What is Electrolysis?
Electrolysis can be used for the permanent removal of unwanted hair – most commonly on small areas like the face.
Electrolysis Treatments
The treatment involves the insertion of a very fine probe, around the thickness of a hair, into the hair follicle. The insertion of this probe is not generally felt as the hair follicle is a natural opening in the skin – the probe is passed into the follicle and therefore does not pierce the skin. Heat is passed through the probe to cauterise the hair at the root. The heat pulse from the electrolysis probe cauterises the connection between the hair bulb and the dermal papilla, thus stopping all fresh blood supply to the bulb, preventing any new hairs growing. The hair is then removed.
What are the stages?
This process requires the hair to be in the ‘growing stage’ (there are 3 stages in the hair growth cycle, growing, transitional and dormant). As there are only a proportion of hairs in the growing stage at any point in time (and the growth cycles are of different lengths on varying parts of the body), a course of treatments is necessary to effectively achieve a permanent removal, however there will be a constant, gradual decrease in the growth of the hair during the course. The amount of treatment required to achieve permanent removal of the hair differs with each person, so we offer a consultation free of charge and without obligation – just a chance to have electrolysis explained in detail.
Is Electrolysis painful?
Electrolysis is generally mildly uncomfortable rather than painful. There may be more discomfort in sensitive areas like just under the nose on the top lip but at Body Matters we are very careful to be as gentle as possible and work with you to give you the most comfortable treatment possible. Following the treatment you will experience a feeling of warmth in the area for a short time along with some redness. The time it takes for the redness to go is dependant on your skin’s sensitivity and generally lasts anything from 10 minutes to a day. We apply a special soothing cream after treatment which can also be purchased for home use.