Electrolysis hair removal is generally safe when performed by a licensed electrologist, though some individuals may experience reddening and tenderness of their skin temporarily; these effects should disappear quickly.
Electrolysis offers permanent hair removal. However, it requires multiple treatment sessions before seeing results; therefore, the more regularly you adhere to your treatment schedule the sooner it will work!
Safety
Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method approved by the FDA. It works by heating each individual follicle to destroy it – unlike laser hair removal, electrolysis doesn’t rely on color or texture of hair to work; while its process may be uncomfortable at first, but ultimately worth it to permanently get rid of unwanted hair.
Finding an electrologist qualified enough for electrolysis sessions is paramount to its success. Look for one with extensive experience and an excellent reputation, then request a consultation prior to scheduling your initial appointment – this allows you to discuss session length and frequency as well as any disposable gloves used by the electrologist.
Electrolysis treatments involve inserting a needle into a hair follicle and applying small amounts of heat, before using an extremely fine needle cauterize the follicle using electric current cauterization. Once cauterization has occurred, an electrologist will then remove any hair remaining from that follicle and the technician may use another very fine needle cauterize it further before extracting all remaining hair from it. After your appointment you may experience some redness or tenderness but this should subside within several hours.
Electrolysis comes in different forms, such as galvanic, thermolytic and combined types. While all can be effective when performed by an experienced electrologist, some methods tend to work more effectively than others.
Electrolysis may be painful, but it’s one of the safest forms of hair removal. Electrolysis offers greater comfort than other options and doesn’t involve being invasive with your body; additionally it works on all skin types and hair colors!
Electrolysis appointments should ideally take place when hair follicles are in their anagen phase, making it easier for an electrologist to remove hair and prevent future growth. Keep in mind, however, that up to 18 treatments may be needed for permanent results due to each follicle needing treating at different points during its three-phase growth cycle. Furthermore, finding an electrologist in your locality may prove difficult so traveling may be necessary to find one who offers treatments.
Discomfort
Electrolysis can often be misunderstood as being extremely painful. While some individuals describe it as slight prickling or stinging, most find the experience to be similar to getting tattooed. If pain threshold is an issue for you, discuss options with your electrologist for mitigating discomfort such as taking over-the-counter pain relievers or applying ice after each session; others may offer topical or even injectable anesthetics as solutions for more intense cases of discomfort.
Treatment itself employs a fine probe inserted into each hair follicle, using heat transmitted through its needle tip to the dermal papilla to destroy hair follicles and their ability to produce new hair growth. As a result of repeated sessions, hair growth begins to slowly decline until finally stopping entirely.
Electrolysis hair removal stands apart from laser hair removal by being suitable for people of all skin colors and hair types – from light skin with dark hair, to those with lighter complexions with lighter or blonder locks, using large or small areas on either the face or body for removal purposes. Electrolysis also is one of the few permanent hair removal methods which works to stop further hair growth over time.
Electrolysis stands out from alternatives like waxing by eliminating some unwanted hair while still leaving its dermal papilla intact and stimulating more growth from hair follicles, leading to an ongoing cycle of growth that’s difficult to break.
Electrolysis can be a slow process. To get optimal results faster, adherence to your treatment schedule and attending weekly or bi-weekly treatments may last as much as 18 months; sooner will be faster when seeing results!
As part of your preparation for electrolysis sessions, it’s also advisable to avoid shaving the area immediately prior or following your electrolysis appointment. Shaving can cause folliculitis – inflammation of hair follicles which results in clustered pimples around the treated area – although not usually serious, but discomforting enough that it should be avoided at all costs.
Regrowth
Electrolysis can be used as a permanent hair removal method when performed by an accredited practitioner, so selecting the appropriate practitioner carefully is of vital importance. Ask friends and family for recommendations or search online; inquire as to their training, licensing and experience before asking about how many sessions it will take to reach your desired results.
At each treatment session, your technician will use an electric current to penetrate each hair follicle and destroy cells that stimulate new hair growth. While the procedure can feel uncomfortable at times, most people describe the sensation as similar to getting tattooed; you may take painkillers prior to and following each appointment for added relief. Ice packs can also help ease any discomfort.
After your first few electrolysis sessions, it is normal to experience some regrowth as not all hair follicles are in the growth phase at once. After your eighth or twelfth appointment, most of the follicles should have entered their growth phases, making regrowth much less noticeable.
One of the primary factors contributing to hair regrowth following electrolysis are hormonal fluctuations. Hormonal fluctuations experienced during pregnancy or menopause can increase hair regrowth. Another contributing factor may be incomplete treatment that leaves some follicles undiminished.
A great way to avoid this situation is to attend your electrolysis appointments regularly – typically weekly or bi-weekly appointments for at least a year and a half – and schedule follow-up treatments immediately should any appointments slip by.
Before an electrolysis appointment, it is also essential that hair be at least 1/4-inch long so it can be effectively removed by electrical current. Elise recommends her clients use either a trimmer or scissors to trim the hair prior to their session; moisturize the area to aid its recovery as well.
Cost
Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal method that will not regrow once removed. Furthermore, its painless procedure makes it an attractive alternative to waxing and shaving methods of hair removal. Although multiple sessions will likely be needed in order to achieve permanent results; each session typically lasts from 15 to one hour. Although electrolysis costs more upfront, its long-term savings make up for its higher initial price tag by eliminating shaving/waxing supplies altogether.
Procedure entails inserting a needle into each hair follicle and applying heat to them with a magnifying device, and administering heat to destroy them. Treatment times depend on the size and scope of your area being treated and could last between minutes and hours depending on its complexity. It may cause redness and itching which should subside after several hours or days.
Electrolysis techniques vary, including thermolysis and galvanic electrolysis. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages; for instance, original galvanic involves chemically dissolving hair follicles to destroy them; this method takes time and may cause discomfort to clients. Many clients now prefer multiple-needle galvanic (MNG), which uses blunt probes with round tips to target each hair follicle individually for destruction.
No matter which form of electrolysis you opt for, it is imperative to hire an experienced electrologist as inexperienced technicians can cause adverse side effects such as scarring and keloid scars. Furthermore, inexperienced technicians could cause temporary discoloration of skin as well as reinactivate herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Electrolysis costs depend on several variables, including the amount and location of hair removal needed, your chosen professional and their pricing structure. Additional expenses could arise when treating large areas with thicker coarser hair or having multiple sessions performed to achieve your desired result; it is advised to research costs among various professionals before making your final choice.
