Frequently Asked Questions

Electrologists use a thin needle, which is often even finer than the hair. They insert the needle into the opening of the hair follicle. A small electrical current destroys the hair growth cells. The skin where the needle enters may feel temporatily hot or like a pinch.

Yes! Electrolysis has been used for over 130 years. It has been approved as a safe hair removal method by FDA.

Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method, since it destroys the hair follicle. 

Yes, electrolysis is suitable for all types and color of hair. In fact the color of hair or skin has no relation to the effectiveness of electrolysis. 

There are three types of electrolysis: Thermolysis, Galvanic and Blend. 

Individuals that suffer from hirsutism, hormonal imbalance and PCOS, causing excessive hair growth. Also, individuals that have paradoxical hypertrichosis due to laser hair removal on the face, which may cause  thicker, darker hair to grow in an adjacent area to the one being treated. 

Electrolysis can be performed on any facial and body part.

Immediately following your Electrolysis hair removal treatment, you may experience slight redness or tenderness on the skin similar to a sunburn. Typically, this will diminish within a couple hours or to 2 days depending on your skin and the length of the treatment session. 

The most common side effect you can expect is redness. This reaction is caused by a dilation and congestion of superficial capillaries. Also known as erythema. Redness may be accompanied by a histamine response at the site of the follicle. This reaction may look like a mosquito bite and is a heat induced or physical urticaria, also described as hives. This reaction usually subsides within hours of the treatment. Occasionally, redness and bumps on the skin will last longer than expected. This is an infrequent side effect and it is temporary. Keep skin clean without overusing products  and do not pick scratch or squeeze the bumps.

An infrequent side effect of electrolysis is the appearance of a pustule a day or two after treatment. A pustule is a small, inflamed, blister - like lesion. If you are prone to developing pustules, apply a warm compress immediately after treatment to help prevent their formation. 

Another infrequent and temporary side effect is bruising.  Occasionally one or more bruises may appear in the treatment area, and it is completely harmless.  These occur when an electrolysis probe affects a capillary(small blood vessel) feeding the follicle.  Bruising from electrolysis would be noticed immediately or by the next day. A bruise from electrolysis treatment should be gone within 2 weeks. The application of Arnica ointment may speed the healing process. 

Disclaimer: Please use caution and follow directions when using any over-the- counter product. Contact your physician for medical advice as this information is not presented as medical advice. 

• Treatments will be more frequent in the first 3-5 months because a considerable amount of hair will emerge once you stop tweezing, waxing or shaving.
• Facial work needs attention every 10-14 days during the first 8-12 weeks of treatment. The first few months are the hardest but you will really start to see results at the 4-6 month mark (sometimes even less time). Less hair will be coming to the surface, your skin will look much better. 
• After 4-6 months, appointments for facial hair should become less frequent and shorter in length due to the reduced growth of new hair.
• Two or three hours work on underarms or a bikini line will yield a visible improvement in that small area, whereas 2 or 3 hours on the face is just the beginning in many cases. After clearing an area like the arms or legs once, you can easily wait 10-12 weeks for another treatment. This allows as much hair to be at the surface of the skin as possible, making for a more effective treatment. 
• Treatment of body hair can be done in multi-hour appointments that cover large areas. It’s best to stop removing the hair a minimum of two to four weeks prior to treatment , then we treat all visible hairs in the area and follow 2-3 months later with a second clearance. By the third clearance, there will be only sparse growth left.
• A full treatment schedule ends between 12-18 months after the first appointment provided you have kept regular appointments.  Only touch-ups of the odd hair will be necessary after this point.
• The 12-18 months electrolysis treatment plan depends on the client’s full cooperation and commitment to achieving the best possible result. This means keeping regular appointments and following the advice of your electrologist on aftercare for the skin as well as your options for hair removal in between sessions.  

The area being treated is a huge factor in the length of the electrolysis treatment schedule. The face is the area that many electrologists treat the most and you can expect 4-6 months of regular appointments with your electrologist to get a handle on the problem of excess hair growth. What is considered a “regular” appointment schedule varies with the amount of hair being treated but it is generally every 10-14 days. It is crucial to get each hair as it emerges from the skin because the roots get deeper and stronger with time. Letting large amounts of time pass between your appointments will stall your progress and make you feel as though electrolysis is ineffective. 

Cost will vary with each individual, depending on the amount of hair to be removed. The total cost may be less than the continuing cost of temporary methods. 

1. Blood Thinning Medication
2. Cochlear implants
3. Dermographia
4. Haemophilia
5. Keloid Scarring
6. Pacemaker
7. Pregnancy (1st Trimester) – Then not below neck with Galvanic or Blend*
8. Recent Scar Tissue (in treatment area)
9. Rosacea [active] (in treatment area)
10. Skin Diseases/Disorders
11. Sunburn (in treatment area)
12. Blood disorders e.g., AIDS HIV. Hepatitis and HIV are both serious viruses transported by blood. Due to the risk of cross infection the treatment is not permitted. 

1. Asthma/Respiratory Disorders
2. Auditory Devices apart from Cochlear implants
3. Circulatory Problems i.e. Phlebitis/Thrombosis (in treatment area)
4. Dermabrasion (medical) within 6-12 months (in treatment area)
5. Micro Dermabrasion within 4-6 weeks (in treatment area)
6. Diabetes with GP permission
7. Epilepsy with GP permission
8. ‘General medication’
9. Heart Conditions with GP permission
10. High Blood Pressure with GP permission.
11. Laser/IPL (recent treatment in area to be treated)
12. Local Bruising/Swelling
13. Loss of Tactile Sensation (in treatment area)
14. History of Cancer – GP advice
15. Lupus – GP permission
16. Minors
17. Metal plates/pins for galvanic & blend techniques – if on/near DC return path
18. Skin Diseases/Disorders
19. Steroids
20. Swelling/Oedema
21. Tattoo (in treatment area)
22. Pigment disorders