FAQs
What’s the difference between electrolysis and laser?
Electrolysis treats each hair follicle individually with a very fine, disposable, sterile probe to permanently destroy the follicle’s ability to reproduce, thereby eradicating hair growth on completion of the course of treatment.
Laser tends to treat large areas of skin using a laser or light-based lamp which can reduce hair growth, but not remove all of the hair permanently. It is termed hair reduction rather than hair removal. Permanent hair removal with electrolysis requires a longer course of treatment but results in complete, permanent removal of all hair treated. Laser/IPL treatment requires further treatment when the hair grows back.
Which areas can be treated with electrolysis?
Any area of the body can have electrolysis for removal of hairs. Even the sensitive areas like around eyes, ears, eye lids, bikini area, arm pits.
Common areas for woman are facial areas, (top lip, chin, neck, cheeks, eyebrows) breasts, abdomen, underarms, bikini line, legs, fingers and toes.
Common areas for men are the upper arms, around the ears, top of the nose, eyebrows, top of the back, cheeks above the line of the beard, around the edges of the beard.
Can I have electrolysis if I’m pregnant?
Yes, as pregnancy is not normally a contra-indication to the Thermolysis / Shortwave diathermy method of electrolysis. This method uses alternating current (AC) which produces a very weak intensity of current during the procedure. There is no risk to mother or unborn child although treatment of the breast and abdominal areas should be avoided, especially in the later stages of pregnancy – this is entirely due to the fact that the skin in these areas is stretched and therefore under duress – no harm could be caused to the foetus as the current does not pass through the body at all. However, the ‘Blend’ or ‘Galvanic’ methods of electrolysis is best avoided during pregnancy. These methods use direct (DC) electrical current.
Does electrolysis hurt?
Here at Reyuva Hair Electrolysis we give local infiltration with the lignocaine solution 0.25% which causes numbing of the skin and as well as hydration of skin. The person does not feel any pain whatsoever after the area is numbed and electrolysis if hairs become extremely easy and fast.
How many treatments do I need?
The number of treatments required will vary from person to person as each client will have a different density of hair growth (e.g. there may be between 50 hairs and 500 hairs packed into a small area of skin tissue). This means that each treatment course will vary, and therefore no actual figure can be put on the number of treatments required but generally it is 6 to 7 treatments to the area over 5 to 6 months period as we give adequate time for the resting hairs to start growing. The resting phase of the hair cycle are normally 3 months time.
What does the skin look like following treatment?
Generally there is some redness and a little localized swelling immediately following electrolysis. This will disappear in time depending on the skin sensitivity and skin type. Here at Reyuva Hair Electrolysis we apply soothing gel with galvanic massage to sooth out skin. It is followed by Calamine lotion and ointments. some people may see tiny reddish brown pinprick scabs, especially on body areas or where hairs are distorted or ingrown. These scabs drop off naturally within a few days.
What is Electrolysis for Hair Removal?
Electrolysis is a method of permanently removing hairs from the face or body. Electrolysis destroys the growth center of the hair with chemical or heat energy. After a very fine probe is inserted into the hair follicle, the hair is then just slides out and is removed with forceps.
What Causes Unwanted Hair Growth?
Hair growth is the result of heredity and hormone levels. Also, some drugs, temporary methods of hair removal, and illnesses can stimulate hair growth.
Is the electric tweezer method is permanent?
Only electrolysis as a permanent method of removing hair. The Electric tweezer treatment just breaks the hair at shaft and the root survives. The hair is poor conductor of electricity therefore the current cannot pass through the hair shaft to the root, therefore the hairs just grows back. Some websites fool the people with the electric tweezers for home use as the permanent method of hair removal but it does not work that way.
Is electrolysis permanent?
Why should I choose electrolysis over temporary methods like waxing?
Unlike other hair removal options, professionally performed electrolysis eliminates unwanted hair, permanently, with unsurpassed results. Moreover, it does so for the largest variety of skin and hair types. Waxing, threading and tweezing are alike. With all of these, ingrown hairs and discoloration may result. Additionally, they may cause an increase in hair growth activity. Depilatories and shaving can cause an irritation to the skin while the hair regrows quickly. These methods can require a lifetime of maintenance. Many can appear inexpensive but cost more due to long term use.
What is considered excessive hair growth or hirsutism in women and what causes it?
Hirsutism is a condition in which too much hair grows on the face or body (changing from vellus hair to terminal hair) as compared to what might be average for a person’s age and ethnicity. Hirsutism-excessive terminal hair can be caused by abnormally high levels of male sex hormones called androgens (primarily testosterone and its derivatives).
Hirsutism can be treated and control the hormone level, but hair will remain and should be treated by permanent hair removal, not with laser hair removal but Electrolysis.
The following also are some of the conditions that may increase a woman’s normally low levels of male hormone and consequently mild increase of hair thickness, amount, density, and coarseness
• Obesity
• Heredity/genetics
• Certain medications including birth control pills, hormones and anabolic steroids
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Cushing’s syndrome and Cushing’s disease
• Tumors in the ovaries or adrenal gland, formed when abnormal cells grow out of control and
clump together
Which is a better method for hair removal of coarse facial hair, facial hair removal for women, electrolysis or laser hair removal?
Electrolysis is the best method for all coarse facial hair color. If you have red, blond, gray, very light brown hair all over your body, laser hair removal will not work beside there can be increase of hair (mild hypertrichosis) due to exposure to laser treatment / laser hair removal.
The Greek translation of electrolysis is "to break up by electricity." So electrolysis procedure works by destroying the roots and the follicle of unwanted hairs with an electric current. The end result is that the unwanted hairs do not grow back.
How Does Galvanic Electrolysis Work?
salt + water -----DC-current-----> hydrogen + chlorine + sodium hydroxide
(In the follicle) (direct current) (gas) (gas) (Lye)
Galvanic electrolysis involves sending a DC current of electricity directly to the root of an unwanted hair via a needle that is inserted into the follicle of the affected hair. As the DC current travels through the follicle, a chemical reaction occurs. This chemical reaction produces sodium hydroxide (lye) which is capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action, which destroys the hair follicle itself.
How Does Thermolysis Electrolysis ,facial hair removal for women work?
A needle is again inserted into the follicle of an unwanted hair. However, the electrical current that is sent through the needle is an AC (alternate current) current with thermolysis. Unwanted hair destruction does not result from a chemical reaction with thermolysis. Instead, as the AC current passes through the needle, the resulting vibration heats the water molecules surrounding the hair follicles. The resulting heat damages the hair follicle, ideally preventing future hair growth.
How Does Blend (Electro-blend) Electrolysis Work?
Blend electrolysis consolidates both the Galvanic and thermoloysis methods into a single electrolysis method. With the blend methods, a needle is again inserted into the follicle of an unwanted hair. However, both AC and DC currents are passed through the needle at the same time. This method works quickly and also has effective permanent hair removal results.
The blend method assures destruction of the whole follicle and the papilla, especially the distorted or curved follicles. Although somewhat time-consuming, the method is successful in eliminating hair without much regrowth.
How does laser hair removal technology - Facial hair removal for women work?
The use of an invisible beam of light and a constant source of heat that penetrates the hair follicle through its dark melanin, disabling and then destroying it at its root while preserving the surrounding skin. To explain in simple language; dark colors attract light energy and hold it, while light colors reflect light energy. The light beam used in laser hair removal device is directed at the hair follicle. The dark pigmented follicles absorb the laser light energy, die, and do not produce hair again. On the other hand, light hair does not absorb the light energy.
Laser hair removal works best on those people with dark black hair and fair skin. Therefore, people with dark skin, either from suntans or by birth, will scar easily from the light beam due to high level of melanin. People with red or blond hair are not ideal candidates for laser hair removal because the laser is mainly attracted to the darkness of hair.
My face is full of light color "peach fuzz". Will I benefit from electrolysis?
Yes, electrolysis can easily remove any type of hair permanently, though the peach fuzz makes it difficult to visualize the roots which is essential to proper needle insertion and root destruction, but here at Reyuva we use high magnification during the electrolysis sessions making it easy for us to visualize the roots of peach fuzz hairs.
How long does each electrolysis treatment take?
The average treatment ranges from 15-60 minutes. The amount of time per treatment depends upon the reaction of the skin to treatment, and the client's sensitivity. Timing also depends on what part of the body is being treated.
How much hair can be removed in one treatment?
That depends upon the client's sensitivity, tolerance, and the type of the hair, if terminal.
Does electrolosis treatment - or facial hair removal hurt?
No, here at Reyuva hair electrolysis we numb the area with lignocaine and no pain is felt during the electrolysis session.
Does electrology- electrolysis have any side effects on the skin?
Not really! Immediately following treatment, there may be a slight redness and/or swelling which usually disappears within a few hours. Occasionally, small whiteheads or tiny scabs may occur. It is important to remember that scabs are a part of the normal healing process in some people. If scabbing does occur, the client is advised to not pick or scratch them off.
In most cases there are no long term side effects. Hyperpigmentation, freckling of the treated area, may occur especially if the hair is dark and deeper. The intensity of the treatment must be a bit higher than usual. Under normal conditions, there are no harmful effects from electrology treatments, facial hair removal for women, electrolysis. But scratching, picking at the microscopic scabs that may form after treatments, or using heavy makeup can cause small pits (A small indented scar left in the skin). Most cases of hyperpigmentation clear within a few weeks, but in some cases it can last a few months.
Can I get an infection from the needle used in electrolysis?
No, there is absolutely no chance of infection as here at Reyuva Hair Electrolysis we use new sterile needle for every session and area is cleaned with spirit and iodine and antibiotics are prescribed in the susceptible person. All instruments used are autoclaved as per surgical precision.
I have very coarse, dark facial hair and I work in the general public. Is it OK if I tweeze or wax before the appointment?
It is VERY important that you do not tweeze or wax so that the treatment can be successful.
I have been shaving, waxing, and tweezing for years. How many treatments does it take to eliminate and destroy my facial hair follicles?
Everyone is different. The average client has a few distorted hairs. All hairs in the very early anagen stage have straight follicles and lie close to the surface of the skin. This is the main reason why clients should keep their treatment on a close schedule.
So with electrolysis the facial hair removal for women, treating hair in the very early anagen stage is most advantageous because it assures no distortion to the follicle and destruction of these cells. It also requires less needle intensity and of course less, sensation level. Once the areas are completed, there is a less need for follow up treatments. Unless certain parts of the face experience new hair growth because of hormonal changes, the entire treatment generally spans 8-12 months with individual treatments once or twice a month. The number of treatments will be anywhere between 12-20.
Do hormonal changes in one's body have any effect on hair type or growth?
Yes, hormonal changes in a woman's body will have an effect on hair types and growth.
What causes the hair grow back or seem to grow back?
The decreased success rate of electrology is due to hair that is treated in the telogen stage. The hair at this phase is already detached from the papilla. It is best to treat hair in the anagen phase thus, it is very important for clients to maintain their appointment schedule.
1- Early anagen hair begins to grow before the telogen hair has fallen out, like the above example, it is only the telogen hair that is being treated with electrolysis in this phase and regrowth will occur.
2- Distorted hair follicles that do not grow straight, but curl under the skin in such a way that a straight needle cannot possibly reach the papilla. Distorted hair follicles occur mostly in people with curly hair and sometimes become distorted and thickened from constant shaving, tweezing, and waxing.
3- Irregular menstrual cycle, menopause, medications and other factors. Excessive glandular secretions, hormonal imbalance, and high levels of androgen hormone which increases the amount of hair and speed the hair cycle. It also causes new dormant hairs / vellus hairs to become terminal and grow around surrounding follicles. Once a hair follicle is destroyed it can no longer grow new hair. There can be anywhere from 500 to 1000 hair follicles per square inch, depending on the part of the body. So, you may think that electrolysis is causing new hair growth but of course it is not!
4. Characteristics of hair texture: Porosity: the ability of the hair to absorb moisture through the cuticle.
5. Elasticity: the ability of the hair to stretch and then return to its normal form without breaking. Normal hair is capable of being stretched about one-fifth of its length, without breaking, and will spring back when releases. If the hair is so damaged that it breaks during treatment, it will result in regrowth.
Does Electrology / electrolysis / facial hair removal for women always work?
Yes! As explained before, hair may grow back depending on the health of the hair. However, most hair will grow from untreated hair follicles. If hair appears in about 6 weeks or less, you can be sure that it is from a follicle that was previously dormant. A period of 7-8 weeks would be required for hair to grow from a treated follicle.
What causes ingrown hairs? Can we treat ingrown hairs?
Ingrown hairs are blocked by skin over the follicle opening. Ingrown hairs are sometimes caused by shaving, tweezing, or a bad waxing job. When hair breaks at the weakest point just below the surface of the skin, this can distort the hair. The hair then grows under the surface of the skin rather than up and out of the hair follicle. A pimple-like inflammation results that is uncomfortable to the person especially when it occurs on the inner thigh, the neck, bikini area, or the underarm.
Ingrown hair treatment;
Ingrown hair is treated by releasing the trapped end of the hair first and then treating it with electrolysis current.
Can I undergo electrolysis if I have a skin disorder?
It depends! If the skin is inflamed or irritated you may not be able to undergo electrolysis.
I am diabetic, canI get electrolysis?
Yes, after taking all due precautions about the control of blood sugar and proper antibiotic cover.
How much does the electrolysis cost?
Unlike laser hair removal which is very expensive, electrolysis is priced by time and it is very affordable.