ELECTROLYSIS

What is Electrolysis?

Electrolysis is a method of removing individual hairs from the face or body. Today's electrolysis devices (in the use of Thermolysis) destroy the growth center of the hair with heat energy after a very fine probe is inserted into the hair follicle, then the hair is removed with tweezers. Most areas of the body can be treated with Electrolysis including the eyebrows, face, abdomen, chin, thighs, arms, breasts, etc. There are generally no permanent side effects, but sometimes a temporary slight redness on the skin may occur.  

Electrolysis has been around since the late 1800s, invented by Dr. Charles Michel through experimentation on his patient with an ingrown eyelash by inserting a small wire into the hair follicle and releasing small amounts of electrical current flowing into the hair follicle, destroying the hair forever.  For the last 100+ years, electrolysis for hair removal has become fully recognized by the FDA and accepted by the medical doctors as the only safe and effective form of permanent hair removal. 

How does Electrolysis work?

Hair grows through a tube-like opening in the skin known as the hair follicle and at the base of the follicle is a bulb, which contacts the papilla. A tiny sterile wire filament is inserted into the follicle (In the use of Thermolysis) the tip of the wire filament transmits a small heat pattern down into the papilla. This action then cauterizes and disables the papilla without damaging the outer layer of the skin.

What is the Difference between Electrolysis vs. Laser?

Electrolysis: 

  • First used in late 1800s.

  • Electrolysis is 100% Permanent. Target the blood supply of the hair follicle. 

  • Only method approved by FDA as Permanent.

  • Safe/Effective for all skin and hair types, doesn't require maintenance, and can be performed on tanned or tattooed skin. 

  • Works on hereditary, metabolic, and hormonal issues (PCOS, Hormone Therapy, Thyroid, etc.). 

  •  From a cost perspective electrolysis is a much more cost affective way of removing hair vs. laser hair removal.

Laser: 

  • First used in the late 1900s.

  • FDA-approved to be considered hair reduction and it's not guaranteed.

  • Laser can turn light hairs dark on the face/body, it doesn't work on any color - (blond, brown, red, or grey). Laser doesn't work on hair that is sparse or fine in texture. Many clients turn to electrolysis when laser isn't effective. 

  • Not safe/effective for all skin and hair types. Targets Melanin (Pigment of the hair).  Not safe on tanned or tattooed skin.

  • Laser is a lifetime maintenance that will need 6-months or annual appointment to maintain the reduced hairs. In some cases, laser can stimulate more hair growth. 

What Areas can I do Electrolysis?

Face

Upper Lip
Chin
Side of Face
Cheeks
Neck/Nape

Upper Torso

Shoulders
Underarms
Forearms/Full Arms
Hands/Fingers
Chest
Areola
Abdomen Strip
Upper Back/Lower Back

Lower Torso

Bikini Line
Brazilian
Buttocks
Lower Legs/Upper Legs
Feet/Toes

Pricing goes by the mins:

15 mins - $65
30 mins - $95
1 hours - $125

How Many Treatments are Required?

The number of treatments will vary person to person as there's many factors that come to play when performing electrolysis: 

  • Pain Tolerance/Sensitivity of the area

  • Amount of hair in the area

  • Previous method of hair removal 

  • Hormone balance or medication

Most clients come once a week or every other week and start with longer session to see the area clean up, then with committed sessions, they will start noticing the hair will start growing slower and slower until it's completely gone! 
To be completely free of hair, it can take up to 18 months - 2 years (depending on how much hair you have).  

Before Your Treatment…

  • Get as comfortable as possible during the treatment. Eliminate as much stress as possible on that day of the appointment.

  • Make sure the hair is long enough, 3-4 days worth of growth. Tweezing and other temporary hair removal treatments around two or three week before an appointment are both okay. Once electrolysis treatments have begun however other treatments should be discontinued.

  • If you’re going to be treating sun-exposed areas, apply sunblock (at least SPF 30) each morning for one month before treatment. Avoid sun exposure 48 hours prior to your treatment to avoid dilation of the blood vessels.

  • Remove any makeup on areas to be treated. No deodorants, creams, or lotions should be used on the potential areas on the day of the appointment.

  • Well hydrated skin can help the treatment be more effective so we recommend that the client drinks an ample amount of water in the week prior to their appointment.

  • Avoid stimulants like caffeine, chocolate, or sugar on the day of your appointment - it can affect your sensitivity. 

  • Do not use Retin A, Tazorac or any serious retinoid for at least one week to your appointment. Discontinue Accutane for at least 6 months prior to electrolysis. 

  • Some clients may find that they’re more sensitive during or right before their menstrual cycle and may want to avoid making appointments during that time.

After Your Treatment…

  • Treat the area gently by keeping the skin moist with Aquaphor Healing Ointment for a few days. Following treatment, your skin follicles will be open and potential for bacteria to enter. Your skin heals from the bottom-to-up so this assists with healing. 

  • Do not use any temporary hair removal methods for one to two days.

  • To achieve the best results from your treatments keep up with appointments.

  • For the next one to two days ensure the treated areas are clean and minimise heat or friction on the area.

  • Do not pick, rub, or scratch the area. Do not use any irritating substances on the treated area until the skin returns to normal. To avoid any cross infection that area should not be touched with fingers for a minimum of 48 hours. 

  • Exercise such as gym work and sport should not be undertaken for one to two days. 

  • If the treated area will be exposed to sun, apply SPF 50 greater after the skin returns to normal.  Do not sunbathe or use sunbeds or tanning processes for two days as these will affect sensitivity of the skin. For the same reason do not use public pools, saunas or take hot showers or spas.

  • If your face was treated, you may resume using clean makeup when the skin looks and feels back to normal. 

  • Do not apply any products such as lotions, deodorants, powders, body sprays etc. to the treated areas for 24 hours, unless they have been recommended by your electrologist, as they are likely to cause irritation.

What to do with Hair in between Your Appointments? 

Trim the hairs with scissors, shave, or a dermaplane facial is great! Do NOT wax, sugaring, thread, or tweeze - that will undo all the work of electrolysis and may take longer to see results.