Electrolysis Hair Removal - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Electrolysis Hair Removal or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
Electrolysis
Overview: An electrical beam is sent to a vulnerable area in each hair follicle which destroys the follicle permanently. This technique can be used in white, red or dark hair and may be the only permanent option when the first two colors prevail. In dark haired areas with the occasional white hair, electrolysis is often chosen to complete the clean look after laser hair reduction.
Expected results: Permanent removal of hair in all skin and hair colors.
Pretreatment: Hair must not be plucked or waxed for 4 weeks prior to treatment. Hair may be clipped close to the skin level until the evening before the treatment. Bleaching of hair is permitted.
Post treatment instructions: None
Time to desired results: Immediate. Depending on the density of hair, many treatments may be necessary to achieve satisfactory results as each follicle must be treated separately.
Duration of desired effects: Permanent. Periodic maintenance treatment can be added as needed when previously dormant hair follicles are producing hair again.
Contraindications: None
Downtime: None
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Good morning – inquiring about electrolysis – how can this help a person with severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa? Does insurance cover the visit (not the treatment) since you are a dermatologist?
The destruction of hair follicles and their associated glands in the armpits, groin, perianal area, breast, back etc. by laser (or electrolysis) removes the target of inflammation in people who suffer from hidradenitis suppurativa.
Laser hair reduction treats a large area whereas electrolysis is typically reserved for very small areas because the technique targets one follicle at a time. Laser hair reduction is the preferred method to prevent hidradenitis suppurativa and in our office we exclusively use laser treatment for prevention.
While prevention of hidradenitis is highly recommended once you are diagnosed with hidradenitis, preventative treatment (laser or electrolysis) is unfortunately not accepted by insurance.
Do you remove hair from men of 55 years, especially from the back of my torso? THANKS
Laser hair reduction is safe in all skin colors and will work as long as hair is dark. Age or gender are not disqualifiers. Our office limits electrolysis to small areas but we do not perform electrolysis on the back
Hello,
I have 2 conditions Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Pili Multigemini. I was advised to use laser therapy for my condition but I am more interested in the electrolysis since it’s permanent. I also have darker skin and I was researching the laser may cause hyperpigmentation and etc. I would like to know is getting Brazilian electrolysis an available option?
Hidradenitis is best treated with Nd:YAG laser in all skin types. The Nd:YAG laser treats existing sinus tracts in hidradenitis, and laser hair removal reduces future breakouts significantly. In dark skinned individuals, this laser is co-incidentally also the treatment of choice for hair reduction to avoid permanent pigment damage. Electrolysis can cause transient hyperpigmentation just like laser hair reduction. Electrolysis is as permanent as laser treatment for hair. Only actively producing hair follicles can be treated with either method, dormant hair follicles are not treated. Laser treats about 30 hair follicles at one time vs one at a time with electrolysis. Our office does not perform electrolysis in the Brazilian area because of inefficiency but you may inquire at any electrolysis center.
My daughter has started electrolysis and is experiencing such pain that it’s hard for her to continue. I’ve had electrolysis over the years and currently I’m just cleaning up my old age hair. I don’t experience that kind of pain and I don’t know what to do to help her. is there any effective topical or oral medication that would substantially lower the pain so that she can make her way through the treatment?
Topical prescription anesthetics helps to reduce discomfort associated with electrolysis. If she is a patient in our office, we can address the issue. Otherwise, she could speak to the person who performs her electrolysis to see how to go about obtaining numbing medicine.
Hello,
I consider getting electrolysis treatments for my chin area. I am very sensitive to pain. Is there any anesthetic over the counter ointment I can buy to reduce pain ?
Or maybe you put something before the treatment?
In our very sensitive patients who undergo electrolysis we prescribe a topical anaesthetic cream at the time of you consultation. This is applied 45-60 minutes before the procedure.
Thinking about electrolysis for coarse grey, white & some dark facial hair. (Female) I seen we can return every 3 – 6 weeks if needed & I also seen before your first treatment, you need to avoid waxing or tweezing for 4 weeks prior to first treatment & avoid shaving 3 days prior to first treatment. So what about after first treatment but before the second treatment & so on?
When undergoing electrolysis you can shave the hair but should not do so within 2-3 days prior to each treatment. You cannot wax or pluck 4 weeks before each treatment.
I have had electrolysis treatments on my face (chin, jawline & upper lip) for over a year. I have olive skin and while the hair is not course, it is stubborn and comes back (I go for treatments every 4-6 weeks depending on my schedule). I am thinking of switching to a new provider. Can you provide your rates? I currently pay $30/30 minutes. Thank you.
Our aestheticians administer electrolysis and thermolysis or a blend of both depending on size of hair, size of pope in which the hair resides and area of body where hair is removed. Our current rate is $25 per 15 minutes.
It seems as if, if we have facial thick hair, it will not be needed to wait for 4weeks to grow out compared to fine hair, but instead less time, is that correct? Also, is there anything we can use over the counter that thins thick hair, before the facial procedure. It seems it will take more time with thicker hair then thin facial hair
Hair tends to grow at about same speed whether it is coarse or fine but the speed differs between body areas. Many times, we often do not need to wait 4 weeks between electrolysis treatments. Coarse hair is more difficult to treat than fine hair. It simply takes longer to deliver the energy. A prescription topical (Vaniqa cream, applied twice daily) makes the hair finer and slows its growth through inhibition of an important enzyme. The cream has no noteworthy side effects, although every topical has the theoretical chance to cause a contact allergy. To my knowledge, there is no over the counter product that reliably thins hair.
Are there side effects to treating African American skin, such as facial burns? Specifically does electrolysis work on dense gray hair? Are the results of electrolysis permanent for both dark and gray hairs?
Densely pigmented skin always requires a delicate approach during procedures. However, electrolysis is an option and works to permanently destroy white, grey and dark hair. It is recommended to use an over the counter fading agent, such as kojic acid or hydroquinone 2%, about 4 weeks prior to start of electrolysis.
Hello,
I have been wanting to get electrolysis for some time now but I cannot imagine the idea of growing out the hair for 4 weeks! I have dark black hair that grows on the sides of my chin, along with some on my upper lip. I pluck daily. I have light/olive skin. Are there any suggestions? I don’t think I can grow it out for longer than one week. It grows overnight! Please help!
Some people will indeed need less amount of time to grow out hair to enable electrolysis, and if safe and effective, treatment times can often be tailored. I recommend that you work with your electrologist to find the right timing for you.