FAQs

How long will it take?
It depends on the area and density of the hair being treated, previous hair removal methods, the texture of the hair, the growth cycle, and if there are curved or distorted hair follicles. Every one is different but if you come for a free consultation we will be able to asses the hair growth and give you some idea of how many sessions it will take, but you will see an improvement fairly quickly provided you stick to the recommended schedule.   Commitment and patience is needed to obtain a fast effective result that is truly permanent. Only Electrolysis will result in permanent hair loss that will last for the rest of your life.

How long is a session?
A session  can be as short as 15 minutes or can last for a couple of hours or more depending on the number of hairs that need to be treated.   We advise that you should be committed to regular appointments to start with, at least weekly and then reducing in frequency.  The procedure is non invasive, but you may feel some discomfort and you skin may go pink and feel mildly irritated but this should settle down quickly.

There are no serious risks, side effects or complications with electrolysis hair removal.    The cost is relatively inexpensive especially compared to a life time of other depilatory methods with the misery that goes with them. Expect to pay as little as £25 for up to 15 minute session rising to £65 for an hour.

You can pay for a time limited multi session voucher in advance, that will save you money.

Is it painful?
Because the probe doesn’t penetrate the skin but slides into the follicle next to the hair shaft you normally cannot feel the insertion, when the power is applied the sensation can vary from just al warmth to a sharp pain similar to plucking the hair out. The settings can be adjusted to give a more tolerable treatment for stronger hairs. For sensitive areas you may wish to try a local anaesthetic such as Emla cream. Most people can tolerate electrolysis very well, and some even fall asleep during treatment.

What is Electrolysis?
“Electrolysis” was first carried out in 1875 using a solid needle and battery, a weak current was passed through the needle to the hair follicle which caused a chemical reaction with saline in the body to cause decomposition of the follicle and the hair root protein

How does Electrolysis work?
A small metal probe is inserted into the hair follicle next to the hair down to the root, depending on the mode used, the electric current will either destroy the hair root by chemical,  heat or a combination of the two. The hair must be in it’s active growth stage (anagen) for electrolysis to be 100% effective as this is when the follicle is most moist.   However,  it still has an effect at other parts of the growth cycle.    Regrowth may reoccur but if the client is attending a regular series of treatments the finer hair will be treated and killed next time.

What are there different modalities of Electrolysis?

• Galvanic (DC) : – The hair root is destroyed by chemical action.
• Thermolysis (HF) :– The hair root is destroyed by heat production.
• Blend : – A combination of the above two modalities where the hair root is destroyed by booth heat and chemical action at the same time.

All three methods are safe and effective.

What do you mean by hair growth cycle?
Hair normally grows, sheds and then replaces itself. All hairs have differing cycles of growth and are not visible on the surface of the skin at the same time. Hair normally grows in a regular cycle and then naturally sheds and replaces itself. Following active growing periods, most hair follicles go into a dormant stage. The period of dormancy may last for an indefinite period of time; however, replacement hairs usually appear within 3 to 12 months. The appearance of these coarse replacement hairs from dormant hair follicles should not be mistaken as regrowth from previously treated follicles.

• Anagen: growing stage
• Catagen: This is the transition period between growth and rest , lower portions of the hair start to collapse and starts to detach from the papilla.
• Telogen: detachment from the papilla and sheds.
• Exogen: when the hair sheds and gives a chemical signal for new growth
• Dormant: This the time that the hair follicle sleeps, this usually las 3 – 12 month

Terminal hair
Terminal hair is the long, coarse, thick hairs that normally grow in the scalp, pubic, and armpit areas of men and women, and the face, chest, abdomen, upper arms, and upper thighs of men.

Vellus hair.
Vellus hair is the soft, fine, usually short hairs that appear on the face, chest, and back of women, giving the impression of “hairless” skin. the body uses these hairs to help with the healing process and therefore should not be removed, however they can sometimes change to terminal hair where they start growing longer and thicker.

Isn’t laser faster and quicker?
Laser and IPL is often advertised as an alternative to electrolysis and is advertised as permanent, but they are very different methods. Electrolysis is permanent hair removal. Laser is permanent hair REDUCTION but apart from the risk of burns there is a risk that it can stimulate hair growth and where laser only destroys the melamine in the hair regrowth will be white or transparent coarse hair which is impossible to remove by laser or IPL and then electrolysis is the only solution.

Electrolysis has been proved over nearly 140 years of use to be permanent There is no reputable scientific evidence that shows any other method of hair removal being as safe, effective and permanent as electrolysis.

Will electrolysis get rid of my hair for good?
Successfully treated hair will not grow back, however electrolysis can’t stop future NEW hair growth from happening. For example a woman taking strong steroid medication or with an untreated hormonal imbalance may develop some new chin hairs later on in life, even if the previous chin hair growth was completely removed.  Only Electrolysis will result in permanent hair loss that will last for the rest of your life.

Which areas can I have treated?
Hair can be treated in all areas APART FROM inside the ears and inside the nose. Common areas for women are chin, upper and lower lip, eyebrows, top of nose, throat, neck, cheeks, shoulders, breast, abdomen, arms, underarms, legs, bikini line, hands, feet, toes and fingers. Moles can be treated but only with a letter from your doctor. Men often have hair removed from beards and hair line, shoulders, back, neck,  chest, ears and nose. Often excessive hair causes irritation, spots and boils that can be helped by electrolysis.  See Also Which areas can I have treated page

Do you treat mature skin?
Yes, electrolysis is safe for mature skin.

Can a pregnant woman have electrolysis?
While electrolysis is generally contraindicated during pregnancy, short wave thermolysis has not been found to be a problem, however, any stress should be avoided in the first trimester,  and is usually not recommended in the last trimester,  you should consult with your doctor before starting a course of treatments.

Can someone with epilepsy have electrolysis
People with epilepsy are warned against using some treatments involving electricity. There is no evidence that treatments involving electricity such as electrolysis can trigger seizures.

Declaring your epilepsy
If your epilepsy is uncontrolled and it’s likely that you may have a seizure during treatment, it’s a good idea to discuss possible risks with the therapist. You could also talk to your family doctor or epilepsy specialist about whether they feel the treatment is advisable for you.

If you tell the therapist, it would be helpful to explain what happens when you have a seizure and what they should do to help you.

See also www.epilepsy.org.uk[

Yes, we have seen a big increase in men wanting electrolysis in recent years. Shaving large body areas several times a week can be tiresome for a guy and causes roughness and stubble. Spot, boils, raised rough patches and skin irritation are common problems that are associated with excessive hair. Electrolysis is the only safe permanent way to deal with excessive hair permanently.

Do you treat TS/TG clients?
Yes, we work with clients who want to remain discrete by thinning beard hair to fast clearance using a new technique available for the Apilus® Platinum™ Synchro™ or Multiplex™ which is effective for distorted or deeply rooted stubborn hair.  F .   or pre op clients we work with the specialised clinical nurse and/or surgeon before going for surgery.

Do I need to come for the consultation and test patch as I have had electrolysis before?
We need time to obtain a health overview on all new clients and also like to be sure that there is not going to be any adverse any reaction to the type of treatment we offer.    It gives you a chance to get to know us as well as us you,  so that we can offer the best treatment or you can walk away without any obligation.

How much does Electrolysis cost?
We normally charge for a session of either 15 min; 20 min; 30 min; 40 min or 1 hour.  We also have special deal for 10 sessions booked.    comparing cost with other methods of hair removal only electrolysis will result in permanent hair loss that will last for the rest of your life and so over a life time is cheaper than any other.  See Price List

Do I have to let the hairs grow out for treatment?
The hairs only need to be long enough to grasp with tweezers, which in some cases is as little as 24 hours growth. Hair can be shaved, cut or bleached between appointments.

What is cataphoresis
Iontophoresis is the general term for two galvanic or direct current treatments  where Cataphoresis uses the positive pole and anaphoresis uses the negative pole.

Cataphoresis is used after treatment and has the effect of relieving redness, inflammation and irritation, but also restores the skin’s natural pH level, causes local constriction which closes pores and reduces inflammation and redness which in turn promotes healing.