Electrolysis hair removal is a method of permanently removing individual hairs from the face or the body. A specialised medical electrolysis machine is used to shrink and completely remove the hair root from the hair follicle which is where the active growth grows from.  It does this by inserting a very fine disposable probe into each hair follicle, releasing heat or chemical energy.

Electrolysis can treat all skin conditions, colours and hair types; including grey, red and blonde hairs. Most areas of the body can be treated with electrolysis, including the eyebrows, face, cheeks, abdomen, lips (moustache) thighs, ears, breasts and legs. Conditions that electrolysis can assist with include ingrown hairs, Polycystic Ovaries (POS) and other hormonal growth imbalances.

Unwanted hair causes enormous distress, as anyone who has suffered with it will understand, and often brings with it a sense of isolation, low self worth and poor-self esteem.

Unwanted hair can be genetic or inherited or one of the symptoms for disorders such as polycystic ovary system. There are also many medications and drugs that cause or stimulate unwanted hair growth as well as hormonal changes within the body such as during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. It is often in the case that electrolygists are privileged to witness a dramatic transformation in their clients, from a self conscious, deeply demoralised individual at the beginning of a course of treatments, to confident and happy individual once treatment is under way and making progress. Many women and indeed many men have benefited from this tried and trusted treatment.

A very fine disposable sterile needle or probe, about the size of a small eyelash, is introduced into the individual hair follicle to the correct depth and a small amount of current is released. This eventually destroys the root of the hair by cutting off the blood supply which feeds the hair starving it of nourishment and nutrients.

As a result of this the hair becomes finer with often lighter hair growth and eventual demise of the hair. The ability of the hair follicle to produce a hair is destroyed rather than the hair itself. 

Electrolysis can be a little uncomfortable for many people but others can fall asleep during treatment.

During an electrolysis treatment a tiny sterile probe is introduced into the opening of the hair follicle. A small burst of energy is released at the base of the follicle and a sensation will be experienced like a tingle, heat or a minor sting. Everyone has their own individual pain threshold which can be affected by a number of factors:

1) Individual pain thresholds – this can be affected by health, stress, time of menstruation etc

2) Area to be treated

3) Strength and size of hair

4) Skin sensitivity

5) Type of current used

One thing that you can depend on is electrolysis works so any minor discomfort is well worth the results.

Where common lasers require you to have a fair light to medium skin tone and dark hair growth, Electrolysis can remove any colour hair on any skin tone. More modern advancements in Laser therapy have been developed to allow laser to treat various skin tones and colours. 

It is important to remember that electrolysis is a progressive treatment and the same hair has to be treated repeatedly to gain results.

It may be that the client has to continue with temporary methods of hair removal for the other areas that can not be treated in the meantime. Trimming the hair is the most advisable temporary method. Once the original area has been treated it is possible to then move on to the next area.

Laser and IPL (intense pulse light) have the capability of treating larger areas however, electrolysis is often used alongside these treatments. While Laser is FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved for permanent hair reduction, Electrolysis is FDA approved for permanent hair removal and is very useful in assisting where laser and IPL cannot ‘finish the job’. In fact, electrolysis, laser and IPL work hand in hand for the benefit of the client. Some hair may not be treated with Laser/IPL, such as white hair, where electrologists can successfully remove any colour hair on any skin tone. 

You will have a thorough consultation to ensure if treatment is suitable for you and which method is best for you. You will have a chance to ask questions about the treatment and to experience a ‘taster’ session. Your therapist will discuss with you a ‘treatment plan’. Following this initial consultation you should be able to decide if and when you would like treatment to commence. 

Worldwide, the cost of Electrolysis Hair Removal will vary, depending on location, skill set, experience and client base.  The average cost to the patient for hair removal with electrolysis treatment is usually £1.00 – £5.00 per minute of treatment.  ‘Courses' or 'Packages' of treatments are occasionally given for courses booked and paid for up front and where longer appointment times may be required.

Experience and skill does make a huge difference to the success and result of the treatment, as well as the cost.  Fast is not always best as accuracy is key to success.  

The equipment and needles that each electrolygist uses may also play a part in the cost of the treatment as 24 carat gold needles are more expensive than stainless steel.

Our permanent electrolysis hair removal costs start from £70. An Initial Examination and Patch Test starts from £80 and must be completed before any full length electrolysis hair removal treatment can commence.

All clients are individuals and a treatment plan is created to suit the individual’s needs and requirements.

Treatments can take anything from 15 minutes once a month to up to 2 hours or more once a week. Many different areas can be treated in any given treatment session. The treatment plan is discussed and explained on the client initial consultation. The clients expectations, time, money, amount of hair to be treated, cause of hair growth, skin type, medical history and lifestyle are some of the important factors that need to be discussed when deciding how long a treatment should take.

At the start of a course of treatments the client will probably require lengthy treatments. As the treatment progresses the sessions may become shorter and further apart. It is important to advise the client of this and give encouragement as progress is made.

Electrolysis treatment will initially take longer and be frequent eventually tailing off to shorter less frequent treatments as the hair becomes less dense, finer, lighter and less noticeable. Treatment can be performed in one area or in many different areas in any given treatment session. With the transgender community appointments can be in excess of 4 hours in any one session and are usually initially concentrated on facial hair growth.

The amount of hair present, the skin type and the density of the hair growth affects the amount of hair that will be treated on the day.

The amount of hairs that require treatment will affect how long the appointment is scheduled for. E.g. if the client has several hairs on the jaw line that are quite spaced out it will probably be a 15-30 minute appointment and all hairs will be treated. If the hair is dense in a small area on the corners of the top lip it may still be a 15-30 minute appointment but to avoid over treatment not all hairs can be removed.

The skin will be sensitive following a treatment and therefore to allow the skin to heal naturally not all hairs in one area are treated. The client can return in the week, depending upon healing rate, to have the remaining hairs removed. All this will be discussed on the initial consultation when you and the electrologist agree on a treatment plan.

Each hair requires more than one treatment because each individual hair has its own growing cycle and blood supply.

Electrolysis works by weakening the hair and eventually destroying it.

Courses of treatment are therefore imperative. Results take a little more time; similar to dieting it’s not the crash diet but the healthy eating plan that works in the long run.

Absolutely.

Each hair requires more than one treatment because each individual hair has its own growing cycle and blood supply. Electrolysis works by weakening the hair and eventually destroying it.  Courses of treatment are therefore imperative and results take a little time.  

A fine probe (resembling the size of an eyelash) is inserted into the hair follicle where a tiny burst of energy is targeted at the root of the hair. This prevents nutrients feeding the hair and the hair becomes weaker and finer. After a course of treatments the hair is no longer able to grow and complete hair free results are obtained.

Electrolysis remains the only method allowed by the Beauty Industry’s Governing Body to claim that it offers permanent hair removal.

It is also defined in the BMA’s ‘Complete Family Health Encyclopaedia’ as the only means of permanent hair removal.

First invented in 1875 and initially used for in-growing eyelashes by ophthalmologist, Charles E Michel, electrolysis had progressed over a century and with ongoing improvements and modern technology it is a safe, comfortable, effective treatment and still very much in demand with clients today.

Nearly all areas of the body and all types of hair and skin can be successfully treated. Laser and IPL alongside social convention, pressure and expectations have resulted in more varied treatment areas being presented to the electrologist.