Electrolysis for permanent hair removal
Electrolysis - Permanent hair removal by short wave diathermy
What is Electrolysis?
Superfluous body and facial hair, although quite natural, is a problem for many women, and hair removal is the most popular beauty treatment today. Electrolysis is a proven method of permanent hair removal, and it involves the insertion of a fine probe into the hair follicle, to the root. A mild current is then passed down the needle to the tip, to cauterise the hair root, enabling the hair to be removed without plucking. This only takes a few seconds.
What causes unwanted hair growth?
Hair growth is often traced to hereditary factors, and sometimes stress and certain illnesses can stimulate growth. In addition, some temporary methods of hair removal, certain drugs and medications, or just the hormonal changes at different stages in life (ie. start of periods, contraceptive pill, pregnancy and menopause) can all affect hair growth.
Can Electrolysis be performed on any part of the body?
The areas where unwanted hair can become a problem, and which are suitable for treatment, are facial areas, upper lip, chin, neck, sides of face, low hair line, thick eyebrows, between the brows, eyebrow shaping, arms, underarms, between the breasts, around the nipples, legs, thighs, bikini line, abdomen, back and shoulders, fingers and toes. Very sensitive areas such as inside the nostril, inside the ears, on the lip, and eyelids are not usually treated.
Will you need to know anything about me?
The initial consultation is always an important part of the treatment procedure. The information required will be - the area you would like hair removal performed on, type of hair growth on other parts of the body, if the hair has been previously removed by plucking or other area of temporary hair removal, and if treatment has been carried out at any time by a clinic.
Age and general health questions will be asked, and if there are any medical problems, or whether recent illness has required medication. It will also be necessary to know if you are sensitive to the sun or any particular products.
How will it feel?
The electrolysis treatment is generally described as a mild sting at the base of each hair follicle, which cauterises the cells that allow the hair to grow. There may also be a slight redness, which will only last a few hours. Specially formulated soothing lotions are advisable for use after treatment.
How long will Electrolysis take?
Everyone is different, and for this reason it is essential to have a full consultation prior to your electrolysis treatment programme. Many people believe that the hair never grows back after only one treatment. This belief is actually incorrect. The results of the treatment are progressive. This means that after each treatment the hair grows back finer, taking longer to return, until eventually it doesn’t grow back at all (usually 3 - 4 treatments on each hair are needed).
If the hairs have previously been removed by plucking or other methods, the growth will be much stronger, as the follicles will have been stimulated and will require more electrolysis treatments than untreated hairs. Depending on the size of the area requiring treatment, and also the strength and maturity of the ahir growth, this wil determine the expected time your hair removal programme will take.
Your electrologist will be able to give you an approximate estimate at your initial consultation, but will have a much clearer idea after your treatment plan has started, as she will then be able to monitor your response to the treatment.
Is Electrolysis safe?
The treatment is approved by the medical profession and has been available for over 100 years. We always use Sterile Disposable Probes recommended by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS). The individually-packed probes remain sealed and sterile until opened for your treatment. After your electrolysis treatment, the probe is disposed of immediately. Using this method every client has a new sterile probe for her treatment.
What will Electrolysis cost?
The cost of your treatments is worked-out in units of time from 15 minutes to an hour. When considering the cost of treatments remember how much time and money you spend in a lifetime’s pursuit of hair removal by temporary methods!
Will I have to take any precautions after treatment?
Avoid sitting in the sun or having a sunbed session for at least 24 hours after electrolysis treatment. An aftercare lotion is used on the treated area to soothe any heat reaction. It is advisable not to cleanse the area with soap but to gently rinse with warm water. Make-up should be avoided until the day after treatment, but if this is not possible your electrologist will advise you on the use of a tinted aftercare lotion.
In this photo it shows the client being prepared for electrolysis. There are no chemicals involved in this treatment just heat at the root which cauterises each hair being treated. Usually 3 - 4 treatments on each hair will destroy the root completely.
An Electrolysis hair removal treatment - photos
In this photo it shows that the needle has been inserted into the hair follicle and heat is passed to the root.
The hair is now easily removed from the hair follicle showing correct treatment with bulb at the end. If the root has not been treated properly the hair will regrow exactly the same. It needs great expertise to judge the correct depth that the needle is inserted and it needs enough heat to cauterise the root. If the needle is inserted too far the hair will regrow and if the needle is too shallow then again the hair will regrow.
This method is effectively used on white or grey hairs, or if the hair is lighter than the skin colouring, or if the client has a suntan, or maybe only a few hairs making it a more cost effective treatment. For hairs in moles this is used, or if the client will not allow all hairs to surface for effective intense pulsed light hair removal.
Do not trust your Electrolysis Hair Removal to anyone else. Trust in the respected professionals with years of experience and many happy clients. Trust Diane Matthews and her team. Call us today to book your free initial consultation - 01708 72 72 39
