Consequences and contraindications to electrolysis. Removing unwanted hair using electrolysis

A large number of cosmetology clinics and offices can offer a whole list of services to get rid of unwanted hair.

We have already considered methods such as and.

Let's take a closer look at this type of hair removal as electrolysis, its features, how it is done correctly and how long the effect lasts.

Electrolysis is one of the methods of getting rid of unwanted hair using electric current. Having understood how electrolysis works, you can see that A needle-electrode is inserted under the skin into the hair follicle and, using current, it is destroyed. Thus, damaged hair follicles cannot recover for a long time, and, consequently, hair stops growing.

Let's look at the procedure itself and how to do it correctly. During the session, the skin will be damaged by the electrode needle, so before the procedure itself, be sure to disinfect the area of the skin where hair removal will take place.

Disinfection is done to ensure that bacteria that are on the surface of the skin do not enter the wounds during the procedure, otherwise this can lead to the spread of infection.

After the desired area of skin has been disinfected, anesthesia must be used. Hair removal process (regardless of its types) – quite a painful procedure. Before using anesthesia, the cosmetologist conducts a consultation with the client so that the type of anesthesia can be determined (lidocaine spray, Elma anesthetic cream, lidocaine or ultracaine injections) depending on your individual intolerance and preferences or wishes.

After anesthesia, the electrolysis process itself begins. To do this, the client must lie on the couch and hold the neutral electrode in his hand. The neutral electrode creates an electric field between itself and the electrode needle.

Thus, the device conducts current to the needle. The beautician then inserts a needle into the skin to destroy the hair follicle. As you can see, the hair dies instantly; it is removed using tweezers. In this way, section by section is processed.

Important! After the procedure is completed, the skin is re-treated with a disinfectant and a drug is applied that promotes rapid wound healing.

Depending on the amount of work and individual characteristics, the procedure time can be completely different.

Types of Electrical Hair Removal

Electrical hair removal comes in different forms. There are different types of electrolysis. Let's look at them.

Thermolysis

Thermolysis is an epilation process based on method of alternating current supplied at low voltage. This is the oldest method and is the most painful.

If usually with other types of electrolysis it is enough to carry out only superficial treatment (lidocaine spray, Elma anesthetic ointment), then with thermolysis it is necessary to carry out pain relief using injections (lidocaine, ultracaine).

Another big disadvantage of thermolysis is the fact that it can only be used on hairs that are growing properly. But thermolysis has its own advantage - This method allows you to treat a fairly large area of skin in a short time.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is the most popular method; sometimes even the word “electrolysis” itself is used as a synonym for the word “electrolysis”. This hair removal method is based on the implementation of an electrochemical reaction.

At the moment when the manipulator needle pierces the skin, an electric current appears, due to which hydrochloric acid is produced. Hydrochloric acid in turn is further converted into alkali. This alkali penetrates into areas of the hair follicle where the electrode itself cannot reach. This causes heating and then destruction of the hair root.

This method of electrolysis less painful and less likely to cause complications, which is certainly a huge plus of this method. The only drawback is the longer process.

Flash

There is also a flash method. This is a more modified version of thermolysis. With the flash method High frequency current is applied to the hair follicles. Thanks to high frequency current, the risk of complications is reduced, and pain is minimal.

Did you know? There is also a more modern type of flash method - the sequential flash. This method uses not only an increased current frequency, but also alternating radiation. Thanks to this, the session goes faster, there are no complications and the recovery period becomes much shorter.

Bland

No less popular is the blend method, also called the mixed method. In it, the effect on the hair follicle occurs through thermolysis and electrolysis. Using alternating current, the hair is heated and removed using electrolysis.

Did you know? Sequential blend is a more modern version of the blend method. During such hair removal, electrolysis and thermolysis are used sequentially. The sequential blend method differs from the conventional blend method in that the equipment settings are much lower, which is why the pain is even less.

Result

After the first procedure

During the first electrolysis procedure, the patient lies on a couch and holds a neutral electrode in his hand, and a cosmetologist inserts a needle directly into the follicle. After electrical exposure, the hair follicle dies.

Painful sensations can only appear at the moment when the cosmetologist directly presses the button and delivers a discharge to the needle.

After which the specialist painlessly removes the treated hair with tweezers. The session is repeated until the desired result.

At the end of the procedure, the skin is treated with an antiseptic, and a wound healing agent, such as panthenol, is applied.

After the first hair removal session, the skin should not be exposed to water.

The first result of electrolysis is a reduction in hair growth by approximately 10-15%, and with subsequent sessions the hair becomes smaller. The thickness of the hairs becomes smaller and the color becomes lighter.

After the series

Let's figure out how long it takes to completely get rid of unwanted hair. The effect after electrolysis lasts for a long time. After a series of sessions (on average 3-6 years), cosmetologists advise applying for re-correction.

During repeated hair removal (1-2 sessions), the hair follicles that have managed to be activated during this period are removed. There are also cases when a repeat course of electrolysis is not necessary. But all this depends solely on individual characteristics.

Efficiency

Let's take a closer look at the effectiveness of electrolysis.

What does the result depend on?

Electrolysis is a rather complex cosmetic procedure; its success depends on the professional skills of the cosmetologist, as well as on the quality of the device used to affect the follicles.

For a good result and the absence of complications, you should only contact proven salons with professional staff working with the best equipment.

Important! The result largely depends on whether you adhere to the rules of skin care before and after the session, since in the negative case complications such as inflammation and age spots on the skin are possible .

Does hair grow after electrolysis and how long does it last?

Before carrying out the procedure, the question is whether you can get rid of unwanted hair forever or not. After the first session, the hair growth process resumes literally after 2-3 weeks (the period is also absolutely individual). During the first session, an average of 10-15% of hair follicles are removed.

After 2-3 weeks, the bulbs that were previously inactive begin to “wake up”. Therefore, in the second session of electrolysis, the hair follicles of new hairs are removed, this is about another 10%. Thus, depending only on individual characteristics, in order to remove all follicles, you need to carry out a whole series of epilations. The cosmetologist determines how many procedures need to be done.

How often to do and how many procedures are needed

The number of electrolysis procedures and how many sessions are needed for each person is very individual. This mainly depends on the type of hair and its hardness. As a result of these factors, the patient will need from three to eight procedures, since each hair is removed one at a time. The fastest way to remove hair is on the legs (thighs, calves).

The cosmetologist determines how many procedures are required. So, to create the correct eyebrow line, seven procedures may be needed.

The most problematic place for all women is the hair above the upper lip. More than seven procedures are required to completely remove them.

Patients are often also interested in electrolysis of the armpits, how long it would take to completely get rid of unwanted hair and how many sessions are required for this. We should not forget that the permissible interval between procedures in the same place is approximately 1.5-2 months.

These deadlines must be adhered to in order to allow the hairs to grow. Following a series of treatments guarantees effective permanent hair removal.

Contraindications

Electrolysis is a rather specific process that is not suitable for everyone, and in some cases is strictly prohibited. Let's look at the contraindications to this procedure.

You are prohibited from performing the procedure if you:

suffer from epilepsy;
have diabetes;
are pregnant or breastfeeding;
have skin diseases in the areas where the procedure was performed;
have moles or tattoos at the epilation site;
you have a viral disease that is in an acute stage;
have unhealed skin lesions in the area of the procedure;
sick with herpes;
suffer from varicose veins;
have chronic heart disease;
have cancer;
suffer from mental disorders;
individual intolerance to the components of the procedure.

The list of contraindications is quite long. And these recommendations should never be neglected, as serious complications may arise.

Basically, the cosmetologist conducts a survey before starting the procedure. But you shouldn’t shift all responsibility to the cosmetologist.

Before the procedure, be sure to familiarize yourself with the process of electrolysis and possible complications, since they are all completely individual.

A blogger talks about his experience of electrolysis

After reading this article, we figured out what electrolysis is and how it is done. Modern methods make the procedure a very effective and sought-after cosmetic procedure. Pain relief, adherence to skin care rules and a professional cosmetologist make the process quite comfortable and effective.

The first attempts to get rid of unwanted hair on the body were made in ancient times, back in Ancient Egypt. Even then, women began to notice that excess hair creates the impression of unkemptness and does not at all decorate the appearance. In our time, this is even more considered unacceptable. And despite the fact that recently social movements have emerged calling on women to remain natural, including refusing hair removal, most still do not like hair on their legs, arms and other places that would look much better without hair. Today there are enough methods for removing excess vegetation. Electrolysis is one of them. This is a hardware method based on the action of electric current. Women note that electrolysis is painful and, in addition, requires a significant amount of time. But at the same time, it is much more effective than other procedures.

What is electrolysis

Electrolysis is one of the types of hardware hair removal, the uniqueness of which lies in the fact that, unlike other methods, it really allows you to forget about unwanted hairs forever. Each individual hair follicle is destroyed by electric current.

Initially, this method of hair removal, which was created back in 1875, was used to treat ingrown eyelashes. But after that, it gradually began to turn into a popular cosmetic procedure. Devices that deliver an electrical impulse to the hair follicle have also improved. And now you can already see modern, convenient devices for electrolysis.

The electrolysis method is used on any part of the body and face.

Types of electrolysis

There are different types of electrolysis. It varies depending on the tools that the specialist uses to remove unwanted hairs:

Tweezers. As a rule, it is used only on small areas of the body because it is very time consuming. However, it has one undeniable advantage: it is the most painless of all types of electrolysis. For this purpose, special tweezers with an electrode are used. It grabs the hair to be removed and passes an electric current through it. The technology is very simple and convenient, but only for complete destruction of the hair follicle it is necessary that the exposure time of the electric charge be at least 1.5 minutes.
Needle-shaped. The most common type of electrolysis involves inserting a needle through which an electric current passes directly into the root of the hair. In this case, the skin is slightly injured. The method is carried out using needles of various configurations. Which ones should be used will be decided by the specialist who will carry out the procedure. Needles have different thicknesses and composition. For example, for skin prone to irritation and allergic reactions, gold needles are used, and if the skin tolerates any manipulation well, then you can use medical alloy needles. For particularly thin, sensitive skin, there are needles with Teflon insulation.
Electrolysis with tungsten thread. In principle, it is not much different from the needle one. The only difference is that instead of a needle, a specially cut and sharpened tungsten thread is used, which is inserted into the hair follicle in the same way.

During an electrolysis session, the needle is inserted directly into the hair follicle.

In addition to different types, there are several methods of electrolysis. They differ from each other in the parameters of the current entering the hair follicle:

Thermolysis. High frequency alternating current is used. This method appeared first and therefore, as you might guess, is the roughest in terms of the nature of its effect on the skin. Often provokes skin irritation.
Flash method. It is a type of thermolysis, with the difference that the current strength is higher, but the time of its exposure, on the contrary, is reduced. It can also be very traumatic for the skin.
Galvanic electrolysis. Direct current is used (called galvanic, hence the name of the method), which provokes the formation of alkali in the hair follicle. Under its influence, the hair is destroyed as a result. This method involves the use of two electrodes: active and neutral. The first is in a needle and inserted into the hair follicle, and the second is picked up by the client. Galvanic electrolysis is less dangerous for the skin than thermolysis.
Blend method. Today it is considered the optimal method of electrolysis. Combines the advantages of thermolysis and galvanic electrolysis. The term “blend” just means “mixed”.
Sequential blend. The same blend method, in which the current amplitude is reduced. This helps make the procedure less painful.

Features of hair removal in different areas

The electrolysis method is universal for any area of the body and face, but it must be taken into account that the skin will not look its best for some time after the procedure. Therefore, some areas require a particularly careful approach on the part of the master. The most favorable areas for electrolysis are the arms and legs. Their skin is less prone to irritation and is not very sensitive.

After electrolysis, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the lymph nodes

It is not possible to remove all hair at once as it is in different stages of growth

When will the effect appear and how long will it last?

Today, electrolysis is the only method that allows you to achieve permanent hair removal. They really will never grow back, but this will require spending a lot of time and effort (and money, of course). It is necessary to carry out a whole series of procedures because the hairs are in different stages of growth. Even if it seems that all of them have been removed, after some time new ones still grow, which were previously in a “dormant” state.

To achieve a good result, on average, you need to do 10–12 procedures with an interval of 1–2 months. It is easy to calculate that the final effect can be observed in at least a year. However, the reduction in hair volume will most likely be noticeable after the first procedure.

Video: details about the experience of electrolysis

Possible consequences

Almost always, electrolysis is accompanied by unpleasant side effects that appear on the skin after each procedure. This is mainly responsible for such a long interval between sessions, because the skin must have time to heal. The following consequences are possible:

burns;
pigmentation;
redness;
edema;
crust formation;
ingrown hairs;
hematomas, etc.

For some time after electrolysis, the skin will not be in the best condition.

In addition, if there is the slightest damage to the skin, an infection can get there. As a result, ulcers, pimples and other inflammatory phenomena occur. In this case, they must be disinfected several times a day. Side effects normally last for several days and then disappear.

If the skin does not heal, then you need to use special products that accelerate regeneration and prevent tissue scarring. They can be advised by the specialist who performed the procedure or any other cosmetologist. These are not ordinary healing agents, which are standardly used after electrolysis, but enhanced-action medicinal preparations, for example, Contractubex.

You should be extremely careful about skin damage. Over time, they will, of course, heal, but the longer this process takes, the more likely it is that scars will remain on the skin.

How to care for your skin after the procedure

The rehabilitation period after electrolysis can range from 2–3 days to 2 weeks. At this time, special skin care is required:

You cannot sunbathe in the open sun or visit a solarium;
It is not recommended to expose the skin to water for a long time. This means you need to exclude baths, saunas, and swimming pools. You should also not swim in ponds or even lie in the bathtub. All of these factors not only slow down the skin healing process, but can also contribute to infection;
avoid sweating. For this reason, it is recommended to exclude active physical activity during the rehabilitation period;
Use disinfectants to treat skin lesions every morning and evening. These can be either special products or regular alcohol;
on the recommendation of a specialist, use healing creams. For example, Bepanten or Panthenol;
Do not comb the damage, subject it to rough mechanical stress, try to cover it with decorative cosmetics, tear off the crusts that form, etc.

Pros and cons of electrolysis

Like any procedure for removing unwanted hair, electrolysis has its pros and cons.

Its advantages include:

suitable for all hair types and all skin types;
greater effectiveness compared to other types of hair removal;
Suitable for any area.

Men often resort to electrolysis, but they require more treatments than women to achieve results.

The following disadvantages of the procedure can be noted:

long preparation - it is necessary to abandon the epilator, wax and other methods of hair removal that are convenient compared to a razor in advance in order to restore the hair follicles;
soreness;
traumatic - the procedure injures the skin and there is a danger that marks will remain on it;
high price;
duration - sessions last a very long time (up to 4 hours depending on the zone);
high cost - many sessions are required (as a rule, more than the master initially promises): for some, the effect occurs after 10 sessions, while others will need all 20.

Is electrolysis suitable for men?

The electrolysis method is equally suitable for both women and men. There are no restrictions for the latter. However, there are still pitfalls. Due to the peculiarities of male hormonal levels, it will be very difficult to completely get rid of unwanted hair. If in women after 10–12 sessions all unwanted hairs disappear (in most cases, but sometimes more are required), then in men a slightly different reaction to the procedure is possible. Hair may stop growing for some time, say, a couple of years, and then it will partially resume its growth. Or they may thin out significantly but not disappear completely. In any case, it is possible to get a 100% effect from electrolysis, but on average this will require 2 times more procedures than women require.

There are many ways to get rid of unwanted body hair. Hardware electrolysis is considered the most effective at the moment. This cosmetic operation reliably removes hair from the body and face. But today we’ll talk about the consequences of electrolysis.

What is electrolysis

The essence of electrolysis is the targeted damage to the hair root along with the surrounding tissues (root sheath) through a point pulse of electric current. The effectiveness and consequences are that unwanted hair gradually stops growing from the damaged hair follicle.

Using a special needle-electrode, a current discharge is delivered to the follicle. Under its influence, the root region of the hair and nearby tissues are deformed, destroyed, and lose their ability to regenerate.

There are three types of needle electrodes:

Principles and order of influence

But not everything is so unequivocally positive. The electrolysis procedure takes a long time and is not limited to one session, because the master works with each hair separately. Removing body hair requires an individual approach and consists of several manipulations:

insertion of a needle-electrode into the hair follicle;
electrical impulse;
hair removal with tweezers.

There are three active phases, they are characterized by:

active growth, anagen;
transition from one growth stage to another, catagen;
resting stage, telogen.

Normally, up to 90% of all hair in a healthy person is in the active growth stage, about 10-15% is in the resting stage, and only about 2% of hair is in the transitional form at any one time. During hair removal, the follicle is destroyed and actively growing hair is removed, but the next one, located in catagen, is on the way. Therefore, in order to get rid of all unwanted hair on the body, sessions will have to be repeated several times in order to get into the “right period”.

Types and features of methods

This hardware procedure includes a number of different methods of performing the operation:

thermolytic method (instant strong heating, exposure of the follicle to alternating high-frequency pulses) is suitable for treating large areas of the body, a type of thermolysis is flash, a needle with a special insulating coating is used;
electrolytic method (exposure to a galvanic pulse through the use of two differently charged electrodes), suitable for removing curved hair follicles, and is quite long-lasting;
blending system - a combination of thermolysis and electrolysis;
electrolysis with tweezers (tweezers act as an electrode); due to the duration of such a procedure, this form of hair removal is unpopular in salons.

Brief overview of the results of hardware procedures

According to reviews from clients of beauty salons, the method that has the most unpleasant consequences after electrolysis is thermolysis. The hair follicle does not die immediately; the painful intervention must be repeated several times. After thermoelectric exposure, complications often arise in the form of irritation, skin rashes, and allergic reactions. Flash thermolysis is not used on the face and in the chest and bikini areas, but it gives excellent results on the limbs.

Electrolytic hair removal is less painful, and the occurrence of troubles from such manipulations is minimal.

Blend hair removal is two-phase: an alternating mix of thermolysis and electrolytic action allows you to quickly destroy the structure of the follicle, and, therefore, reduce the time to achieve the final result. Such an aggressive effect on the hair follicle often causes folliculitis (inflammation) and painful tissue scarring.

In general, electrolysis is a painful process. Many cosmetologists urge clients to refuse any kind of pain relief. Their main argument is that anesthetic substances often have the opposite effect: increased hair growth is observed on skin surfaces treated with anesthetics. However, this is nothing more than a myth. An anesthetic injection is made deep into the muscle tissue, while the action of the electrode occurs in the upper layers of the epidermis. External anesthetics (Lidocaine spray, Emla) are used some time before the start of hair removal.

Contraindications

There are a number of contraindications to this method of removing unwanted body hair. These may be some temporary restrictions on undergoing electrolysis, but categorical prohibitions for medical reasons cannot be ruled out.

Let's consider what types of complications electrolysis can lead to, as well as what contraindications and consequences of its use exist, depending on certain reasons.

Strict prohibitions on the use of the method include medical indications:

installed pacemaker, a number of cardiac pathologies (heart disease, various arrhythmias, etc.), high blood pressure, epilepsy;
diseases of the blood and veins (hemophilia, various thromboses, varicose veins);
oncology, infectious and viral diseases (hepatitis, HIV, etc.);
endocrine disorders;
mycoses in the areas of intended hair removal;
skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema and other dermatitis);
lesions of the skin in places of intended exposure (wound surfaces, rashes, etc.);
skin neoplasms (papillomas, warts).

Electrofrequency effects are not recommended during pregnancy. This method does not remove vegetation in the ears, nose and other mucous membranes. Failure to follow these recommendations can have fatal consequences. Failure to follow skin care recommendations after the procedure can lead to various types of skin irritation, including suppuration and scarring.

Electrolysis results and care

Due to skin irritation during the procedure, some unpleasant symptoms may occur. However, these manifestations are temporary.

pain persists for some time after the procedure;
redness, swelling, swelling (lasts several days);
skin rashes (pimples, acne, formation of pustules and papules);
scabs (crusts) or peeling (do not scratch!);
temporary pigmentation in treated areas;
enlarged pores, long visible injection sites (especially on the face).

To minimize the consequences of the procedure, you need to follow a number of recommendations. Some troubles, such as redness or peeling of the skin, cannot be avoided. But it is quite possible to reduce unpleasant errors and speed up the healing process. To do this you need:

wear loose clothing to avoid the traumatic effect of the fabric on freshly epilated tissue;
Do not use cosmetics for 2-3 days - neither skincare nor decorative, only antiseptic (miramistin, chlorhexidine, calendula tincture) and healing agents (panthenol, boro-plus, bepanthen, etc.);
avoid contact with water on the post-procedure surface for a day;
do not pick off crusts, peeling, or sores that form;
do not sunbathe, do not go to the solarium, do not use self-tanning products in order to avoid skin pigmentation;
do not scratch reddened areas;
avoid strong physical exertion, exclude sports, baths, saunas - so as not to sweat, thereby causing itchy skin.

On average, the recovery period after electrolysis is 1.5-2 weeks. During this period, the above rules must be followed so that the unpleasant consequences of interference with the integrity of the skin are minimal. We discuss which is better: laser or electrolysis.

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Electrolysis is the most reliable of all professional hair removal methods. It allows you to permanently get rid of them on any part of the body. It can be performed on both men and women for any hair and skin types. The duration and pain of the procedure exceeds that of other methods of body hair removal, but this is compensated by high efficiency.

Electrolysis works well on the bikini area, face, arms and legs. The procedure is carried out under the influence of an electric current on the hair follicle, which destroys it. Therefore, it has some contraindications.

Contraindications to the procedure

First of all, we will have to somewhat upset those women who want to get rid of increased hairiness caused by hormonal disorders. Due to the constant appearance of new hair follicles, as well as their thickness, you most likely will not succeed, since the hair will appear again and again. It will probably be possible to reduce their thickness or number, but no more. In order to radically solve the problem, it is necessary to correct the hormonal levels to prevent the appearance of new hair, and then get rid of it.

With this technique, unwanted hair is removed under the influence of electric current. Depending on the specific procedure used, it can be variable or constant, which imposes certain restrictions on its application.

The technique is strictly contraindicated for people with a pacemaker: exposure to current can lead to arrhythmia. Be sure to consult your doctor if you have had a heart attack or stroke. During the procedure, it is worth going around areas that have papillomas, nevi, and warts, since the current can provoke their pathological growth.

Conditions of the body in which there are contraindications to electrolysis:

fungal skin infections at sites of exposure;
malignant neoplasms;
mental disorders;
atherosclerosis of the great vessels;
pathologies of the endocrine system;
abrasions, scratches, wounds and other damage to the skin;
eczema, dermatitis and similar chronic and acute skin diseases;
recent 2nd and 3rd degree burns;
infectious diseases;
severe forms of arterial hypertension;
if hair removal is performed on the legs, then varicose veins are a contraindication;
cardiac ischemia;
decompensated diabetes mellitus;
allergies to metals and alloys that make up depilation needles;
tendency to form scars;
orthopedic endoprostheses;
pregnancy and lactation period.

Foreign objects in the human body, such as implants or intrauterine devices, are a contraindication for the procedure near their installation.

Skin care at home

The main thing to remember is that during electrolysis the integrity of the skin is violated and wounds, albeit microscopic, are formed. Therefore, it is very important to follow the rules of skin care at home:

from two to five days it is forbidden to wet the place where the procedure was performed;
three times a day, the skin must be treated with an antiseptic, after which a healing cream or spray must be applied;
avoid sunbathing for 14 days;
it is contraindicated to visit the bathhouse and swimming pool for a period of two weeks;
It is advisable to protect yourself from visiting places where there is a high probability of contracting an infection, for example, public toilets, hospitals.

You also need to take extra care of your skin. You can periodically apply gels and creams that have a softening and moisturizing effect. You can use olive oil or any other oil that contains vitamin E, which promotes skin regeneration.

Consequences

If the procedure is carried out by a specialist, the number of consequences and side effects can be minimized. However, it happens that individual sensitivity to electric current can lead to ingrown hairs or the appearance of skin pigmentation. Improper handling of the device may cause burns.

If the skin is not properly cared for after the procedure, scarring may occur. Also, the reason for their appearance is incorrectly selected device parameters, as a result of which not only the destruction of the follicle occurs, but also damage to the surrounding tissues.

Various infectious agents can enter the epilation area and cause infection. This can lead to redness of the skin and even purulent inflammation.

If there are blood pathologies, bruises may occur at the epilation site. By the way, a disease such as hemophilia, like other bleeding disorders, are also contraindications to the procedure.

The consequences of electrolysis also include swelling, redness and itching of the skin at the site of the procedure, which is considered a normal reaction.

Almost everyone, after returning home from a beauty salon, develops red spots at the site of hair removal as a consequence of electrolysis. This is a normal reaction and it goes away within two weeks. After some time, white dots form instead.

Efficiency of the procedure

You can find reviews that electrolysis did not help get rid of hair. In fact, this could be for several reasons. Firstly, such a procedure may not help if excessive hair growth is caused by a hormonal imbalance.

Secondly, it also happens that the hair follicles were strong and large in size, and the standard number of procedures may not be enough in this case. And the last common reason is when, as the course of sessions progresses, a woman becomes disappointed and refuses to continue without completing them in full.

How many times do you need to visit the salon to get smooth skin? It is impossible to answer this question accurately, since in each individual case everything is purely individual. Those who want to get rid of leg hair once and for all will need the least amount of time. This will take about 3-4 sessions. Longer exposure is used to remove hairs along the eyebrow line. In addition, it should be remembered that at least 1.5–2 months must pass before each subsequent procedure.

Opinions of people who have gone through the procedure

The reviews are mostly positive. Women claim that the procedure is painful, but effective. The main points that should be taken into account are the impossibility of achieving everything at once, as well as the right choice of the master and the salon. Do not forget that electrolysis occurs with damage to the skin and the possibility of infection. Therefore, when choosing a salon where this will happen, pay attention to the disinfection of instruments. You have the right to demand that the needles you use be sterile, and you should do so.

Also, many people complain about an inexperienced hairdresser; reviews say that some of them do hair removal incorrectly. For example, one patient complained that the master who performed the procedure on her inserted needles not into the hair follicle itself, but nearby, and then simply removed the hair using tweezers. At best, this will not help, and at worst, you risk getting scars.

Many reviews say that to avoid unpleasant consequences such as infection, it would be a good idea to buy a disposable needle for each session. It is imperative to ensure that the dosage of the painkiller does not exceed the norm. Do not rush to immediately administer a large dose, even if the area of application of the method is delicate, this can lead to incorrect calculations of the current strength, and consequently to burns and scars.

Cosmetology today has many methods for removing unwanted hair. But, despite the annual emergence of new techniques, electrolysis remains one of the most popular and popular methods for getting rid of hair, once and for all. The history of using this method in cosmetology goes back more than 100 years, but it still has not lost its relevance and still has a high percentage of trust among clients.

What is electrolysis?

Normally, all hair has a so-called growth zone, which controls the length, thickness and number of growing hairs. To destroy the hair follicle, it is necessary to influence it with a certain traumatic factor. For comparison, with ordinary hair plucking with tweezers, the follicle is somewhat destroyed, so with regular use of this procedure, the hairs become sparse and thin.

But it is possible to destroy a hair follicle “without the right of restoration,” and the electrolysis method is best suited for this purpose. So, electrolysis is a method of hair removal using small current discharges directed directly to the follicle area. Using a weak but effective electrical charge, a high temperature is created in the lower part of the follicle, which seems to melt it.

When carrying out electrolysis, hair of any thickness and color can be destroyed. That is, in this way you can remove gray, hard, vellus or light hairs. It will not be possible to remove all the hair at once in one session, since normally no more than 80% of the hair is always in the active growth stage, the rest is in “reserve”.

It is possible to achieve a full 100% result from electrolysis only in several sessions, which are carried out as the “reserve” hair grows. The procedure itself is as follows: a thin needle is inserted into the hair follicle, through which a weak current is then passed. The area of application of the method is almost any part of the body and face, except for the armpits (due to the accumulation of a large number of lymph nodes in this area).

The optimal hair length for manipulation is from 4 to 6 mm, no more. Moreover, before the procedure, you need to make sure that all the hair has sprouted and there are no hairs on the body that have grown under the skin.

Types of electrolysis

The electrodes used in electrolysis are different. Depending on the choice of electrode, the types of electrolysis differ, which are as follows:

Tweezer method– its essence lies in the fact that each hair is individually captured by an electrode in the form of tweezers, through which an electric current is then transmitted along the rod. This method is characterized by its painlessness and can be used in areas with increased sensitivity to pain (mustache and bikini electrolysis). But it also has its drawbacks - removing each hair takes about 2 minutes, so it is not used in areas with dense vegetation.
Needle method– for removal, special needle-electrodes are used, the thickness of which does not exceed 0.1 mm. Needles are made of different materials (nickel-chrome, gold, Teflon coated) and come in different thicknesses and shapes (straight and curved).

Needles have some differences in application and their own advantages, which include:

Medical alloy needles are used for healthy skin and for those patients who tolerate the electrolysis procedure normally.
Teflon-insulated needles are used for skin with a low pain sensitivity threshold. The advantage of such needles is that they do not cause burns.
Gold-coated needles are used mainly in those patients who have allergic reactions.

Video of hair removal using the needle method

What methods of electrolysis are used?

Electrolysis, which is carried out using needles, is also divided into several types:

Thermolysis– it is based on the action of low voltage and high frequency alternating current. The disadvantage is that it is painful. The use of traditional sprays does not help reduce pain, and the procedure requires standard pain relief using injections. But dosage forms may increase hair growth in the future, and exposure to electrodes may cause burns (due to local overheating). Therefore, electrolysis on the face using thermolysis is not used.
Galvanic electrolysis– the hair follicles are exposed to galvanic (direct) current, as a result of which alkali is formed in them. The sodium ions that form around the needle interact with the tissue fluid, resulting in a caustic alkali solution. The cosmetologist who performs the procedure learns about the completion of the electrochemical reaction by the appearance of hydrogen bubbles on the surface of the skin. The hair with the damaged bulb is then removed. Electrolysis does not cause sharp pain, but has a low speed.
Blend method– the name of the method comes from the word “bland” (mixing). During the procedure, the two above-mentioned methods of electrolysis are used. First, the follicle is heated using thermolysis and then destroyed using electrolysis. For convenience and settings, special blend epilators were invented, where, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient, a computer selects the frequency and strength of the effect.
Sequential blend- from the word “sequential”, which means “sequence”. This method is a kind of blend method. The difference is that a lower current amplitude pulse is used here, which significantly reduces pain.
Flash method– comes from the word “Flash”, which means “flash”. It is an improved thermolysis that uses direct current of very high frequency (up to 2000 kHz), which reduces injury and pain.
Sequential flash– an even more advanced flash method. It differs in that it is possible to use high-frequency sinusoidal alternating current, which gives this method maneuverability and speed, as well as the effect on hair of different thicknesses simultaneously.

Contraindications to electrical hair removal

In addition to the indications, which include the patient’s desire to get rid of hair forever, the use of the technique also has its limitations. Contraindications to electrolysis are as follows:

Inflammatory processes in the skin, including viral ones.
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including stroke and myocardial infarction.
Presence of all types of tumors.
Diseases of the endocrine system.
Mental disorders and epilepsy.
Pregnancy (breastfeeding).
Varicose veins (if the procedure is performed on the legs).
Individual intolerance to metals and their alloys.

What consequences might arise?

If the manipulation is carried out by a competent specialist, then no unpleasant consequences in the form of burns or scars remain on the body. However, in some cases, the consequences of electrolysis are as follows:

Traces in the form of small red spots that disappear on their own after 1-2 weeks.
Scars may appear if the current strength is calculated incorrectly or the skin is not properly cared for after the procedure.
Increased itching at the epilation site. This is a normal process, but do not be tempted to scratch the area that is bothering you, otherwise you may bleed and cause scarring.
Infection of the skin at the site of the procedure.

To avoid all these sensations, there are several tips that need to be followed immediately after electrolysis:

Treat the skin with a solution of chlorhexidine or alcohol. The specialist performing the procedure may also advise re-treatment at home with a solution of calendula and trichopolum.
During the day you cannot take a bath or wash your face.
Do not use deodorants, creams and other cosmetics for 2 days.
Do not visit the sauna, bathhouse, gym, or swimming pool for a week.
Do not sunbathe or apply self-tanning products for 2 weeks.

Redness and infection of the skin at the site of electrolysis using galvanic electrolysis

Advantages and disadvantages of electrolysis

In addition to the advantages, which include the complete destruction of follicles and the ability to carry out procedures for all types of hair, the method also has its disadvantages, which include:

Soreness - nothing can be done, beauty requires sacrifice.
Cost, which depends on the choice of needles.
Duration of the session by time.
Possible risk of infection.

What results can you expect?

In one session, hair that is in the active growth phase is removed. It is possible to treat an area of 10x10 cm in 1 hour, so hair removal should be carried out gradually, over several sessions, especially when the cosmetologist works with a fairly large surface.

As already mentioned, hair does not grow at the site of the procedure. The exception is those hairs that are in an inactive state. As they grow, electrolysis sessions are repeated.

Before and after several electrolysis procedures

FAQ:

What is better: photoepilation or electrolysis? These are different procedures that have their own specific indications for implementation. Photoepilation does not remove gray and thin hair, and is also not suitable for tanned and dark skin. But at the same time, photoepilation has a high speed compared to the low speed of electrolysis.

Which is better: laser or electrolysis? It is not used on light hair and is not as painful as electrolysis. Otherwise the result is approximately the same.

Is electrolysis performed during pregnancy? No, pregnancy is a contraindication for such manipulation.

Is it painful to carry out the procedure and what kind of pain relief is used during electrolysis? Yes, the effect is painful, but local anesthesia can be done with a lidocaine spray or using traditional novocaine.

Is electrolysis harmful? No, exposure to weak currents cannot cause harm to health.

What other types of hair removal can a cosmetologist recommend? If electrolysis is contraindicated for the client or is too painful, the cosmetologist can offer methods such as:, or, photoepilation.