Who can get Electrolysis?
*Everyone! Electrolysis treats all hair colours & types, and all skin colours & types. It’s a professional, health & wellness treatment that delivers permanent results when performed by a Certified Electrologist, over a series of treatments. *Consultation with Health Intake questionnaire is a requirement for treatment
So how does it work?
To treat an unwanted hair with Electrolysis, skin is gently stretched to expose the natural opening of the hair follicle. A very fine filament, about the size of the hair, is inserted alongside the hair, down to the root. A tiny amount of energy is applied, which is chosen in the right adjusted combinations for your skin and hair. Done correctly, the root and blood supply, as well as an area with germative (hair producing) cells is sterilized. The treated hair is then removed with forceps.
What does Electrolysis feel like? Does it hurt?
It’s different for everyone, each area of treatment, and depends on the type of Electrolysis used. The sensation is similar to rubber bands being snapped on your skin. Small things like making sure you’re well fed, watered and rested, as well as limiting stress before treatment, make a huge difference
Taking an Advil {ibuprofen} or Tylenol {acetaminophen} before treatment will lessen the sensation. Topical anesthetic can be purchased through Paradise Wellness, as an add-on per session or your own take-home tube. I recommend that you first try without topical for your sample treatment.
If Electrolysis is permanent, why do I need more than one treatment?
Electrolysis can only treat hairs that are present. Hairs go through a constant cycle of growing, shedding & resting. For this reason, electrolysis is a series of treatments, that get more spaced out over time. Keeping to the schedule that your electrologist recommends will be the most efficient way to tackle unwanted hair.
Distorted follicles….What’s up with them?
Everyone has at least some, and they’re more difficult to treat. Previous hair removal methods are a common cause. A regular hair follicle is straight. So our straight filament has no problem reaching the target area. With distorted follicles, access to the root or the root itself is curved, u-shaped, corkscrew or simply distorted. None of this can be seen from the surface of course. So we discover distorted follicles as we go along.
The Blend modality of Electrolysis is the best solution to distorted follicles. When the two currents combine in the follicle, a chemical reaction occurs with the natural water and salt present. Sodium hydroxide (lye) is produced, and this bubbles to the distorted areas of the follicle, then up to the surface. To be clear, no chemicals are used in the Blend. A chemical reaction occurs in the follicle, with naturally present water and salts.
So why don’t we use The Blend always?
The short answer is time. The Blend takes about 5-10 seconds to treat one hair, once filament is inserted. Thermolysis takes less than 1 second per hair, once inserted. The Blend and Thermolysis both have their place. Using Thermolysis to clear an area, and then moving to the Blend for future sessions is a good strategy. The more stubborn, likely distorted follicles, will then get Blend treatment.
There are different kinds of Electrolysis…tell me more.
Yes, modern Electrolysis includes three modalities: Thermolysis, Galvanic & The Blend. Most commonly used in Canada are Thermolysis, which is heat only, and The Blend, which combines Thermolysis (heat) & Galvanic (chemical). Again, there are no chemicals used or inserted into your follicles with The Blend. It’s a naturally occurring chemical reaction with the Galvanic current and the water & salt present in your follicles. Heat increases the action of the chemical reaction, and this is why The Blend is so valuable.
Why Electrolysis?
For most of my clients, Electrolysis was one of the best decisions of their lives. Appointments feel like buying back time that they were wasting maintaining something they hate: hair. Bathing and getting ready takes less time. Showing skin feels easy.
With unwanted facial hair, I see the biggest change. I have the pleasure of seeing confidence return in my clients.
Consider all the razors and cans of shaving cream that you’ll save from the environment and your pocketbook.
What about sun tanning?
Sun exposure before Electrolysis treatment is ok. UV exposure will not change your results. However, if your skin is tender from sun, this will increase discomfort during treatment and should be avoided. Likewise, sun exposure after treatment will cause tender skin to be more tender. Discuss the timing of your sun-plans in relation to the area of treatment with your Electrologist.