Frequently Asked Questions

+ What is electrolysis?

Electrolysis is a method of removing individual hairs from the body permanently. Regardless of the cause - heredity, metabolic or hormonal conditions - electrolysis will permanently remove unwanted hair to reveal a glowing, confident you. source: American Electrology Association

+ How does electrolysis work?

A professional electrologist inserts a very fine probe {usually the size of the hair being treated} into the natural opening of the hair follicle alongside the hair shaft. A tiny amount of electrical current is then applied to create a chemical or heat energy reaction to destroy the hair growth cells.
source: American Electrology Association

+ What are modalities?

Medical electrolysis devices can destroy the hair growth cells with chemical energy, heat energy, or both. The method chosen by the electrologist is called the modality. There are three modalities in current use:

• Galvanic is a chemical process. A DC (direct) current passes through the needle charging the moisture (H2O) and salt (NaCl) naturally found in the follicle causing a chemical reaction. This chemical reaction produces sodium hydroxide (lye). The lye destroys the hair follicle by chemical decomposition.

• Thermolysis produces heat (aka short-wave). The AC (alternating) current passing through the probe causes vibration in the water molecules surrounding the hair follicle which produces heat that destroys the hair growth cells in the follicle. A higher intensity current can be applied for less time in the follicle, or current can be used at lower intensity with longer timing.

• The Blend Method combines the benefits of galvanic current with thermolysis current. A DC current is passed through the probe, producing lye, which is then heated up by the AC current. The heat spreads the lye around the follicle, ensuring proper damage to the hair follicle tissue. This is faster than Galvanic alone, but still more time consuming than Thermolysis. This combination has been found to be more effective in the rate of hair destruction over time.

All three modalities are effective and the electrologist usually selects the one with which they are most familiar. However, an electrologist who is used to working with Thermolysis may choose to use Blend or Galvanic if their client has coarse, curly, or wavy hairs and or a low-pain threshold when receiving Thermolysis alone. source: American Electrology Association + Zap Electrolysis

+ Will my hair ever grow back after electrolysis?

Electrolysis is the ONLY FDA APPROVED method for PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL, which means your hair will not grow back after the completion of your treatment plan. The following hair removal methods are not legally allowed to claim permanent results. They can only guarantee hair reduction.

1. Lasering (Hair regrowth rates vary from person-to-person)
2. Epilating (Lasts 1-3 weeks)
3. Waxing (Lasts 2-3 weeks)
4. Tweezing (Lasts 2-3 weeks)
5. Shaving (Lasts 1-3 days)
6. Threading (Lasts 1-3 days)
7. Sugaring (Lasts 2-3 weeks)
8. Depilatory Creams (Lasts 1-3 days)

+ How many treatments will I need?

Everyone’s hair removal story is unique because there are many factors influencing your success rate including:

1. Hair Density + Texture
2. Hair Growth Phase »
3. Pain Threshold
4. Hydration
5. Modality of Electricity
6. Machine Settings
7. Skin Sensitivity Characteristics »
8. Other Hair Removal Methods »
9. Hormone Function »
10. Medications »

Your electrologist will design a treatment plan for you depending on these factors and if you follow it, your hair should be gone for good in 12-24 months. It's important to remember not to compare your progress with others, because this can discourage you and diminish your own success metrics without the consideration of how everyone responds differently under different conditions.

+ Is electrolysis safe?

Electrolysis is safe for all skin and hair types, and for people of all ages and ethnicities. It’s even safe for tattoos. However, it is important to alert your electrolysis of all current and past health conditions because special attention must be paid to some including, but not limited to: diabetes, pregnancy », pacemakers, and allergies to certain metals, latex and medications ». Remember, it’s important to be completely honest when completing health forms whether visiting a medical provider or esthetician.

+ Isn’t laser faster and cheaper than electrolysis?

Faster? … Laser is not FDA approved as a permanent form of hair removal because it does NOT destroy the hair follicle which is the only way to truly stop hair from growing. While laser is very effective for some, this claim is most likely being made by those with light skin and dark hair because it works best when there is significant contrast between foreground (hair) and background (skin).

Even among those who claim its success, scientists state that the hair follicles have not been destroyed but have rather given up from growing back by going dormant. Therefore, it’s possible for those hairs to begin growing again in the future. Of course, you will never know if they will until they do, so you have to decide for yourself if it's worth the discomfort, or financial & time commitments today not knowing if it will last forever.

As explained, since there needs to be great contrast between the skin and the hair for Laser to provide great results, laser does NOT work well on grey hair, red hair, blonde hair, nor people with darker skin and brown to black hair. Electrolysis is still the best option for permanent results given these hairs and skin types. Also, people with tattoos can't get laser performed over the inked skin or they will burn thus having to rely on other hair removal methods » for the area. While most other methods are safe for tattoos, electrolysis is the only one that can destroy the hair permanently.

There is increasing conversations around the safety of laser on the face. EBL does not claim to be an expert on this matter so, we highly encourage you to do your own research and check with your physician before getting Laser, especially if you are considering face treatments. However, everyone has a light coating of fine, soft (vellus) hairs on the body, and Laser has been known to stimulate their growth. When this happens, these hairs become terminal (go through the hair phases discussd), thus becoming dark, coarse hairs not previously evident in any given area. This is called paradoxical hypertrichosis »

Cheaper? … Individual treatments for laser are pricier than they are for electrolysis but laser covers more surface area in a single session. So, depending on how responsive the client is to laser without needing unforeseen repeat visits, the price can average out to be about the same by the end of a treatment plan. The challenge is, laser can stimulate new hair not previously visible to thicken and grow which then forces the client to seek other hair removal options. In this case, laser has not only cost the client money for a service that did not work, it also added more hair that the client will have to pay to remove using a different method. Electrolysis does NOT stimulate new hair growth. We recommend you consult your physician before beginning hair removal treatments.

More about Laser Hair Removal »

+ Can I wax between electrolysis treatments?

NO! Waxing, tweezing, threading and sugaring are highly discouraged because they not only cause ingrown hairs, but they also they rip the hair from the root.

When hair is pulled from the root, the body classifies it as an injury and immediately kicks into protect and repair mode triggering all the body functions necessary to repair the area and regrow the hair. As a result, the hair most likely would not have grown long enough to treat effectively by the next time you visit your electrologist because an electrologist can’t remove what they can’t see. The body's repairing process also triggers thicker, deeper hair growth making it harder to destroy the entire follicle in a single session, thus slowing down the electrolysis process.

Instead, try shaving, clipping, bleaching, or depilatories between appointments, but remember to allow enough time for the hair to grow long enough so your electrologist can see it. Learn more about other hair removal methods »

+ Does electrolysis hurt?

There is no easy way of saying this so yes, there will be some discomfort. Of course, pain tolerance varies from person-to-person, but everyone usually experiences some degree of discomfort in the form of a small shock, a heat tingling sensation, or both. Rest assured there are techniques used by the electrologist that can help reduce this discomfort by adjusting the machine settings, using a different electrolysis modality and by helping you keep your mind off of it.

There are over-the-counter numbing creams that can reduce pain and you can also ask your physician to prescribe a slightly stronger one. You can also take a pain-relieving tablet to take off the edge, but take only as directed on the label.

+ Can you tell me more about the needle you use?

Electrologists do not use a needle. They use what is called a probe. A needle is hollow inside in order to allow blood to transfer from the body and therefore must be larger in diameter than a probe. A probe is only as large as the size of the hair it’s removing and is significantly shorter than a needle because it only needs to penetrate the skin, never beyond it. Check out this blog post » on probes to learn more.

+ Does electrolysis leave a scar?

There is a small risk of scarring when administering an electrical current though a probe inserted in the skin. This is why it is important to go to a licensed and or certified professional electrologist who knows how to select the best modality for your hair type, select the proper machine settings, make an accurate insertion, and knows how to prevent overtreatment and hyperpigmentation. It is also important to be honest on your health assessment form, especially if you're prone to conditions like keloids.

+ Is electrolysis safe for tattoos?

Absolutely! In fact, many clients with tattoos who get laser treatments go to an electrologist to remove the hair covering their tattoo because a laser would otherwise burn the skin.

+ Can I get electrolysis if I am pregnant?

There are two types of currents used in electrolysis, Thermolysis (AC) and Galvanic (DC). Galvanic passes a current through the body which is then returned to the device, and since the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby acts as a conductor of electricity, in the very least, galvanic current should be completely avoided during pregnancy.

However, there aren't any studies that validate the safety of either method so EBL recommends avoiding electrolysis while pregnant. If you do choose to get electrolysis, consult your physician first.