What are the permanent side effects of electrolysis?

Author: Prof. Ashtyn Klein II  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Electrolysis can treat most areas, including the eyebrows, face, abdomen, thighs, breasts, and legs. Typically, there are no long-term side effects, though a temporary, slight reddening of the skin may occur.

Can electrolysis cause permanent damage?

Electrolysis has been approved by the FDA and has a proven track record of being a safe and effective procedure for permanent hair removal. However, electrolysis carried out by inexperienced individuals and using uncertified equipment is unsafe and carries risks of permanent skin damage, including scarring.

What are the negatives of electrolysis hair removal?

Electrolysis Cons
  • It is very expensive – treating just the size of your upper lip can cost around $1,000.
  • It's a time-consuming procedure requiring multiple sessions.
  • Skin discoloration is a possibility. ...
  • It can be very painful.
  • It is not recommended for people with rosacea since the skin is so easily irritated.

What happens when you stop electrolysis?

Some hairs will grow back after electrolysis. However, as you undergo more and more sessions, the number of hairs that grow back each time decreases. If the hair doesn't regrow after more than three months, it will never come back again.

What is the main disadvantage of electrolysis?

It's good for sensitive areas of the body, like the face or bikini line. The main disadvantage to electrolysis is the length of time needed to achieve permanent hair removal.

UPDATE 1: FACIAL HAIR ELECTROLYSIS VS LASER HAIR REMOVAL | PCOS

Why is electrolysis not popular?

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.

What does your face look like after electrolysis?

The most common side effects after an electrolysis session are slight redness, tenderness, and swelling. These are all temporary side effects. Don't apply anything to your skin unless specifically instructed to do so.

Who should avoid electrolysis?

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.

Why does hair keep growing back after electrolysis?

This regrowth is known as false regrowth because the hair wasn't treated initially. Incomplete Follicle Destruction: In some cases, the hair follicle might not be fully destroyed during treatment. This leads to true regrowth, where the follicle can still produce new hair.

Where is the most painful area for electrolysis?

Does Electrolysis Hurt?
  • Upper Lip: This is a very sensitive area due to the number of nerve endings here. ...
  • Cheeks, Jaw and Chin: These areas are typically a mild to medium level of painful. ...
  • Neck: This area is sensitive for many clients because the skin is thin here and the throat is tender.

Does electrolysis damage collagen?

In order to be effective a big enough current has to be passed into the client. The problem is that it also coagulates the lovely soft collagen. This is why you sometimes see women who have had electrolysis with upper lips that look horrible with thick lines that can be read by a barcoder.

Which is more expensive, laser or electrolysis?

The cost for electrolysis and laser hair removal varies depending on the provider, size of treated areas, and amount of sessions. However, laser hair removal is typically more affordable than electrolysis.

Can electrolysis affect the heart?

For men and women electrolysis is usually a safe and permanent process of hair removal. However, it is should not be used for patients with pacemakers because it can interrupt the electronics to cause potentially dangerous heart rhythms.

What is bad about electrolysis?

Most side effects of electrolysis are mild but may include redness, swelling, blisters, scabs, dryness, and ingrown hairs. The commonest complication of the electrolysis is the skin edema. After treatment, your skin may be red, swollen (inflamed), and tender. These are temporary side effects.

How expensive is electrolysis hair removal?

Electrolysis Cost

For a full body treatment, you're looking at roughly $35 to $100 per hour. Because each hair is treated one at a time, it takes many sessions. You might spend 15 to 30 hours in total. This means the full cost could be anywhere from $525 to $3,000.

What are the black dots after electrolysis?

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.

What happens if I pluck between electrolysis?

Any method that requires to pull the hair from the root will slow down your progress. The hair may not be visible on your next visit for the electrologist to treat it so it will take longer to finish, plus pulling will also stimulate more hair growth in that area and will therefore be a step back in your treatment.

How common is scarring from electrolysis?

You can readily find claims online that scarring from electrolysis is exceedingly rare.

How much does electrolysis cost for white hair removal?

Things like, if it is full body electrolysis hair removal or just a part thereof, the volume of hair to be removed, the number of sessions required, etc. affect the total cost. The price for this treatment varies from INR 2,500 to INR 4,000 per session.

Why isn t electrolysis more popular?

A common reason people don't prefer electrolysis is that the process takes a lot more time. Compared to laser therapy, which targets a large area at once, electrolysis involves eliminating one hair follicle at a time. Because of this, it can be challenging to book long appointments.

What age is best for electrolysis?

At What Age Can Teens Get Electrolysis? Many clients ask us what is the earliest age a teen can get electrolysis treatments. Girls and boys as young as 12 years old are acceptable candidates for electrolysis treatments. The most important factor is whether or not their body or facial hair is done growing in.

Can you get electrolysis on pubic hair?

MtF genital electrolysis is a pubic hair removal process and is the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal.

Is electrolysis good for the upper lip?

If you're dealing with light hair or need precision for areas like your upper lip or eyebrows, electrolysis is a great option. It's perfect if you're after a permanent fix and don't mind committing to multiple sessions, offering lasting results for all hair and skin types.

How can I speed up electrolysis healing?

Here are some of the best ways to heal after electrolysis hair removal:
  1. Apply an antiseptic cream or lotion: Applying an antiseptic cream or lotion can help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. ...
  2. Avoid using makeup: ...
  3. Cleanse regularly: ...
  4. Ice packs: ...
  5. Drink plenty of water:

How many sessions of electrolysis chin?

“On average, between 10 and 14 treatments are needed for extensive electrolysis in a particular area,” says Green. Each electrolysis session is typically done every four to six weeks. Therefore, the completion of electrolysis treatments can take a minimum of one year.

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