Electrolysis

What is Electrolysis?

Electrolysis is still recognised as the ONLY method of PERMANENT hair removal.

In the hands of a well trained electrolysist it is a perfectly safe and highly effective treatment. One of the 3 different methods of electrolysis will work on (and is suitable for) ALL hair types and colours and ALL skin types and colours.

What are the different electrolysis methods?

Short wave diathermy or thermolysis uses an alternating current at a high frequency and low voltage. This causes the water molecules around the follicle to vibrate resulting in the production of heat, stopping the blood supply to the root, which weakens and eventually destroys the hair.

The galvanic DC (Direct Current) method causes a chemical reaction in the salt and water in the follicle. This reaction creates a chemical called Sodium Hydroxide or Lye, the Lye stops the nourishment to the cells that cause hair growth.

The Blend is the most recent method combines Galvanic (DC) and Thermolysis (AC). This is the most effective method because the lye is more efficient at weakening the hair when heated. This is said to be the quickest and most comfortable method especially good for curly or distorted hair follicles.

For successful and effective results, each individual hair requires repeated treatments.  This is because each individual hair has its’ own growing cycle called Anagen, Catagen and Telogen. This is not unlike the ‘cycle of life’ with Anagen being the ‘alive’ and growing stage, Catagen the ‘collapsing’ stage where the hair collapses away from its source of food and nourishment (the dermal papilla) and the Telogen stage where the hair is ‘tired’ and dying and disconnected completely from its dermal papilla.  Successful treatment for electrolysis (and incidentally also laser and ipl) has to target the hair in Anagen to achieve optimum results as it is the destruction of the dermal papilla which is required. Therefore results are not immediate and take a little time…  but electrolysis does work and it is permanent.

Unwanted hair causes enormous distress, as anyone who has suffered with it will understand, and often brings with it a sense of isolation, low self worth and poor-self esteem. Unwanted hair can be genetic or inherited or one of the symptoms for disorders such as polycystic ovary system. There are also many medications and drugs that cause or stimulate unwanted hair growth as well as hormonal changes within the body such as during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. It is often in the case that electrolysists are privileged to witness a dramatic transformation in their clients, from a self conscious, deeply demoralised individual at the beginning of a course of treatments, to confident and happy individual once treatment is under way and making progress. Many women and indeed many men have benefited from this tried and trusted treatment.

How long does a typical treatment last?

In electrolysis there is really no ‘typical’ treatment as all clients are individuals and a treatment plan is created to suit the individual’s needs and requirements. Treatments can take anything from 10 minutes once a month to up to 2 hours once a week. Electrolysis treatment will initially take longer and be frequent eventually tailing off to shorter less frequent treatments as the hair becomes less dense, finer, lighter and less noticeable. Treatment can be performed in one area or in many different areas in any given treatment session. With the transgender community appointments can be in excess of 4 hours in any one session and are usually initially concentrated on facial hair growth.