Permanent Hair Removal | A Guide To Electrolysis Hair Removal Treatments

Great. So now you know that electrolysis hair removal treatments is the only permanent hair removal solution around. What’s next? Should you opt for electrolysis over others? Or should you go for other newer technologies such as laser treatments and flash lamp options like IPL?

Before you take out your credit card, let’s explore more about electrolysis hair removal treatments shall we?

How Electrolysis Hair Removal Treatments Works

Electrolysis was first used in 1857 by Dr Charles E Michel (1833 – 1913), a St Louis, Missouri ophthalmologist for the removal of ingrown eyelashes. By the year 1916, it has developed into a common hair removal procedure amongst various methods of enhancing beauty.

During the procedure, a small needle will be inserted into the hair follicle and run through with some form of electric current. What it does is to completely destroy the unwanted hair roots and keep it from growing back within a prolonged period of time. That period tend to differs for different individuals but it’s averaging anywhere from 3 months to a year.

There are basically 3 most common types of electrolysis permanent hair removal. They are the Galvanic, Thermolysis, and blend methods. While the procedure is largely the same across all 3 types (i.e. a small needle will be inserted into the hair follicle), the type of electric current that is passed through the needle differs. Here’s a detailed explanation of each electrolysis type :

1. Galvanic Electrolysis. This process sends DC electric current through the inserted needle to the affected hair’s follicle. As it travels, a chemical reaction generate sodium hydroxie which killds the hair follicle directly. This is one of the most original methods of electrolysis and is generally applied for coarser hair strands.
2. Thermolysis Electrolysis. In this case, the electric current delivered is an higher frequency current (called AC) with thermolysis. The resulting vibration while the AC current is passing through heats up the water molecules around the hair follicles. That heat impairs the hair follicle. Although this method can be faster than the Galvanic method, it is however not as reliable.
3. Blend Electrolysis. This is a hybrid of both the Galvanic and Thermoloysis methods. Both types of AC & DC currents are run through the needle simultaneously. As a result, it’s relatively faster and clearly more effective, making it a popular choice when it comes to removing facial hair.

The Pros & Cons of Electrolysis

Even though the time taken for successful electrolysis differs for individuals, generally, the larger are of hair growth you’re looking at, the longer and costlier the electrolysis treatments will be. Why? Because each hair follicle has to be treated separately! Here are some of its other pros and cons :

Pros :

• Is probably the only option that can really claim to remove hair permanently
• Possess the longest track record for effectiveness and reliability
• Excellent for small hair growth areas such as the underarms, upper lip, chin, stomach, bikini line etc
• Not just limited to lighter skin tones or hair types

Cons :

• Need a licensed and skilled practitioner.
• Time consuming. Especially if you’re treating a large patch of hair growth area. An estimated 15 – 30 sessions is required for each course.
• Improper administration could result in scarring, hair regrowth, infection due to an unsterilized need.
• Bent follicles makes whole process much more difficult. In case you’re wondering, previous tweezing or waxing is the cause of bent follicles.
• Improper administration could result in scarring, hair regrowth, infection due to an unsterilized need.
• Relatively more expensive. Treatment costs varies but an average 30-minute session can cost about $60 and covers only a small area.
• Can be rather painful. Some people described electrolysis to be a pricking and stinging sensation. The bad part? Every follicle has to go through it.

So, Should You Go For Electrolysis Hair Removal Treatments?

Frankly, it all depends. With the introduction of other permanent hair reduction technologies such as laser and IPL, consumers like you have a lot more choices. You can opt for electrolysis, which is the probably the only method that can claim to be a permanent solution. Or chose to go for other options which although aren’t really permanent methods per say, can also help to reduce your hair growth in an acceptable long duration.

At the end of the day, your choice is largely dependent on your budget versus the effect you desire to achieve.