Electrolysis - FAQ's

Don't Tweeze, Wax or Depilatory Cream!

Can Electrolysis be done anywhere on the body? Everywhere except inside the ears and inside the nose.

Is it safe to use Electrolysis to remove hair from a mole? Absolutely, however, a note of approval is required from your doctor to ensure there aren't any problems with the mole prior to electrolysis treatment. These are other situations when written authorization from your physician is required:

Diabetes mellitus (Diabetes Type 2)

Medical conditions for which the patient wears any external or implanted medical object or device

Medical conditions that are treated with drugs having anti-coagulant effects

Medical conditions treated with drugs that may create photosensitivity 

Can Electrolysis be done anywhere on the body?

 Everywhere except inside the ears and inside the nose.

Is it safe to use Electrolysis to remove hair from a mole? 

Absolutely, however, a note of approval is required from your doctor to ensure there aren't any problems with the mole prior to electrolysis treatment. These are other situations when written authorization from your physician is required:

• Diabetes mellitus (Diabetes Type 2)
• Medical conditions for which the patient wears any external or implanted medical object or device
• Medical conditions that are treated with drugs having anti-coagulant effects
• Medical conditions treated with drugs that may create photosensitivity 

Why do I need more than one session to permanently clear an area?

The hair follicle is one of the only organs that cyclically degenerates and regenerates from stem cells. Each hair follicle perpetually goes through 3 stages: growth (anagen), transition (catagen) and rest (telogen)

The permanent results of electrolysis hair removal can only be achieved over a period of time. You can shave the hair 5-7 days before your electrolysis session so that only hairs in the growing stage can be seen above the surface of the skin at the time of treatment as this is the phase that we want to be removed during the electrolysis session.

The Electrologist cannot change the growth cycle, so the treatments have to be repeated for those hairs that were not in the right phase of growth. As the sessions go on, treatments will take less and less time.

How long will treatments take & how much will it cost?

This really depends on the individual. There are many variables involved. No two bodies are alike.

• Thickness and amount of hair present.
• Were there any temporary hair removal methods (tweezing, waxing, threading, etc) used?
• Are there any hormone issues influencing the growth of hair? Some hormone influences can include certain medications, puberty, pregnancy, menopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome, other hormone imbalances, etc.
• Time - the more time the electrologist has to clear the area, the more effective the treatments are. 
• Finally, the more consistent the client is the more effective the treatment will be. There are 3 treatment phases to successful permanent hair removal: 
• Cleaning phase - this is the stage when all of the telogen hair is removed (the oldest hair). When you come in for a session, an electrologist can only treat the follicle when a hair can be seen. You know when you wax and a week later, you feel hair where you waxed? It's not because you missed those hairs, it's because those hairs were below the surface. It's the same with Electrolysis. During the "clearing phase" - it's best to come in once a week.
• Control phase - after the clearing phase is the maintenance phase. These sessions are about every 2-3 weeks. . These appointments are shorter, as well.
• Maintenance phase - the last phase is the maintenance phase - and this is the period where we are finishing up the remaining hairs. These sessions are about once a month and again, the appointments are shorter.

These many variables make it almost impossible to estimate a precise cost and duration. Appointments can range from 15 min to 2 hours or more - depending on area being treated, and the client's requirements. Electrolysis is an investment that can last a lifetime, as long as you follow our expert advice. Say goodbye to your razor and your waxing technician, forever! 

Is Electrolysis painful?

Pain tolerance varies from person to person. The insertion of the probe should be painless, however, a small prick of the heat current will be felt with each hair. The intensity of the current will depend on the coarseness or resilience of the hair.

While some people can sleep through a treatment, others find it quite uncomfortable (numbing cream helps!). The settings are set according to each individual's tolerance. The mild discomfort is definitely worth it for the dramatic and long-lasting result.

If you've had waxing, laser or tattoos, then you will have no problems with Electrolysis! 

What can I do to prepare for my Electrolysis appointment?

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! If you can't go without your coffee (or any other caffeinated drink) before your appointment, make sure you drink 2 glasses of water for each cup of coffee. The more your hair follicle is hydrated, the easier/better the treatment!
• Exfoliate! The natural debris build-up on our skin from our cells shedding, oils, dust and dirt and (if you wear it) makeup can cause a "cement" in your follicle that can make insertions difficult. So, to make your treatments faster and more comfortable - exfoliate!
• If it's your first appointment, you could shave areas with really long hair (ex: underarms, groin), about 4 days before your appointment. Remember, if we can't grab the hair with our tweezers, it's too short.
• Personal hygiene - it may seem it goes without saying - but some areas of the body can have strong odors. Unclean/odorous areas can be unpleasant for the electrologist working on those areas.
• Numbing cream - if you need numbing cream, make sure you apply it plenty of time before your appointment or you're wasting your cream.  See my Numbing Creams page for tips on making the most of your numbing cream.
• Avoid excessive sweating if having work done below the neck. Sweat can cause bacteria to enter into the open follicles and cause minor infections. Exercise before your electrolysis appointment, instead of afterward.
• If you're having any facial work done - remove all of your makeup before your appointment.

What can I do about heavy growth of hair between treatments?

 A hair is what marks an active follicle for your electrologist. This is how she knows which follicles to disable. Tweezing, waxing and using depilatory creams will interfere with the treatment. It is perfectly fine to shave (or trim with scissors) the hairs that bother you between treatments.  Your electrologist will ask you to leave enough length to provide a guide into the follicle for an accurate insertion (so generally shaving a week before your appointment is ok, if you have really fast-growing hair, you can shave a few days before). Remember, if your electrologist can't see the hair, they can't treat it.

IMPORTANT - DO NOT TWEEZE, WAX or use DEPILATORY CREAM ON HAIR BETWEEN TREATMENTS. If you do, you disrupt the natural cycle of the hair, and distort the follicle, resulting in extra electrolysis treatments. 

Which skin reaction can I expect after my treatment? 

On the day you have had your treatment, the skin may be pink or red and you may feel a burning sensation and some slight swelling. This is all temporary and varies from one person to another. Crusting may also temporarily appear on the skin. It is important to leave these alone, to prevent infection and scarring. 

Do I need to do anything once I’ve had electrolysis?

Once we have finished the procedure, there are some very important skin-care steps that you will have to perform to ensure the best results. Check out our After Treatment page for comprehensive advice on how to take care of your skin after treatment.