Get comfortable in your own skin!
Electrolysis is the ONLY FDA-approved method of permanently removing all types and colors of hair.
Unwanted hair can cause a minor distraction to a debilitating self-consciousness. While for some people home hair removal can be a manageable part of their routine, for others hair removal tasks are best permanently eliminated with electrolysis.
Electrolysis is the only option for permanent hair removal; it works for all genders, ages, ethnicities, and is suitable for all skin types, hair types and anywhere on the body hair grows.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Causes of Unwanted Hair
There are many different causes and factors that contribute to unwanted or excessive hair growth.
Each of the following will be discussed further in your consultation as they apply to you.
When discussing your personal health history and forming a treatment plan we look at the following:
- Hereditary
- Normal Physiological Changes
- Malfunction of the Endocrine System
- Medications
- Topical Influencers
- Stress
- Transitioning
Hormone changes such as puberty, pregnancy, menopause, can all cause excess hair growth. During the normal systematic changes in life hormone production varies. It is not uncommon for hormones during this time to be unbalanced. Increased male hormones (androgens) can be present which may result in unwanted hair growth
Topical influences may also play a part in increased hair growth. These are external influences on the body that cause an increase in blood supply to the skin and hair follicles.
Endocrine system malfunctions of the endocrine glands can trigger the appearance of excess hair. Some disease of the thyroid gland, ovaries, pituitary gland and adrenal gland are known to stimulate hair growth. Cushing’s disease, polycystic ovary syndrome and thyroid conditions are just a few of them. These pathological disorders must be treated by a physician in order for electrolysis to be effective.
Medications are another known factor influencing the production of unwanted hair. Some common culprits include birth control, cortisone, some seizure drugs, and high blood pressure medication.
Stress (both emotional and physical) can stimulate the adrenal glands to initiate a hormonal reaction that can cause fine, soft body hair to become more coarse and noticeable. In addition, it has been proven that emotional disturbances can cause menstrual irregularities, which, in turn, cause hormonal changes and can also affect excess hair growth.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Modalities
There are three recognized modalities of electrolysis:
Galvanic (Direct Current): the hair is destroyed by chemical action
- Galvanic is the oldest form of electrolysis, a chemical method that utilizes a direct current to convert normal body salt and water in the follicle into sodium hydroxide (lye); a compound capable of destroying the dermal papilla. The chemical is produced only in the follicle and does not affect any other area.
Thermolysis (Alternating Current/High Frequency): the hair root is destroyed by heat production
- Thermolysis uses a high frequency current to produce heat in the area influenced by the current (typically the tip of the probe as we use insulated probes in our practice). This heat cauterizes and destroys the dermal papilla.
Blend: a combination of Galvanic and Thermolysis
- Blend combines both Galvanic and Thermolysis currents within the same probe so that they hair root is destroyed by both heat and chemical action at the same time. Thermolysis enhances the action of the Galvanic method to produce a faster process.
All three modalities are safe and effective. Your electrologist will choose the modality that is best for you.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Treatment Experience
Prior to beginning each treatment the electrologist will ask if there have been any changes to your health history and how your previous session healed. Your skin will then be cleaned with 70% alcohol or hydrogen peroxide while also looking at the hair diameter to choose the sterilized disposable probe size for treatment.
The electrologist inserts a very fine, sterile probe, the same diameter as the hair being treated, alongside the hair into the hair follicle opening down to the dermal papilla. A low level electric current is applied through this probe to the electrologist target; the dermal papilla. The dermal papilla is the part of the follicle that contains blood and nerves and feeds the growing hair. If the papilla and the regenerative cells surrounding it are destroyed, the hair will die.
The current only runs through the probe when it has been properly placed within the skin, it will destroy the papilla and surrounding cells while also loosening the hair in the follicle to be epilated.
The skin is not punctured or harmed in anyway, and for most people the process causes very little discomfort. Professional electrologists are trained practitioners whose accumulated skills enable them to destroy the hair root permanently without puncturing or harming the skin.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Results
Some hairs will be eliminated with only one treatment, but many will need two or more treatments to achieve permanency. Electrolysis involves a series of treatments over a period of time, during the consultation we will discuss a timeline further; but we typically say 12-18 months. The length of time depends on the amount of hair, it’s coarseness, the cause of the excess hair and many other factors, but once the dermal papilla has been eliminated, the hair is dead and will not regrow.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Treatment Plan
All electrolysis treatment plans are tailored to the each clients needs. Many factors determine the number and length of treatments required. Some of these may include the condition of the skin to be treated, the sensitivity of the skin, the number of follicles involved and even past methods of hair removal. A treatment plan will be discussed and created specifically for you during your consultation. Treatment plans are subject to change and evolve depending on your health history, medications, stress levels and time constraints.
In the beginning, treatments are longer in duration and more frequent. Over time, treatments will shorten in duration and be spaced further and further apart until the hair is gone.
If you have any questions about your treatment plan ask your electrologist!
