Electrolysis is a method of permanently removing individual hairs from the face or body. A probe is inserted down natural opening of the hair follicle, a quick and painless current is released, probe is removed, hair is then detached and therapist easily slides hair out with tweezer. See below explanation with diagram.

Apilus Electrolysis Device

At The Laser Beautique the most up-to-date technology is used in order to provide further comfort and to produce faster results. In recent years, a Canadian company, Dectro International, have integrated advanced computerised technology to create the Apilus electrolysis machine. This technology allows our electrologists to work faster, with greater destruction of the hair root in the one treatment, less sensation for the client and less irritation to the skin immediately after the treatment. The diagram below illustrates how the Apilus, in contrast to older technology, focuses heat energy on the root of the follicle. This enables a more effective treatment with a faster recovery time for the skin’s surface.

Hair Growth Cycle

In order to be able to treat a hair follicle, the electrologist requires a hair to be actively growing. This allows the follicle to be identified and for the probe to be correctly inserted into the follicle. Hence, it is necessary to wait for all growth cycles to appear. As only a portion of hairs are visible at any one time this means it can require treatments over a range of 12 to 18 months for all hairs to be found and treated.

Every individual is different and each area is different in rate of growth and frequency of growth cycles. If you have been removing the hair by tweezing, waxing or threading you have interrupted the natural growth cycle and this will need to be taken into consideration when creating a treatment plan. If you have had laser hair removal within the last 12 months you may experience prolonged sporadic regrowth of hair. The good news is that for most areas the majority of the hair will grow through within the first 3 to 6 months. You will therefore most likely need the longer and more frequent sessions at the beginning of your treatment. This tapers off to infrequent, short sessions in the end.

During the initial consultation, our electrologist will gather a history of the types of methods used for hair removal in the past, will assess your skin and hair, and discuss your options in regards to a treatment plan. The plan will also be designed to fit around lifestyle and budget.

Different Modes of Electrolysis

When researching electrolysis, people often come across debates and opinions on which method and which machine might be best. All professional electrolysis machines work as do the three modalities:

• Thermolysis – also known as shortwave, this mode uses high frequency radio energy to destroy the hair follicle and prevent hair regrowth. With this method the current is very short and fast; often less than a second. The heat can be focused to the root of the hair. This helps with improving comfort, for showing less effect on the skin’s surface and for treating more hairs in a unit of time.
• Galvanic – this relies on a chemical reaction to destroy the hair follicle. A slower, longer electrical current reacts with the saline in the follicle to create lye (sodium hydroxide). That chemical destroys the hair follicle. Depending on the strength of the hair the current may run for 3 to 10 minutes in each hair follicle. Galvanic machines can have up to 16 probes. Even so this means less hairs can be treated per unit of time compared to thermolysis.
• Blend – this combines aspects of both Thermolysis and Galvanic. It requires a longer electrical current than with thermolysis of up to 10 seconds or more. This means less hairs are treated during a unit of time.

Over several years, The Laser Beautique have trained and offered treatments with the three modalities and used many different machines. After using the Apilus machine for Thermolysis it became evident that this newer technology far superseded the older, slower methods. We are able to work faster than ever to gain clearances and can more easily maintain areas to keep them hair-free, until all hair cycles come through and treatment is completed.

Electrolysis was invented in 1875 and is still recognised by authorities as the only medically and scientifically proven method for 100% permanent hair removal. Such authorities include the USA Food & Drug Administration (FDA) who state “Electrolysis is considered a permanent hair removal method, since it destroys the hair follicle.” The FDA is the U.S. government body that regulates medical devices. An article on WebMD states: “The FDA and the American Medical Association recognize only electrolysis as a permanent method of removing hair.”

• Electrolysis works on any skin and hair type. This is particularly great news for people with fair skin and blonde or red hair tones; for whom laser and IPL aren’t effective at even temporary hair reduction. The process of electrolysis involves the insertion of a very fine probe into the hair follicle. This is followed by the application of a small current to cauterize the lower portion of the follicle. The hair is then removed. To achieve 100% permanent hair removal results the procedure requires accuracy and precision. Electrolysis is safe when performed by a qualified and skilled operator. It is cost-effective in comparison to temporary hair removal methods.
• When seeking quality electrolysis the skills and experience of the electrologist are paramount. In recent times, we have been fortunate to have some rapid improvements to electrolysis technology which have served to make the process faster and gentler.

1. What does it feel like? Does it hurt?

The Laser Beautique uses the Apilus system which clients find much more comfortable than other electrolysis technology or epilators on the market. Each follicle is treated using a faster and more sophisticated treatment technique and flash thermolysis technology, which can be felt through a short, sharp yet virtually pain-free sensation. Some areas will be more sensitive than others. The treatment of each follicle is much faster with thermolysis than galvanic electrolysis and this is what makes it virtually painless. The treatment is so fast that the body doesn’t have time to register any pain. Many clients even fall asleep during long treatments.

2. How is electrolysis different from laser or IPL?

The Laser Beautique offers Laser Hair removal as opposed to an IPL. Intense pulsed light, (IPL), requires substantially more sessions and is not pain free, or safe to use on all skin types. The Laser Beautique makes use of a the world’s gold standard diode laser which offers an efficient, pain free treatment, suitable for all skin types, and is ideal for covering large areas.However, blonde and grey hair cannot be successfully treated with Laser- because pigment acts as a target for the Laser’s energy, without pigment, the Laser will not yield the best result.

For these stubborn and light hairs – Electrolysis is the ideal option. The procedure uses a probe to deliver energy directly to each individual follicle and hair, thereby not relying on pigment within the hair. This allows for electrolysis to successfully treat all types of hair, including blonde or grey hairs.

At the Laser Beautique, a combination of both Laser and electrolysis applications are recommended, to deliver the best, permanent hair removal result. Start your permanent hair removal program with Laser Hair Removal, and enjoy the benefits of electrolysis to remove the odd grey or stubborn hair, to achieve the ultimate result. Or, if you are someone with only light hair, embark on a cutting edge Apilus electrolysis program at The Laser Beautique to finally be hair free, with the world’s latest Electrolysis option.

3. Which areas can be treated?

All areas of the body can be treated using electrolysis. The hair must be visible to be able to treat and remove it. Medical clearance from your GP is required to treat hairs that grow from moles. One can treat facial areas such are monobrow, upper lip, chin, sideburns, ears and nose. One can even have their eyebrows permanently shaped.

Other popular areas are fingers, toes, underarms and bikini/mankini. We recommend that if ones hair is dark, they should laser, especially larger areas such as legs, arms, backs and chest. Then after a course of laser treatments, if there are any stray hairs or non-pigmented hairs left, one can have a few electrolysis sessions to nip those in the bud.

Clients who suffer from unwanted non-pigmented hair or blonde, ginger, grey or white hair would need to have electrolysis treatments from the start as laser. Laser treatments are only effective if the hair is dark.

4. How many treatments will I need?

This depends on many factors; for example whether the hair is hormonal, if it has previously been waxed or plucked, and the area of the body that requires treatment. Hair grows at different rates all over the body. Hair on the head will grow for a period of up to 3 years before falling out yet hair on our legs may only last 12 weeks. This means it may take 12 weeks for all the hairs on the legs to show before they can be treated – we can only treat the hairs we can see. Some hairs may require several treatments.
As a general rule, under normal circumstances, you can expect to be hair free in treated areas after 12-18 months assuming that the suggested treatment program has been followed.

5. What if I am pregnant?

It is not recommended for pregnant women to receive electrolysis treatments during the first 3 months of pregnancy. This is to keep stress to a minimum during this higher-risk period. Thermolysis is completely safe for pregnant women as the treatment is delivered through heat not electrical current.

6. What causes unwanted hair?

The two most common causes are hereditary factors and the ageing process. Glandular disturbances, pregnancy, stress, certain medications, obesity and anorexia nervosa are other causes of excess hair growth. They stimulate the hormone necessary to grow excess hair. Electrolysis does not cure the causes of excess hair growth but eliminates the effects of the various causes.

7. Reappearing hair, Does it really work?

Yes it does! I see it over and over again but clients that give up after a few months sometimes stop treatments because they see hairs still coming and feel it cannot be working. Each square inch of skin contains several hundred hair follicles but only a certain amount of these follicles are in an active hair growth cycle. The remaining follicles can grow at any time depending on the hair growth cycle and the causes of excess hair in each individual. A few chin hairs that are plucked out daily can mean that they are actually 30 or more hairs taking turns to grow! The good news is that each area of the body has a set amount of hair follicles and once most or all of the active hair follicles are successfully treated the excess hair problem is basically completed.

8. Are all hairs eliminated in one treatment, or is regrowth expected?

Excessive hair growth, known as hirsutism can range from fine, vellus hair to dark, coarse hair on the face and body. Deep, coarse hairs cannot always be eliminated with one treatment; thus, breaking down the hair growth cells may require additional treatments. Based on a personal and confidential consultation, your electrologist will design a treatment plan that addresses your specific hair removal needs.

9. What will my skin look like after the treatment?

Skin may be slightly red, which will subside. Some people show little effects of post treatment electrolysis. Body treatments may display tiny pinprick scabs and may take longer to heal than the facial areas. After care advice will be given at your consultation. Correctly performed electrolysis will not result in scarring or pitting. Keeping your skin in good condition is a joint commitment, which will give you the best results and treatment experience possible.

10. What areas can I have treated?

Most areas of the body can be treated – I do treat the traditional bikini line shape but I do not treat genitalia and hair inside the nose or the ear.

11. Can hairs be removed from moles?

Electrolysis can be performed in most moles where licensing regulations allow it. Your electrologist may require written approval from your physician.

12. Can hairs be removed from moles?

Electrolysis can be performed in most moles where licensing regulations allow it. Your electrologist may require written approval from your physician.

13. How does electrolysis work these days?

All three original modalities used in electrolysis treatments have evolved. The galvanic (true electrolysis) modality still causes a chemical decomposition of the hair follicle cells; the thermolysis (high frequency, shortwave) still destroys the hair growing cells with heat; and the blend (or sequential) still combines galvanic and high frequency to disable the hair follicle.

“After years of mostly unsuccessful electrolysis – Apilus has solved my facial hair problem in a few visits. Exceptional results at a reasonable cost.”

-Georgina 

“Electrolysis used to be torture, no matter where you had it done. But with the new Apilus machine it’s 80% less painful and the hairs are still zapped forever.”

-Bronwyn 

”The number of clients at my institute has considerably increased! I work with an Apilus electrolysis machine since 2002. Thanks to the treatments I can provide with this device, the number of clients at my institute has considerably increased.”

-Jolanta Petrow

” Because of the new technology and all the advancements made to the Apilus Platinum 27 MHz electrolysis machine, I am able to provide to my clients much more comfort and faster results. Since they are more comfortable I am able to work longer and accomplish more clearing each session. Since I have introduced the Apilus Platinum machine, all my clients who have been with me have thanked me profusely for spending the money and giving them a much more pleasant and effective experience.”

Ada Ballen 

”I would, and have, recommended Apilus Electrolysis to anyone with an excess hair problem. After years of struggling with excess facial hair, I found the solution. Everyone who I have recommended it to, have been extremely happy with the results.”

Dimitra Keilor