Why should I choose electrolysis over other hair removal methods?

Electrolysis isn't right for every person or situation. If you want to look hairless for your vacation next week electrolysis is not the option for you. Electrolysis produces permanent hair removal but it is no overnight sensation. While you will look better right away, it takes a series of treatments to get to permanent.

If you are looking for the only FDA approved method of permanent hair removal then electrolysis is for you. Electrolysis can permanently remove unwanted hair of any color from any skin type or color, and from any part of the body. It has been proven to be a safe and effective method of permanent hair removal since 1875. Investing in electrolysis is a decision that needs to be make carefully considering your goals, timeline, and budget.

Tweezing vs. Electrolysis:

Tweezing is easy to do, and inexpensive. However hair can become coarser from the repeated tweezing and skin problems including ingrown hair, pigment changes, and scaring can result. Obviously it is not a permanent solution to unwanted hair unless you are talking about the eyebrows. You can pluck to near permanent results up there because it is delicate like scalp hair.

NEVER tweeze the upper/lower lip, chin, breasts, or abdomen if you are a female. You are stimulating growth in these areas. The hair will become thicker and darker with repeated tweezing. You will find that over time you have to tweeze more and more often and more and more hair. NEVER tweeze or dig out ingrown hairs. You will make the situation worse. The hair will distort further and you will have a bigger lesion the next time it grows in. Really it does. Trust us. Stop performing self-surgery, we mean it!

Shaving vs. Electrology:

Shaving is inexpensive and easy. However, the hair does grow back quickly for some people and feels coarse as it is cut off leaving a blunt tip. Contrary to popular belief, shaving DOES NOT increase hair growth in any way. It may feel thicker as you have cut off the hair at the thickest point but it did not make it darker or thicker.

Seriously, this is the biggest myth in hair removal. We promise it does not increase your hair growth. Hair is dead above the skin surface. Anything you do at this level does not affect hair growth.

Shaving is a safe and very effective temporary method of removal for basically anywhere you can reach. While it can be a great temporary method of removal many people report problems after shaving like razor rash--a red itchy raised almost acne like outbreak. Electrolysis provides relief for those folks affected by razor burn, razor rash, and folliculitis issues as it eliminates the follicle so it can no longer become inflamed. Investing in electrolysis means never having to shave again and zero irritation or break outs!

Is it really permanent? How long does it take?

Absolutely! However, electrolysis is not an overnight sensation.

Electrolysis requires a series of treatments to achieve permanency. The number of treatments necessary varies with each client and with the area being treated. Factors such as hair growth cycles, the quantity and structure of hair presented, previous use of temporary hair removal methods, heredity, hormone function, normal physiologic changes, certain medications, and stress all influence the treatment program for each individual.

In most cases it takes an average of 18 to 24 months to have absolute permanence. This time clock begins at the time we clear the area and are able to keep it clear of hair as your pattern fills in so we have treated your entire natural hair pattern.

It is very important to adhere to the recommended treatment schedule to achieve optimum results in the shortest time frame. You are going to look better right away but we want to eliminate your hair problem, not manage it.

Though it sounds long, your amount of treatment time or frequency with which you visit generally tapers off. Without looking at your individual hair pattern, and knowing what removal methods you have tried, as well as the potential cause of the hair growth, it is impossible to accurately estimate the exact number of treatments it will take.

If you would like to know more precisely what your treatment schedule would look like, we encourage you to call for a free consultation and find out exactly what you will need to do to get great results for you.

Why do I have to come so often?

It is important to follow your individual treatment schedule to get the fastest results.

Hairs are most effectively treated, regardless of method, in their earliest growth stage as we need moisture of an early growth stage hair to make our treatments effective. The older a hair gets, the drier it gets and thus the less effective treatment would be. We must catch your unwanted hairs as they just emerge from the skin as this is when the hairs are finer and straighter allowing for us to be more accurate in our insertions.

When hairs are smaller the target zone is also smaller helping us to eliminate all of the germinative cells that grow hairs in one treatment rather than breaking down a larger hair's zone with multiple sessions. A smaller hair also means we can utilize less current making it a more comfortable treatment for you.

Regular treatment ensures we are catching hairs at this early growth stage and makes for a more effective and more comfortable treatment with far less potential for regrowth. If you can make the time commitment at the beginning of treatment, you can think of it as taking time off the end so you get the best results in the shortest time frame.

Can women begin or continue electrology treatments during pregnancy?

Yes. Electrology has never been proven harmful in any way to pregnant women since 1875. We will require your healthcare provider's permission to offer you treatment during your pregnancy. You may find your skin reacts very differently during pregnancy and that your sensitivity and tolerance of treatment may also change. Communicate with your electrologist so we can determine a treatment plan modification that works for you.

Can hairs be removed from moles?

Yes they can. Your electrologist will require a note from your healthcare provider stating it is a typical hairy nevus (mole with a hair) and safe to treat. The potential side effect of treating a benign nevus with electrolysis is a flattening of the mole to the skin surface and a lightening of the color. If you love your beauty mark to be prominent and dark this may not be the method of hair removal for you.