WHAT IS ELECTROLYSIS?
How Electrolysis Works
An electrolysis treatment involves the inserting of a sterile probe, the same size as the hair, into the hair follicle opening down to the Dermal papilla. The dermal papilla is the electrologist’s target. It is the part of the follicle that contains blood and nerves and feeds the growing hair. If the papilla and the regenerative cells surrounding it are destroyed, the hair will die. When the probe is in place, a low-level electrical current is applied that will destroy the papilla and surrounding cells and loosen the hair in the follicle. The hair is then removed. Electrolysis involves a series of treatments over a period of time. The length of time depends on the amount of hair, its coarseness, the cause of the excess hair and many other factors, but once the dermal papilla has been eliminated, the hair is dead and will not regrow.
Electrolysis Techniques
There are three modalities used today that fall under the heading of electrolysis.
Galvanic or electrolysis
is a chemical process. The current produces a chemical reaction in the hair follicle eliminating the hair growth cells. This method is widely used in the multiple needle galvanic electrolysis, utilizing up to 16 needles simultaneously.
Thermolysis or short-wave
produces heat. When this modality is used it heats and destroys the hair growth cells in the follicle. This modality can be utilized in two ways:
(1) flash method of thermolysis uses high intensity current for less time in the follicle
(2) the current is used at lower intensity and longer timing.
The blend method
combines galvanic current with thermolysis current. Thermolysis heats up the chemical reaction in the follicle destroying hair growth cells.
