Electrolysis Hair Removal

Electrolysis hair removal is the only clinically proven method of permanently removing hair from almost every part of the body, from facial hair to bikini line hair removal and everything in between. It is a time consuming, expensive proposition, and should be performed by a certified electrologist.

Regardless of your embarrassment quotient, this is not a Do-It-Yourself project, and don’t be persuaded by the online and television advertisements that suggest otherwise. They do not provide enough of an electrical current to effectively kill the root, so your hair will grow back, and you’ll be seeing that electrologist, after all.

How electrolysis works

Briefly, electrolysis is a method which removes individual hairs from the body, using a very slender stainless steel probe that is inserted into each individual hair follicle (it goes in only a few millimeters), then ZAP! A tiny burst of heat energy, chemicals or a combination of both, is sent down the shaft. Voila! Dead hair follicle, dead hair falls out. One down; a million more to go. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but depending on the size of the area of hair to be removed, it might seem like that. In reality, for larger areas of unwanted hair removal, your electrologist will use a multi-probe device that can handle up to 16 individual probes, so it clears the hair quicker.

What you can expect

It’s not entirely a pain-free procedure. Many people have likened it to a rubber band snapping against your skin, again and again. What you can do before your appointment to minimize any pain is take a couple of oral pain relievers, and keep yourself well hydrated, with only plain old H2O (water), which helps plump up the hair follicle.

How many electrolysis appointments you will need to be completely hair-free depends on a couple of factors, including how much hair needs to be removed and the structure of the hair shaft. Also important for you to know is that hair goes through phases, so if your hair is in the “resting” phase during your appointment, it won’t get zapped. You’ll have to return when your hair is in the “growth” phase.” Each treatment can last as little as 15 minutes, or up to an hour or more. How long between appointments will also depend on how quickly your hair reaches the “growth” stage, and that varies from person to person.

Ask these questions first

Choose an electrologist who has undergone training and is certified or licensed to administer the electrolysis procedure. Unfortunately, not every state requires certification, but it is something you should investigate for yourself. For the time and money that you are investing, not to mention the pain, you don’t want to put yourself into the hands of an incompetent. If your state is among those that does not require certification, ask around; get recommendations and get honest opinions.

You also should be able to visit an electrologist for a free consultation, and if you are denied this, walk out. The consultation gives you the opportunity to check out the electrologist, staff, and the salon. Ask about the procedures, the costs, the pain, the sterilization techniques, and anything else you can think of. Electrolysis hair removal is permanent and you have to be 100% comfortable with the person who will ultimately be the one helping you transform into your beautiful new, hairless, self.