Electrolysis: The Basics
How does electrolysis work
Electrolysis is the most effective form of permanent hair removal. It also has a great history, having been around since the late 1800s to remove eyelashes. Electrolysis works to destroy hair follicles by treating each hair individually. First, a tiny wire "probe" is inserted into the hair follicle. Then, a small amount of electrical current is applied.
What makes electrolysis so effective is that it destroys two different parts of the hair follicle: the papilla and bulge. The papilla delivers nutrition to the hair and the bulge contains stem cells, which when triggered become new hair. Once both the papilla and bulge are destroyed, a new hair cannot grow.
Electrolysis is the most effective form of permanent hair removal. It also has a great history, having been around since the late 1800s to remove eyelashes. Electrolysis works to destroy hair follicles by treating each hair individually. First, a tiny wire "probe" is inserted into the hair follicle. Then, a small amount of electrical current is applied.
What makes electrolysis so effective is that it destroys two different parts of the hair follicle: the papilla and bulge. The papilla delivers nutrition to the hair and the bulge contains stem cells, which when triggered become new hair. Once both the papilla and bulge are destroyed, a new hair cannot grow.
Types
There are three different methods of electrolysis: galvanic, thermolysis and a blend between the two. There are also many sizes and styles of probes.
There are three different methods of electrolysis: galvanic, thermolysis and a blend between the two. There are also many sizes and styles of probes.
1) Galvanic
Galvanic electrolysis destroys the target hair through a chemical reaction brought on by an electrical current. While this method is very effective, it is also very time consuming: it can take anywhere from one to three minutes to treat each hair follicle. Therefore, this form of electrolysis is not very practical, but may be used to treat coarser hairs.
Galvanic electrolysis destroys the target hair through a chemical reaction brought on by an electrical current. While this method is very effective, it is also very time consuming: it can take anywhere from one to three minutes to treat each hair follicle. Therefore, this form of electrolysis is not very practical, but may be used to treat coarser hairs.
2) Thermolysis
Thermolysis uses heat from radio energy to destroy hair follicles. Although this process is faster than the galvanic method, it is also not as effective. However, it can be used on finer hairs. Thermolysis has two modalities: manual and flash.
a) Manual uses a lower heat intensity for 1-8 seconds per hair.
b) Flash uses a higher heat intensity for a fraction of a second per hair. This is best for vellus or peach fuzz hair.
Thermolysis uses heat from radio energy to destroy hair follicles. Although this process is faster than the galvanic method, it is also not as effective. However, it can be used on finer hairs. Thermolysis has two modalities: manual and flash.
a) Manual uses a lower heat intensity for 1-8 seconds per hair.
b) Flash uses a higher heat intensity for a fraction of a second per hair. This is best for vellus or peach fuzz hair.
3) Blend
The blend approach to electrolysis is a double-action method which combines effectiveness of galvanic electrolysis and the speed thermolysis. This creates the best approach for permanent hair removal and is the method commonly used today.
The blend approach to electrolysis is a double-action method which combines effectiveness of galvanic electrolysis and the speed thermolysis. This creates the best approach for permanent hair removal and is the method commonly used today.
My Approach
I use the the Blend Approach most often, because it seems to most often suit the needs of my clients. I also employ the Flash Method of Thermolysis on finer vellus or “peach fuzz” hairs. Call or schedule a free consultation to find out which approach is right for you.
I use the the Blend Approach most often, because it seems to most often suit the needs of my clients. I also employ the Flash Method of Thermolysis on finer vellus or “peach fuzz” hairs. Call or schedule a free consultation to find out which approach is right for you.
