist closely – this will help prevent irritation, promote healing, and keep your skin looking its best!
Be sure to set aside time each day for just you and yourself – and to enjoy how taking care of yourself positively has transformed your body! When making the commitment to permanent hair removal, it can be life-altering; yet its rewards can be great in the end!
