Is unwanted hair growth a common problem?
Yes. Most women and some men do not feel comfortable with hair
growing on certain parts of their body.
What causes unwanted hair to grow?
There are many causes. Some are heredity, illnesses, or side
effects of medications. Hormonal changes such as pregnancy,
childbirth, menopause and other life changes can trigger unwanted
hair growth.
Using "quick fix" methods to remove hair such as waxing,
plucking, tweezing, or using depilatory creams can significantly
increase the growth rate of unwanted hair, making the problem
worse.
Does Electrolysis hurt?
For most people the discomfort of electrolysis is minor.
Sensitivity does vary greatly among people, and certain body parts
are more sensitive than others. For very sensitive clients, taking
an over the counter pain reliever or using a topical anaesthetic
ointment about 30 minutes before a treatment will reduce or
eliminate the discomfort.
How long does a treatment take?
Treatments take between 15 minutes and 1 hour.
How many treatments will I need and how often will I need them?
This varies, depending on the amount of hair to be removed, and
whether the hair is fine and light, or dark and coarse. During your
free, personal consultation your electrologist will design a
treatment plan that addresses your particular needs.
How much does electrolysis cost?
Fees range from $28 for a 15 minute treatment to $60 for a 1 hour
treatment.
Will electrolysis have any side effects on my skin?
Some clients may experience some redness following a treatment.
This generally will not last longer than a few hours. Carefully
following post treatment instructions from your electrologist will
minimize this situation.
Why is electrolysis better than other methods like waxing or laser?
Waxing, shaving, and depilatory creams, while inexpensive and
fast, can cause skin irritation problems and will greatly increase
the growth rate of unwanted hair.
Laser hair removal is much more expensive than electrolysis.
While laser may remove the hair, it does not kill the hair follicle
like electrolysis does, so the hair may grow back. Massachusetts
requires 1,100 hours of training to become a licensed electrologist.
No formal education or training is required for laser technicians.
Laser hair removal, if not done properly, poses a risk of burning or
scarring your skin. Laser does not work safely and effectively with
all
varieties of skin and hair types, while electrolysis does.
What is Electrolysis?
A treatment of electrolysis involves inserting a tiny, sterile needle,
also known as a probe, directly into the hair follicle opening down into
the dermal papilla. The papilla is the target of the electrologist. This
is the part of the follicle that feeds and nourishes the growing hair.
When the probe is in place, a very low level electrical current is released
for approximately 1/100 of a second. The electrical current destroys the papilla
and surrounding cells. When this happens, the hair follicle will die, and it will not regrow.
Why is Electrolysis Permanent While Other Methods of Hair Removal are Only Temporary?
Electrolysis is the only F.D.A approved method of permanent hair removal. Unlike laser and
light based hair removal techniques, electrolysis not only removes the hair, but also destroys
the source of the hair's nourishment, resulting in the death of the hair follicle. When hair
is only removed it can and will grow back. When the hair follicle is destroyed, it cannot regrow
and has been permanently removed.
Other common methods of temporary hair removal include shaving, waxing, or plucking. All
of these methods are not only temporary, but in many cases cause even more unwanted hair to
grow back in the same area.
Is Electrolysis Safe?
Electrolysis is completely safe, and can be performed on any part of the body. Unlike
laser and light based hair removal devices, electrolysis is effective
on light or dark hair and all skin types. Electrolysis is safe for all ages, and can also be
performed safely during pregnancy.
What Areas of the Body is Electrolysis Used On?
Electrolysis can safely be performed on all body parts. The most common areas include:
Women
Chin, neck, upper and lower lip, cheeks, eyebrows, chest, breasts,
bikini area, abdomen, underarms, hands, feet, fingers, and toes.
Men
Ears, nose, eyebrows, face and shoulders.