Electrolysis is an ideal option for permanent hair removal; however, it has its own set of risks.
One challenge of treatment sessions can be their length; usually 12-30 sessions will be needed before all hair can be effectively eliminated.
Finding an electrologist you trust is a priority. Solicit feedback from friends and family for recommendations. When visiting their practice, check if their workers wear gloves and use disposable equipment.
It’s Not Painful
Anyone who has dealt with unwanted facial or body hair growth knows that electrolysis hair removal is an excellent solution to permanently getting rid of their unwanted body hair. Electrolysis offers permanent hair removal.
Procedure is performed by inserting a small needle or probe into an opening in your skin where hair grows (known as a hair follicle) and applying low-level electric current through it, which destroys it hair by hair, treating each individual hair follicle individually. While this procedure may be uncomfortable or even painful, most find relief afterwards.
If you are concerned about the pain associated with electrolysis sessions, your electrologist can recommend numbing creams that can be applied prior to each treatment session. You could also purchase over-the-counter products like NumbSkin that contains 5% lidocaine to desensitize skin for three to four hours – although some people can’t tolerate using such methods and so it is essential that you discuss all options available with them when deciding how best to proceed with treatments.
Electrolysis treatments will likely leave your skin red and irritated; some areas may experience some warmth; however, this should only last temporarily and is unlikely to linger long term. Some individuals can have an adverse reaction to hair removal needles that is extremely painful or potentially even life threatening – this is why it is critical that any electrologist you use be licensed and reliable.
When searching for an electrologist, make sure to get recommendations from friends and family. In addition, it is a good idea to visit the location where your electrolysis treatments will take place and inspect its surroundings, such as cleanliness. Meet with the person performing it as well. Make sure they use needle electrolysis rather than electronic tweezers or photoepilators which do not produce comparable results and could actually damage skin in the process. Furthermore, determine how many sessions will be necessary before hair stops growing completely – typically it can take several sessions before hair stops growing back – before being completely eliminated from existence!
It’s Not Uncomfortable
Electrolysis is the only permanent form of hair removal. To perform the treatment, small needles are inserted into each hair follicle before applying an electric current that destroys it. Electrolysis must be done hair by hair in multiple sessions until all unwanted hair have been eliminated. You may experience mild to moderate discomfort during this process depending on both your tolerance level for discomfort and the area being treated.
Electrolysis treatments are most often applied to eyebrows, eyes, ears, nose, cheeks and chin; it may also be used on neck, shoulders arms underarms breasts abdomen bikini area and bikini line areas.
Electrolysis treatments typically cause minimal pain; most feel similar to a pinch or hot prick. While any discomfort will subside quickly, for maximum comfort it is wise to ask your electrologist about an anesthetic such as EMLA cream which contains 2.5% lidocaine; apply it before your appointment so it will ease discomfort.
Many individuals who undergo electrolysis experience lessened discomfort after several sessions, making the procedure more manageable. You could also try relaxation techniques and music, over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or topical anesthetics prescribed by your healthcare provider or even injection anesthetics if required for more extreme cases.
Note that for optimal electrolysis treatment results, hair must be at least 1/4-inch long in order to be effective. Your electrologist may have specific guidelines in mind for you – make sure to ask!
Select an electrologist carefully. Look for a licensed professional that uses proper techniques and has years of experience, perhaps by asking to see their work or checking reviews online. Ensure they specialize in needle electrolysis instead of less permanent forms like electronic tweezers or photoepilators that may only provide temporary solutions. Make sure they belong to an association supporting ethical practice of electrology as this will give you peace of mind during treatment.
It’s Not Expensive
Electrolysis has long been recognized as an economical solution to permanent hair removal, yet prices can differ depending on factors like your location, who performs it and the area to be covered. All experts we consulted advised making an appointment for consultation with an electrologist prior to estimating exactly how much and long each session would cost and take.
At your initial consultation, it is a good opportunity for you to ask any queries that arise about the treatment or its execution. Your electrologist should be more than willing to address all your concerns and provide a clear picture of what to expect throughout the duration and cost of treatment.
Electrolysis, like any procedure, may cause side effects. Dermatologist Karan Lal notes that some individuals can develop folliculitis – clustered pimples near hair follicles – after an electrolysis session due to bacteria entering hair follicles and causing irritation – thus it’s essential to clean both before and after any electrolysis sessions with an antibacterial cleanser to minimize potential discomfort.
Electrolysis treatments may cause red, swollen and tender skin which can last for a time after each session. Discoloration might also occur briefly after treatment but is usually temporary. According to Green and Elise, it’s essential that anyone receiving electrolysis avoid shaving or tweezing in areas being treated as this can interfere with results by irritating hair follicles – and disrupt your results altogether!
Before your appointment, it’s wise to apply topical anesthetic cream on sensitive areas to reduce pain and discomfort. Most drugstores carry creams containing 5% lidocaine for this purpose – do some research and see which are available near you and have high ratings!
It’s Effective
Electrolysis hair removal is a permanent way to remove unwanted hair from any part of your body, although multiple sessions may be needed before reaching desired results. As this method has been approved by the FDA, once completed, you’ll be hair-free!
Electrolysis works by targeting the growth center of hair follicles using a needle inserted into each individual follicle and heated with small amounts of electricity to destroy its center. Modern medical electrolysis devices are extremely safe and effective; using low temperatures instead of higher ones that could burn the skin during treatment.
Before scheduling electrolysis appointments, it is essential that you select a certified electrologist. Furthermore, research the place where you will receive treatments. Assess its cleanliness as well as meet with those responsible for performing your electrolysis treatment and ask what equipment they specialize in or whether electronic tweezers will be used – remembering that using electronic tweezers does not constitute true needle electrolysis.
Electrolysis sessions typically last anywhere from several minutes to hours, depending on the area being treated. To maximize results and minimize discomfort during treatment, it’s recommended that shaving, waxing or tanning of the area is avoided prior to attending your appointment; alternatively if you have sensitive skin it would be wise to apply soothing cream prior to beginning electrolysis treatments.
After your electrolysis treatment, the area where it was applied will likely be red and irritated. To minimize irritation, keep moisturizing regularly – for sensitive skin it may even help to use an ice pack on and off throughout the day!
As everyone’s needs differ, it’s impossible to provide an exact timeline of how many electrolysis sessions will be necessary for you to achieve desired results; however, on average it should take 10-14 sessions in any area in order to permanently rid themselves of unwanted hair.
