Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal method performed by an electrologist and typically results in painless sessions for optimal results.
Electrolysis uses an electric current to permanently damage dermal papillae and stop new hair growth, providing one of the only truly permanent hair removal options.
1. You’re not tweezing or waxing regularly
Hair growth may not seem threatening for most, but for women suffering from hirsutism it can have far reaching implications that go far beyond an aesthetic issue – it can significantly lower self-confidence and body image, impacting self-worth as well as body image. As such many turn to tweezers or waxing to get rid of unwanted facial and body hair.
Unfortunately, these methods of hair removal only remove the surface of a hair follicle, not its dermal papilla which produces new cycles of growth. Therefore it’s vital that between electrolysis sessions you refrain from tweezing and waxing; doing so may actually stimulate more dense and darkened regrowth because more of your follicles have now been activated by using these hair removal techniques.
Waxing can cause painful burns that leave skin feeling raw, reddened and sensitive, increasing the chances of hyperpigmentation or telangiectasias – small blood vessels close to the surface that burst and leave scarred marks – appearing. These conditions are unsightly.
Do not be alarmed at the thought of pain during electrolysis! Modern techniques of electrolysis don’t typically cause much discomfort; however, for those who have low pain tolerance we suggest taking measures such as using topical anesthetic before your appointment.
Maintaining a regular schedule of electrolysis appointments will help ensure that each new growth is treated when its chances for destruction are highest. Depending on individual hormone levels and other factors, multiple sessions may be needed to permanently destroy a hair follicle.
In general, it will take several weekly or every other week sessions lasting 15-30 minutes to remove hair permanently from an area. Once complete, maintenance treatments may need to be scheduled occasionally for up to 3-6 sessions per month (this will be determined during your complimentary consultation with an electrologist). Contact them now to book one!
2. You’re tweezing or waxing too often
Tweezing too frequently or on areas that have been treated with electrolysis may actually cause unwanted hair to return. Tweezing removes the hair shaft while leaving behind dermal papilla which produces new growth cycles; furthermore, repeated pulling action from tweezing may stimulate more dense and coarse hair growth in its place.
Therefore, it’s essential that your hair grows out to an appropriate length before receiving another treatment session, meaning no tweezing between appointments. Also be sure to apply a high quality moisturizer after every treatment session in order to protect the skin and avoid becoming dry or red.
Electrolysis is recognized by the FDA as a permanent hair removal treatment method. A fine needle inserted into each hair follicle opens for electrolysis treatment; then an electric current applied to its epithelium layer surrounding each follicle causes its hair to cauterize, killing off its associated follicle.
Many individuals who struggle with excessive body or facial hair opt for waxing as a temporary solution, yet this should never be seen as a long-term fix. Waxing only temporarily removes unwanted hair without actually eliminating dermal papillae; over time this could actually cause more thick and darkened growth to appear over time. Furthermore, waxing itself may irritate skin further leading to ingrown hairs, pigment changes and scarring as a result of irritation caused by its process itself.
Shaving is another effective temporary hair removal method, although it may result in issues like razor burn, folliculitis or ingrown hairs. Furthermore, those living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) may be more prone to growing unwanted hair in certain areas – which makes electrolysis even more essential and should include no shaving or waxing between treatments!
3. You’re tweezing or waxing in the wrong place
No one likes having unwanted hair in unwanted places – whether that means plucking a pesky chin hair or shaving the center of our foreheads! Before embarking on any process to eliminate unwanted follicles, we must first understand where and when they grow back; hair follicles have their own individual cycles of development, meaning removing hair in an improper place could result in rapid regrowth.
Tweezing can be an effective temporary method of hair removal; however, it does not work permanently and the hair may come back thicker and darker than before. Tweezing must also be performed correctly so as not to damage either the hair follicles or skin; any improper technique can cause inflammation that will make them grow back thicker and darker than ever.
Shaving is an effective method for hair removal that is safe for all skin types; however, some individuals experience razor rash – an itchy red raised acne like outbreak on areas they shave. Electrolysis removes this need, providing permanent hair removal without irritation.
Electrolysis works by cauterizing or burning hair follicles using a needle, so finding an experienced electrologist who is also licensed and has practiced for some time is very important. Your electrologist should take a full medical history as well as understanding any hair growth issues specific to you and be knowledgeable on the matter at hand.
Electrolysis treatments require multiple visits in order to achieve desired results due to unsynchronized cycles of hair follicles.
As such, it is imperative that you schedule regular maintenance visits with your electrologist in order to detect any new hair growth that was missed during electrolysis sessions and treat it immediately – this is key as any untreated hairs can grow back rapidly and become much harder to remove once they reach the surface.
4. You’re tweezing or waxing in the wrong season
Many people suffer from unwanted hair growth, commonly referred to as hirsutism. While some individuals are more prone to it than others, regardless of its cause it can negatively impact one’s self-image and self-esteem. Luckily, electrolysis provides one way of combatting unwanted hair growth.
Electrolysis is a safe and permanent way of eliminating unwanted body hair. Unlike shaving, waxing or plucking which only removes hair shafts, electrolysis penetrates deep to its source to destroy it from within – an art and science performed by licensed electrologist.
Preparing for electrolysis means drinking plenty of water leading up to and on the day of your appointment, to keep your skin hydrated and ensure optimal conductivity of electrical current required for treatment. Avoid alcohol and caffeine which dehydrate skin as these will interfere with proper conductivity of electrical current required for electrolysis treatment. Also it’s a good idea to refrain from short-term hair removal methods like shaving or waxing in advance of your visit if applicable.
Shaving is an effective temporary way of getting rid of unwanted hair, yet can result in razor burn, razor rash, ingrown hairs and folliculitis, an infection which causes red itchy raised acne-like bumps. Many are therefore pleased to find out that electrolysis not only permanently eliminates their unwanted locks but also eliminates all associated side effects caused by other short term methods like shaving.
Waxing can be an excruciating and time-consuming way to remove unwanted hair, only removing the actual shaft of the hair rather than its source, the dermal papilla. With repeated waxing sessions, over time more dense and coarser follicles may grow back that are harder to treat through electrolysis.
Keep in mind that electrolysis may prove more challenging when trying to remove hair from an especially delicate part of your face such as eyebrows. Because its follicle is close to the surface of your skin, removing this type of hair could prove even harder. As such, it would be wise to apply a soothing cream like Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera between appointments for optimal results.
