Electrolysis Questions and Answers

• What is Electrolysis?

• Electrolysis is the only proven method of permanent hair removal. It is a progressive treatment that causes the hair to get weaker and weaker over the course of treatment until it either becomes so fine it is no longer a concern or stops growing altogether.

• How Does Electrolysis Work?

• A small probe, the thickness of your hair is passed into the hair follicle. This does not cause any discomfort. When the tip of the probe is in contact with the base of the follicle the operator presses a button and you feel a warming sensation. Heat destroys the micro-blood circulation to the hair along with germinative cells in the follicle and the hair is lifted out. More hairs are then treated during the allotted treatment time. At each treatment, these hairs are re-treated until they no longer re-grow. Each hair may need to be treated multiple times.

• Who can have Electrolysis?

• Anyone who has unwanted hair growth can receive treatment. You could have an hormonal imbalance such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or be transitioning, transgender or pre-GRS. It may be that you get in growing hairs on the face and body. Whatever the reason it is reassuring to know that all hairs regardless of thickness or colour can be treated successfully with electrolysis.

• Is Electrolysis painful?

• The level of discomfort felt depends on many factors:- the thickness of the hair, the level of current needed to treat the hair effectively and your sensation threshold. Some clients are not bothered by any discomfort at all, others find it more uncomfortable but the results far outweigh this, with clients tolerating any discomfort that may be felt.

• During your consultation, the therapist will carry out a test patch (medically permitting), to see how your skin responds to treatment, but also so you can experience what electrolysis feels like before deciding whether to proceed with treatment. The current is introduced gradually so that you can become accustomed to the sensation experienced.

• Is Electrolysis Safe and Hygenic?

• Developed in the 1800s, it is the only proven, effective and totally safe method of permanent hair removal. Ask about the electrolysist's qualifications and updated training skills. Abigail Best has a list of her qualifications on the About Us page of this website. 

• One-use sterile probes are only ever used minimising the risk of cross-infection. Each client has a brand-new sterile probe used for each treatment. Depending on the length of each session the probe will be replaced as it becomes worn. Probes should be opened and loaded in the presence of the client. they should never be pre-loaded before the client arrives. If it is ask for a new one to be opened.

• Electrolysis is considered a piercing treatment under licensing laws. Electrolysists have to be licensed with their local authority and this should be displayed in the treatment area. 

• Under licensing guidelines and local government legislation, strict hygeine regulations have to be followed by the provider and any waste disposed of by licensed waste carriers.

• How many hairs can be removed per electrolysis session?

• This can vary from person to person as it depends on several factors;

• How sensitive the skin is and how much treatment the skin can tolerate per session.

• Density of the hair growth – It is important not to be tempted to over-treat the skin or longer gaps will be needed between sessions to allow the skin to settle naturally, meaning that it will take longer to achieve your desired results.

• The type of electrolysis treatment selected to treat your hair.

• The length of time selected for each session.

• To give you an idea one hair can be removed after each insertion,  which takes between 1 and 3 seconds or up to 10 seconds depending on the type of treatment you receive.

•  How often can I receive Electrolysis treatment?
  

• It is important to have regular electrolysis treatment to get on top of the hair growth. Weekly or fortnightly appointments may be recommended initially.

• It is important to allow the skin to heal between treatments so a minimum of 5 – 7 days is needed to avoid over-treating the area. It is possible to have multiple sessions per week if different areas are to be treated.

• It is important not to be tempted to have more treatment than necessary in your eagerness to be hair-free. You must follow your electrolysist's advice as your long-term skin health and treatment success is of utmost importance.

• It is important that you do not go to more than one electrolysist for treatment on the same area, at the same time, to ensure safe and successful treatment outcomes. You can visit multiple therapists for treatment in different areas, however.

• How much does Electrolysis cost?

• The prices are displayed on this website and depends on the length of session you choose and how many treatments you will need to achieve the desired results.

• Electrolysis is charged for by time, with sessions ranging from up to 15 minutes (minimum time and charge),  for a small area of hair growth, up to 2 hours at a time for clients wanting to remove larger areas of hair.

• Prices will vary from salon to salon and in different areas of the country, but costings, types of payment and discounts on courses of treatments are discussed at your consultation which is carried out, without any financial obligation to purchase treatment at that time.

• It is important that after a consultation you go away and take the time to think about your options and whether electrolysis is the right choice for you. If you are sure you wish to start treatment you are welcome to book in and pay for treatment at the time of your consultation, but there is no obligation on your part to do so.

• How will my skin look after Electrolysis treatment?

• This will vary from person to person but you may experience some or all of the following.

• The skin can look pink and feel warm and or sensitised. The skin can look and feel a little bumpy but all of these things will generally disappear within a couple of days. Some clients say that any reaction to electrolysis has disappeared within a couple of hours but this does depend on the amount of hair to be treated and the length of each session chosen. For more information on skin reactions and aftercare take a look at the aftercare advice on this website (see the aftercare tab at the top of the page).

  
  

• What happens if the hairs grow back after electrolysis?

• For every hair you think you have there can be at least 10 to 30 more hairs that grow at any one time. The hairs that have been treated successfully will not grow back, but if you have a predisposition towards unwanted hair growth new hairs may grow over time that you would like to have treated.

• In most cases, once your initial courses of treatment has been completed you may not need to visit your electrolysist for several months (as the final hairs are treated), or years. Eventually, if new hairs start to appear, electrolysis will be your preferred method of hair removal and you will need to visit your electrolysist as before, but if you don’t allow the hairs to get out of control and resist waxing and/ or plucking, the number of sessions and the length of time needed per session will be greatly reduced and a much shorter course of treatment will be required.

  
  

• What can I do if I miss an electrolysis appointment?

• It is important that you do not pull the hairs out between appointments. Once you decide to embark on treatment you will need to avoid plucking, waxing or tweezing the hairs out or removing the hairs from the follicle in any way. You can bleach or cut the hairs with scissors or shave if necessary but there does need to be enough hair growth visible at your next sessions so that the hairs can be gripped with a pair of tweezers comfortably so the hair can be lifted from the follicle after treatment.

• Don't worry, it can be quite an anxious time when you first start electrolysis but after a few treatments you will be much happier as you start to see results and you will feel less concerned.

• what can I do to make the electrolysis feel more comfortable and to reduce any irritation?

• Follow all aftercare advice given to you by your electrolysist.

• You will need to purchase aftercare but this will always be explained to you along with cost implications at the time of your consultation.

• Look after your skin between each treatment and follow a simple skincare routine that focuses on keeping the skin clean and well-nourished. Electrolysis can cause the skin to become more dehydrated than usual so it is important to use skincare that nourishes and hydrates the skin whilst allowing you to treat other concerns at the same time if necessary.

• Anti-histamines can be used before and after treatment to minimise redness and irritation if the client is medically safe to use such a product. Soothing creams /gels and cool packs can be used after treatment to cool and calm the treated area.

• There are several things you can do to make electrolysis more comfortable if needed and are medically able to do so. Please remember your electrolysist can not prescribe or administer anything for you, unless they are legally allowed to do so.

• Paracetamol, anti inflamatory's or similar as long as it is not blood thinning (no Asprin) can be used. Numbing creams or gels can help if necessary, with a number of makes on the market all varying in price and efficacy. Some of these items can be prescribed but it is often less expensive and easier to buy over the counter or online. Please remember to purchase from a reputable site if ordering online. Take a look at the article I have written on making your treatment more comfortable (see tab at top of page).

• What if I am unwell ?

• If you are unwell for any reason let Abigail Best know and we can re arrange your appointment. Try to let her know at least 24 hours before your appointment. If this is not possible then don't worry just get in touch and we can re arrange your appointment. Please be aware that you will be charged the full cost of this treatment if you do not let Abigail know at least 24 hours before your appointment.

• What if I have a Cold sore or another health concern?

• If you have a cold sore you must cancel your appointment.  Cold sores are highly contagious and can spread easily. We can re book you in once it has completely cleared. If you are prone to cold sores you may wish to use treatment to prevent them from occuring. Please speak to your GP regarding this if necessary.

• If you have another illness and are too unwell to attend please cancel.

• Please make sure you are aware of the cancelation policy. this can be found on the terms and conditions and in the welcome letter that is sent out each week along with after care advice. 

• Head lice -  If you have head lice please cancel and we can re arrange your appointment once this has cleared. 

• Migraines - if you suffer from migraines please ask for an eye covering as a bright light will be used over the facial area, you may not need one for body area but please ask if necessary. If you are developing a migraine you will need to cancel  your appointment and re arrange once you have recovered. Having electrolysis during a migraine can make it worse whilst making the treatment less tolerable and it can also affect the healing process.