Electrolysis Hair Removal: Benefits, Cost & How Many Treatments

When it comes to removing unwanted body hair, the world is your oyster. It is possible to remove hair in a variety of ways, including shaving, tweezing, threading, or waxing. Other options include sugaring and laser hair removal in-office or at home. The FDA-cleared procedure of electrolysis hair removal is another popular method of long-lastingly removing body hair. It’s been around for approximately 150 years.

This article will provide you with further information on what other benefits Electrolysis Hair Removal has, how much it costs, and how many sessions you require. We are here to answer your questions so stay with us till the end.

What is Electrolysis Hair Removal?

Electrolysis is one of the many hair removal techniques but the fact that it gives long-lasting results differs from other techniques. In electrolysis, a thin metal wire is used to destroy your hair follicles and thus stop the growth of new hair. The procedure can use AC or DC or a blend of both.

Let’s know some fast facts:

• Electrolysis is a safe option for all skin and hair types. If those with tattoos, moles, and dense freckles can go for electrolysis with no worries.

• Electrolysis does not have any chance of increasing the growth of hair after you are done with your sessions

• Even though electrolysis uses current, it is safe and FDA-cleared.

Who Needs Electrolysis?

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• Have a problem with where hair grows (e.g., between the eyebrows, on the upper lip, or on the breasts).

• Hair growth is excessive in people with hirsutism.

• In the process of transitioning genders.

What are the Benefits of Electrolysis?

Let’s get to know some benefits of electrolysis that make it a superior hair removal method.

Long-lasting for Hair Reduction

Is Electrolysis long-lasting? Yes, you will not have to go through the trouble of removing hair after every other month or spend money on other temporary hair removal treatments.

Electrolysis is one of the very few hair removal methods that can provide long-lasting results and lifelong smooth skin. This means nothing can stop you from partying hard and going anywhere anytime without worrying about your hairy body.

Safe for Sensitive Skin

Electrolysis uses current to destroy the hair follicles and give effective results. Current can never be safe, right? But in electrolysis, even if the current flows down through your hair follicles, it keeps you safe from any harmful skin conditions.

It is also the only method of long-lasting hair removal that is cleared by the FDA as well as the American Medical Association (AMA).

Ideal for All Skin and Hair Types

Usually, the results of various hair removal treatments depend upon your skin tone and hair color. Some methods like IPL work only for light skin tones but electrolysis works well for all skin tones and hair colors.

The effectiveness is independent of the melanin in your body or hair. Resultantly, even if you have dark skin tone, light skin tone, or even gray or red hair, you can benefit from this amazing hair removal method.

Electrolysis Temporary Side Effects

The flow of electric current to your hair follicles might irritate your skin causing redness, inflammation, itching, or tenderness. Most of the time, these side effects are temporary and in some cases, they might last longer. But, they will resolve after some time for sure.

What about scarring? Well, scarring occurs if the electrologist is not experienced enough and has gone wrong with the treatment. Otherwise, you don’t need to worry at all.

How Much Does Electrolysis Hair Removal Cost?

The cost of electrolysis for a session can start from $25 and can go up to $200 depending upon the time taken and treatment area. If we talk about the cost of all the sessions combined, it can be $150 or even $10,000. Quite shocking right? Why does it have so many variations?

The electrolysis price highly depends upon the location of the clinic, the facilities you are getting, the treatment area, the time taken, and your hair type. They are all related. For instance, if you have thick hair, it’ll take more time and thus more money. Bigger clinics cost more while local ones are less expensive.

The consultation fee and numbing agents used can increase the fee up to $10,000. It looks unreasonable at first but in the long run, it is effective for a lifetime. Also, if you add up the cost of wax or laser sessions after every two years for your whole life, even they can cost more than this. If you want electrolysis hair removal for a specific body part the table below can help you estimate the money you have to spend.

Electrolysis Prices At Salon

If you are going to a salon, the cost can vary. We have a list of average costs that is applicable to most salons.

Electrolysis Prices At Home

You can buy some at-home electrolysis devices and get your treatment done at home. These devices usually cost less than the treatments at the salon. You can find a Galvanic machine that uses Direct Current or a thermolytic machine that uses Alternating current for showing the results. There can be blend machines too that use a blend of both currents. They are usually more effective.

Now, talking about the cost, these machines with special kits cost between $900 and $2000. Some can be even $50 but the quality varies according to price. Also, it requires a proper technique to perform the procedure without hurting yourself. Therefore buying a better quality machine can reduce the risk of any side effects.

How Many Sessions of Electrolysis?

Electrolysis is an expensive option for hair removal. Although it depends upon various other factors, the number of sessions is the main reason for such a high cost. On average, a total of 8 to 12 sessions are a must. They can increase or decrease depending on hair thickness, area, skin type, and the number of hair. Curly hair also requires more sessions.

Hence, it can take up to 2 years or even 8 months to undergo all these sessions. We cannot say that the success rate is 100% but in most cases, you’ll get your desired results with either thinner hair or no hair at all.

Is Electrolysis Painful?

Electrolysis has a number of benefits and above all, you are getting a long-lasting solution to your problem. But the drawback is, this solution comes with pain. The electrologist is required to treat each hair individually and the flow of electric current might cause a sensation of discomfort. It all depends upon your pain threshold. Some people might not feel this pain at all while others can feel the pain.

To reduce the pain, most places use numbing creams or anesthesia. So, don’t be afraid and just try it.

An Alternative to Electrolysis

Electrolysis is painful and requires skill which means you are prone to scarring and the cost is too much to pay. There is an even better solution to electrolysis and that is IPL hair removal. It works in the same way by destroying hair follicles but it uses impulse pulsating light or laser to treat the area. You can try IPL at home too and it doesn’t require any professionalism. You can try out the Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL device for comfortable hair removal. It provides the following benefits

• The device comes with cooling technology which means very less pain as compared to electrolysis

• Its auto-gliding mode makes it easy and smooth to hold and use

• It comes with 3 different levels so you can set any level according to the area being treated.

• You can see noticeable results in just 3 weeks and after 12 weeks you can enjoy completely hairless and smooth skin

• It is only $379 and you can use it for a lifetime after paying just this amount.

This device provides you with continuous and steady hair growth reduction for a long time period. So, all you have to do is to complete the sessions for 12 weeks and then use the device once every 1-2 months to maintain smoothness. To know more details, click How IPL Works.

What is the Difference Between Electrolysis and IPL Hair Removal?

Both IPL and electrolysis have their own side effects but they are only temporary and scarring occurs in case of malpractice only.

FAQs about Electrolysis Treatment

1. How Long Does Electrolysis Take?

It takes most people one to five hours a week to clear in the early stages. After a while, most people reach the stage of having a weekly session of at least 30 minutes. Most will only need an hour or two a month to get stragglers in the final stages.

2. How Does Electrolysis Work for Hair Removal?

A professional electrologist inserts a very fine needle (usually thinner than the hair being treated) into the natural opening of the hair follicle alongside the hair shaft. Afterward, tiny amounts of electrical current are applied to damage the hair growth cells.

3. How Many Hours of Electrolysis for the Face?

An average beard takes 70-90 hours to start to finish over the normal cycle of beard growth (8-10 months).

4. Can You Get Electrolysis in Brazilian?

Electrolysis can be used to provide Brazilian-style hair removal.

Takeaway

Electrolysis is an effective method of hair removal that comes with long-lasting results and only temporary side effects. As it is long-lasting, it is a bit costly with prices ranging from $150 to $10,000 depending upon the area to be treated

It does not have any side effects, but it causes pain that might be bearable for some but not for others. So most clinics use numbing creams too. It is safe but if you are still hesitant about the cost and afraid of pain, you can go for IPL. It is less expensive, has similar results, and has no pain. PCOS is quite common these days, and there are some limitations for those with PCOS. To know the best hair removal method for them, click What is the Best Hair Removal Method for Women with PCOS.