Electrolysis works by inserting a sterile
probe (I use only sterile, disposable probes) into the
follicle down to the dermal papilla. The papilla is the
part of the follicle that contains blood and nerves and
feeds the growing hair. By applying electrical current
into the follicle and destroying the papilla, and the
regenerative cells in the lower half of the follicle,
the ability to grow another hair in the individually
treated follicle is forever demolished.
Methods of electrolysis vary. At Judy Porat Electrology,
the technique I use is the Blend Method which uses galvanic
current (described above) and thermolysis current (an
alternating current, AC) which produces heat in the follicle
and cauterizes and destroys the dermal papilla. These
currents applied together are a very effective way to
destroy the hair growing capability of the follicle.
Often a hair will be eliminated with only one treatment,
but some hairs will need two or more treatments in order
to achieve permanency. Electrolysis involves a series
of treatments over a period of time. The length of time
depends on the amount of hair, its coarseness, and the
cause of excess hair. But once the dermal papilla has
been eliminated, the hair is dead and will not grow again.
Q: Is it permanent?
A: Absolutely,
without question. In the individual follicle which gets
treated, if the hair is in the right phase to be treated
and enough current is delivered, it is impossible for
a hair to grow in this follicle.
Q: Does it hurt?
A: Yes, the current
may cause discomfort. While some clients come in expecting
pain, most clients report that it is not as bad as they
anticipated. There are anesthetics which can block some
of the discomfort. This is something we can discuss together
to determine what is suitable for you.
Q: Does the follicle
need to be treated more than once?
A: Some follicles
will be destroyed in the first treatment. However, not
every follicle responds in the same way and some may
need to be treated again. One of the reasons why a follicle
may not respond the first time has to do with the stage
of hair growth in the follicle. Hair that is treated
in the anagen phase (the growth phase) will be more receptive
to electrolysis than hair in the catagen and telogen
(outgoing) phases.
Q: Are there any
adverse effects from electrolysis?
A: There are times
when clients will need a doctor's authorization for receiving
treatment. This may be true when a person wants hair
removed from a mole, when a person has a heart condition,
or for someone who has a chronic condition which may
affect treatment. A person with diabetes, for example,
may not have good circulation, and as a result treatment
may be contraindicated.
If you have specific questions about some issues you
may have, feel free to call and discuss these.
Q: How much will
it cost?
A: It all depends
on how much hair you want removed. Since each hair is
treated individually, the more hair one has the more
time it will take. Each person varies in what they need,
or want, done. I don't have any set treatment prices
based on any particular body part. The charge structure
is based on how much time is spent in my office for each
treatment. |
