Electrolysis is one of my favourite treatments to do and one treatment we get asked about a lot in the salon.
Does it work? How long does it take? What does it cost? Is it sore? Where on the body can electrolysis be done? Can I have it if I’m pregnant? The list goes on.
In this blog, I’ll explain the treatment procedure, who it’s for, what to expect, safety and hygiene and aftercare procedures. And after all that, if you still have questions, I’ll include a Frequently Asked Questions section at the end.
Why do I love electrolysis so much?
My love of electrolysis started during my training. The thought that I could permanently remove hairs which were causing distress was a real motivating factor to become really good at it. Study it; learn why the hairs were there, could they genuinely be got rid of and how, and then perfect the skill to ensure it happened. I modelled for my fellow students and practiced on anyone who would let me! I was awarded the Best Electrolygist of the Year during my time as a student; an achievement that still excites me.
Over the years I have seen countless women who were at their wits end with rogue facial hairs. I’ve seen how it undermines confidence and affects every aspect of their lives. Planning everything carefully so that no one will know they have hairs. Having to pop home at lunchtime to shave to avoid a shadow. Panicking when someone unexpectedly comes to the door and you’re not prepared. It’s a constant nagging inconvenience that just keeps growing back every day. And the more you remove, the quicker and thicker it returns. I’ve seen it all. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
The minute you start treatment, you’re on your way. That first treatment is the hard one. Once you have that one out of the way, you’ll feel so much better knowing you have a hair-free future to look forward to!
It’s so lovely to see the transformation in someone who has made the commitment to deal with it once and for all! It really is the most rewarding treatment for me to do.
Electrolysis comes in different forms; Galvanic, Blend or Short Wave Diathermy.
Galvanic was the first and original form of electrolysis to be used and utilised the body’s own natural salts to cauterise the hair root through chemical means. It was a very slow process as each hair took several seconds to treat through the formation of sodium hydroxide (lye) with the application of a direct current. The client had to hold an electrode to complete the circuit or it wouldn’t work. This form is no longer used as it would be far too slow.
Short Wave Diathermy utilises heat to destroy the hair root. The blood supply from the capillaries to the hair root is cauterised and prevents any more blood from feeding that hair. It takes approximately 2 seconds to treat each hair and several factors determine how successful the treatment will be.Â
Blend is a combination of Galvanic and Short Wave Diathermy, combining the benefits of both methods, but it again is a slower method and fewer hairs will be treated during a session. This method is more forgiving if there are distorted follicles (the shaft that contains the hair) or if the probe has not reached the hair root.
When I trained, Blend was so new that colleges didn’t offer students the opportunity to train with it. Short wave diathermy relies on very accurate probing so that the hair root is cauterised and the hair is treated successfully and that is what we learned with.
Having always enjoyed excellent results with short wave diathermy, it is my preferred method and I will explain the procedure and how it works.
How does electrolysis work?
Before we start any treatment, a thorough consultation is carried out so that I’m aware of any health issues or allergies you might have. Then I’ll illustrate (using diagrams), the hair growth cycle and distorted follicles, explaining how this affects regrowth and treatment progress.
Each individual hair may need more than one treatment due to its strength and the sensitivity of the surrounding skin. The most important thing is to look after the skin, so it may be that progress is slightly slower due to a reduced current if skin is sensitive or fragile. This will be noted during a consultation. Â
Hair strength is affected by any temporary measures that have been used and for how long. Hairs that have never been touched will be so much easier to treat and will be gone faster than ones that have been tweezed or waxed out for twenty years. So if you’ve been thinking about waxing or tweezing – don’t! You’re just storing up problems for the future.Â
After the consultation, you’ll be comfortably positioned on a treatment couch and shown the equipment. A test hair will allow you to feel what it’s like. It is nippy, due to the heat being used to cauterise the hair root, but only for a second. Once the current has been applied to the hair root (for a second), the hair is removed with tweezers, but you won’t feel it coming out. If you feel it coming out, then it hasn’t been treated properly. Don’t worry about it being nippy, there are techniques to help with this and most people tolerate it just fine. We go at your speed, so you never feel pressurised at all.
Everything is sterile and individually packaged ensuring your health and safety at all times.
I can remove approximately 90 hairs during a 15 minute session, so it is a very efficient method of removing hairs.Â
All hair colours can be treated with electrolysis, unlike laser treatment which cannot successfully treat fair, grey or red hairs.
After your treatment, your skin may feel a bit hot, appear a bit red, perhaps even a little bit swollen. This is all normal reactions and is normally most noticeable during your first appointment. Subsequent treatments don’t seem to react so much.
You’ll be given an aloe vera cooling cream to use at home to help soothe the area and minimise the risk of irritation. It’s important that you leave the area well alone after treatment. No touching, shaving, waxing or depilatory creams. This will help to ensure you enjoy the swiftest results.
Areas that have been treated require a minimum of two weeks between treatments to allow for appropriate skin healing. All of the damage has occurred under the surface of the skin in the deeper layers, so although you can’t see it, the damage is there and needs time to heal.Â
Depending on the hair growth, initial treatments will be approximately fortnightly for the first 4 months, due to the hair growth cycle. After that, appointments may become more spaced out as hair regrowth slows down. This will all be explained during the initial consultation and discussed throughout subsequent treatments.Â
Although electrolysis is the only proven permanent method of hair removal, it is not instant and will require multiple appointments. Many factors affect the exact amount of treatments required and no two people are the same.Â
Electrolysis is good for facial areas (although not eyebrows), underarms, nipple and chest hairs, bikini line and abdomen. Legs would take far too long to be a viable option for electrolysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is electrolysis really permanent?
Yes. Once a follicle is successfully treated, that hair will not grow again.
Does it hurt?
You may feel a short heat sensation, but it is usually very tolerable. We work at a pace that keeps you comfortable. Skin might feel warm for a few hours afterwards, but the aloe vera gel helps (especially if you keep it in the fridge)!
How many sessions will I need?
This varies depending on the area and hair type. Because hair grows in cycles, multiple sessions are needed for full results.
Can I have electrolysis if I’ve had laser?
Yes — electrolysis is often used to remove remaining hairs after laser treatment.
I’m pregnant – can I have electrolysis?
Possibly. It depends on when the hairs appeared. If they appeared during your current pregnancy, then I would advise against as hormone fluctuations often mean the hairs will disappear once the baby is born. If the hairs were there before the pregnancy began, then a consultation will reveal whether it is recommended or not.
Want to know more?
If you’re looking for a permanent solution to unwanted hair, electrolysis may be the answer. Why not book a consultation at The Country Spa, where we’ll take time to understand your needs and create a personalised plan.
Great explanation! I’m actually looking forward to my second treatment
Thanx Katrina