The electrolysis hair removal treatment time varies depending on the area being treated and the number of treatments required. For example, electrolysis for chin hair may take 15 minutes per session, while electrolysis for upper lip hair may take 30 minutes per session.
Electrolysis doesn't typically cause too much discomfort. You may feel a slight tingling.
If you're tired of the daily upkeep through shaving, and you're ready for something better, electrolysis is the only 100% permanent form of hair removal recognized by the FDA, and it works great for hormonal hair growth due to conditions like PCOS.
Key Takeaways: The number of sessions needed will depend on how strong the client's hair follicles are. Typically, clients will need to come in for 10-14 sessions before the full electrolysis results will kick in.
Generally, clients need about two to six laser treatments in order to completely get rid of hair. You can expect to see about a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after your first treatment. As you continue your treatments, more and more hair will fall out, and you'll notice that it continues to grow back more slowly.
Let your hair grow out to 1/8” or 2mm, and shave 2,3 days before your appointment. We need enough length to be able to grab the hair with tweezers. Please don't let the hair be very long. If the hair is too long slows us down during the treatment.
Hair may take a few weeks to fall out after laser treatment. During this period, the damaged hair moves through layers of the skin and sheds. Dr. Soni may recommend gentle exfoliation techniques to expedite the shedding process, ensuring you get the most out of your personalized care plan.
Electrolysis Cons
It's a time-consuming procedure requiring multiple sessions. Skin discoloration is a possibility. The electricity in the device can actually destroy the capillaries in the surrounding areas. It can be very painful.
Fine blood scabs are a normal post reaction response to the treatment, especially in the initial stages of having electrolysis. The fine blood scabs develop by the dry cauterized blood in the base of the follicle rising up through the follicle.
Electrolysis can permanently remove unwanted hair. Once your hair is gone, you won't need maintenance treatments. It works on all hair types, including light-colored hairs, which lasers cannot remove. There's no downtime.
Please note: Most insurance companies require a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria to qualify for electrolysis coverage. There are also some insurance companies allowing a medical diagnosis of PCOS (hormonal disorder related) to qualify for electrolysis coverage.
Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) can get rid of chin hair with more long-lasting results. This method targets melanin in the hair and works best if you have light skin and dark hair.
On average, electrolysis facial hair removal can cost anywhere from $25 and $75 per session at Laser by Aleya. While laser hair removal prices vary by treatment area, electrolysis is priced based on time, as the procedure is labor-intensive and traditionally billed this way.
Redness and swelling
Since electrolysis permanent hair removal involves inserting a tiny needle into each individual hair follicle over the treated area, it is not uncommon to experience some redness and swelling of the treated skin region.
Electrolysis is not as popular as laser hair removal for a few reasons: Longer Treatment Time: As mentioned, treating each hair follicle individually makes electrolysis take much longer. Laser hair removal often takes 10 minutes or less for smaller areas.
Today's galvanic electrolysis machines are highly automated and run up to 32 probes consecutively allowing a good clinician to successfully treat up to 200 hairs per hour.
The total number of sessions needed to remove hair permanently from a particular area will vary from person to person. On average, it takes around 12 months to complete 8 to 12 electrolysis sessions. However, the duration may range from 8 months up to 2 years in certain cases.
According to consultant dermatologist Dr. Nick Lowe 'this is a big problem with electrolysis. We [dermatologists] often see tiny little punched out scars, medically called pinhead atrophic scars, which may occur early on or sometimes years later. Although they are small, they can be quite deep.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments: If you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, electrolysis is not recommended. These treatments weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infection. Pregnant women: Electrolysis is not recommended during pregnancy.
The increased melanin causes the affected areas to appear darker than the surrounding skin. Hyperpigmentation can appear as small, dark spots that are usually temporary and fade over time. In some cases, it may take several months for the pigmentation to fade completely.
If you saw a less than stellar result on your last treatments it could have been due to not being in the hair growth stage in the cycle during time of procedure. Hormonal imbalance while undergoing laser treatments can stimulate increased hair regrowth.
Chin: Similar to the upper lip, the chin area usually needs 6-8 sessions. Sideburns: This area often responds well to treatment, and 6-8 sessions are typically sufficient. Full Face: A full-face treatment may require more sessions, usually around 8-10, to target all hair growth areas.
Exfoliate gently: Two to three days after your treatment, start gentle exfoliation to help remove dead skin cells and expedite hair shedding. Use a soft washcloth or an exfoliating scrub designed for sensitive skin.