ELECTROLYSIS PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL

What is Electrolysis?

Electrolysis is a highly effective method of permanent hair removal. Whether unwanted hair is caused by genetics, hormonal imbalances, or metabolic conditions, electrolysis offers a long-term solution—revealing smoother skin and renewed confidence.

What sets electrolysis apart is its inclusivity. It works on all hair colours and skin tones and can be safely used on almost any area of the body.

Though often overlooked in today’s fast-paced beauty world, electrolysis has a rich medical heritage. Originally developed in the 1870s by ophthalmologists to treat ingrown eyelashes, it’s been safely used for cosmetic hair removal since the early 1900s—and has only become more advanced and effective with time.

How Does Electrolysis Work?

Electrolysis works by inserting a fine, pre-sterilised probe—no thicker than the hair itself—into the natural opening of the hair follicle. A precise pulse of high-frequency energy is then delivered to the base of the follicle, creating gentle thermal heat.

This heat targets the matrix cells responsible for hair growth, disrupting them through a process known as cauterisation or coagulation. Over time, and depending on the hair’s growth cycle, this weakens the follicle and eventually prevents future hair from forming—resulting in permanent removal.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Your first visit will begin with a thorough consultation to ensure you feel fully informed and comfortable before any treatment begins. Once your electrologist has answered your questions and explained the process, you’ll be invited to relax on the treatment bed.

A few hairs will be treated initially to determine the optimal settings—balancing effective results with your comfort. A fine, sterile probe is gently inserted into each follicle (without piercing the skin), and a brief electrical current is applied. The sensation is mild and typically far less intense than waxing.

To start gently, your initial appointment will include no more than 10 minutes of treatment time. This allows your practitioner to assess how your skin responds and ensure everything progresses safely. Future sessions can then be tailored and extended as needed.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Your first visit will begin with a thorough consultation to ensure you feel fully informed and comfortable before any treatment begins. Once your electrologist has answered your questions and explained the process, you’ll be invited to relax on the treatment bed.

A few hairs will be treated initially to determine the optimal settings—balancing effective results with your comfort. A fine, sterile probe is gently inserted into each follicle (without piercing the skin), and a brief electrical current is applied. The sensation is mild and typically far less intense than waxing.

To start gently, your initial appointment will include no more than 10 minutes of treatment time. This allows your practitioner to assess how your skin responds and ensure everything progresses safely. Future sessions can then be tailored and extended as needed.

Know Before You Go

Electrolysis is a highly effective method of permanent hair removal—but it does require time and patience. As each individual hair follicle is treated one by one, sessions can range from just five minutes to up to two hours, depending on the area and stage of your treatment plan.

Because hair grows in cycles, you may need several sessions before noticing significant, visible changes. It’s completely normal not to see instant results—trust in the process, and you’ll be glad you stayed the course.

For best results, weekly or fortnightly appointments are recommended in the early stages. Over time, as hair becomes finer and growth slows, your sessions will naturally become shorter and less frequent.

Preparing for Your Hair Removal Appointment

To enhance the efficacy of your treatment, gently exfoliate your skin before your session. This process helps open the follicles, allowing unwanted hair to slide out more easily. For optimal results, consider incorporating a morning and night skincare routine rich in hyaluronic acid—this will hydrate and prepare your skin, enhancing the effectiveness of your treatment.

For a more comfortable experience, it’s advisable to avoid caffeine for a few hours prior to your appointment. Staying hydrated is equally important; drinking plenty of water helps unwanted hair to slide right out, making the process smoother.

Between appointments, it’s perfectly fine to lightly shave or trim hairs, but please refrain from tweezing—this will disrupt the natural hair growth cycle and result in a missed opportunity to treat the follicles.

After your initial session, if you have a lower pain threshold, taking paracetamol 45 minutes before your future appointments can provide significant relief and ensure a more comfortable treatment.

Did You Know?

The hair you see is only a fraction of the hair present. Hair grows in cycles, which is why multiple sessions are necessary to achieve permanent clearance in the treatment area.

How Much Does Electrolysis Cost in Total?

The cost of electrolysis can vary depending on several factors, such as the amount of hair to be removed and the size of the area being treated.

However, when compared to other hair removal methods, including waxing, tweezing, threading, hair removal creams, bleaching, and even laser hair removal (which only offers permanent reduction), electrolysis remains a highly competitive option. In fact, when considering the long-term costs of shaving, depilatories, or ongoing treatments, the permanence of electrolysis makes it a wise and lasting investment in yourself and your confidence.

How Many Treatments Are Required with Electrolysis?

The number of treatments required can vary for each individual. Several factors contribute to this, including the amount of hair, previous methods used to manage hair, genetics, hormones, nutrition, and overall health. For areas that have been waxed or tweezed, treatments may be more frequent compared to areas that have only been shaved.

Important to Understand

There is a common misconception that once a hair has been treated by electrolysis, it will never grow back. While this can be true for some, the reality depends largely on the underlying factors driving unwanted hair growth.

For instance, if hormonal imbalances are contributing to hair growth or if dense hair is primarily a result of genetics, it’s likely that the hair may return in its next growth cycle. However, there is no need to be discouraged—each time the hair returns, it will be weaker, finer, and the follicle will become shallower as the blood supply to the hair slows and eventually stops. Over time, your sessions will become shorter, and the time between treatments will lengthen until appointments are no longer necessary. Woohoo!

Treatment sessions can range from 10 minutes to several hours, depending on the area being treated. For the best results, it’s essential to follow the recommended treatment plan and remember that consistent treatments will bring about permanent results more efficiently than sporadic sessions.

How Often Should I Schedule Electrolysis Treatments?

The duration of your treatment sessions can vary depending on the area being treated. For example, just 10 minutes may be sufficient to address a couple of stubborn hairs on your chin, while larger areas such as heavy facial growth or areas of the body may require an hour or longer.

The frequency and length of your appointments will depend on the size of the area being treated and the progress of your treatment. Initially, treatments for a particular area may be longer and more frequent, as more hairs need to be addressed. As the hair clearance progresses, the duration and frequency of sessions will naturally decrease, with fewer hairs remaining to be treated.

For optimal results, it’s essential to follow Carrina’s recommendations when scheduling your appointments. Consistent treatments will help achieve permanent results more effectively than sporadic sessions, ensuring quicker and more lasting clearance.

Is All Electrolysis the Same?

Electrolysis offers three different types of treatments: Galvanic, Thermolysis, and Blend. Each method shares the same goal—to permanently eliminate your hair matrix cells for good.

• Galvanic Electrolysis uses a chemical reaction to destroy the hair follicle.
• Thermolysis generates heat to achieve the same result. It’s faster than Galvanic electrolysis, with each hair treated in 1.5–2 seconds, compared to around 10 seconds per hair with Galvanic. However, while faster, Thermolysis may not be as thorough.

The Blend method combines both Galvanic and Thermolysis techniques, treating each hair in about 5 seconds. This combination is 40% more effective than using either method alone, making it an excellent option for the right candidate.

Does Electrolysis Hurt?

One of the most common questions about electrolysis is, “Does it hurt?”

It’s understandable for clients to hesitate before beginning their electrolysis journey, as the unknown can be daunting. However, once that first step is taken, you’re on the way to permanently removing unwanted hair and improving skin blemishes for good.

Electrolysis can cause some discomfort, depending on the area being treated and an individual’s sensitivity. That said, Carrina will guide clients through the process, and there are ways to manage any discomfort. If pain is a significant concern, it’s important to mention it during the consultation so Carrina can address it and reassure them.

Remember, the reward of permanently ending the cycle of constantly needing to shave, tweeze, wax, or cover up with makeup is a powerful motivator. Knowing that you’re on a path to lasting freedom from these daily worries can make sticking to the treatment plan all the more worthwhile.