Electrolysis FAQ & Information — Gleam Hair Free
How Electrolysis Works
Electrolysis is a meticulous form of hair removal that involves inserting a very thin, needle-like probe into the opening of an existing hair follicle. Once placed accurately, the electrologist prompts their machine to administer a miniscule amount of electrical current to the source of hair growth called the dermal papilla. The current travels through the insulated probe and heats up the moisture within the follicle to destroy, or at least significantly damage, the dermal papilla. This process is repeated until each unwanted hair is treated. With each treatment, the chance that each treated hair will regrow sharply declines, until, eventually, the follicle permanently ceases all hair growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Electrolysis is universally applicable when it comes to hair and skin colors, unlike laser.
The FDA restricts laser hair treatment to being described as "permanent hair reduction," whereas electrolysis is rated for "permanent hair removal." Laser hair treatment is ineffective for certain hair colors and is more likely to cause permanent skin discoloration for those with darker skin than electrolysis. In rare cases, laser hair treatment can cause dormant hairs to grow. Electrolysis creates no such risk and consistently reduces the chances of hair regrowth for active hair with each treatment session.
Yes! Electrolysis is the only FDA approved method of permanent hair removal.
Please avoid plucking or waxing while undergoing electrolysis. These interventions can distort your hair follicles and make it harder for your electrologist to perform accurate insertions. Shaving is best. Before an appointment, ensure the hairs you want treated are just long enough to be easily grabbed by tweezers. The hairs do not need to be any longer than that. After your appointment, feel free to shave as you please until your next appointment while allowing the hair to grow out to tweezer length just before the next session.
It is hard to give exact estimates for electrolysis timelines, due to variables like hair density, hair coarseness, session length, and session frequency. Regardless, here are a few rough examples of average timelines assuming session length and session frequency are largely consistent:
Example 1) A client who wants 10 coarse hairs on her face removed can expect to be hair free in a few months.
Example 2) A client who wants both of her shins free of hair can expect to be hair free in about a year.
Example 3) A client who wants her genital hair removed before bottom surgery can expect to be hair free in 1 to 2 years.
These examples should not be understood as universally applicable timelines and your specific hair removal goals may require more or less time.
There are a variety of ways to minimize pain during your session. Avoid alcohol and caffeine the day before and of your appointment if possible. Hydrating well beginning 2 to 3 days before your appointment is one of the most beneficial things you can do to prepare for your appointment and make the treatment more efficient and comfortable. Consider trying over-the-counter pain relief options like ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen before your appointment. If oral pain relievers are not sufficient, try applying a topical, over-the-counter option like 4% lidocaine or ask your doctor for a stronger option like EMLA or BLT cream. Refrain from rubbing in topical creams. Apply them 30 to 45 minutes before your appointment and cover the cream with cling wrap to keep it moist.
Electrolysis poses very little risk when performed by an experienced and accurate technician who understands their machine well. The most common side effect from a successful electrolysis session is skin irritation and redness. When performed inaccurately, however, electrolysis can cause scabbing, skin discoloration or scarring.