ELECTROLYSIS | FAQ’s

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What is electrolysis?

Superfluous body and facial hair, although quite natural, is a problem for many men & women.  It involves the insertion of a fine probe into the hair follicle to the hair root. A mild current is then passed down the needle to the tip to cauterise the hair root, enabling the hair to be withdrawn. 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 certain drugs and medications or just the hormonal changes at different stages in life can all affect hair growth.

Can it be performed on any part of the body?

The areas where superfluous 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, between the breasts, around the nipples, fingers & toes. Very sensitive areas such as inside the nostrils, the ears and nipples 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 worked on, type of hair growth on other parts of the body, if the hair has been previously removed by plucking or other methods of temporary 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 treatment is generally not painful although there may be slight discomfort and occasionally a feeling of heat in the area for a short time. There may also be slight redness, which will only last a few hours. Specially formulated soothing lotions are advisable for use after treatment.

How long will it take?

Everyone is different, and for this reason, it is essential to have a full consultation prior to your treatment program.  Many people believe that the hair never grows back after only one treatment. This belief is actually incorrect. The results of the treatments are progressive.  This means that after each treatment the hair grows back finer and fairer, taking longer to return, until eventually it doesn’t grow back at all. If the hairs have previously been removed by plucking you may need more electrolysis treatments than untreated growth. Depending on the size of the area requiring treatment, and also the strength and maturity of the hair growth, this will determine the expected length of time your treatment program will take.  Your Electrologist will be able to give you more of an idea after your treatment program has started as she will be able to monitor your response to the treatment.

 Is it safe?

The treatment is approved by the medical profession and has been available for over 100 years. We always use sterile disposable needles. After treatment the needle is immediately and properly disposed of. Every client at every visit will use her own sealed needle pack.

What will it cost?

The cost of the treatment is worked out in units of time i.e.  A minimum of 10 minutes then each minute thereafter.

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 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 the treatment, but if this is not possible we can recommend the use of mineral makeup.

Hair growth cycle

Each hair follicle lives in a cycle consisting of a long period of growth followed by a relatively short period of rest. During the rest period the hair is still attached to the hair follicle, but it is not growing. After the resting phase the hair is shed and a newer hair begins to grow, thus, starting a new hair growth cycle.

There is a genetic predisposition of each hair follicle to follow a particular pattern of growth and rest. Hair follicles are programmed to stop producing hair and spend more time in the resting stage with the progression of age.

The growth cycle of a hair consists of 3 stages:

1. ANAGEN (GROWING) STAGE

This is the name for the growing period of a hair follicle.

2. CATAGEN (INTERMEDIATE) STAGE.

At the end of the growth period, hair follicles prepare themselves for the resting phase. This   transition period of a hair follicle from growth to rest is called the catagen stage.

3. TELOGEN (RESTING or SHEDDING) STAGE

This is the resting period of a hair follicle. At the end of this period older hairs that have finished their life will fall out and newer hairs will begin to grow.

On average the facial hair growth cycle is around 6 weeks.  Hairs can only be successfully disabled in the anagen (active growth) stage. Hairs that are in the catagen (intermediate) stage will be weakened come back finer and lighter but will still need further treatment. Hairs that are in their resting (telogen) stage will simply fall out and re grow.

During your cycle you will have hairs in all three stages and unfortunately it is not possible to tell by looking which hairs are at what stage. This is why all hair removal treatments have to be repeated at regular intervals. This way, at some point, you will catch the hairs in the anagen (growing) stage at some point.

All consultations are free. All our Electrologists are qualified and insured.