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, Sugaring, Depilatory Creams etc, are all temporary hair removal methods and may cause Vellus hairs (baby hairs) to become terminal hairs (thicker coarser 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.
We can provide you with numbing cream (for an additional $10) to place on any area being treated as long as you arrive 30 mins-1 hour prior to your session to allow the lidocaine to penetrate the skin & appropriately numb the area completely for your maximum comfort.
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 since started in 1875. There has never been a reported case of disease transmission in electrolysis.
We only use 24k Gold sterile (one-time use only) disposable probes, they are disposed of in a sharps container (just as hospitals dispose of needles) and completely brand new probes are provided for each treatment and opened in front of you for verification.
The tweezers we use for each treatment are also sterilized using a 2-Step process of soaking in Barbicide solution for 15 mins, then we place the tweezers into our dry-heat sterilizer at 190 degrees Celsius for 60 mins.
The tweezers/caps will also be opened from the sterilized pouch in front of you for verification before your treatment.
We wear a mask & gloves during every treatment, and your skin will be cleaned of makeup or numbing cream before/after with witch hazel.
Will I be red after the treatment?
There may be some redness in the area. For example 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.
We will give you with an ice pack to take with you immediately after the treatment to help prevent any redness or swelling.
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 licensed and skilled board certified Electrologist. As long as ALLL instructions for before & 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.