Electrolysis Frequently Asked Questions

Does it Hurt?

The short answer is it depends.  It is impossible to destroy hair growth tissue without sensation because each hair follicle is surrounded by its own network of nerve endings. The sensation, which or not be felt, is assurance that destructive activity is taking place. Some clients sleep through hours of treatments and others honestly find 15 minutes to be uncomfortable.  We utilize advanced Apilus technology ensuring our clients a gentler and more comfortable way to permanent hair removal.  If you have tried electrolysis before, try it again and feel the Apilus difference.The sensation you might experience depends on many reasons including where one is having treatment and what method is used.  Some parts of the body are more sensitive than others.  If you have ever waxed or plucked, you'll find electrolysis to be surprisingly comfortable.  Some clients have described the sensation as a  pinch, a mosquito bite, a quick snap, or building warmth.  Many adjustments can be made which help to make the treatment more comfortable. Some clients choose to take an OTC analgesic such as Tylenol, Aspirin, or Advil 30 - 45 minutes before treatment and report treatment is very comfortable.  We will work within your personal comfort level and do have topical anesthetics available.  

Just about anywhere!  Unwanted hair can be safely removed from most body areas.  Common areas include the hairline, bridge of nose, eyebrows, upper and lower lip, cheeks, sideburns, ears, chin, neck, shoulders, arms and underarms, fingers, hands, breasts, abdomen, bikini line, legs, back, and chest of men, women and teens.  The inside of the ear canal and inside the nose should not be treated.

What exactly is done to the hair?

Electrology is the art and science of permanent hair removal utilizing probe devices.  A fine sterile probe is inserted into the hair follicle and a small amount of electrical energy is discharged which destroys the hair growth tissue. When this is competently and skillfully accomplished, the regenerative ability of the hair follicle is permanently eliminated.  The hair is lifted out after treatment and you leave with bare skin!

Electrology versus other hair removal methods?

If you want permanent hair removal, electrology is the only way to achieve this goal.

Absolutely!  However, electrolysis is not an overnight sensation.  Electrolysis requires a series of treatments to achieve permanency.  The number of treatments necessary varies with each client and with the area being treated. Factors such as hair growth cycles, the quantity and structure of hair presented, previous use of temporary hair removal methods, heredity, hormone function, normal physiologic changes, certain medications, and stress all influence the treatment program for each individual.  In most cases it takes between 12 and 18 months to have absolute permanence.  It is very important to adhere to the recommended treatment schedule to achieve optimum results in the shortest time frame.   

Why do I have to come so often?

Yes it makes a difference!  It is important to follow your individual treatment schedule to get the fastest results.  Hairs are most effectively  treated in their early growth stages when the hairs are finer and straighter and the target zone is smaller helping us to reach all of the germinative cells that grow hairs.  Regular treatments ensures catching hairs at this early growth stage and makes for a more effective treatment with less potential for regrowth.  If you can make the time commitment at the beginning of treatment, you can think of it as taking time off the end so you get the best results in the shortest time frame.

Why should I choose electrology over temporary or long lasting hair removal methods?

Laser vs. Electrology:
While laser promoters compare laser to electrology it is actually not a permanent form of hair removal.  Only a few laser devices have been cleared to claim a  permanent reduction in hair by the FDA.  Intense Pulsed Light (IPG) though often called laser, is NOT a true laser and not approved by the FDA to claim any efficacy.  Electrology is cleared for permanent removal of hair.  All laser assisted hair removal is considered a temporary or long lasting method of hair removal.  Additionally, laser hair removal has not been evaluated for long-term safety of the patient's skin and health--new research is showing prolonged exposure to laser is capable of changing skin cells at the genetic level.  Essentially, laser targets the pigmented cells in hairs.  It also takes a series of treatments (generally 6+ spaced out every 6 weeks or so) as all hair is not present at one time.  On some body parts it takes up to a year to see a complete growth cycle--think about the hair on your head, if it all fell out and re-grew as fast as most people think, you'd have really, really short hair all the time!  Clients shave prior to treatment, the laser is applied to the skin and heats the pigmented cells charring the moisture out of the hairs.  The hairs slough/fall out on their own over the next few days or weeks.  Skin looks sunburned after treatment and must be protected from the sun.  The best results are very dark hair and very, very light skin.  Darker skin tones or tanned skin must be treated with extreme caution as laser is attracted to pigment and require bleaching and sun avoidance for 6 weeks prior to and following treatment if it can be treated at all.  White, gray, and some red hairs are unaffected by laser.  Laser does have potential to work with electrolysis.  One could argue laser would be well used to initially clear large areas like legs and then follow up with electrolysis as the hair grows back in following a series of laser treatments. 

Is Electrolysis safe?

Absolutely.  Our office follows the American Electrology Association (AEA) Standards for Infection Control which ensure electrolysis is performed under the highest standards of cleanliness and safety.  We utilize only sterile disposable probes for all treatments and always utilize fresh latex-free medical grade disposable gloves for each treatment.

What meant by "my hair is resting under the skin"?

All hairs start as an empty hair follicle and then grow in to a fully mature hair.  At some point, it separates from its blood supply, ascends toward the surface of the skin and falls out.  Following active growing periods, most hair follicles go into a dormant or resting stage. The period of dormancy last for an indefinite period of time, however, replacement hairs usually appear within 3 to 12 months.  If you have ever brushed your hair and looked at the hairs in the brush you have noticed the white tuft on the end of them.  These are hairs that were naturally shed.  As opposed to when you pluck, say an eyebrow hair, it might have a moist shinny ball at the end.  This is a growing hair.  Not all hairs are visible on the surface of the skin at any one time.  Depending on the area of the body, you wait for 12 weeks or 12 months to see all of the dormant hairs come to the surface as your hair pattern fills in.   The appearance of these coarse replacement hairs from dormant hair follicles should not be mistaken as regrowth from previously treated follicles.

Immediately following treatment, there be a slight redness and/or swelling which usually disappears within a few minutes to a few hours. Though not desirable on face work, small white dots or tiny red dots occur.  Ideally, by the next day no one should be able to tell you have had treatment.  On body work a pinpoint film or crust develop.  It is important to remember that scabs are a part of the normal healing process in some people. If this does occur, the client is advised to not pick them off.  Be sure and tell your Electrologist about any skin reactions so they can work with you to minimize their occurrence.   When electrology is administered by a qualified electrologist using state-of-the-art technology and techniques, the results are exciting!