We can only treat the hairs we can see during your appointment, so if you wax, pluck, or tweeze you should stop right away. This doesn't mean you have to sport a mustache and beard for weeks before your appointment though! You may shave all the hair in the area until about 3 days before your appointment. We will need enough growth to get a tweezer on and to evaluate your hairs above the skin.
Are plucking, waxing, and tweezing good or bad for this process?
Please stop all methods of hair removal other than shaving on the area to be treated. Plucking, waxing, and other temporary methods of hair removal can cause the hair to grow deeper and more robust over time to combat this surface irritation. This can also distort the follicles and make it harder for my probe to get to the root to completely treat and destroy the follicle.
How does Electrolysis work? What can I expect during my treatment?
Electrolysis is the science and praxis of permanent hair removal. We utilize a single-use, sterile, disposable, TINY probe the size of a hair. The probe is inserted into the hair follicle and a small amount of electrical energy is discharged which destroys the hair growth tissue. When done properly, the hair follicle is permanently destroyed. There is no blood because we aren't piercing the skin at all. An electric current will travel down the gold or steel probe and destroy the hair root and blood supply at the bottom of the follicle, and the loosened hair is removed with tweezers. From this process, no NEW hairs have the ability to regrow from that particular follicle. And since there are finite follicles, once we clear them all the area will be permanently free of hair. You shouldn't feel anything during a proper insertion into the hair follicle since each follicle is large enough to hold 2 hairs. While treating the follicle the sensation feels like a mosquito bite or a pinch. This discomfort can be modified to make the treatment more bearable if necessary.
Are there other ways to permanently remove hair?
Electrolysis is the only FDA approved method of PERMANENT hair removal. Electrolysis is also called Galvanic or Direct Current. When this current is applied to a follicle it interacts with the salt water in your body to create a chemical decomposition of the papilla/blood supply to the follicle making sure a new hair won't grow. Lasers can be helpful to REDUCE the number of hairs in an area, but aren't available to all hair and skin types like electrolysis is. They can work well together for some cases. There are also a few different modalities used in the field of electrology (e.g. - flash thermolysis) that are less effective at treating the entire follicle, more painful, and cause more damage and potential scarring to the skin/epidermis. I am not here to discount these other treatments, because they have value when used correctly and in the correct locations, but I am here to answer all your questions and help create the safest and most effective treatment for you. This could be one type or a blend of them.
How can I get the best and fastest results from electrolysis?
Stay on the treatment schedule that was created specifically for you and your hair. Missing appointments or improper spacing of appointments can cause us to miss treating active follicles and take much longer to wait for them to re-appear.
Does receiving electrolysis hurt? Are there options to help numb the area before my treatment?
Every person has a different tolerance for the treatment, and each area of the body has varying levels of sensitivity. There is going to be discomfort, but you shouldn't be in pain during the treatment. There are many ways we can tailor your treatment to be more comfortable for you! Many of my patients are able to tolerate treatment without using any numbing. If you decide you want to utilize topical numbing for your treatment that can be obtained through your doctor or an OTC cream that should be applied and left on 60 minutes before your arrival. I will take it off of the area before I begin working there. It should be said that topical numbing doesn't take away all discomfort, but it can help take the edge off the treatment if you're feeling sensitive to a certain area. Avoiding extra caffeine the day of your appointment will also help.
How does electrolysis permanently remove hair?
There are 4 methods used in Electrology, and I have advanced training in all of them. They all have different advantages and use cases. When we meet I will recommend the modality I believe will get your goals accomplished in the safest more effective way for you, and there should be no lasting damage or scarring.
Is it safe to receive electrolysis while pregnant?
It is completely safe for women who are pregnant to receive electrolysis treatment. After the 1st trimester I will ask for a doctor's note clearing you for treatment. Pregnancy is actually one of the 3 times when your hair can change and grow and become coarser and darker due to hormonal changes in the body!
What should I know about after-care?
Avoid touching the treated area as much as possible. Ice, aloe, or witch hazel may be applied to help reduce redness or swelling. Keep the area clean and dry for 3 days. Please Avoid saunas, spas, swimming, and sun tanning during the first 3 days. Do not apply makeup or other cover up to the area for 24 hours. While scabbing shouldn’t occur, if small crusts form on a treated area PLEASE do not pick it off. We want to give your skin the best chance to heal from the treatment as quickly as possible. All materials used in your treatment were sterilized for your safety. If you have any additional questions after your treatment please don't hesitate to reach out!
