Electrolysis and laser hair removal have grown increasingly popular as permanent methods for eliminating unwanted hair. But is the experience painful?
Electrolysis involves inserting a probe into each hair follicle, and sending an electric current through it in order to destroy it permanently. While the procedure can be unpleasant, many can tolerate it well enough.
It’s Not Painful
Electrolysis uses a fine needle or probe to destroy each individual hair follicle, precisely targeting areas with unwanted hair growth. Although considered permanent hair removal, multiple sessions will likely be required before seeing results; so selecting an experienced practitioner is key for optimal success.
Electrolysis sessions vary depending on your own personal tolerance levels; most describe it as a prickling or stinging sensation similar to being bitten by mosquitoes. Furthermore, pain levels vary depending on where treatments take place – cheeks, jaw and chin may be more sensitive due to being closer to bone surface; neck may also be particularly sensitive due to having many nerve endings nearby; chest, abdomen and underarms could all experience more intense discomfort during an electrolysis treatment session.
As some individuals experience the sensation of electrolysis as being similar to plucking or tweezing, it is key that your practitioner offers you an option of numbing prior to treatment to ensure it will be as comfortable as possible. Always ask beforehand if numbing will be used and take note of their equipment – needle electrolysis produces permanent results while other methods like electronic tweezers or photoepilators don’t.
After your session, your skin may temporarily appear reddened and irritated; this effect should eventually subside without leaving any visible scars behind. Care must be taken not to scratch these scabs as doing so could result in infection.
People may also develop folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicle. This could be caused by bacteria entering, so it’s essential that you cleanse your skin properly before and after electrolysis sessions to avoid further issues. If any symptoms emerge during electrolysis sessions, they should be postponed until you can determine their source.
It’s Not Pleasant
Electrolysis, like other methods for hairless skin, can be painful. At appointments, a technician inserts needles into each individual hair follicle and sends an electrical current through it; this causes what patients describe as a painful hot prick or pinch sensation – not pleasant but essential to being effective!
Electrolysis sessions vary in terms of pain level depending on both your tolerance and the area being treated, though typically, groin, face and neck areas tend to be particularly sensitive due to more nerve endings present therein. But many clients find electrolysis no more than mildly uncomfortable experience overall.
Before your electrolysis appointment, check in with your practitioner to understand their guidelines for pre-treatment. Most practitioners agree that shaving, tweezing and waxing should be avoided because these can increase hair growth and make pulling out easier. They may suggest trimming facial and body hair down to 1/4-inch prior to their appointment in order to help stop hair from growing back too rapidly and allow technicians to target its source more effectively.
If you’re nervous about the pain associated with an electrolysis appointment, taking a pain reliever at least an hour prior can help alleviate discomfort. Applying ice after your appointment may further soothe any sore spots or swelling that occurs post-treatment; additionally, applying rich moisturizer such as the Ere Perez Moringa All-Beauty Creme could soothe irritation caused by electrolysis treatment.
After your electrolysis appointment, the treated area may appear red and irritated for up to 24 hours afterward, but should clear within that period. Direct sun exposure after electrolysis appointments should be avoided to reduce hyperpigmentation risk; additionally it’s vitally important that electrolysis appointments continue as one of only permanent hair removal methods available today.
It’s Not Expensive
Electrolysis can be more cost-effective than waxing or laser hair removal and permanent! Plus, electrolysis offers lasting relief.
However, prices can differ widely; to get the most value for your dollar choose an electrologist with an established reputation and certifications; also inquire with them whether or not they offer discounts to new and returning clients.
Electrolysis may be an effective long-term hair removal method, but it does come with some discomfort. Your individual experience of pain depends on both your own tolerance as well as where the treatment area lies; for instance if it involves eyebrow electrolysis more discomfort may result than when performed on legs if skin sensitive areas such as eyebrows need treatment.
If the level of pain concerns you, a topical anesthetic cream may help numb the area prior to your appointment. Available at most skincare retailers and typically containing 5% lidocaine for effective anesthesia, apply the topical anesthetic to the area undergoing treatment and leave on for three or four hours before returning home from your appointment.
Before your appointment, it is also advisable to refrain from shaving, tweezing and waxing in the area to be treated. Elise advises her clients to come weekly or every other week until permanent results from electrolysis have taken place; otherwise they could lose some benefits of treatment.
After your procedure, the area where it was applied will likely become red and irritated. Elise advises using a thick yet gentle cream and continuing to moisturize it for several days after your service. You should also ice your area every now and then during the day to help alleviate any discomfort from it. Furthermore, some patients may develop scabs or rashes around the treatment site which require consulting an electrologist about how best to treat.
It’s Time-Consuming
Electrolysis can be time consuming due to treating individual hair follicles at once; therefore, larger areas will take significantly longer to be covered than with waxing, shaving or laser hair removal techniques. But if you have the patience, electrolysis works permanent hair removal solutions!
Electrolysis involves inserting a needle into each individual hair follicle and administering a small electrical current through it, to destroy hair-growing cells and stop any more hair from growing back. Depending on your tolerance for pain, each touch of each hair follicle could feel like a slight pinch; your electrologist can use numbing cream or gel to minimize discomfort in sensitive areas such as bikini areas.
If you’re considering electrolysis, be sure to do your research first. Seek out a certified and experienced practitioner, request a consultation, make sure they will be comfortable treating the area of concern, ask about numbing options available to them, their typical appointment routine, how many sessions will likely be needed as well as any strict cleaning and sterilization policies in their practice.
How long it will take you to complete electrolysis will depend on many variables, including the size and skill level of your electrologist. Some can complete their treatment within just a year; others require much longer before all their hair has been eliminated.
If you’re considering electrolysis, the first step should be consulting a local electrologist. They will help determine if electrolysis is right for you and estimate how long it will take until your entire body is hair free. Don’t let fear hold back from reaching your ultimate hair-free goal; once accomplished you won’t ever need to worry about unwanted hair returning again! Simply be patient during treatments and drink plenty of water throughout your treatments!
