FAQs
WHAT IS ELECTROLYSIS?
Electrolysis is permanent hair removal. It is the only method approved by the FDA for permanent removal of unwanted hair. Regardless of the cause - heredity, metabolic, or hormonal conditions - electrolysis will permanently remove unwanted hair to reveal a glowing, confident you. Please read the FDA report, Removing Hair Safely
DOES ELECTROLYSIS WORK?
Absolutely. As the hair is treated, regrowth is prevented rather than just removed temporarily. Only electrolysis provides both hair removal and hair elimination.
WILL ELECTROLYSIS WORK FOR ME?
Almost certainly. Electrolysis is effective for all skin types, hair types, skin colors, hair colors, and areas of the body. For more information, click the 'Solutions' tab.
WHAT IS THE SCIENCE BEHIND ELECTROLYSIS?
A hair fine sterile probe (needle) is inserted into the hair follicle. A tiny amount of electric current is transmitted through the probe which destroys the dermal papilla, the matrix, and an area called "the bulge"; the areas where hair growth and regeneration occur.
WHY DO PEOPLE GET ELECTROLYSIS?
It may just be an unwelcome maintenance routine that takes a lot of time, but often, unwanted hair creates self-consciousness serious enough to impact relationships with other people. If unwanted hair gets in the way of your confidence, social life, work, sports, schedules or even self-expression, this is your opportunity to act.
IS ALL ELECTROLYSIS THE SAME?
There are three types, or modalities, of electrolysis used today - galvanic (current produces a chemical reaction), thermolysis (short-wave which produces heat) and a modality called the 'blend' which incorporates the two. They all result in effective permanent hair removal.
HOW DO I KNOW THAT I'M GETTING 'GOOD' TREATMENTS?
Generally speaking, you should not feel the insertion of the probe into the hair follicle, nor should you feel like the hair is being pulled out when it is removed; the hair will usually slide out of the follicle when properly treated. You skin will likely be red after treatment. The redness should dissipate within a day. Your skin should not be unduly irritated and will heal normally if a few precautions are taken, as will be discussed during your consultation.
Also, your electrologist should explain all aspects of their treatments, including offering a treatment plan that includes a schedule that will help you accomplish your hair removal goals and before and after-care; i.e. explain how you should prepare for your session and how to care for treated skin. With that said, if you have questions you should always feel free to ask me; I will be happy to answer them to your satisfaction. I believe that informed clients are the best clients.
DOES ELECTROLYSIS HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECTS ON THE SKIN?
Immediately following treatment, there may be a temporary redness (or darkening of the skin if you have a darker shade of skin) or tenderness, which varies with each individual. The latest technology has made electrolysis more comfortable and effective than ever before. I will provide you with post treatment instructions and any personal attention you may need.
MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO GET ELECTROLYSIS TREATMENTS. HAS THE TECHNOLOGY CHANGED MUCH?
Permanent hair removal using electrolysis has come a long way since its beginnings in 1875; not that your grandma was around in 1875! Today's computer technology enables electrologists to work with more speed and greater comfort to the client. Epilators are much quicker and more precise, utilizing current timings of thousandths of a second compared with the longer current applications of the past, plus, intensity settings can now be modulated to varying proportions and so, again, providing greater comfort for the client.
IS ELECTROLYSIS PERMANENT?
Yes, it is. No other hair-removal solution can claim the universal acceptability and success offered by electrolysis treatments. Electrolysis safely and permanently removes all types of hair from all shades and skin tones. Electrolysis permanently destroys the growth cells of the hair follicle, preventing treated hairs from ever growing back. Treatment can be applied to most facial and body parts including eyebrows, chin, upper and lower lip, jaw line, sides of the face, breasts, underarms, abdomen, bikini line, fingers and toes, legs and back. Most other methods focus on immediate, but temporary, hair removal - visible hair, or hair that's inside the follicle but hasn't yet emerged. None of them deliver permanent elimination of unwanted hair. See the FDA report, Removing Hair Safely.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE ELECTROLYSIS OVER TEMPORARY METHODS LIKE WAXING?
Unlike other hair removal options, professionally performed electrolysis eliminates unwanted hair, permanently, with unsurpassed results. Moreover, it does so for the largest variety of skin and hair types. Waxing, threading and tweezing are alike. With all of these, ingrown hairs and discoloration may result. Additionally, they may cause an increase in hair growth activity. Depilatories and shaving can cause an irritation to the skin while the hair regrows quickly. These methods can require a lifetime of maintenance. Many can appear inexpensive but cost more due to long term use and are found to be inconvenient.
ARE ALL HAIRS ELIMINATED IN ONE TREATMENT OR IS REGROWTH TO BE EXPECTED?
Hairs have differing cycles of growth, most of which are not visible on the surface of the skin at the same time. Follicles produce hair based on blood supply, and discard hairs, eventually, through shedding. The process of growth, rest, and replacement are known as the hair growth cycle. Since individual hairs are in different phases of the cycle at any given time, multiple treatments may be required to remove unwanted hair. Excessive hair growth, also known as hirsutism, can range from fine, vellus hair to dark, coarse hair on the face and body. Breaking down the hair growth cells on deep, coarse hairs may require more than one treatment. Based on a personal and confidential consultation, I will design a treatment plan that addresses your specific hair removal needs.
HOW MUCH DOES ELECTROLYSIS COST?
When compared to the expense of a lifetime of shaving, depilatories, or laser treatments, the permanence of electrolysis makes it a wise investment in yourself. The cost of electrolysis depends on a variety of factors including: how much hair needs to be removed, the size of area being treated, and where you get your services performed. Generally, rates in large cities are going be higher than in small towns. Overall, the cost of electrolysis compares very favorably to other hair removal methods including laser hair removal. When considering the long-term, recurring treatments required with other methods, electrolysis is a sound investment.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE REQUIRED WITH ELECTROLYSIS?
The number of treatments necessary varies with each client. The amount of hair, the methods used to hide hair before treatment, genetics, hormones, nutrition and health of the individual will all be factors that determine how many treatments or sessions will be required. For areas that have been waxed or tweezed, treatments will be more frequent than for areas that have been shaved. Treatment sessions range from 15 minutes to more than an hour depending on the area being treated. To achieve optimum results, it is important to follow the recommended treatment plan.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SCHEDULE TREATMENTS AND HOW LONG SHOULD THOSE APPOINTMENTS BE?
Clients might schedule ten minutes for just a couple of annoying hairs on their chin or they might schedule hour or longer appointments to treat larger areas like heavy facial growth or legs. The frequency and length of your appointments depends on the size of the area being cleared and the progress of your treatment. In general, treatments on a particular area are longest and most frequent at the beginning. Treatment length and frequency then tapers off as fewer and fewer hairs remain to be treated. For best results follow the recommended scheduling outlined in your treatment plan.
HOW DOES ELECTROLYSIS COMPARE TO OTHER HAIR REMOVAL METHODS?
Unlike other hair removal options, professionally performed electrolysis eliminates unwanted hair, permanently, with unsurpassed results. Moreover, it does so for the largest variety of skin and hair types. Other methods may appear to be less expensive or more convenient, but these seeming advantages fade quickly when you consider the need for long term use and lifetime maintenance. Electrolysis works on most areas of the body to give you permanently smooth, sleek, healthy-looking skin. No other solution can claim such universal acceptability and success.
See the FDA report, Removing Hair Safely.
WHAT'S THE BEST HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENT FOR YOU?
The answer depends on whether you're searching for permanent hair removal or just a temporary solution. Electrolysis is the only hair removal method recognized as permanent by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Does that make electrolysis the best hair removal method? Millions of people think it does. The best hair removal is permanent hair removal!