The Consultation
We offer a complimentary consultation to go over your medical history, treatment plan, and tolerance test. While electrolysis can cause discomfort, every effort will be made to ensure your treatment is tolerable and will never go above your pain threshold. Hydration is a very important factor during electrolysis treatment. Please drink plenty of water and avoid stimulants such as caffeine which can affect your skin hydration and sensitivity level. Alcohol consumption the day before treatment also depletes the skin of hydration. Please be mindful of hydration before your treatment.
How Does Electrolysis Work?
A single use sterile probe is inserted in the natural opening of the hair follicle where a measured amount of current is applied to the base of the follicle disabling the cells that cause hair to grow.
Modalities of Electrolysis:
Galvanic Electrolysis- The first type of permanent hair removal discovered using direct current DC to create a chemical change, producing Lye, to disable the root of the follicle. It is the slowest and most effective form of permanent hair removal.
Thermolysis Electrolysis- Thermolysis uses alternating current AC or shortwave radio frequency causing the water molecules to rapidly vibrate, which produces heat. When the proper amount of heat is generated, thermolysis disables the cells that cause hair growth. It is the fastest form of permanent hair removal.
Blend Method- Blend combines both Galvanic and Thermolysis currents at the same time in one highly effective treatment.
We are professionally trained in all modalities and will select the modality that is suitable for you.
What Does Electrolysis Feel Like?
Depending on which modality is selected appropriate for you, you’ll feel a momentary heat sensation or pinch. Discomfort is minimal for most people, but individual tolerances vary. Keep in mind that some areas of the body are much less sensitive than others. Dehydrated clients may feel sensation of treatment more than clients who are adequately hydrated.
Hair Growth Stages
Anagen– Active Growing Stage The cycle in which the hair begins to grow from the blood supply. The hair will grow deeper and coarser (depending on previous removal methods). This is the phase that electrolysis will permanently destroy the hair follicle and germ cells that create new hairs. It’s important to keep a regular schedule so the electrologist will be able to treat the anagen hairs before they move onto the dormant cycles
Catagen– The hair begins to separate from the blood supply and is receiving very little nourishment. In this phase, damage to the follicle can still be accomplished and the hair is likely to grow back less coarse and not as deep. This will in turn make it easier to remove.
Telogen– The hair has separated from the blood supply and is no longer receiving any nourishment. The hair may stay in this phase for a while or it will be shed. There are times when a new hair is already growing under the old hair which may cause you to believe that hair regrew quickly.
All hairs are in different stages of growth and are not visible on the surface of the skin. Hair normally grows for its usual cycle and then naturally sheds and replaces itself. This is a continuous cycle. Following the active growing period (Anagen Phase), hair follicles go into a dormant and shedding process (Catagen & Telogen Phase). The replacement hairs appear anywhere between 4-10 weeks depending on the location and other growth factors. The appearance of these coarse hairs from dormant hair follicles should not be mistaken as regrowth from previously treated follicles. Hair is constantly cycling in these stages. People with hormonal imbalances can cause hair to grow in follicles that have not been previously treated. Talk to your doctor if you suspect a hormonal imbalance is a cause of excess hair growth.
What Happens After Treatment?
Immediately following treatment, you may feel the sensation equivalent to a minor sunburn and may experience slight redness or tenderness which usually last anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days. There is the possibility that healing may take longer depending on different variables such as hydration level, skin sensitivity, density of hair growth, length of treatment and aftercare.
For the first 24 hours following treatment, it is imperative to avoid activities or skincare products that could irritate treated hair follicles. Please avoid excessive sweating, make-up application and aggressive skincare exfoliants, as well as retinols, etc… It is also extremely important to avoid heated spa’s, tanning and sun exposure for at least 24 hours following treatment as well as being mindful about hydration and applying sunscreen daily. Since we are creating microscopic injuries to disable the hair root, some degree of healing is to be expected and is a normal part of the process in permanent hair removal.