If you are experiencing unwanted hair growth, especially on your face, electrolysis is a permanent hair removal treatment. It is safe for facial hair removal, and a trained electrologist does the procedure. Electrolysis has been around for over 100 years and was first invented to remove irritating ingrown eyelash hairs. Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis
If you are experiencing unwanted hair growth, especially on your face, electrolysis is a permanent hair removal treatment. It is safe for facial hair removal, and a trained electrologist does the procedure. Electrolysis has been around for over 100 years and was first invented to remove irritating ingrown eyelash hairs. Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal.
Electrolysis uses a fine, hair-thin wire inserted in the hair follicle under the skin’s surface. An electric current moves along the wire to the root in the follicle and destroys the hair root. The damage to the follicle prevents hair from growing and causes the existing hair to fall out. You may feel a slight pinch or warmth at the needle site. Electrolysis uses a tool called an epilator, and the tool destroys hair growth hair by hair.
You will need several treatments, and the number of treatments differs from person to person. You will need an appointment every week or every other week, and the appointments can last over a year.
Electrolysis FAQs
Why so many electrolysis treatments?
Hair has different growth cycles. Hair production cycles are a process of growth, rest, and more growth. Individual hairs grow in distinct phases during this cycle. Therefore, you can catch the hair at the right point in the cycle with more than one treatment.
How long does treatment take?
Electrolysis treatment lasts between 15 minutes and one hour, depending on the treatment area.
What is the difference between electrolysis hair removal and laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal uses a light-emitting laser to target a hair’s pigment and heat up and damage the follicle. You can treat a large area of skin all at once, making treatments relatively quick. However, we all have those occasional stubborn hard to get rid thick coarse hairs that do not respond well to laser treatment. That is where electrolysis hair treatment is indicated.
Electrolysis treats one individual hair follicle at a time, so it takes significantly longer to treat those stubborn hairs, but if you’re a patient person, electrolysis treatment will kill the follicle and prevent it from growing back.
Electrolysis is safe and effective for any skin color or hair color, so it’s great for people with blonde, red, gray, or white hairs that don’t respond as well to laser hair removal;
It truly stops hair from growing. Permanently. Forever.
Is electrolysis hair removal painful?
For some people, hair removal can be mildly painful, but, as always, the level of pain will depend on your own pain tolerance and the area that you’re treating. (Numbing medication is available should it be required for the pain.)You’ll initially feel a stinging sensation, but you won’t feel anything when the hair is pulled out afterward. Areas like the upper lip, groin, and neck are typically the most painful, while the cheeks and chin are often tolerated best.
How much does electrolysis cost?
Electrolysis treatment costs can vary widely depending on the area you wish to treat. Belle Visage Medical Aesthetics recommends treatment packages for the best price. Team Belle will be glad to provide you with a treatment package price.
Can you shave in between electrolysis?
No, you shouldn’t shave in between electrolysis appointments if you really want to see the results from electrolysis. You’ll walk away from your appointment hair-free, so depending on how fast your hair grows, you won’t see much regrowth for three to four weeks. But if you do get some stubble, or see stray hairs, you should still avoid using a razor, tweezers, or any hair removal wax between appointments.
What should I do after the treatment?
You need to avoid activities that may irritate the hair follicles and the skin for the first few hours. Avoid:
- Sweating
- Tanning
- Staying out in the sun
- Applying makeup
Are there risks of electrolysis?
Electrolysis is extremely safe. There is a slight risk of infection, and scarring can happen if the electrolysis is not done properly. After treatment, you may have a slight reddening of the skin, but it is short-lived. If you have darker skin, you may have temporary dark spots on the skin. Spots face over time. Electrolysis does not leave a scar.
How many sessions does it take to remove hair by electrolysis?
Electrolysis only destroys between 30-40% of hair follicles per session, so we recommend starting with 6 sessions, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart. Areas of heavier hair growth may require additional treatments.
Remember: Your hair-growth cycle includes three phases (a growing phase, a resting phase, and a falling-out phase), and you need to treat each hair when it’s in its growing phase.
That doesn’t mean you’ll have to wait for the full 12 sessions for smoother skin; you’ll actually notice fewer hairs with every single treatment, which means your appointment times will get progressively shorter too.
Are the side effects of electrolysis hair removal?
Mild side effects include immediate redness in the treatment area that can last for 1-2 days, depending on how sensitive your skin is. Icing the area with an ice pack or ice roller for a few minutes post treatment usually takes the redness away.
It’s also possible for some people to experience folliculitis (an inflammation of the hair follicle, which can result in small clustered pimples) in the treatment area, which can occur if bacteria gets into the follicle and irritates it. To minimize the risk of folliculitis we strongly recommend cleansing your skin before and after with an antibacterial cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to help prevent bacteria from getting into those follicles,” he says.
What should you do before electrolysis hair removal?
Before your electrolysis hair removal appointment, check with Team belle to see the specific guidelines you need to follow. In general, though, don’t shave, tweeze, or wax before getting electrolysis hair removal. You’ll need the hair to be at least a quarter-inch long so it can be pulled out. Hydrate well and avoid caffeine two hours before the appointment, which could raise their stress levels and potentially make the treatment a bit more painful.