More Information on Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the ONLY PERMANENT METHOD of hair removal.
Electrolysis performed by a conscientious Electrologist with precision will permanently remove unwanted hairs. The procedure involves inserting a fine probe into the natural opening of the hair follicle, alongside the unwanted hair. A current is released destroying the growth cells of the hair preventing that follicle from reproducing another hair. After treatment the hair is removed gently with forceps.
Electrolysis was invented in 1875 by an ophthalmologist, Dr. Charles Michel, of St. Louis, Missouri. Some of his patients were suffering from painful ingrown eyelashes. He discovered that inserting a probe into the hair follicle and releasing an electrical charge destroyed the growth cells in the hair follicle preventing the reproduction of more hairs from that treated follicle.
Dr. Michel realized that his technique could be used on most areas of the body where women and men had unwanted hair.
Many years of research and technical improvements have brought us to where electrolysis is today.
Today ELECTROLYSIS is the only process for PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL to be ACCEPTED by the U.S.A. Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.).
There are three different modalities of electrolysis practiced today. The three modalities referred to as electrolysis are Electrolysis, Thermolysis and The Blend. Today the latter two modalities are the most commonly used.
Electrolysis: Electrolysis is the original form of electrolysis and the source in which the other modalities continue to use its name. The Galvanic Current (direct current) creates lye in the follicle. The lye destroys the target area by chemical decomposition. The chemical actions occur when the galvanic current comes in contact with the body fluids found in the follicle.
Thermolysis: Thermolysis uses the Short Wave Current (also known as alternating current or high frequency current). Heat is created in the follicle and coagulation destroys the target area.
The Blend: The Blend combines the use of both electrolysis (direct) and thermolysis (alternating) currents simultaneously or sequentially, to destroy the target area, by coagulation and chemical reaction.
All three modalities are equally effective and will produce permanent results when treatments are obtained by a qualified and conscientious electrologist.
What is the electrolysis procedure?
An electrologist gently slides a disposable sterilized fine probe approximately the diameter of the hair into the natural opening of the hair follicle alongside the unwanted hair. Once the probe is in place at the target area of the hair follicle, a current is released. The current, a minute pulse of electrical energy is released through the probe destroying the growth cells preventing that follicle from producing another hair.
Is Electrolysis really permanent?
Electrolysis has been proven to be the only safe, permanent method for over 125 years. It is the only method of hair removal recommended by FDA as being PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL.
Laser has been approved by the FDA as having permanent hair REDUCTION status, which means a particular laser must achieve a 20% reduction in hair growth or hair texture to receive this rating.
Consumers should be leery when an advertisement sounds too good to be true. Many products advertise give you the impression that they too are permanent. Some use misleading terms such as "the most effective method of hair removal" or "like electrolysis without the needle etc". Other advertisements actually use the word "permanent" in them and will continue to do so until someone complains. If you see a misleading advertisement you may contact the Director of Investigation and Research on a complaint concerning information distributed orally, by pamphlet, newspaper or by other means. Your may send your concerns with a copy of the ad or information orally presented to you via phone or radio.
Send Info. to:
The Information Centre Competition Bureau Industry Canada
50 Victoria St.
Hull, Quebec, K1A 0C9
Toll free: 1-800-348-5358
Fax: 1-819-997-0324
E-mail: compbureau@ic.gc.ca (click on publication, then enforcement guidelines, then misleading advertising guidelines)
You should not feel the insertion of the probe into the natural opening of the hair follicle. Once the probe is in place the current will be released, your tolerance level and the area being treated will determine the sensation. A sample treatment will be performed during the consultation so you will know how it feels to you. Clients with low pain thresholds now have options to make the treatments more comfortable.
The probe is gently positioned into the natural opening of the unwanted hair follicle. When the probe is in place at the target area the current is released destroying the hair growth cells preventing that follicle from reproducing another hair. The individual and area being treated determine the current sensation. The current is a minute burst of electricity causing a warm sensation. The current will be adjusted to the texture of the hair, the area being treated and the comfort level of the client. Individuals have different levels of pain threshold and certainly some areas are more sensitive then others, that's why we offer a FREE sample treatment during our FREE consultation. If a client finds the treatment sensitive there are options to make the treatments virtually painless.
The first option is used primarily on the upper lip area. Your dentist or a dentist located nearby will freeze your upper lip, for a small fee prior to your electrolysis treatment. We usually recommend that you extend your treatment time for electrolysis since you will be frozen for at least one hour. Many clients that find electrolysis sensitive or are nervous find this solution wonderful because they can relax during the electrolysis treatment and get the area cleared up faster and completely painless.
The second option is applying Emla prior to the electrolysis treatment. Emla is purchased by the client from the pharmacy, no prescription is required. The client applies the Emla on the area to be treated one hour prior to the treatment time, covers and seals the area with an occlusive dressing or plastic wrap and tape. The electrologist will remove the dressing once starting the treatment. Emla reduces the sensation between 50% to 100% if applied properly.
How many treatments will I need?
The length of appointment and the number of treatments necessary will vary with each client. Many factors will determine how many treatments you will need, eg. your ethnic background, hair texture, density, the area being treated and temporary methods previously used.
An approximate time of treatment will be given at the initial consultation.
The amount of treatments and the length of treatment times will vary with each person and area to be treated. The larger the area and the more density the hair growth the longer the treatments should be.
The time the client has available the tolerance level and the financial resources available are all taken into consideration.
The experience and skill of the electrologist and the technology used by the electrologist may also determine the number of treatments needed. The gender, ethnic origin and age as well as the hairs coarseness and whether the hair is straight or curly are all deciding factors on the number of treatments needed. Previous methods of temporary hair removal used and the cause of hair growth will also affect the number of treatments required.
How expensive is electrolysis?
Electrolysis treatments are charged by the length of time. Most treatments are l5 or 30 minutes long. The size and density of the area to be treated will determine your cost. Most clients are pleasantly surprised at how affordable electrolysis is. Remember that electrolysis is a lifetime investment, and is the ONLY permanent method of hair removal.
Most electrolysis clients are interested in removing unwanted hair on small areas such as upper lip, eyebrows and chin. Usually we can treat those areas in l5 minute treatments. Although we do treat most areas on the body including larger areas such as legs and backs which need longer treatment times, usually we recommend one hour treatments. Caress Electrolysis Ltd. offers two packages to help reduce the price for those clients who need many treatments or need longer treatments.
Most areas where women and men have unwanted hair may be treated successfully with electrolysis. The most commonly treated areas on women are their face, upper lip, chin, eyebrows and bikini lines. For men the most common areas treated are eyebrows, ears and backs.
The most common areas treated by electrolysis for women on their face are the upper lip, chin/neck, sides and brows. It is not unusual to treat body areas on women such as the bikini line, underarms, tummy, chest and breast. Also unwanted hairs on areas such as fingers, toes, arms, backs, nape, forehead, buttocks and legs have been successfully removed by electrolysis treatments. Your electrologist is a professional and takes her job seriously, if you have a problem area not listed above please ask your electrologist if that particular area may be treated by electrolysis.
The usual areas treated on men with electrolysis are the eyebrows, cheekbones, ears, nostrils and neck. The common body areas men want treated are shoulders and backs.
Unwanted hair growth is usually caused by three general categories. Congenital, genetic hair patterns we come into the world with. Systemic, caused by hormonal changes and glandular problems. Topical, caused by temporary methods of hair removal such as tweezing and irritation to the skin stimulating hair growth.
Congenital patterns are what we come into the world with. They are preestablished patterns for hair growth that we inherit from our parents whose own genetic structures combine to shape ours. It will determine the colour, quantity and type of hair we will have.
Topical causes are the body's way of defending the epidermis from irritation. Sustained irritation almost always stimulates hairs in the immediate vicinity to grow deeper and coarser, by creating a mat of hair that covers the skin and protects against irritation. Whenever there is irritation there is an increase in blood supply that reaches the hair follicles giving that hair more nourishment usually producing a stronger hair. Continuous tweezing and waxing is such an irritant causing the hair to regrow darker, stronger and coarser. Moles and scars also have an increase of capillaries nourishing them therefore increasing the hairs nourishment in that particular area producing more noticeable hairs in that region.
Systemic causes abnormal hair growth which is directly associated with the endocrine system. Disease, cyst, malfunction of glands and illness can adversely effect the production of hormones resulting in the growth of superfluous hair. Some surgical procedures like hysterectomies and medication such as steroids and birth control pills may affect the hormone balance producing unwanted hair.
Is there any risk to having electrolysis?
For most healthy people there is absolutely no health risk. Electrolysis has been performed safely for over 100 years to many satisfied clients. The electrologist will review your health history, medications currently prescribed and concerns during the consultation.
Clients that have a pacemaker device should definitely not undergo electrolysis treatments. Diabetics or anyone with a serious health problem should discuss with their physician before beginning electrolysis treatments. A doctor's note is necessary before beginning treatments on diabetics and on all moles. Electrolysis using the thermolysis mode is safe to use on pregnant women.
How do I select an Electrologist?
Very carefully. In Canada an electrologist may practice without any training or diploma. Take the time to investigate an electrologist and educate yourself. Start by booking a consultation, visiting the office allows you to observe the cleanliness of the clinic, privacy and any other concerns you may have. The electrologist you choose will determine how successful your electrolysis treatments will be.
Take the time to investigate an electrologist as you would a physician. As a consumer you must educate yourself before making a decision about electrolysis. Calling an office for information isn't sufficient, you won't be able to inspect the establishment. Make an appointment for a consultation, most clinics offer free consultations and sample treatments. Immediately entering the clinic you should notice the cleanliness and the professional manner in which the clinic is operated.
A consultation should be given to all new clients before starting electrolysis allowing you to make an informed decision. During the consultation all your questions will be answered and a sample treatment received so you will know what to expect of the treatments. The electrologist MUST use disposable needles and a new pair of disposable gloves with each client. The forceps must be individually packaged and sterilized in a dry heat sterilizer or an autoclave. Glass bead sterilizers are NOT acceptable according to Health Canada. Disposable or laundered towels should be place under a client if bare skin comes in contact with the lounge bed. Alcohol and creams should be in a container that does not allow cross contamination. New cotton swabs should be used every time it comes in contact with a container to prevent the spread of germs.
The use of microscopes is a recent technology used in electrolysis allowing the operator a superior view of the follicle. The cost of this technology is very expensive therefore you will only see the use of microscopes in well-established, successful upscale offices. The magnification and light source during epilating leave no doubt that this piece of equipment in absolutely necessary to have comfortable treatments and the best results.
Electrolysis effectiveness is determined by the skill, expertise and precision of the electrologist performing the procedure.
Electrolysis prices are usually competitive. Remember there are costs to maintain infections control procedures, updating equipment, maintaining the equipment and premises. Also the electrologist must keep educating herself with new procedures information, and equipment.
The electrologist's at Caress Electrolysis Ltd. are very conscientious and have many years of experience.
What are your sterilization procedures?
At Caress Electrolysis Ltd. we take stringent sterilization and sanitation procedures seriously. We always use a new sterile disposable needle on each client disposing of it appropriately after one use. Forceps are sterilized after each use in an autoclave to prevent any cross contamination. The electrologist must wear a new pair of disposable gloves for each client.
Today sterilization and sanitation procedures must be enforced. Caress Electrolysis Ltd. is a member of Canadian electrolysis organizations and the Canadian Organization of Professional Electrologist that have approach the Government of Canada's Health Department to help us enforce the use of single use sterile disposable needles, autoclaves or dry heat sterilizers and disposable gloves in our profession. To become a member of COPE, sterile disposable needles and stringent sterilization procedures must be observed. A new sterile disposable needle must be used with each client, disposing of it in a puncture proof container after a one-time use. Forceps must be sterilized in individual packages in an autoclave or dry heat sterilizer between each use. A new pair of disposable gloves must be use with each new client. Laundered or disposable towels must be placed under each client when their skin may come into contact with the lounge.
What questions should I ask during the consultation?
After a thorough consultation, you should be able to ask any questions concerning the procedure. The electrologist will answer all of your concerns and give you an estimate on how long the procedure will take.
1. Do you use disposable needles and sterilize your forceps?
Sterilized needles, disposed after each treatment is the ONLY acceptable answer. Forceps must be sterilized with an autoclave or dry heat sterilizer before reusing and a new pair of disposable gloves must be used with each client. A sharps container must be used to safely store the used needles. A laboratory report should also be visible to verify that sterilization is an ongoing procedure and the equipment is in good working order.
2. Where and when did you graduate in electrolysis?
In Canada an electrologist may practice electrolysis without any training or diploma. A certificate should be displayed at the office. Also ask if she is continuing her education and training through seminars and workshops. An electrologist should also be affiliated with an organized electrolysis organization to keep her abreast of upcoming training seminars, new procedures and techniques in our field. Caress Electrolysis Ltd. is a member of COPE, Canadian Organization of Professional Electrologist's.
3. What are the business hours and cost of the treatment?
The business hours, costs and length of the treatments should be discussed to allow you to continue through the entire treatment at a comfortable affordable rate suited to your financial resources and time schedule.
4. Is your equipment modern?
The equipment should be updated and in good repair. The use of a microscope and its light source is a much superior method to view the follicle over the older magnifying glass that was widely used in the past. The microscope makes the insertion more comfortable to the client resulting in better and faster results with electrolysis.
