There are many choices for hair removal. Waxing, shaving, laser hair removal, and electrolysis are all options for reducing unwanted hair on the face or body. Most hair removal methods will give you silky smooth skin, at least for a little while. Even laser hair removal, while effective for a year or more, may not last forever. Lasers may also not be effective on light-colored hair and may not be ideal for darker skin tones.
Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method approved by the FDA, which makes it appealing to anyone who is ready to get rid of unwanted hair. In addition, electrolysis is effective on all hair and skin types.
What to Expect During the Electrolysis Procedure
Electrolysis involves applying an electrical current to each hair follicle. During the treatments, a trained technician inserts a tiny wire into a hair follicle. The wire transmits a current into the follicle, destroying the root of the hair. The technician removes the hair and repeats the process on each follicle in the area being treated.1
You can get electrolysis on any area of the body, including the legs, face and neck, bikini line, or underarms. A treatment to remove a few unwanted hairs on the face might only take 15 minutes. But treating a larger area like the legs or back might take several hours.
There is no downtime after an electrolysis treatment, but you may have some redness or inflammation. Using a cool compress or over-the-counter medicine like ibuprofen can ease any discomfort.
Electrolysis Costs
Your final costs will depend on how many appointments you need to complete the results. Most providers charge by the hour, and the length of each session depends on the size of the area being treated. Electrolysis prices per appointment can range from $50 to $150, depending on factors like location and your provider’s level of experience.2
When planning for the costs of electrolysis, you need to consider the number of sessions you will need. Regardless of what area you’re having treated, you will need multiple appointments for complete hair removal.
Electrolysis only works on follicles that are in the growth stage. And not all hairs are in the same phase at the same time. This means you will need to return to treat hairs that were in the resting phase during prior treatments. You may need 10 or more treatments to get the full results you want.
Choosing electrolysis can be a big investment of money and time. The benefit of electrolysis is that once you have completed treating an area, you will never need to shave or wax it again.
To find out if electrolysis is right for you, contact a qualified dermatologist or electrologist in your area. To learn more about hair removal, continue reading MySkinTreatment.
Sources:
- Cleveland Clinic: “Electrolysis.“
- Aedit: “How Much Does Electrolysis Cost?“