Electrolysis Treatment Procedures

Electrolysis is the only permanent solution recognized by the FDA for all types of hair on all types of skin.

We recommend you research different hair removal methods in depth before making a decision, to insure your needs are met with both technology and skill.

Efficiency and comfort are vital to effective treatment.  Our goal is to rid you of unwanted hair as quickly and inexpensively as possible. Using state-of-the-art equipment with digital microprocessor technology, we treat you with the least amount of discomfort possible.

Margaret began her electrology practice in 1980 and Lesa joined the practice in 1995. Together they provide a combined 47 years of knowledge and experience. Both are dedicated to providing the best possible service, producing maximum results on a schedule that meets your needs and budget.

Electrology treatments are the most effective method available to remove and prevent growth of unwanted hair.  Each treatment takes you one step further in enhancing your physical appearance and self-image.

Treatments are designed to fit your individual needs.

Online consultation for Electrology treatments

Selecting an Electrologist and understanding the nature of treatments can be confusing and overwhelming.  The information on this site should help you understand some of the factors causing your hair problem and learn what to expect from your treatment. The electrology consultation is also a first screening for other health-related problems.  The in-office consultation is complimentary without obligation on your part.

Your first visit

At your first appointment, you will be asked to fill out a form with basic information, such as your name, address and contact information.  Some of the questions might seem personal, but they help us evaluate your hair problem and the possible cause of your hair growth, as well as determining if any contra-indications exist in your profile.

All of the information shared during the consultation and treatment is kept in the strictest confidence.

Areas to be treated

We first determine your hair removal goals in order to meet your needs. Almost all areas of the body can be treated with electrolysis.

Many areas of the face and body grow excess hair, which can be considered a cosmetic problem.  For women, excess hair on the chin and throat, upper lip, center chest and/or lower abdomen can indicate hormonal factors that result in hair growth throughout your life.  These hormonal factors can also indicate some other health related problems, which would indicate that you should discuss your hair problem with a physician.   Evaluation of your hair growth continues as your treatments progress.

Hormone-related questions for Women

The areas mentioned above may indicate hormonal factors causing the excess hair growth, or they could indicate sensitivity to circulating androgens (the normal male hormones that are present in women). A medical diagnosis of disorders cannot be made but it can be the first step in screening for certain underlying health problems.

With your health history assessment, you will be asked: at what age your hair growth began, puberty, pregnancy, surgical and/or age-related menopause.  These are the most common times for women to notice new hair growth.

The frequency of your menstrual cycle can indicate hormonal imbalances.  Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or Syndrome X can cause excessive hair growth in many women.  These syndromes can be an indication of other health-related disorders.

You will be asked if you have had a history of fertility problems, hormonal or endocrine disorders, scalp hair loss, weight gain, family history of similar hair growth, irregular periods, acne or eating disorders.  These problems should be discussed with your physician.  These are factors we need to know so a proper treatment recommendation can be made.

What do you believe causes your hair growth?

You might have information that can help to evaluate your hair issues.  Women often blame their prior methods of hair removal for current hair growth.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine provides A Guide for Patients with Hirsutism and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.  This guide describes the androgen sensitive sites for hair growth and lists the following causes of hirsutism.

• Excessive production of androgens by the ovaries (PCOS: Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, tumor)
• Excessive sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens (genetic)
• Excessive production of androgens by the adrenal glands (NCAH: Non-Classic Adrenal Hyperplasia, tumor)
• Insulin Resistance (HAIR-AN Syndrome:  Hyperandrogenism, Insulin Resistance, Acanthosis Nigricans)
• Excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal glands (Cushing’s Syndrome)
• Menopause
• Medications
• Heredity

Excess hair growth on a woman’s face usually begins with a few coarse hairs on the chin or upper lip.  Some women will never have hair growth increase past the Grade 1 image shown below, while other women will advance to Grade 4 over time.  The length of time necessary to complete electrolysis treatments depends entirely on how much hair Mother Nature has destined for you to grow.  One person can be finished with treatments in 6 to 9 months while another person can require 18 months or longer.

Grade 1                            Grade 2                         Grade 3                         Grade 4

Treatments for Men

Men seek treatment for the same areas as women.  Necklines, shoulders and back, facial areas such as the unibrow, beards and ears are the most frequently treated areas.

How hair grows

Hair grows through a natural opening in the skin called the HAIR FOLLICLE.  Scientists have determined that the human body is born with anywhere from 5 to 20 million hair follicles.  Fortunately for most people, only a small percentage of these follicles will ever produce noticeable hair.

In childhood our bodies are covered by VELLUS hair except for the scalp, brows and eyelashes.  Vellus hairs are short, fine, lightly pigmented and have no medulla. During puberty, hormones cause vellus hair in the armpits and pubic area to change to TERMINAL hair.  For some women, the vellus hair on their face will become ACCELERATED VELLUS, which can then change to terminal hair such as you see in Grades 1 through 4 above.

Hair grows in CYCLES that do not coincide with one another. This cycle is a constant growing and shedding of all hair on your body.  Each individual hair goes through four specific stages of growth.  The follicle with a growing hair is in the ANAGEN stage. Anagen growth (when not cut off) can be seen as hair with soft, tapered ends.  It can be 2 to 5 millimeters deep and can grow to several feet in length as seen in scalp hair.  The length of anagen hair growth is determined by genetics and health.  The second stage of the cycle is CATAGEN, a short transition period when the hair stops growing, stops producing pigment and releases from the papilla in preparation to shed from the follicle.  As catagen comes to an end, the root sheath rises in the follicle and forms a “collar” around the hair – sometimes called a “club” hair.  Severe stress and environmental factors such as hormones, medications and trauma can cause hair to transition to the catagen stage.  The third stage of a hair’s life is TELOGEN where the follicle is shallow, but the hair may still be sitting in the skin as a “club” hair.  A hair in telogen can sit on the skin for months before shedding. The shedding stage is called EXOGEN.

For detailed scientific information on the physiology of hair cycles visit: Controls of Hair Follicle Cycling

Understanding hair loss can also help you understand the cycles and stages of hair growth. For detailed information visit: Towards a molecular understanding of hair loss and its treatment found in “TRENDS in Molecular Medicine” Vol.7 No.7 July 2001.

Click to see what MedicineNet.com has to say about electrolysis treatments.

Consistency is the key to obtaining results

Removing unwanted hair as soon as it appears through the skin helps complete your treatments in the quickest time possible.   Clearing the area once a month results in the treatment of anagen-stage hair follicles.  For frequently tweezed areas, you should begin with weekly clearings.  As your treatments progress, the length of the treatment will shorten, and the interval of time between treatments will lengthen.

Once you have begun treatments it is essential to discontinue any tweezing, waxing or threading of the area to be treated, because these actions all prolong the time required to complete your electrolysis treatments.  Clipping or shaving is fine, as these only remove hair above the surface of the skin.  Please do not shave for at least 24 hours (or more) prior to treatment.  This provides just enough growth necessary for effective removal.

Note that if you tweeze frequently and then stop tweezing – it will appear as if MORE hair is growing in.  This is simply your hair continuing its stages and cycles without interruption.  Schedule your electrolysis treatment as soon as possible so that the hairs will not shed.

For Your First Appointment

Please read and follow these instructions for your first appointment.  Our goal is to help eliminate your unwanted hair AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!

If You are Tweezing

All tweezing and other mechanical epilation such as threading and waxing must stop.  When a hair is pulled out by the root, four things can occur:

1. The hair enlarges over time to become coarser (larger in diameter).
2. The hair breaks off to become ingrown or to appear again within a day or so.
3. Remnants of the root sheath remain in the skin and cause a pimple.
4. The electrologist cannot see the hair until it reappears several weeks to several months later causing you to believe that it’s “regrowth” of a previously TREATED hair.  (It is NOT a previously treated hair.)

What you can expect with previously tweezed areas:

1. The number of minutes you spend on daily tweezing multiplied by 7 equals the number of minutes required for the Electrologist to treat the area one week after you have stopped tweezing.
2. You can expect to have 2 months of weekly treatments for this many minutes before reducing the length of your treatment.
3. Consistent treatments will hasten the completion of your treatments.  Hair follicles are best treated when the hair is in the early growing stage.

For less frequent tweezing you can determine the length of your first appointment.  It will be the number of minutes spent tweezing per week times by the number of weeks since you stopped tweezing.

The time spent for electrolysis treatments will take approximately the same length of time as you currently spend tweezing at home.  The treatments will progressively diminish the hair growth as long as you remain consistent with treatments.  Women with hormonal imbalances can get successful results.

If You are Currently Shaving

Shaving is completely acceptable.  Shaving only removes hair above the surface of the skin – it DOES NOT cause more hair to grow. The feeling of more or coarsened hair is simply because hairs in the shaved area have a blunt end and are all the same length.  Please allow at least 24 hours growth after shaving and prior to electrolysis treatment.

Invest in yourself

Electrolysis is the ONLY proven, safe, effective and FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal that can successfully treat all types of hair and skin.

Thank you for choosing Electrolysis by Margaret or Electrolysis by Lesa in your journey to a more positive and confident self-image. Call today for your appointment.