What is electrolysis?
Electrolysis is a method of permanent hair removal. During a treatment, a fine probe (about the same thickness as your hair) is inserted into the hair follicle and a small amount of energy is applied. That energy kills the cells in the follicle that are causing hair to grow, eliminating the hair follicle’s ability to grow new hair. Since each hair follicle is treated one by one, electrolysis can be a tedious process. However, it’s effective for all hair colors, skin colors, skin types, and genders, and is the only method of hair removal to ever be certified as permanent by the FDA.
What are the side effects?
Everyone reacts a little differently to electrolysis. Most commonly, clients will experience a bit of redness, swelling, and sensitivity in the treated area for a short time after each session, fairly similar to what you might see after waxing or tweezing. Some may experience less common side effects like temporary scabbing and/or skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation) but following proper prep and aftercare instructions can minimize the likelihood of additional side effects!
Is it painful?
It can be! Some clients find it doesn’t bother them at all, and some have mentioned they even like the feeling. Most clients experience some discomfort, but, after the first session, most leave saying “That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be!” Our goal is to make your sessions as comfortable and tolerable as possible. Stress, menstruation, and illness can increase sensitivity, so it’s best to schedule appointments when you’re feeling your best.
Why does it require a series of treatments?
We have millions of hair follicles all over our body but luckily they’re not all “awake” at the same time! Hair grows in cycles, so only a percentage of your hairs are actively growing and visible at any given time. We can only treat a follicle when a hair is growing out of it, so multiple sessions are needed to target all of the hair follicles.
When the treatment plan is followed, most clients see permanent results in 12-24 months. There will be fewer hairs coming in as progress is made, so sessions become shorter and more spaced out over time. Some clients notice a difference in just the first few sessions.
What’s the difference between electrolysis and laser?
The main difference is that electrolysis is permanent hair removal and laser is permanent hair reduction. Electrolysis and laser hair removal are both effective methods for managing excess hair growth and each have pros and cons. With electrolysis, only one follicle can be treated at a time, so it can be a tedious and time-consuming process. Lasers are able to cover a lot of space in a short amount of time and are great for large areas on the body. Laser works best on dark hair and light skin, but it has a hard time detecting grey, blonde, and red hairs. It also doesn’t work as well on deeper skin tones, although newer lasers have gotten better at treating a wider range of skin types. On the other hand, electrolysis works on all hair colors and all skin colors. We don’t recommend getting laser on facial hair due to the possibility of paradoxical hypertrichosis, which is when laser treatments actually cause more hair to grow instead of reducing it. Otherwise, the best choice really depends on your specific needs, your hair and skin type, and what results you’re looking for.
We encourage people looking to get hair removal on large areas of the body such as legs, bikini/brazillian, and backs, and who are also good candidates for laser, to go for a consultation at a reputable laser practice.
Is it expensive?
Electrolysis can be a significant investment depending on the amount of hair we’re treating, but it truly is an investment in long-term results! Consider all the time and money spent on temporary methods like waxing, threading, tweezing, depilatories, and bleaching. These methods can get costly over time and can be harsh on your skin (and in some cases they can possibly encourage more hair growth). Electrolysis offers a permanent solution, and appointments get shorter and more spaced out as progress is made. We don’t offer packages because it’s tough to predict the total number of sessions/hours each person will need, so our pricing is based on the time spent. We can work together to create a treatment plan that fits your needs and budget.
Where can I get electrolysis done?
Electrolysis can treat hair almost anywhere! Popular areas include the chin, upper lip, eyebrows, sides of the face, ears, underarms, bikini line, arms, legs, fingers, toes, breasts, abdomen, chest, back, and hairline. The only areas we can’t treat are inside the nose, inside the ears, and eyelashes. Currently, we are not accepting new clients for legs, bikini (unless medically necessary/surgery prep), chest, or back hair removal, and we also do not work on peach fuzz.
What causes excess hair growth?
Excess hair, or hirsutism, can be caused by a few different things. Hormonal imbalances, like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or adrenal gland disorders, are pretty common culprits. Genetics can also play a role, making some people naturally prone to more hair growth in certain areas. Some medications, like corticosteroids or testosterone supplements, can also lead to increased hair growth. Sometimes, there’s no clear reason and a person might just be sensitive to the normal level of androgens in the body. Talking to a medical professional can help to figure out what’s causing the excess hair.
Why do I need a consultation?
The consultation is very important to both the electrologist and the client, and to the success of your treatments. Even clients who have had electrolysis in the past should do consultations when going to a new practice. During your consultation, we will go over a few things including your relevant health history, your skin and hair condition, and to make sure we’re a good fit for each other. It’s important you feel comfortable with and confident in your electrologist because you’ll be spending a lot of time together! It’s also a great opportunity for you to ask questions, learn about the electrolysis process, and understand what you should expect from your treatments. There is zero pressure to rebook at the end of the consultation and we recommend going for consultations at a few different electrolysis practices to find the right fit for you!