Nicolsons Electrolysis

About Electrolysis for Permanent Hair Removal.

Electrolysis was invented in 1875 and is still recognised by authorities as the only medically and scientifically proven method for 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.” [1] 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.” [2]

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 operator 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.

The 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 decades Katherine Spiric has worked with the three modalities and used many different machines. After using the Apilus Platinum 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.