Frequently Asked Questions

 Electrology, a technique used for the destruction of unwanted hair  follicles, has been in use since 1875. The treatment is delivered  through a single, sterile probe / needle that is gently inserted into  the hair follicle. You will not feel the insertion. When the probe  reaches the end of the follicle where the hair root meets the dermal  papilla (blood source to the hair follicle), a small amount of heat is  emitted (which feels like a tingle). This heat dehydrates the bulb and  basically cauterizes the junction between the hair root and the papilla;  without a blood source the follicle dies. 

 People have different levels of sensitivity and will respond  differently. The majority of people undergoing treatment for the first  time are pleasantly surprised by how little discomfort is involved.  Modern electrolysis methods have reduced any discomfort to a mere  tingling. 

 Since many factors influence hair growth, you will need to return for  several visits. The total number of sessions needed to remove hair  permanently from a particular area will vary from person to person.

 It is very important to adhere to the recommended treatment schedule to  achieve optimum results in the shortest time frame. Improvement usually  is observed within a few months.  

 All hairs have differing cycles of growth and are not visible on the  surface of the skin at the same time. Hair normally grows for its usual  cycle and then naturally sheds and replaces itself. Following active  growing periods, most hair follicles go into a dormant stage. The period  of dormancy may last for an indefinite period of time, however,  replacement hairs usually appear within 3 to 12 months. The appearance  of these coarse replacement hairs from dormant hair follicles should not  be mistaken as re-growth from previously treated follicles. 

 Since its beginning, Electrolysis has been shown to be an extremely safe  procedure. Like many minor procedures in medicine, Electrolysis does  have a short healing phase during which there may be some transient  redness or swelling, which usually disappears within a few hours. Your  electrologist will advise you regarding what can be expected during the  healing phase. 

 Hair growth is the result of heredity and hormonal levels. Also, certain  medications, temporary methods of hair removal and some illnesses can  stimulate hair growth. Even normal physiologic changes and stress  influence the hair growth for each individual.

 Usually, hair growth is desirable. But when the hair is on the wrong  part of your body - a woman's upper lip or chin, the hands or arms - you  may want to consider electrolysis. 

 Using laser light, unwanted hair can be removed easily and virtually  painlessly. The heat energy of the laser passes through the skin's  surface to the hair follicles. The follicles are where hair growth  begins, and the laser damages the follicle, inhibiting new growth. 

 Laser hair removal is an effective treatment for unwanted hair for both  men and women, though the most common areas of treatment differ by  gender, age, and skin type.

 The best candidates for laser facial and body hair removal will often be  people with darker hair and lighter skin. This is because less of the  laser's energy is absorbed by the skin, leaving the darker pigment of  the hair follicle to receive the majority of the laser's strength.

 The pigment in the hair follicle is the target of the laser. For this  reason, white and gray hair, which contain no pigment, are not  effectively treated by laser.            

 Laser hair removal is safe and effective. Though risks associated with  laser hair removal do exist, complications arising from treatment are  rare. Most common side effects, such as the lightening or darkening of  the skin, are normally temporary. 

 Though laser hair removal does not ensure that hair will never re-grow  in the problem area, it does provide permanent hair reduction and an  extended period of relief from unwanted hair in the treatment area.  Results will vary, but typically, hair removal lasts from several months  to several years. Repeated treatments can enhance results, allowing  patients to enjoy the benefits of laser hair removal for much longer. 

 Whereas laser hair removal is performed to treat a large area of the  body at one time, electrolysis is performed on individual hair  follicles. In electrolysis, a needle is used to penetrate each follicle  and deliver a blast of electric or radio wave energy to destroy the  follicle and prevent future hair growth.

 Electrolysis provides an effective alternative to individuals with  darker skin and lighter hair who may not benefit as greatly from laser  hair removal. Other differences between laser hair removal and  electrolysis can also influence with treatment is best suited to  individual needs. A specialist can provide specific information on  pricing, expected results, and other factors so potential patients can  understand their options. 

 Virtually any area of the body can be treated, but the most common laser  hair removal areas include the arms, legs, face, neck, back, chest,  feet, armpits, and bikini area.