What Is Electrolysis?

How does Electrolysis work?

Your electrologist inserts a very fine probe (thinner than the hair being treated) into the natural opening of the hair follicle alongside the hair shaft. A tiny amount of electrical current is then applied to destroy the hair growth cells. Medical Electrolysis devices destroy the hair growth cells with chemical energy, heat energy, or both. There are three modalities in current use and all are effective:

• Galvanic electrolysis is a chemical process. The current produces a chemical reaction inside the hair follicle eliminating the hair growth cells.

• Thermolysis  (also called short-wave) produces heat. This modality heats and destroys the hair growth cells in the follicle.

• The Blend method combines galvanic current with the Thermolysis current. Thermolysis heats up the chemical reaction in the follicle destroying hair growth cells.

How long will Electrolysis take?

Depending on the area you want cleared, each treatment could be a few minutes for small areas or several hours for a larger area. Factors such as hair growth cycles, the quantity and structure of hair presented, previous use of temporary hair removal methods, heredity, hormone function, medications and stress influence the treatment program for each individual.

The length of a treatment, and the number of treatments to complete the process will depend on the amount of hair to be removed. For example, defining brows or treating ears will take a lot less time than removing heavy hair growth on a back.

Based on a thorough and confidential consultation, we will provide you with a tailored treatment plan that will address your specific areas of concern. It is important to know that consistent appointments for any area, will achieve permanence sooner.

Does Electrolysis hurt?

You'll probably feel a momentary warm or tingling sensation. It’s comfortable for most people. Individual tolerances vary greatly. Keep in mind that some areas of the body are much less sensitive than others. Many people read, listen to music or even take a nap while being treated.  For sensitive clients, a numbing cream may be applied.

Who can have Electrolysis?

Electrolysis is for everybody! All hair types. All skin types. Electrolysis is the hair removal method of choice for people who want a permanent solution to their unwanted hair issues. Electrolysis is safe, gentle, effective and permanent.

Is it really permanent?

Yes! Every single hair can be permanently removed with electrolysis. .

Electrolysis is the only method of permanent hair removal approved by the American Medical Association and the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

No other hair-removal solution can claim the universal acceptability and success offered by Electrolysis treatments. Electrolysis safely and permanently removes all types of hair from all skin tones.

Electrolysis permanently destroys the growth cells of the hair follicle, preventing treated hairs from growing back. Treatment can be applied to most facial and body parts including hairline, eyebrows, chin, upper and lower lip, jaw line, sides of the face, ears, throat,  breasts, underarms, arms, back, chest, abdomen, bikini line, genital area, fingers and toes, legs and back.

Most other methods focus on immediate, but temporary, hair removal - visible hair, or hair that's inside the follicle but hasn't yet emerged. None of them deliver permanent elimination of unwanted hair.

Hair Growth Cycle Management

Excessive hair growth, known as hirsutism, can range from fine, vellus hair to dark, coarse hair. Coarse hairs may require more than one treatment. We will design a treatment plan that addresses your specific permanent hair removal needs.

Hairs have differing cycles of growth, many of which are not visible on the surface of the skin at the same time. The follicle produces the hair from the blood supply, and discards the hairs eventually, through shedding.

The process of growth, rest, and replacement are known as the hair growth cycle. Since individual hairs are in different phases of the cycle at any given time, multiple treatments may be required to remove unwanted hair from an individual area.

Common Electrolysis Treatment Areas

Electrolysis is effective on all skin tones and hair types. It can be applied to most facial and body parts, including hairline, eyebrows, ears, nose, upper and lower lip, jaw line, chin, sides of the face, breast, back, underarms, arms, abdomen, bikini line, genital area, legs and feet.

Hair growth on the chin, upper lip, jaw, and throat are usually caused by hormones, whether imbalanced or not. Genetics, hormones and medications can also cause excess hair on the face and body areas such as the chest, breasts and abdomen.

What about children and teenagers?

The state of California requires teens and children to have the permission of a parent or legal guardian before receiving electrolysis permanent hair removal treatments. All ages are welcome to experience the benefits of electrolysis in a safe and confidential environment.

As teens develop, physical changes such as unsightly hair can negatively impact body image and self-esteem. Teenagers of all genders may be embarrassed or dislike the hair on their face, eyebrows, upper lips, breasts or legs. If you're a teen or the parent of a teen, rest assured that Electrolysis is the only treatment for permanent removal of excess hair.

What is the youngest age for Electrolysis treatments?

The earliest age for treatment depends upon the person’s motivation. Pre-teens and teenagers of all genders may receive treatments to define or separate eyebrows or remove facial and bodily hairs.

Why do young girls grow hair on their upper lip?

Genetics, hormones, and medications can cause hair growth at any age. Electrolysis treatments are a permanent remedy to this universal problem.

Can I have Electrolysis treatments during pregnancy?

Unwanted hair can be caused by hormonal changes brought on by pregnancy. We can perform Electrolysis on pregnant women with documented permission from your licensed health care provider.

Do Men Get Electrolysis?

Half of our clientele is male.  Many men seek Electrolysis to remove excess hair from eyebrows, nose, ears, beards, neckline, chests, back, shoulders, underarms, arms, hands, legs, buttocks, and genitals. Hair can be safely and effectively removed from the groin and genital areas. We have been treating genital areas with Electrolysis for all genders since 1981.

Men as well as their partners appreciate a smooth, hairless skin.  Shaving can cause troublesome ingrown hairs. Electrolysis can permanently remove them and give you a smoother, well- groomed, professional appearance.

Competitive athletes often choose Electrolysis for permanent hair removal to feel clean and smooth, twenty-four hours a day.  Many are pleased to note it enhances their athletic performance.

After Care

Immediately following treatment, you may experience slight redness or tenderness which usually disappears in a couple of hours. We may apply a soothing product to alleviate irritation. For the first 24 hours following treatment, it's best to avoid activity that could irritate hair follicles such as excessive sweating, tanning, prolonged sun exposure or make-up application.

How does electrolysis compare to home remedies?

Electrolysis is permanent hair removal that is safer than tweezing or using chemicals.

Tweezing hairs can cause them to grow deeper, darker and more firmly rooted. Each time a hair is tweezed out, part of the follicle is torn out, too. This encourages the hair's regrowth to be tougher than before tweezing.

Chemicals known as depilatories can cause skin irritation, rashes or even chemical burns. Chemical hair removers can also remove your tan (natural or sunless) and leave you with a noticeably uneven skin tone.

Waxing, threading and tweezing may cause ingrown hairs and skin discoloration. These methods can also cause an increase in hair growth activity.

Depilatories and shaving can cause an irritation to the skin while the hair regrows quickly, and requires a lifetime of maintenance.

Unlike lasers, Electrolysis permanently eliminates unwanted hair permanently for all skin tones and types of hair.

Electrolysis permanent hair removal safely and permanently removes each hair without disturbing the surrounding skin. Temporary methods may appear to be inexpensive but they will cost more over your lifetime.

Sanitation Protocols

 We have always exceeded industry standards for sanitation, disinfection and sterilization.  All our implements are sterilized in our hospital grade autoclave or are single use disposables.  All gold probes are factory sterilized single use and disposable.  Gloves and masks are always worn during treatments. 

To help insure the safety of our clients during COVID-19 :

• All high touch surfaces are cleaned & disinfected between clients.

• Hand sanitizers are available in the waiting room and treatment room. Please use hand sanitizer upon your arrival.

• All clients are required to wear a face-covering that covers the nose and mouth upon entry and throughout the entire time at our salon..

• Your temperature will be checked using a touchless thermometer.  If a fever is present, your appointment will be rescheduled.

• Due to COVID-19 this protocol will be in effect until further notice.

Thank you for helping to keep us all safe and healthy.