Frequently Asked Questions about Electrolysis

How much does it cost?
Your cost is based on the number of hairs to be removed and whether or not the hairs had been removed previously with a temporary method. Electrologists usually charge a fee based on increments of time. In order to determine an approximate cost, the electrologist must be able to tell you that the work will require 15 minutes, 30 minutes, etc. You should then ask for an approximate schedule of treatments. Treatments usually are given once a week for 4-6 weeks, then once every two weeks for 8-10 weeks, etc. You then calculate your cost this way: Time multiplied by frequency = cost of treatment for first month, time multiplied by frequency = cost of treatment for second month, etc. The cost should decrease for each month you are in treatment. Other factors may complicate your situation, especially if the hair has been removed temporarily for a long time. Never, ever, choose an electrologist because the rate is low. There may be more time involved that will end up costing unnecessary dollars. For example, if one electrologist charges $25 per 15-minute session and she can remove all the hairs in 15 minutes, your cost would be $25. Another electrologist may only charge $20 for a 15 minute session but if it takes her 30 minutes to do the same removal of all hairs, then your cost is going to be $40. It pays to get more than one opinion, always.

Does it hurt?
It is not without sensation, however the procedure should not be duly uncomfortable for you. Your skin is equipped with tiny sensors that will tell you if something is not correct about the treatment. You should always be in control and be able to talk to your electrologist and tell him/her what you are feeling. You should feel the tiny needle electrode when it is inserted into the hair follicle, which is a very mild sensation. You should feel the small amount of heat that is being produced in the follicle either from conversion of chemicals from acid to alkali, or resistance to the current by moist vascular tissue in the hair follicle. This should only be a momentary discomfort, and then you should not feel the hair being taken out of the follicle with tiny forceps unless the hair is a resting (catagen) or shedding (telogen) stage hair.

Will I be scarred?
There is always a risk when any invasive procedure is done on the human body, however the risks are very small with electrolysis. Immediately after treatment, you should experience a tiny red lesion at each treated follicle much like an insect bite. This lesion will disappear shortly after treatment and the area will return to normal. If there is continued redness for several days or visible scabbing, especially on the face, please report this to the electrologist. The solution could be as simple as changing the type of electrode because of the patient's allergy to metal.

Is electrolysis permanent?
It can be permanent, however it is not instantaneous. Because the electrologist cannot see the area of destruction, only the minimal amount of current must be used to allow the hairs to release easily. If the follicle grows a new hair, then the follicle is treated again the same way, until the follicle no longer produces a hair. It is only by this process of elimination that the dermis or second skin that is very moist and contains the collagen and elastin fibers is not damaged in any way. If the electrologist is too aggressive, photoaging effects may be experienced later. These photoaging effects include premature wrinkling from bundling of the collagen and elastin fibers by too much heat or chemical in the skin.

How soon can I put on makeup?
You can apply makeup immediately after treatment. The lesions spoken about earlier allow formation of a tiny scab or eschar to be formed deep in the follicle to protect the skin against any invasion of bacteria. As long as you do not disturb the skin by scratching, rubbing or use of something heavy like Vaseline that would soften these scabs, you can treat your skin like normal.

Can I have electrolysis while I am pregnant?
There is some disagreement about this in our profession. I personally will not work on anyone in the first trimester of pregnancy because of my concern about heating of internal organs when electrical current travels through the body, thereby risking teratogenic effects in the developing embryo. There is no evidence that electrolysis is harmful to the embryo in the formative state of pregnancy but I believe it is best to err on the side of safety. I usually have the patient clear it with her physician during the remainder of the pregnancy.