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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Is electrolysis permanent? How does electrolysis work? Does it hurt? What causes my unwanted hair? How many treatments will I need? Will my skin get red? How do I care for my skin after treatment? Can hair be removed from a mole? |
| Is electrolysis permanent? |
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Electrolysis is the only proven, safe, permanent method of hair removal. |
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| How does electrolysis work? |
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The process of electrolysis involves the treatment or epilation of each individual hair. A sterile, disposable, thin wire filament, called a probe, that is the size of the diameter of a hair, is precisely inserted into the natural opening of the hair follicle. No puncturing of the skin is involved. A warming sensation is felt as the lower 2/3 of the hair follicle is destroyed via a very slight amount of controlled electrical current. This process destroys the hair root (dermal papilla), allowing the hair to be freed from the follicle wall. Tweezers are then used to slide the hair from the follicle. |
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| Does it hurt? |
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A very quick warming sensation is felt which is slightly less than the intensity of a hair being tweezed. Minor discomfort should be expected. Treatments are performed within the pain tolerance of the client. Some clients are able to relax enough to fall asleep during treatment. Skin sensitivity is the determining factor. Topical anesthetics are available to reduce sensation. Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others. Areas where skin is thin (for example, tops of feet), can exhibit more sensation. Also, areas close to the vertical center line of the body, where nerve fibers overlap (for example, the center of the upper lip), can be more uncomfortable. |
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| What causes my unwanted hair? |
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There are three main categories to describe the origin of superfluous or unwanted hair. They are congenital growth, topical growth and systemic growth. Congenital growth refers to inherited hair growth patterns. For example, women of Italian or Mediterranean descent can exhibit superrfluous facial hair, which is normal, but can be undesirable socially. Topical growth refers to situations involving tweezing or waxing, or cases involving injuries, casts, scar tissues, etc. Tweezing or waxing fine blond hairs (lanugo hair or "peach fuzz") causes them to grow back darker, coarser and more deeply rooted due to increased follicle stimulation. Injury-related areas surrounding scars can cause rerouting of the blood supply or an increased blood supply to the affected area. This can increase nourishment of the follicle thereby promoting hair growth. The constant rubbing or chafing of a cast can cause the body to produce a protective layer of hair beneath the cast. Hair growth may return to normal depending upon the length of time the cast is worn. Systemic growth refers to hair growth caused by changes in the endocrine system. The endocrine system produces hormones, or androgens, which stimulate the growth of face and body hair. Normal hormonal changes are associated with puberty, pregnancy and menopause; three life-changing events which may produce unwanted hair. Excessive or male-pattern hair growth may indicate an endocrine or hormonal imbalance. |
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| How many treatments will I need? |
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It is very difficult to estimate the required number of treatments one will need. Many factors affect the length of time it takes to completely eliminate all unwanted hair in the specified area. Factors include skin sensitivity, frequency of sessions, prior hair removal methods and amount of hair to be treated. Electrolysis is a gradual process that must take place over a period of time. |
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| Will my skin get red? |
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It is normal for the treated area to exhibit redness and slight swelling following treatment. This typically lasts 20 minutes to an hour depending on skin sensitivity. Tiny scabs may appear on the treated follicles. This is a natural part of the healing process. If tiny scabs do form, do not exfoliate or remove them, as pitting may occur. Let them heal naturally. |
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| How do I care for my skin after treatment? |
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The most important after-treatment care is to keep the treated area clean. Avoid applying heavy moisturizers, cosmetics or other pore-clogging products, which may block the follicle and delay healing. Antibiotic ointment may be applied if desired. Avoid tanning beds and prolonged exposure to sun due to skin irritation. Avoid hot tubs, jacuzzis and saunas (places where germs proliferate) to reduce the possibility of follicle infection. Avoid depilatories, hair colorants and hair bleach. These chemicals can cause adverse reactions when contacting treated follicles. Although electrolysis is a self-sterilizing process, it is important to keep the treated area clean for 24 hours following your appointment to reduce the possibility of infection. |
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| Can hair be removed from a mole? |
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It is feared that the electrical stimulation of the hair removal process may cause a mole to become malignant. Though no such cases have been documented, insurance companies prohibit treatment of moles for this reason. Please consult your doctor for treatment of moles. |
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