What is Electrolysis?
Electrolysis is the process of permanently removing unwanted hair by treating hair follicles one-by-one. Electrolysis is done by gently inserting a tiny probe into the natural opening of the hair follicle. Then, a small amount of chemical and/or electrical current are applied in order to annihilate the hair growth cells.
Electrolysis Methods
At Haute Hair Removal, I use all 3 different modalities (methods) of electrolysis, including: thermolysis, galvanic, and blend.
Thermolysis
Thermolysis is a high frequency method where the hair root is annihilated by heat production.
Galvanic
Galvanic is a direct current method where the hair roots are destroyed by chemical action.
Blend
Blend is the combination of thermolysis and galvanic methods where the hair root is obliterated simultaneously by both heat and chemical action.
Factors That Affect Electrolysis
Hair Growth Cycles
Most people believe that the hair that they can see is all the hair they will ever have. However, this is incorrect! Every square inch of your skin has several hundred hair follicles, however, only a certain amount of follicles may be growing or showing hair. In fact, only half the hairs in a particular area will be visible at the time of your electrolysis appointment. This is because at any given time, a random number of hairs will be in 1 of 3 phases of growth and shedding: anagen (growth), catagen (shed), and telogen (regrowth). Electrolysis treatments are more successful when performed on newly growing hairs when they first emerge from the surface of the skin.
False Hair Regrowth
When dormant hair follicles grow in the same area that was previously treated, some people believe that the same hairs are coming back. However, factors like DNA, heredity, hormones, PCOS, weight, medication, stress, and other unknown factors can also influence hair growth and trigger dormant hair follicles. So when dormant hairs do grow back in the same area, they are untreated hair follicles.
True Hair Regrowth
Sometimes hair grows back in the same follicle because the hair follicle was insufficiently destroyed. As an experienced Electrologist, I look to strike a balance between the killing rate (intensity that kills the hair) and skin protection (prevention of scarring and pitting). In this case, the same follicle may need to be treated several times before it is destroyed.
Bent or Distorted Hair Follicles
Prior waxing or tweezing can make hair follicles bent or distorted, which makes it more difficult to get the probe into the root to destroy it. As a result, these hair follicles may need to be treated several times before they are completely destroyed.
Type and Amount of Hair
The type and amount of hair that you have will determine the time needed to remove unwanted hair. If you just have a few “trouble spots” then it can take as little as 5-6 treatments to remove hair. However, if you have thick, stubborn, and dense hair then it could take up to 2 years to permanently remove hair. The length of time needed to permanently remove unwanted hair will depend on the area being treated, how many areas you are treating, how many hairs need to be treated, and how aggressive you are with your appointments.
Because of all of these factors, it is important to be consistent with regular appointments and continue with treatments until all unwanted hair is permanently removed.
