FAQ
How Are Laser and Electrolysis Different?
Laser hair reduction is different from electrolysis, however, both require a series of treatments over a period of time, partly due to the hair growth cycle. Consistency in treating hairs in the active (anagen) phase of growth is one of the most important factors in achieving permanency with electrolysis or laser hair reduction.
For more information on efficacy and/or advertising of laser hair removal visit the FDA website for consumers at: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/laserfacts.html
The best candidates for laser hair reduction are Fitzpatrick's Skin Type I. Very large areas of white skin (non-exposed to the sun), with dense, dark coarse hair, such as legs, backs, bikini-line or underarms are also areas that respond well.
Lasers use light energy (heat) to target pigment (melanin) in hair follicles to disable them. Laser is ineffective on blonde, gray, white, some types of red hair, and finer pigmented hair because there is little or no melanin in the hair follicle to absorb the heat.
Melodyne, an enzyme spray has been used with a 20% success rate for laser hair reduction on non-pigmented hairs. The spray is used to coat the outside of the hair, used 6-8 times a day, and costs between $50-80 per 8 oz. bottle.
Topical anesthetics can make treatments more tolerable with laser hair reduction, which feels like a hard, rubber band-like snapping sensation.
More information/articles on laser is available at the following websites:
Complications from laser hair reduction (scroll down):
Electrolysis Has Stood the Test of Time
Electrolysis was invented in St. Louis, MO in 1875, by Dr. Charles Michel, an opthalmologist who was experimenting with ways to remove painful ingrown eyelashes from his patients; he had been performing the procedure since 1869. Dr Michel's work was published in St. Louis Clinical Record, October, 1875, 2:145-148. A fine wire, attached to a wet cell battery was inserted into the hair follicle, which produced a small amount of current thus electrolysis was born; the term has become the generic word for permanent hair removal.
Are There Different Methods of Electrolysis?
There are three recognized modalities (methods) of electrolysis:
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Galvanic (direct current, DC) electrolysis - the hair is destroyed by chemical action. Hair follicles are treated 1-3 minutes.
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Thermolysis (high frequency, RF, shortwave) - the hair root is destroyed by heat production. Hair follicles can be treated automatically at higher intensities in split seconds, or manually at lower intensities in several seconds.
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Blend electrolysis - is a combination of the above two modalities where the hair root is destroyed by both heat and chemical action at the same time. Hair follicles are treated from 3-10 seconds.
All three modalities are safe and effective. Your electrologist will choose the modality which is best for you.
How Does It Work?
A trained electrologist inserts a small metal probe (needle) into the hair follicle alongside the hair. A small amount of electrical current is then delivered to the probe by a sensitive electronic device called an epilator. Depending on the technique used, the electric current destroys the hair root either by heat or chemical action and in some cases by both at the same time.
What Factors Will Determine My Electrology Treatments?
Effective treatment involves destruction of stem cells (future hairs) and the matrix with dermal papilla (source cell nourishment), eliminating the treated follicles mechanisms for hair production.
Hair growth results primarily from heredity and/or systemic influences (hormone levels, receptor cell sensitivity, medications, and stress).
 The growth cycle is a primary factor, as a follicle must be producing a hair with the shaft above the skin surface to be treated. Additional considerations for effective treatment may include skin sensitivity, moisture gradient, tolerance hair texture, and previous methods.
Distorted follicles represent a challenge, since inserting a probe and delivering current to the base of a curly or wavy follicle may be more difficult. These follicles occur in black skin, individuals with natural curly or wavy hair, or by repeatedly traumatizing the hair follicle with tweezing or waxing.
The single most important thing to remember is that the areas must be treated consistently, so that the electrologist is treating actively growing hair. In other words, before the hair has become "deeply rooted", and before it has reached its full length. Follicles in the earliest stage of growth, are more fragile and easier to destroy.
Patients will speed the process of electrology treatments by trimming (or shaving if already being done) the hair even with the skin line about 3-4 days before coming in for treatment. This insures that hair getting longer by the appointment time is probably actively growing and getting longer. If hairs are inactive and not growing, they will not seen again, until another hair forms underneath and pushes out the old hair or until shed out with natural grooming and bathing. This minimizes the number of treatments needed in the long term.
During the initial consultation and throughout the treatment the electrologist will discuss the role these factors play in the process. Estimates regarding overall length of treatment may be given only in generalities as each individual circumstance will vary according to these many factors. Published medical data on electrolysis: http://www.hairfacts.com/medpubs/electmed.html
Understanding the nature of hair growth will enable the patient to have reasonable expectations and assist in making the commitment necessary to achieve the desired results.
Support Websites for PCOS Patients/Other Information:
http://www.hormonehelpny.com/
http://www.socrei.org/
What Kind of Sensation Will I Experience During An Electrology Treatment?
 For patients not using anesthetics, some slight stinging may be experienced, especially in very sensitive areas. There should be no sensation of jabbing or poking upon insertion of the needle; it should not feel like an injection! There should not be a sensation of tweezing or plucking after the hair has been treated effectively.
Patients experiencing a "tweezing sensation" after a hair has been treated must make their practitioners aware, since the hair is not detached from the blood supply and will most likely return during its next growth cycle.
Many patients who undergo electrology treatments elect the option of using topical treatments or a prescription for EMLA to reduce the discomfort. The EMLA must be applied 1-2 hours prior to the treatment and will be most effective if covered by an occlusive dressing, either tegaderm or Saran wrap. 
LMX4 is a great option for anesthetic for electrology, is fairly cost effective and easier to apply with less wait time than EMLA. It is sold behind the counter of pharmacies or your electrologist.
Let your electrologist remove the dressing just prior to beginning the treatment, as it will begin to lose its effectiveness after the dressing has been removed.
What Kind of Skin Reaction Can I Expect to Have After an Electrology Treatment?
Some redness and slight swelling, resembling a mosquito bite (or a histamine reaction,) after an electrology treatment is normal and should resolve within a few hours. Some residual redness may last in some individuals up to 48 hours, usually sensitive skin types. Depending on the skin type, moisture gradient and the area treated, occasional crusting may occur, but should flake off within a few days.
Deeper scabbing, especially on the face, and other skin manifestations, such as prolonged redness, pustules, itching, pain or bruising should be reported to your electrologist promptly. It may also be helpful in pinpointing a cause, to note whether the scabbing is round or elongated, and whether it occurred on only one or both sides of the area treated. Although slight scabbing(crusting) is normal in less vascular areas, such as the extremities, deeper scabbing which lasts longer than two weeks should be reported at your next visit.
For Consumer Information on All Types of Hair Removal
I Recommend the Following Website:
www.hairfacts.com
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