Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal method that uses needles inserted into each hair growth site and an electrical current to permanently eradicate unwanted hair from both facial areas (eyebrows and lips) as well as body areas such as breasts, abdomen, thighs and arms.
Before your appointment, consult with an electrologist regarding guidelines to follow. Elise recommends trimming facial and body hair down to approximately quarter inch and refraining from caffeine prior to receiving treatments.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Electrolysis offers permanent hair removal by targeting its source directly. Electrolysis is FDA-approved as an FDA permanent hair removal treatment option, making this procedure suitable for all skin and hair types. A trained electrolologist inserts thin needles into each hair follicle and an electrical current is then passed through them in order to destroy their growth center; while this process may take a little longer than other options but its long-term results speak for themselves.
Each treatment session varies, but typically lasts 30 to one hour on average. You will likely require regular appointments (weekly or biweekly) until you achieve the desired result; most clients become hair free within 12 months.
Before an appointment, Green advises clients to apply a topical lidocaine cream to numb the area and avoid direct sun exposure and any retinoids in order to minimize risks of hyperpigmentation.
There are some factors that can exacerbate this process, however. A history of tweezing, waxing or other hair removal techniques may cause hair follicles to be bent and misshapen – this makes it more challenging for an electrolologist to insert their needle into each follicle.
Folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicles, may arise and lead to clustered pimples or scabs in the treatment area. If this happens, it’s wise to stop treatment immediately and visit a dermatologist in order to identify its source.
Electrolysis remains an effective alternative for people unable to use other methods for hair removal, including pregnant women who can safely receive electrolysis on the breasts, abdomen, legs and/or other areas. Electrolysis should only be used on these parts because any risk could endanger the unborn children.
Women should avoid Thermolysis or shortwave diathermy electrolysis on their chin and chest if they are currently using oral contraceptives or trying to become pregnant; its direct current (DC) could damage an unborn fetus.
How Long Will Each Session Last?
Time required for electrolysis sessions can differ depending on who’s having one done; an experienced and skilled electrologist could finish an area in only a few sessions while it might take someone less familiar with electrolysis longer to clear an entire facial or body area of hair. Keep in mind that electrolysis is a permanent hair removal method so this could take quite some time!
As with any medical procedure, it is wise to ensure that the electrologist you choose has appropriate training and certification. Some places advertise electrolysis but instead use photoepilators, which is not equivalent. Check whether your electrologist belongs to an association such as National Association of Professional Electrologists; additionally, ensure you feel comfortable with their style of work if that isn’t the case with them – otherwise move onto another electrologist!
Electrolysis treatments involve opening the skin with a needle and passing an electrical current to destroy hair follicles. It’s an extremely delicate procedure; your individual tolerance and level of pain will determine its intensity; generally speaking, areas that contain more nerve endings tend to be the most painful such as lips or groins.
Elise recommends applying a rich, thick cream immediately following your appointment to soothe your skin and minimize inflammation and irritation. Moisturizing also can help avoid redness and swelling post-treatment; an ice pack or roller may provide temporary comfort if necessary.
Some people experiencing electrolysis sessions can develop folliculitis, in which hair follicles become inflamed and irritated, following treatment with electrolysis. If this is the case for you, discontinue electrolysis immediately and visit a dermatologist to ascertain its cause; should it persist, your physician might change the technique or even prescribe antibiotics in order to resolve it.
As long as you continue coming for electrolysis sessions, eventually the unwanted hair will stop growing in that area for good. But be prepared to spend hours — perhaps years — getting the job done; conventional wisdom estimates a total timeframe between 200-300 hours while some individuals can complete treatment in as few as 40. Electrologist skill will ultimately dictate this timeline.
What Are the Side Effects of Electrolysis?
Electrolysis works by inserting a needle into each hair follicle and using an electrical current to heat up its surrounding tissue, damaging or breaking the hair follicle and causing it to die, with results such as no longer growing hair that can then be easily removed using tweezers. Electrolysis provides an extremely permanent way of getting rid of unwanted facial or body hair as it permanently eradicates all types and skin colors of unwanted hair growth without risking side effects such as hyperpigmentation (freckles) or freckling as other temporary hair removal methods can.
Electrolysis treatments usually cause only minimal discomfort; however, everyone’s tolerance levels vary and each person has an individual pain threshold that varies from one individual to another. We do our best to minimize any discomfort by applying topical anesthetic prior to commencing the procedure.
Once treated, there may be redness or swelling that subsides within several hours, although occasionally whiteheads or scabs may form. While they should usually dissipate on their own within days or so, if they persist you can use over the counter anti-scab ointments as needed.
Electrolysis can be time consuming; even on small areas like the upper lip, sessions may last up to an hour per session. Larger areas, like legs or abdomen can take even longer. Due to these limitations, some people opt for laser hair removal instead as it’s faster and less painful.
Be sure to visit an electrolysis practitioner that uses only needle electrolysis. Be wary of salons advertising “electrolysis” but instead using photoepilators or other non-needle techniques instead. Make sure your electrologist has been certified by an appropriate organization and has extensive experience.
Will I Need to Come Back for More Sessions?
Electrolysis hair removal requires commitment over the long haul. You will require up to 30 sessions for permanent results; if this time commitment is something that puts you off, laser hair removal may be better suited to you.
Both electrolysis and laser treatments are effective ways of eliminating unwanted hair, but their lasting results differ considerably. While electrolysis permanently destroys the root, laser treatments only remove top layers. As such, laser treatments take longer for hair to grow back after treatments than electrolysis would do.
Electrolysis can be painful, although individual experiences will differ. Randa Thurman, LE, CPE of Pacific Coast Electrology & Skin Care in Monterey, California reports an initial sensation similar to “a sharp stinging and burning,” though this should dissipate with time and subsequent treatments. However, Randa cautions that patience must be practiced by some when they require regular or biweekly appointments for treatments.
Electrolysis uses low voltage electricity to temporarily contract and close off hair follicles, preventing new hair growth from sprouting back out over time. After multiple treatments, electrolysis becomes FDA approved permanent hair removal method.
As a precautionary measure, please be aware that certain treatments can result in scabbing. Although not expected during an electrologist-assisted treatment, Reyuva Hair Electrolysis offers solutions to minimize discomfort: We numb the area with lignocaine beforehand to minimize it for our clients.
Do your research before selecting an electrologist. Select one with extensive training in electrolysis technology. At your consultation session, pose questions to the electrologist regarding experience and techniques they employ as well as sanitation/sterilization standards followed.
