Electrolysis FAQs
Is electrolysis really a permanent solution for everyone?
Yes! No matter what color the skin or the hair, and no matter the texture, electrolysis can really get rid of it forever! The key is in the probe, which is inserted into the hair follicle, all the way to where the hair root attaches to the skin. Once there, a short burst of electrical current is applied that destroys the root and all of the hair-growing cells. Once this destruction is complete, a hair can never regrow in that follicle again. You need to remember to have patience going into your hair removal journey, but with time and commitment, we will work together to get you to all your hair-free glory!
Does electrolysis hurt?
Everyone has a different interpretation of what is painful and what is not. For the most part, if you can tolerate a tweeze, you will find electrolysis to be no more painful. There are some great over-the-counter numbing creams that I am happy to direct you toward. I also carry a great option in my office you can pick up whenever you need it. Also, most physicians are happy to call out prescriptions for topical numbing compounds if you find them necessary. We will work together to find the proper machine settings and probes to achieve permanent hair removal AND keep the squirming to a minimum.
So I come in once and you treat my hairs and they never, ever come back, right?
No. Deciding to do electrolysis means you are signing up for a series of appointments at regular intervals to eliminate all unwanted hair gradually. The first few months are the hardest, as you will need to stop tweezing or waxing and you will begin to see all that hair show up at once. However, hang in there and you will see results sooner than you think. Permanent hair removal takes time, and there are no guarantees of being finished in any pre-determined amount of time. That said, depending on the area and just what you are starting with, the process may take around a year to two years.
For those individuals with hormone imbalances and certain medical conditions, you will need to seek the assistance of your physician to check that you are on the proper medications, diet, exercise regimen, and/or any other necessary care to ensure a holistic approach to the removal of unwanted hair. We must also fix the forces driving the growth if we are to see real change.
I have melanin rich skin. Can I still do electrolysis?
Absolutely! Because the probe is inserted to the base of the follicle and the energy is applied only once the proper depth has been achieved, the skin stays safe during electrolysis appointments. Because I have a variety of probes and nearly infinite machine settings to choose from, there is a combination that is sure to protect your beautiful skin and eliminate those unwanted hairs. During your consultation and subsequent appointments, we will discuss ways to protect your skin and begin minimizing discoloration you may already have from past ingrown hairs and irritation from prior hair removal methods.
Do you know how to handle surgery prep for my gender confirmation?
Sure do. I can help you with making certain the right areas are cleared of hair prior to your surgery date, just make sure you give me at least a year if you can! I have been helping prep patients for about 10 years and have seen people head to Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, and New York for surgeries. Whomever your doctor, we will work together to learn their preferences and get you ready.
Does electrolysis scar?
Poorly done electrolysis can scar. One reason you can expect to achieve permanence over a series of appointments is so that we can get you to your goals with little to no surface damage to the skin. The settings will be adjusted to ensure that the hair follicle is destroyed, but nothing else. You will enjoy smooth, hair-free skin that is intact and beautiful, as if there were never hair there at all!
How often do I have to come in for electrolysis?
The beginning of the electrolysis series is when you will have the largest portion of your time and financial commitment. Until the entire treatment area is cleared one time, I generally schedule weekly appointments. This allows all previously tweezed and waxed hairs to reappear while I stay out in front of your regrowth to keep you from feeling overwhelmed. This is usually about a three month period or so. After that, you will come in every couple of weeks, then once every three weeks to a month and so on until you no longer need me. But who knows? You may be like others before you and continue to find new areas you want hair free and we will know each other for a very long time!
What do you do to keep me safe from infections?
All equipment, including treatment tables, cables, and machines are disinfected between every client. All probes are single use and pre-sterilized. You will see me washing my hands before your service and wearing gloves. I will sanitize your skin prior to and throughout the treatment. Every pair of tweezers goes through a 3 step sterilization process after EVERY use, and sterility is assured by an independent spore testing company. I have worn a mask to work on clients ALWAYS, not just since SARS-COV-2 came into the world. I take both your and my health and safety seriously and do my best to keep us both safe. Part of the continuing education I receive every year is some of the most up-to-date methods of disinfection and sterilization.
Can you treat ingrown hairs?
Electrolysis is the perfect solution for ingrown hairs. An ingrown hair will spiral beneath the surface of the skin and act as an irritant, causing swelling, redness, and occasionally infection. It can be quite painful. I will carefully free the hair trapped below the surface of the skin and treat the follicle. Then, the hair is lifted out and the skin can heal. Permanently destroying the offending follicle will prevent future ingrown hairs and greatly improve the skin’s appearance.
I can’t get electrolysis if I have tattoos, right?
Wrong! I will use an insulated probe to protect surface skin. The destruction done by the electrolysis probe is of such a tiny diameter that there will be no scarring visible on the skin, so the inked areas are perfectly safe. Many of my clients will first seek out laser hair removal for large body areas and I will take care of the art and immediately surrounding skin that is unsafe to laser using electrolysis. You CAN be hair free in all your inked places!
How do I take care of my skin after appointments?
The most important thing to remember is to keep the treated area clean and avoid touching! Keep cool and do not go right out for a heavy workout or sauna session. You may use water- or aloe-based soothing products as well as ice to help with redness or puffiness. Most side effects from electrolysis will disappear with in a few hours to one day. Some people find that alternating warm compresses with ice make the healing time even faster. Any breakouts do not mean that you are not a candidate for permanent hair removal. I can change to a different type of probe and adjust the machine settings until we find a combination that works well for you. Additionally, do not apply makeup for the first 24 hours and make certain that any product that does touch the treated area is clean and sanitary. Sunscreen for the day before and two days after your appointment is a must!
Is there anything I can do as a client to help my permanent hair removal along?
Definitely! First, become a water ADDICT. Commit to drinking a minimum of 80 ounces of water per day for the two days before and the day of your appointment. The more hydrated you are, the better the hair removal process will go for you.
While I am totally okay with your need to shave between appointments, please remember that I have to have growth present to work on when I see you. If the hairs are super short, I will spend more of my time picking at them and lifting them out of the skin than I will actually treating them. This is a waste of your time and money. In general, hairs that are about 1/8 inch in length are great.
ABSOLUTELY NO MORE TWEEZING. Hide your tweezers from yourself. The hair is the “flag” that alerts me to the follicles that need to be treated. No hair, no treatment. No permanent hair removal.
Gently exfoliate the treatment area with a soft washcloth on a regular basis to help keep hairs lifted above the surface of the skin and prevent ingrowns.
Discontinue retinols 72 hours before your appointment. Retinol products make the skin more sensitive and can also make the pores “tighter,” making the probe insertions more difficult.