Is Electrolysis Safe?

Yes, if it is done by a licensed electrologist. Consumers should not use any of the home electrolysis devices…considerable skill and dexterity is required to perform electrolysis properly.

How Does Hair Grow?

Hair forms in a pouch like structure below the skin called a hair follicle. What we see as hair is actually the hair shaft, which is keratinized, hardened tissue that grows from this follicle. Everyone’s hair grows differently, depending on age, weight, metabolism, hormones, ethnicity, medications, and other factors. All hair, however, goes through three distinct growth phases: Active growth phase (called the anagen phase), which lasts up to several years. At any given time, the majority (85%) of our body hair is in this phase. During anagen, the hair has an abundance of melanin. Regressive phase (catagen phase), which lasts about two weeks, during which the hair stops growing but is not yet shed. About 3 – 4% of our body hair is in this phase at any given time. Resting phase (telogen phase), which lasts 5 – 6 weeks, at the end of which the hair falls out and a new hair begins to form. Approximately 10-13% of our body hair is in this phase at any one time.

What Causes Superfluous Hair?

Any one or a combination of the following factors:

• Heredity
• Glandular or hormonal imbalances
• Pregnancy
• Reactions to certain medications
• Stress
• Excessive waxing, tweezing and temporary hair removal

Is Electrolysis the only hair removal method cleared for permanent hair removal?

Yes, however, the FDA has cleared the laser hair removal method as permanent hair “reduction”. If permanent hair removal is desired, probe type electrolysis is the ONLY method to eliminate all the unwanted hair. See our section on laser hair removal for further explanation.