GD VIBES HOLISTIC WELLBEING & BEAUTY
ELECTROLYSIS
Permanent Hair Removal
Electrolysis is a process of removing hair with electricity. It is the ONLY permanent hair removal treatment and includes grey hairs. It is the popular choice as unlike laser hair removal, which can only slow down and thin hairs, electrolysis has been FDA approved.
Electrolysis can be used by both women and men on any part of the body. It is very popular with the transgender community to remove unwanted hair, as well as women no longer wanting to suffer the embarrassment of socially unacceptable facial hair. It is important to be aware that sessions will need to be carried out regularly and can extend over a period of months or even years depending on the type of hair growth.
Am I suitable for electrolysis and what duration and results should I expect?
Many factors can affect this such as skin sensitivity, hydration of skin, plus thickness and quality of hair. Also location, as different areas have different growth cycles. A bikini has a longer growth cycle to the face, so it will take longer. Hormonal levels for numerous reasons such as puberty, polycystic ovaries, illness etc can affect growth cycles, changing the hair from vellus to terminal, or activating previously sleeping follicles. With this in mind, there may also be many other unknown reasons as to why there could be a variation.
Your pain threshold will also contribute to the results from each session, as this will determine how long the treatment can be carried out. This can be discussed during the consultation and when a patch test is carried out.
Also be aware that if you have used other forms of hair removal such as waxing, plucking or failed electrolysis the hairs could potentially not resurface until months later and there is a possibility there may be deformed follicles making it difficult when inserting the needle. On average, however, re-growth occurs 2-4 months after plucking which is when the hair is at anagen stage (the hair is growing actively from the follicle)
Here is a table below, which will give you an indicator of what to expect
Session Intevals | No. of Treatments | Avg. time start to finish | Poss duration | Avg. and best kill rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6 weeks | 8-12 | 12 months | 8 months – 2 years | 50-60% - 60-75% |
There are different methods of electrolysis; galvanic, thermolysis and blend techniques. I choose a Sterex machine, which uses the blend method (galvanic and thermolysis), combining both of the advantages for hair removal, and it can also be used for Advanced Electrolysis for the removal of skin tags, thread and spider veins, blood spots and milia, to name a few.
See table below which gives a description on both methods:-
Method | History | How it works |
|---|---|---|
Thermolysis | Developed in the mid 1920’s and first reported in medical literature by Henri Bordier | It uses radio frequency, short wave diathermy. This RF energy emanates within a millimeter from the probe tip to tissue, heats the hair matrix cells and causes electrocoagulation. This can also be used on the skin surface for Advanced Electrolysis. |
Galvanic | First reported in medical literature in 1875 by Ophthalmologist Charles Michels as a method for removing ingrown eyelashes | It uses a person’s body as an electrolytic cell. It is a positive ground power supply that delivers a constant direct current through the body. The probe is the cathode of an electrolytic cell, which forms sodium hydroxide and kills the hair matrix cell. |
Prices for Electrolysis (Hair Removal)
Duration | Price |
|---|---|
1 hr | £60 |
40 mins | £40 |
20 mins | £25 |
ADVANCED ELECTROLYSIS
Skin Tag, Thread Vein & Milia Removal & More
Advanced Electrolysis is a quick, safe and effective method of removing multiple skin imperfections, helping to improve your confidence. The method in which this is done is Thermolysis current, using a fine needle, which can cauterise or lift away the blemish.
Here is a list of the various concerns that can be treated and what you should expect.
Thread and spider veins - More often than not, you will notice these erasing as soon as the needle touches very fine areas. Sometimes you may need 2-3 sessions for them to fully disappear. After each session there will be some light scabbing that will develop but will heal within a week.
Milia (milk spots) – Depending on the size and consistency of these keratin filled milia, they may be removed immediately, reabsorbing back into the skin or they may release themselves after treatment. It is also possible that a few sessions could be required.
Syringoma – often mistaken for milia, however these do not contain a hard keratinised nodule. Flesh coloured creamy bumps that often surround the eyes and can be reduced or disappear either immediately or after a few sessions.
Sentile Warts / Seborrhoeic Keratosis – Brown in colour because of melanin and can often be mistaken for moles. These are caused from sun damage, or aged skin and can often multiply and get larger and crustier over time, and are often genetic. Unlike other warts they are not contagious. Several sessions are required. They are cauterized around the edge, reducing the size until they disappear. This may take months if there is a large cluster.
Common Warts – often found on the hands and feet, although they can appear on other areas of the body. They are cauterized around the edge, reducing the size until they disappear. They may need 2-3 sessions for full removal and healing after one month.
Skin Tags – Skin tags come in many shapes and sizes, small skin tags usually take around one session and they may drop off on their own within a week. Other skin tags may need to have 2-3 sessions for full removal and healing after one month.
Blood Spots – More often than not these erase immediately but leave a scab which will heal within a week. If they do not completely disappear but fade they should completely disappear after the second session and healing time.
Sun and Age Spots – Treatment can be carried out if the skin underneath the surface of the age spot is lighter. If not the pigment goes deeper into the dermis and treatment cannot be successful. More often or not these erase immediately but leave a scab which will heal within a week.
Sebaceous Cyst – These are caused from a buildup of sebum forming in different areas of the body. They can be fairly small in size or large like a golf ball. The needle will be used to puncture the cyst and usually can be treated with one session depending on size. The area is often left red and will require time for healing.
Please note that results of treatments are not guaranteed, although a consultation will be able to advise you of expected results, as they will be different to each individual.
Patch Test
Required at least 48 hours before treatment
Advanced Electrolysis Cost
Approx 25 mins £40