Electrolysis as a method of hair removal is the only permanent hair removal method that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Medical Association (AMA). If you are searching through Ottawa skin clinics in hopes of finding the best method of permanently getting rid of unwanted facial or body hair, give Dermis Advanced Skin Care in Ottawa a call at 613-233-7546! We can schedule a consultation appointment that will help you to make the most informed decision about what to do with your unwanted body fuzz.
Before you commit yourself to this decision, it is important to know how electrolysis works and how it differs from other methods of hair removal.
First Things First, Here’s How Electrolysis Works
To permanently rid you of unwanted facial or body hair, electrolysis works via the insertion of a fine, metal probe into the hair follicles. Electricity is then used to destroy the follicle, which stops the hair growth process entirely. Because this doesn’t just get rid of the hair that’s already beneath your skin, the loosened hairs are then tweezed out by your technician.
You shouldn’t expect electrolysis to be a fast procedure. In fact, it can take anywhere from fifteen to thirty sessions to achieve the results you want-which is smooth and hairless skin. There are three methods by which electrolysis is performed:
- Galvanic electrolysis – Sodium hydroxide, a chemical that is also present in drain clog removers and soaps, is used to cause severe damage to the follicles to prevent the growth of new hair in unwanted areas.
- Thermolysis, or short-wave diathermy – Radio waves are used to damage and kill the hair follicles.
- A combination of 1 and 2 – This method is most preferred by clients because it provides the same results but requires less time to do so.
How is Electrolysis Different from Other Methods of Hair Removal?
This method of permanent hair removal was first pioneered over one hundred years ago, and through the advancement of technology we have been able to increase its effectiveness and reduce the pain and duration required to undergo this treatment. Unlike laser treatments, which attack the hair pigment-making it better suited for folks with darker hair-electrolysis destroys the hair follicle directly, so anybody can be a candidate for this procedure. If it’s been advised that you avoid laser treatments, electrolysis might be a good alternative.
Electrolysis is Great, but There are Downsides, Too
As wonderful as the benefits of electrolysis are, it is not a solution for everybody who has unwanted hair. While smooth skin might be your goal, you also want to make sure that you can commit yourself to the process to make sure that you get the best results possible. As electrolysis is the most expensive method of hair removal, as well as quite time-consuming, it is not a decision to be made lightly. Our Ottawa clients who are inconsistent in their treatments, of which you may require as many as thirty, may notice that they didn’t quite get the results that they were after when they elected for electrolysis.
Additionally, there are some side-effects that you might not feel comfortable with. Reddened and irritated skin are common issues, though they usually go away after a few short days. Individuals with sensitive skin might want to take extra consideration before deciding on this particular hair removal treatment. If you have a low tolerance for pain, you might want to consult your technician about using a topical anesthetic to reduce the discomfort caused by the stinging and pricking sensations that are signature to this process.
If you have been an avid tweezer up until now, there is also a chance that electrolysis will not damage all of the hair follicles. Tweezing causes bends to occur within the follicles, which makes it difficult for electrolysis to damage them.
If you’re in Ottawa and unsure of whether this treatment plan is right for you, schedule a consultation at our Ottawa skin clinic and we will walk you through it!
If you’ve decided that electrolysis is the path that you want to take in order to get rid of pesky and unwanted hair, schedule your first appointment by calling 613-233-7546!
