Electrolysis is one of the most popular permanent hair removal methods, using electricity to destroy unwanted follicles with small needles inserted through openings in unwanted hair follicles.
Pain from laser treatment depends on each person and area being treated, but is often severe enough that people experience swelling and redness afterward. Also, some may see scabs on their skin after receiving laser therapy treatment.
1. Redness of the skin
Electrolysis treatments often result in reddening and swelling to the skin, but this should subside within hours afterward. The redness may be caused by needle attacks on each hair follicle or by increased blood flow in the area; occasionally punctured capillaries may even result in temporary bruises that will dissipate just like any other form of treatment.
Electrolysis involves passing electric current through a needle to change water and salt in hair follicles to sodium hydroxide, which acts as a caustic chemical that destroys growth cells of hair follicles, so they won’t grow back. You can have electrolysis done on areas of your face, eyebrows, underarms, chin, breasts, abdomen thighs bikini line or moles where unwanted hair exists.
Select an electrologist who has extensive experience treating electrolysis for permanent hair removal and is knowledgeable of its possible side effects. The number of sessions needed varies between individuals; additionally, treating different areas will have an impactful result.
2. Discoloration of the skin
Electrolysis, when performed by an experienced electrologist, is the only sure way to permanently eradicate unwanted hair. This process involves inserting a thin needle into a tiny hair follicle and using an electrical current to destroy it; eventually stopping hair from growing back. While safe for all skin types, permanent results usually require multiple sessions before occurring.
An adverse side effect of electrolysis treatments is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). While it affects all skin tones, darker complexions tend to experience it more drastically. You can reduce this side effect by staying out of direct sunlight, wearing sunscreen and moisturizing after each session of electrolysis treatment.
At your initial consultation, it is crucial that you find an electrologist with experience treating people of color. When interviewing potential electrologists, be sure to ask about their qualifications and track record as well as whether their practice uses sterilized equipment.
Finally, it is vital that areas being treated with electrolysis avoid shaving, waxing and depilatories that could potentially cause ingrown hairs or discoloration; an exfoliator is more suitable to avoid ingrown hairs than these methods.
3. Ingrown hair
Electrolysis often results in ingrown hairs, but you can reduce this side effect by following a basic skin care routine before and after your treatment. An exfoliator with high quality exfoliating beads will remove dead cells to minimize ingrown hair formation.
Use topical antibacterials to help keep bacteria at bay, and avoid shaving, tweezing or waxing prior and after your electrolysis sessions – always consult with a practitioner first before beginning these procedures.
Short Wave Diathermy (SWD) electrolysis is by far the most efficient form of electrolysis available today. This technique relies on coagulation instead of cauterization to minimize tissue damage while remaining less painful than galvanic electrolysis.
Electrolysis takes time and requires multiple sessions that last up to an hour before you see permanent results, although you could even need up to 18 months of treatment! But the longer you commit, the sooner your skin will become hair-free forever! Electrolysis works on all skin and hair types; make sure you get recommendations from friends and family before scheduling an appointment at any given clinic.
4. Burning sensation
Electrolysis is a cosmetic treatment designed to permanently destroy unwanted hair follicles and prevent future hair growth. For this procedure, a fine needle or probe is inserted into each follicle and an electric current applied through it to heat and destroy its growth cells. While pain experienced can differ between individuals, most experience something like a brief pinch or tweezing-like sensation during this process; typically numbing gel will help decrease its discomfort during treatment.
Electrolysis is a permanent procedure and typically takes multiple sessions in order to fully eradicate unwanted hair follicles. Because many factors influence hair growth, only certain follicles will be active at any one time; depending on how many active hairs there are in a specific area, people may need electrolysis treatments every week or every other week up to one year in order to completely rid themselves of unsightly strands.
Selecting an electrologist who uses only needle electrolysis – no photoepilators or electronic tweezers! Ask around about which practitioners in your area offer electrolysis treatment that has had successful outcomes and request recommendations from those who have been through it themselves.
5. Irritation of the skin
Skin irritation during and immediately following electrolysis treatments, particularly on sensitive facial areas, may occur as a result of either heat from the needle itself or natural reaction of hair removal treatments to the body’s cells. Cool compresses or witch hazel application can help soothe irritation in this instance.
Bruising can also occur from an electrolysis session, but is generally temporary and rarely severe. The source of this bruising are blood vessels leaking under the electrode, leaving behind bruises which usually fade within two weeks; to ensure complete healing it’s important to use topical antimicrobial treatments on this area to avoid infections and reduce potential issues with infections.
Permanent hair removal typically requires multiple appointments; the exact number will depend on you and the cycle of each individual follicle’s growth cycle, with some being resistant to electrolysis requiring longer than others. By adhering to appointments and following aftercare instructions from an electrologist, permanent hair removal should take place with few side effects.
6. Scarring
Electrolysis is an effective solution to both remove unwanted hair and permanently stop its regrowth. Electrolysis involves inserting a needle-like electrode into each individual follicle to deliver an exact dose of current to destroy it – and is safe for all skin types, colors and thicknesses of hair as well as those suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
But, if performed improperly, the procedure can lead to scarring. This may occur as a result of improper technique, skin conditions or diseases, systemic disorders and diseases in an individual, or issues with machines used during treatment.
At all times it is crucial that both client and electrologist take appropriate precautions to prevent an adverse reaction from taking place, with following aftercare recommendations as being the best method. These may include applying soothing cream to help the healing of skin tissue while avoiding tight clothing, sun exposure or tweezing the area between appointments.
Electrolysis treatments may leave small scabs on your face and bikini line that should not be scratched as this could lead to infection; they should fade on their own within several days, however using antibacterial ointment may speed this process along.
7. Dryness of the skin
Dependent upon your skin sensitivity, machine strength and systemic disorders or diseases present, side effects such as redness, swelling or blisters may occur after laser hair removal treatment. They usually resolve within several days.
Your electrologist may also suggest an anti-itch cream to ease any slight itching in the treated area. Hair follicles that have become inflamed will need time to heal; an anti-itch cream could provide extra comfort.
Electrolysis hair removal treatments often result in folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicle that leads to tiny clusters of pimples. Dermatologist Dr. Lal advises using an antibacterial cleanser as well as applying benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid before and after treatments to avoid this complication.
Noting the individual differences, the exact number of sessions required varies for everyone. Your practitioner will give an estimation based on your skin type and location of hairs that require removal.
