So I got electrolysis done in Abuja last week and wanted to share my experience with you.
What is it ?
Electrolysis is a method of removing hair permanently. It is done by passing a small, metal probe into the root of the hair follicle skin where the hair grows. Once the metal probe is inserted, a low-level electrical current passed the probe which destroys the hair follicle. This makes it impossible for hair to regrow from that specific follicle again.
Why did I choose electrolysis
First of all apart from the cosmetic issues of having hair on my face and neck (which doesn’t bother me). The reason I decided to have this done was due to ingrown hairs and hyperpigmentation. Because we have kinky hair when it grows out of the hair follicle after it has been cut, it can curl into itself. This means it is unable to grow out of the follicle straight, leading to bumps. Hyperpigmentation and scarring then result from my attempts to remove the painful ingrown hairs.
Unfortunately, even when I tweezed my hairs they still did not grow out properly and hyperpigmentation continued. This is one of the reasons I have done a series of chemical peels but need to deal with the cause, not the symptoms.
Procedure
Pre-procedure
I decided to have the procedure done at skin 101 Ng since I had already gone for my chemical peels. For the electrolysis, there is are 2 options less than 30 hairs and more than 30 hairs /1 hour. I chose to go for less than 30 hairs after consultation since the hairs I wanted to be removed were certainly not more than 30! I booked the procedure over the phone and paid via bank transfer to secure the appointment.
During the procedure
My session was scheduled for 10 am and I arrived 20/30 minutes early (I am always early). The doctor started with thoroughly cleansing the area using face wipes and alcohol respectively. She then applied a numbing agent to my neck and covered it with cling film to increase absorption (heat makes the skin more permeable). The numbing agent was left on for an hour for proper absorption.
After the hour the doctor began the process with one side of my neck. Now if you are squeamish this is the part to skip. To destroy the hair follicles, she inserted a fine metal probe into each hair follicle basically like threading a needle. Once the probe was in the follicle a pulse of electric current was turned on. This pulse was done between 3 – 7 times for each follicle. I counted! The process was then repeated for every single hair on my neck. So you can imagine it took some time.
Post Procedure
Immediately after the process, there was swelling and bumps at each hair follicle. This was normal would last for up to a week before it would subside. This is not unexpected because you have had a controlled burn inside your hair follicles which needs time to heal. The doctor applied sunscreen on the area and provided a burn ointment. The ointment was to be applied every morning and night until the area healed.
How painful was it?
First I have a high pain threshold so take what I say with a grain of salt. From my experience, the probe going into the hair follicle felt like a pinprick. However, the pain from the electric current was slightly more and felt like the pain was turned up. So it would wax and wane with each pulse. I would day the pain level was a 5-6 on a scale of 1- 10 manageable.
Follow Up
It’s been about 5 days since I had the procedure and although my neck feels bumpy it looks normal. I still use ointment daily as told in combination with my regular skincare regimen. My next appointment is scheduled in 6 weeks for a repeat I will explain why on another post.
Key tips
- Don’t wear makeup because the area will have to be cleaned
- The process will last longer than you expected so don’t
- Come an hour earlier so that the numbing agent can be applied
COST:
- N40, 000 less than 30 hairs
- N80, 000 more than 30 hairs/more than an hour
Where :
Skin101 clinicAbuja
Results
I can’t say yet since I haven’t completed the required number of sessions, but so far I am happy. I will certainly keep you updated. Are you considering the procedure and have a specific question? Let me know in the comments below.
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