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Electrolysis is the
FDA approved method for hair removal
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Electrolysis?
Electrolysis is the science of permanent hair removal utilizing a
probe device. A fine, sterile probe is inserted into the hair
follicle and a small amount of current or heat, depending on the
modality used, is discharged destroying the hair follicle and
preventing it from producing another hair.
Modern Electrology began in 1875 through the efforts of
Ophthalmologist, Dr. Charles Michel. He accidentally discovered
electrolysis while removing an ingrown eyelash from one of his
patients. Through his initial efforts and continued research,
permanent hair removal through Electrolysis is a reliable and safe
method for halting excess hair. For the last 100+ years the medical
community has recognized the three methods of electrolysis as the
only process for permanent hair removal: Thermolysis, Galvanic and
Blend.
A. Galvanic: A DC (direct) current passes through the needle
charging the moisture (H2O) and salt (NaCl) naturally found in the
follicle causing a chemical reaction. Sodium hydroxide (lye) is
produced. The lye destroys the hair follicle by chemical
decomposition.
B. Thermolysis: An AC (alternating) current passing through the
needle causes vibration in the water molecules surrounding the hair
follicle which produces heat. The heat damages the hair follicle.
This is the quickest method, but areas will need to be covered more
times than with Galvanic or Blend.
C. Blend: This method combines the benefits of galvanic and
thermolysis by passing a DC current through the needle, producing
lye, which is then heated up by the AC current. The heat spreads the
lye around the follicle, ensuring proper damage to the hair follicle
tissue. This is faster than Galvanic alone, but still more time
consuming than Thermolysis.
I will choose the appropriate current for the client after analyzing
the skin, texture, moisture gradient (dry or moist), hair type, and
client sensitivity. With these options available, your treatment can
be customized for maximum comfort, swiftness, and most importantly,
permanency.
2. What Causes Excess Hair?
According to current medical science, excessive hair growth is
primarily caused by three factors: Normal Systemic Changes, Heredity
and Glandular Disturbances.
Normal Systemic Changes can be caused by puberty, pregnancy,
menopause and hysterectomy. Puberty stimulates change in both the
body and hair-growth patterns. Common pattern changes include an
increase in hair follicle activity and an overall
darkening/thickening of the hair shaft. The diminished hormonal
levels in a womanıs body following menopause and/or a hysterectomy
can promote new hair growth on the face and body.
Glandular Disturbances originate in the endocrine system, which is
responsible for our physical development. Certain specific
medications, such as male hormones, birth control pills, and even
pregnancy can disrupt the delicate endocrine balance and produce
unwanted hair.
Hereditary Hirsutism, excessive and abnormal growth of hair, is
found in all nationalities, some more than others. Electrolysis can
permanently solve this problem regardless of nationality or the
amount of hair. However, many cases of "excessive" hair growth are
actually normal in relation to the physiological changes the client
may be going through, just as it is normal for many men to go bald.
Most instances of baldness are cause by heredity and are considered
normal.
It is worth noting that stress (both emotional and physical) can
stimulate the adrenal glands to initiate a hormonal reaction that
can cause finer hairs to become more coarse and noticeable.
Increased blood supply can also stimulate hair to grow thicker and
darker. Waxing and tweezing can cause an increase in blood supply in
many clients while others experience reduction of hair growth.
3. What is a Normal Hair Growth
Cycle?
All hair, regardless of the area of the body, has a different growth
cycle. Eyelashes and eyebrows, for instance, grow for about four
months and then are shed. The life span of a human scalp hair is
from two to four years. After the hair is sloughed off, the follicle
becomes dormant for a period varying from a few weeks to several
months, and then begins once again to produce hair. Since only
visible hair can be treated, the initial treatment period for any
given area is four months.
Much of the perceived "re-growth" that occurs during treatment is
really hair emerging from dormancy. Once this hair becomes visible,
it can be treated for the first time.
4. How Long Does It Take to Be Rid of
The Hair?
Although the number of treatments required varies with each client,
those that adhere to the recommended treatment schedule usually
accomplish their goal between 12-18 months.
Some improvement should be observed within several months after
initiating treatment, provided the client adheres to the recommended
treatment schedule.
Factors such as hair growth cycles, the quantity and structure of
the hair presented, previous uses of temporary hair removal methods,
heredity, hormone function, normal physiologic changes, certain
medications and stress may influence the treatment program. Hairs
that have been tweezed, waxed or are very curly often have a good
chance of coming back as a finer hair. It can then be epilated for
good. This is due to the follicle distortion, which means it is not
growing straight under the surface of the skin. Since the probe is
straight, with a bent root, only part of the hair (and germinative
cells) is treated on the first treatment.
5. Are all hairs eliminated in one
treatment?
Deep, coarse hairs cannot always be eliminated with one treatment;
thus breaking down the hair germ cells may require additional
treatments. Due to the cyclical nature of hair growth, new hair as
well as hairs emerging from a dormant phase will be treated and may
be visible the same time as finer re-growth hairs.
6. What are the side effects?
Immediately following treatment, there may be a slight redness
and/or swelling which usually disappears within a few hours.
Occasionally, small whiteheads or tiny scabs may occur. Whiteheads
usually are indicative of bacteria entering the follicle after
treatment. Remember to keep the area as clean as possible for the 24
hours immediately following treatment. Scabs are part of the normal
healing process and will not cause any permanent damage if they are
not picked off. Trauma to the underlying tissue will sometimes cause
lymph fluid to seep from the follicle. The lymph fluid seeps to the
top of the skin and in a dry environment will harden forming a scab.
Applying anti-bacterial ointment on the treated area will often
deter the scabs from forming. You can read more about this in the
After Care Instructions on this website. You will also receive a
copy from me at your first appointment. When electrolysis is
correctly administered there should be no permanent skin damage.
7. How much does it cost?
Cost is based on how much hair you have to begin with and how much
of it you want removed. Since each individualıs physiology is not
the same, some clients require more treatments than others because
of stronger follicular resistance. Upon your initial visit I can
give you an estimate but it is simply an estimate. . I wish there
was a cut and dry answer to this question, but unfortunately there
is not.
8. Is it painful?
Each personıs individual pain tolerance plays a major factor in the
degree of sensation felt by the electrolysis treatment. Because we
are in essence destroying tissue in the follicle there is sure to be
an uncomfortable feeling. For some it is merely an annoyance, for
others it is less tolerable. Fortunately there are topical numbing
solutions that can be used, as well as over-the-counter pain
relievers, which seem to help. See the Pre-Care Instructions for
more detailed information.
9. What about Laser?
While laser promoters compare laser to electrology and some laser
devices have been cleared for permanent reduction, laser assisted
hair removal is considered a temporary method of hair removal.
Additionally, laser hair removal has not been evaluated for
long-term safety of the patient's skin and health.
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