How does it work?
About electrolysis
Electrolysis is completely safe and one of the only FDA approved and British Medical Council methods to permanently get rid of hair. It dates all the way back to the 1800s in fact! It is a progressive treatment that causes hair to get weaker and weaker until it either becomes so fine it is not a concern or stops growing.
At Zahra, we use 2 electrolysis techniques:
Thermolysis destroys the follicle through heat, generated by friction from the alternating current used. It works faster than blend electrolysis, taking less than a second per hair.
Blend kills the hair follicle by a chemical process instead of heat. Your skin contains salty water, and when a direct current is applied, a tiny chemical reaction happens causing lye to form destroying the follicle. It takes longer than thermolysis at about 8-12 seconds per hair. It is mostly used for stubborn hairs and those that have distorted follicles.
Hair removal method
During the procedure, a fine probe, comparable in thickness to your hair, is delicately inserted into the hair follicle. This step causes very minimal sensation and discomfort. Upon positioning the probe's tip at the base of the follicle, the electrolysist initiates a process that generates a gentle, warm sensation. This application of heat effectively disrupts the micro-blood circulation surrounding the hair and targets the germinative cells within the follicle. The hair is then carefully removed. Each follicle is treated individually.
Diagram of a probe entering a hair follicle.
Who can have Electrolysis?
Anyone who has unwanted hair growth is able to have electrolysis. It can be treated on all hairs regardless of how thick the hair is or the colour. It works on all skin and hair types and all parts of the body including the face, arms, hands, feet, leg, back, abdomen, intimate areas and more.
Many people with hormonal imbalances such as PCOS or those who are transitioning or pre-GRS have electrolysis. It may be that we have to work with your doctor or consultant to ensure it meets your future needs.
For treatment to be successful, you will need to attend regular appointments. The more often you can attend, the quicker the results can show.
Is it painful?
Individual tolerance levels can vary significantly. Factors such as hair thickness, required current intensity, and personal sensation threshold play crucial roles. For instance, while one individual may tolerate treatment for 15 minutes, another may endure six hours under the same settings.
During your consultation, we conduct a patch test to determine the appropriate settings and assess your skin's reaction to treatment. This process not only allows us to tailor the treatment to your needs but also provides an opportunity for you to gauge your comfort level with the procedure. Rest assured, any adjustments in current intensity are made gradually to ensure your comfort and adaptation to the treatment.
Electrolysis equipment
I use the top of the market Apilus Xcell Pur to complete your electrolysis treatments. It is the finest electrolysis machine in the UK and ensures client comfort. It is world renowned as the safest, most advanced and effective electrolysis machine. This means quicker results for you with shorter treatment times and fewer appointments.
Each treatment has one use sterile probes which are loaded in your presence, single use gloves and equipment used.
For cleaning, I use a top of the line Class B Autoclave - the Enbio. This is the only method that ensures full effectiveness and safety of sterilisation.