Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal treatment. Unwanted body hair has been a problem, particularly for women. Electrolysis offers a solution to this problem. It has gained a lot of popularity in the recent times owing to the advantages it offers. The process works by inserting a very fine needle like probe into every individual hair follicle. It uses shortwave radio frequencies in hair follicles to stop new hair from growing. This damages your hair follicles to prevent growth and causes existing hairs to fall out. However, you’ll need multiple sessions for the best results.
Types of Electroepilation
Depending on the of electrical current used electroepilation is categorised into 3 types.
Mechanism and General Principles
In all electro epilation techniques the needle is inserted into follicular opening down to the level of follicular germinative cells. These along with the dermal papillae are destroyed by passing electric current so as to achieve permanent hair removal.
Following factors play a crucial role in the success of any electro epilation procedure.
This is determined by hair shaft diameter. Thicker hair( larger diameter hair) require deeper needle insertion into the follicle for adequate follicular destruction without scarring . The hair follicle depth varies from 1 to 5 mm being deeper for thicker hair and vice versa .
B) Moisture content of hair follicle
Water is necessary for transmitting electric energy from needle to dermal papillae and hence needle must be inserted up to bottom of hair follicle as this part is wetter than superficial .
C) Intensity and duration of current
High intensity current for short duration or low intensity current for longer duration produces damage to the stem cells of the hair follicle . This will depend on technique of electro epilation used and pain tolerance of patient . Coarse hair require longer treatment than fine hair .
D) Follicular shape
Due to difficulty in placing the needle accurately in the hair follicle, electro epilation is difficult to perform on curly or wavy hair.
E) Anagen vs shape
Follicles only in anagen phase should be treated as telogen hair are thought to be more resistant to damage. Anagen hair is distinguished from telogen by their appearance following shaving few days prior to electro epilation. Shaving the area 2 to 5 days before electrolysis greatly increases efficacy because it ensures that only growing anagen hairs are epilated.
