What is Electrolysis?
Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal method that involves treating individual hair follicles. The process entails gently inserting a tiny probe into the natural opening of each hair follicle, then applying a small amount of chemical and/or electrical current to destroy the cells responsible for hair growth.
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 technique that destroys the hair root through the application of heat.
Galvanic
Galvanic is a direct current method that destroys hair roots through chemical action.
Blend
The Blend method utilizes a combination of thermolysis and galvanic techniques, simultaneously destroying the hair root through the application of both heat and chemical action.
Factors That Affect Electrolysis
Hair Growth Cycles
The common belief that the visible hair is all the hair one has is incorrect. In reality, every square inch of skin contains hundreds of hair follicles, though only a portion may be actively growing or visible at any given time. In fact, during an electrolysis session, only about half the hairs in the treated area will be apparent, as the rest are in various stages of the growth cycle - anagen (growth), catagen (shedding), or telogen (regrowth). Electrolysis is most effective when performed on newly emerging hairs, as they are in the active growth phase.
False Hair Regrowth
While some believe that the same hairs are returning when dormant follicles regrow in a previously treated area, various factors can actually influence hair growth and trigger dormant follicles. These include DNA, heredity, hormones, PCOS, weight, medication, stress, and other unknown elements. As such, when dormant hairs do grow back in the same region, they are typically untreated hair follicles, not the original hairs.
True Hair Regrowth
As an experienced Electrologist, I aim to strike a delicate balance between the intensity required to effectively destroy hair follicles and the need to protect the skin from scarring or pitting. Occasionally, a hair follicle may be insufficiently destroyed, leading to regrowth in the same follicle. In such cases, the follicle may require multiple treatments before it is fully destroyed.
Bent or Distorted Hair Follicles
Previous waxing or tweezing can bend or distort hair follicles, complicating the insertion of the probe into the root to destroy it. Consequently, these follicles may require multiple treatments before complete destruction.
Type and Amount of Hair
The time required to remove unwanted hair depends on several factors, including the type and amount of hair. For individuals with a few "trouble spots," the process may only take 5-6 treatments. However, those with thick, stubborn, and dense hair may require up to 2 years for permanent hair removal. The length of time needed for permanent hair removal is influenced by the specific area being treated, the number of areas, the quantity of hairs, and the frequency of 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.
