Frequently Asked Questions
What is electrolysis?
Electrolysis is the permanent removal of unwanted hair by sliding a tiny probe, the approximate thickness of a hair, down the hair shaft to the root of the hair where a quick pulse of current is applied, resulting in the coagulation of the blood supply to the hair and the destruction of the root.
Is electrolysis permanent?
Yes. The FDA and AMA recognize electrolysis as the only proven method of permanent hair removal. Once the blood supply to the hair has been destroyed at the root, hair will no longer grow from that hair follicle.
ELECTROLYSIS VS. OTHER HAIR REMOVAL METHODS
Laser, Waxing, Tweezing, Shaving, Threading and Depilatory creams are all temporary hair removal methods and may cause vellus hairs to become terminal hairs.
Where on the body can electrolysis be done?
Electrolysis can be done on any part of the face and body where there is unwanted hair, except the inside of the nose and the inside of the ear.
Does Electrolysis hurt?
Generally, electrolysis does not hurt, but certain parts of the body are more sensitive to the current than others-for instance, the upper lip. For more sensitive areas, or for people with lower discomfort thresholds, there are various topical anesthetic creams that can be used to numb the area(s) to be treated.
How Many Treatments Are Necessary?
A series of treatments are necessary over a period of time. The length of time varies from person to person and dependent on the following factors:
Stage in the hair cycle, (Anagen is what we need).
How consistent you are with your appointments.
The amount of energy you are capable of handling, with respect to the skin’s reactions.
Some coarser terminal hairs require more than one treatment.
Glandular disorders such as PCOS, thyroid, Menopause, will create hair as well as some medications for these disorders.
Stress will cause unwanted hair.
Tweezing and/or waxing is not permitted.
IS Electrolysis Safe?
Yes. Electrolysis has a 125-year history of safety and effectiveness. There has never been a reported case of disease transmission in electrolysis. We use only sterile disposable probes and new probes are provided for each treatment. The tweezers are also sterilized before each treatment.
Will I be red after the treatment?
There may be some redness in the area. In the case of the upper lip, particularly if extensive work has been done, some people may experience mild puffiness for a short while. Usually, any reaction is gone in an hour or two.
How long do the treatments usually take?
Treatments can range from 15 minutes to multiple hours, all depending on the amount of hair that must be removed and the person's tolerance for longer sessions.
Will there be any permanent marks on the treated area?
No. You will be in the hands of a well-trained and skilled Electrologist. As long as any instructions for after-care are followed, there will be no lasting marks or scars.
Will there be regrowth?
Some regrowth is possible, particularly with (telogen) hairs that were not in the best stage for permanent removal (the best stage is the growing or anagen stage).
Shaving or trimming the area 3-5 days before ensures that the electrologist can observe and remove only hairs in the growing stage. Occasionally, a hair root may receive sufficient treatment energy to release the hair and damage the root but not completely destroy it. A finer hair may regrow.