|
Electrolysis
FAQs
 |
Question
& Answer |
 How
long has electrolysis been around?
How
does electrolysis work?
What
are the different methods of electrolysis?
What
about infection control precautions?
Does
electrolysis hurt?
Can
the skin be damaged by electrolysis?
How
long does it take?
How
much does it cost?
Can
hair be removed from any body area?
Can
electrolysis be performed during pregnancy?
Are
there other restrictions I should know about?
How
do I choose an electrologist? Visit
Worldwide Registry Of Professional Electrologists www.wrope.com
|
|
How
long has electrolysis been around? |
The technique for removing
unwanted hair by means of electrolysis was invented
by Dr. Charles E. Michel, a St. Louis, Missouri ophthalmologist, in 1875. Dr.
Michel's
invention was developed primarily to resolve the problem of ingrown eyelashes,
but
basically the same procedure is used today to permanently destroy hair roots
anywhere
on the face or body.
|
|
How
does electrolysis work? |
A trained electrologist
inserts a fine, solid, pre-sterilized needle (wire, or probe) into the
hair follicle and applies a small amount of electrical current to permanently
destroy the
hair growth cells that lie mostly at the base of the follicle. Electrologists
have a choice
of three different methods of electrolysis to choose from.
|
|
What
are the different methods of electrolysis? |
The main differences in the
methods used by professional electrologists revolve around
the type of electrical current that they elect to use.
 | Electrolysis, or galvanic
This method uses galvanic electricity - commonly referred to as direct
current (DC)
- to create a chemical action in the follicle. When the DC from an
electrologists
needle interacts with body salts and moisture, a minute quantity of lye is
produced.
This caustic lye effectively destroys all the hair growth tissue it
contacts.
|
| Thermolysis
This method - also known as high frequency (HF) diathermy, radio wave, or
short-wave
-- uses alternating current (AC) electricity to kill hair growth cells with
heat. The HF
current delivered by the electrologists needle (in just a fraction of a
second) agitates
the follicle tissue and produces heat that is high enough in temperature to
effectively
destroy the active area receiving the treatment.
|
| Blend
The blend method of hair removal combines both of the electrical currents
described
above. When alternating current (thermolysis) is added to the galvanic
(direct current)
process -- either simultaneously or sequentially -- it quickly raises the
heat of the lye
created by the galvanic process, thereby greatly accelerating its normally
slow reaction speed. |
|
|
What
about infection control precautions? |
A
fully professional electrologist will use only pre-sterilized needles and
forceps for every treatment,
and follow universally accepted standards of infection control and general
hygiene to ensure that
their client's health is not compromised in any way. You should discuss the
sterilization procedure
and other infection control practices with your electrologist, and be satisfied
that proper
precautions are being taken.
|
|
Does
Electrolysis Hurt? |
There is always some degree of
sensation associated with electrology. It depends greatly on an
individual's tolerance to pain, the type of hair, and the area that is being
treated. Some clients
say the pain of electrolysis is about the same as that felt when hair is
plucked. Others describe
the sensation as 'a slight warmth'. The treatment tends to make a few people
jittery, others fall
asleep during treatment. New types of topical anesthetic (such as EMLA), and
other different
techniques for reducing pain, are presently being introduced into electrolysis
practice to make
treatments more comfortable for clients.
|
|
Can
the skin be damaged by electrolysis? |
Because electrolysis destroys
the dermal papilla of a hair, there may be a slight redness and/or
swelling associated with electrolysis treatment. In some circumstances,
electrolysis causes tiny
scabs to form over the treated follicle. These dots are a perfectly normal part
of the healing process
and will not leave any permanent damage, providing you do not pick at them,
scratch them, or
otherwise cause them to be infected. Many clients report that their skin
actually looks much improved
after they've had electrolysis treatments.
|
|
How
long does it take? |
Electrolysis is a permanent
hair removal process that requires time. The number of treatments required,
and the duration of those treatments, will depend on a number of factors such as
heredity, your hair type,
the amount of hair that must be removed, and where it is located, your skin
type, and how quickly it heals,
your medical condition, or prescription drugs you are taking.
|
|
How
much does it cost? |
Electrolysis is billed by the
hour -- usually broken down into 1-hour, 45-min., 1/2-hour, and 15-min.
sessions - and rates vary between electrologists and by area.
|
|
Can
hair be removed from any body area? |
Electrolysis can be used to
safely remove hairs from undamaged skin in almost every area of the body. The
only exceptions to this are hairs inside the ears and the nose. And the removal
of hair from moles may be prohibited by some liability insurance policies and/or
legislation. A mole that has a hair growing from it is not likely to be
malignant but, to be on the safe side, electrologists insist upon having written
authorization from the client's doctor before they will proceed to remove such
hairs.
|
|
Can
electrolysis be performed during pregnancy? |
The galvanic (electrolysis, or
direct current) and 'blend' methods of electrolysis should probably not be used
on pregnant women because this electrical current flows through the client and
back to the epilator. Only a minute amount of energy is involved, but because
the fetus is surrounded by amniotic fluid - a virtual water bath and powerful
conductor of electricity - pregnant women should forgo electrolysis that
involves galvanic current.
There is no evidence to suggest that thermolysis (high frequency, diathermy,
radio wave, short-wave, or alternating current), which does not flow through the
body, is harmful to pregnant women or a fetus. Nevertheless, if you are pregnant
it is generally recommended that you talk to your doctor before beginning or
continuing treatment. Your electrologist may also require a letter from your
doctor authorizing treatment during pregnancy.
|
|
Are
there other restrictions I should know about? |
The thermolysis (alternating
current) method of electrolysis can be performed on most clients who have
pacemakers, but electrologists require written permission from the client's
physician before they will give treatments. Metal is a good conductor of
electricity, so the little metal plates within a pacemaker might be of concern
to an electrologist who works primarily with the galvanic (direct current) or
blend methods of electrolysis. The consulting physician should be apprised of
the method to be used, before treatments begin.
IUDs are not common these days, but there are some around still. These devices
are also made with metal in them, so electrolysis using galvanic current could
possibly cause a deep throbbing pain in the pelvic area.
|
|
How
do I choose an electrologist? |
Your choice of an
electrologists in a small town may be limited to one or two practitioners. If
you live in a large city, the choice may be endless. In either circumstance,
referrals from family members or friends is very common. A doctor familiar with
electrolysis may also be able to make a recommendation. However, the Yellow
Pages is by far the most frequently used method of finding a qualified
electrologist.
In many places the practice of electrolysis is regulated by law, and if this is
the situation in your area you must be certain to consult only with an
electrologist who has a valid license to practice. To further help your search,
some countries have national electrology associations with established standards
for the profession, including board certification credentials, indicating that
the electrologist has successfully passed comprehensive national testing.
Many associations, national and regional, have referral services and will be
glad to supply you with the names of those members of the association who
practice in your area. When you contact these electrologists you will usually
find they give a complimentary consultation or short trial session.
Be an informed consumer, ask questions, and understand the process.
Visit
Worldwide Registry Of
Professional Electrologists www.wrope.com
|
home
subscribe
advertise
about us
