Many factors influence hair growth, and electrolysis sessions may be required to permanently rid yourself of unwanted hair. Therefore, it is vital to schedule treatment sessions on an ongoing basis.
Consume lots of water before, during and after your appointment to keep follicles hydrated while helping reduce discomfort. This can also help minimize any possible adverse side effects.
What is Electrolysis?
Electrolysis is a permanent way of eliminating unwanted hair. The procedure involves inserting a small needle into each hair follicle and applying a current which disables its ability to produce further hair growth. While electrolysis may be more expensive than other methods, its results are permanent – most clients needing multiple sessions will have to visit an electrologist regularly or every other week for treatment sessions.
Electrolysis sessions typically last an hour. Before beginning the procedure, your electrologist will apply an anesthetic cream to numb the area and reduce discomfort – most people find electrolysis far less painful than waxing or using an epilator.
Make sure to select a licensed and experienced electrologist when seeking electrolysis treatments. Check for clean facilities with sanitary tools, look at photos from previous treatments done by this person, speak to them before making an appointment and inquire as to their technique: do they specialize in needle electrolysis or use other means such as laser hair removal.
Electric current destroys cells in each hair follicle to stop hair follicle from growing again, leaving only temporary redness or tenderness after treatment. Clients with darker skin might develop temporary dark spots after treatment that fade over time.
Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved permanent hair removal method and typically works on most hair colors, skin types and locations on the body. Unfortunately, hormonal factors and certain medications may make electrolysis ineffective in treating some areas where unwanted hair could arise despite treatment attempts.
How Does Electrolysis Work?
At an electrolysis session, an electrologist inserts a fine needle into the opening of each hair follicle and applies an electrical current that penetrates to destroy its growth center and stop new hair from growing back. A trained electrologist knows exactly which techniques work for each person’s individual body type and hair follicles.
There are various electrolysis devices available for use, including galvanic electrolysis, thermolysis and the blend or fusion method. Galvanic electrolysis uses direct current delivered via the follicular probe that delivers between zero to three milliamperes to destroy hair growth cells in a chemical reaction; thermolysis and blend/fusion methods utilize high frequency current heating of follicles with high current output that delivers between zero to three milliamperes current to cause this same reaction through their probe. Finally, thermolysis/blend/fusion methods utilize high frequency current heating of follicles while simultaneously providing direct current delivery through their probe 0-3 milliamperes current, leading to chemical reaction that destroys hair follicles as well as providing direct current delivery 0-3.
Laser hair removal requires skill and patience, yet is the only permanent hair removal method guaranteed to eliminate unwanted hair permanently. Although it takes over a year for complete completion, and may be painful during sessions one or two; initial sessions may leave red, swollen and tender areas that need moisturizing after each visit.
Some medical conditions and medications preclude electrolysis treatment, including insulin-treated diabetes and certain steroids. Before beginning electrolysis treatments, discuss any health or medication concerns with your electrologist as well as any alternative hair removal methods like tweezing and waxing in the area until your treatments have concluded.
How Long Does Electrolysis Take?
As is well-known, electrolysis requires multiple sessions to permanently remove unwanted hair from any part of the body. While the process takes some time and patience, the results are permanent! Finding an electrologist who understands your unique skin type and hair growth pattern is also key for successful electrolysis treatment.
At each treatment session, your electrologist will insert a tiny probe into the natural opening of a hair follicle and use a low current to destroy its root. According to FDA recommendations, this current must be just strong enough to destroy hair follicles but not intense enough that it damages skin; multiple sessions may be needed since hair grows in cycles; each treatment needs to meet it at an ideal point in its growth cycle.
Electrolysis sessions typically last 8-12 sessions and take 18 months or longer for completion depending on a number of factors such as skin sensitivity, temporary hair removal methods used previously, hormone function changes and normal physiological fluctuations – among others.
As soon as your hairs begin becoming thinner and thinner, this is a sure sign that the treatment is working! But keep attending regular appointments in order to achieve complete permanency.
After each electrolysis session, you may experience redness, slight prickling or stinging and/or hyperpigmentation risk in the area that was treated. Moisturizing this area after each treatment can reduce discomfort as well as risk for hyperpigmentation post procedure. Applying an ice pack (or using an ice roller) post treatment can also help soothe irritation.
Does Electrolysis Hurt?
Electrolysis is a long-term hair removal method. Through multiple sessions with an electrologist, hair can be permanently eliminated from targeted areas on your body. While treatments tend to be painless, please keep in mind that for some individuals the process may be uncomfortable or even painful.
An electrologist typically performs sessions by inserting a fine needle or probe into each individual hair follicle and applying an electric current to destroy them, creating a stinging or prickling sensation for their client. The amount of pain depends upon your tolerance, where on your body the treatment area lies, and quality of hair in that specific location.
Electrolysis sessions typically last 15-30 minutes and the number of treatments needed will depend on each individual; some people may require weekly visits until unwanted hair has been eliminated from their desired areas. Successful electrolysis requires capturing hair follicles during their growth cycles for maximum effectiveness.
Side effects from electrolysis treatment sessions typically include redness and swelling afterward. This redness could last for several days afterward; to minimize any irritation it’s important to stay hydrated as much as possible; an ice pack can help soothe redness as well. Additional potential adverse reactions could include pitting, light scarring or hyperpigmentation – although rare. To protect yourself against such problems using high SPF sunscreen after electrolysis sessions.
What Are the Side Effects of Electrolysis?
Apart from pain and discomfort (which will vary according to individual tolerance levels), other side effects of electrolysis include scabs, bruising, discoloration of skin and ingrown hairs. This occurs when hair follicles are damaged during treatment instead of being destroyed as intended and become clogged up; then razor or special ingrown hair removal tool must be used to remove ingrown hairs manually. Scabs or bruising may occur if done by inexperienced technicians using inappropriate needle types on sensitive skin types; similarly scabs may result in skin discoloration as well.
When choosing an electrologist, be sure they use needle electrolysis exclusively as this is the only permanent form of hair removal. Before booking an appointment it would also be a good idea to visit them so you can witness for yourself their cleanliness and professionalism, or ask people who have had electrolysis done in the past and were happy with their results if possible.
If your skin has developed persistent scabs, it may be wise to seek another electrologist. This could indicate that electrolysis isn’t being administered correctly and requires more patience with its process.
Bruising may occur when needles are inserted too deeply or when sensitive areas of your body are treated with an inappropriate needle size. When this happens, patience and choosing an electrologist who understands how best to treat your skin are essential. Ingrown hairs may be caused by several factors including hormonal imbalance, sexual changes, medications or even irregular menstruation cycles; if you notice that there are many ingrown hairs present on your skin make an appointment with a dermatologist to understand why.
