Factors That Determine Length of Electrolysis Treatment
Electrolysis treatment is a permanent hair removal process that involves the use of electric currents to destroy hair follicles to disrupt new hair growth. Though other approaches can be used for hair removal, electrolysis treatment is the only 100% FDA-approved permanent hair removal process. This is because it has more appealing results than laser hair removal and other similar treatments.
The process takes quite some time to complete as some patients may undergo 15 to 20 treatments in a particular area. There are numerous factors that influence the length of electrolysis treatment, as articulated in this article.
Total Treatment Time
Electrolysis treatment is not a speedy process as most areas require approximately 8 to 18 months to remove the hair permanently. The treatment involves destroying the hair follicles, which terminates hair growth, and each follicle should be targeted at least twice for substantial results hence the reason for the long treatment time.
A longer treatment plan may also be due to hair growth in different parts of the body. For instance, hair removal on the legs may require 12 weeks of treatment, while the head may require up to 3 years.
An average electrolysis treatment takes about 15 minutes to one hour. Small hair zones such as the facial electrolysis on the upper lip and eyebrows take a shorter duration, while larger areas such as the legs may take up to one hour. However, some patients may need longer-duration treatments based on their recommendations.
Electrology Method
This is the actual process by which an electrologist removes hair using electric currents by targeting hair follicles in a given area. There are three different methods that an electrologist can use in permanent hair removal which may influence the length of the treatment:
Thermolysis
It is also referred to as short wave electrolysis and involves heating and destroying hair growth cells. There are two techniques that electrologists use, and they include using a higher intensity current for a shorter duration or a lower intensity current for a longer duration. This method is generally the most commonly used as it is effective and a fast way to remove hair permanently.
Galvanic
This hair removal method uses an electric current that generates a chemical reaction that destroys the hair follicle. The electric current is directed using a small needle that delivers a caustic agent called lye. This substance will then permanently damage the follicles, which prevents hair regrowth. And yes, this is the slowest method to remove hair permanently, which results in longer electrolysis treatment.
Blend
As the name suggests, this is a combination of Thermolysis and galvanic methods. It is a more effective method as the lye substance, and the heat from the thermolysis process destroys the hair follicles intensively. In this method, the tissues become more porous and allow the process to reach all areas of the hair shaft.
Although Blend is not as fast as Thermolysis, it is quicker than Galvanic; hence using this method can result in shorter electrolysis treatment.
Cost/Affordability for You
If you can afford to go for sessions multiple times per week, your treatment will be much short as the electrologist will have more hours to work on your hair.
However, if you are short of money and keep on missing treatment sessions, you will have to endure a long duration of electrolysis treatment. This is because your sessions will space out more than they should.
Hair Removal Methods in Between the Sessions
Your hair removal methods between sessions can prolong the length of electrolysis treatment. For example, waxing is a physical technique of hair removal that utilizes cold or warm wax to target an area and remove the hair from its roots by ripping off the wax from the skin.
Tweezing, also known as plucking, is another example. Tweezing involves the removal of individual hairs using forceps by pulling out the hair from the hair root.
These hair removal methods are not suitable when doing electrolysis as the latter requires some hairs above the skin surface to work effectively. Meaning if you wax or tweeze, you will need to wait till the hair grows back to continue with your electrolysis sessions, thus prolonging your treatment.
The Density of Hair in the Area of Treatment
Though electrolysis treatment can be performed on any type of hair, the density of your hair will influence the duration taken for the completion of the procedure. This is because patients with dense hair have numerous hair follicles per square inch of skin. As stated earlier, each follicle must be targeted at least twice, so having numerous hair follicles will lengthen the hair removal process.
Additionally, if the hair covers a large skin area, more time will be utilized to permanently remove the hair. You should also note that there are several factors that determine hair density. Some medications, illnesses, family history, among other possible causes, have resulted in unwanted hair growth for most people. You can get a consultation from an electrologist to reveal the underlying factors for dense hair growth and derive an effective treatment plan.
Hormonal Balance
Hormones are the primary reason for hair growth in men and women, and they also influence the hair growth cycle.
Abnormal hormonal shifts may cause unwanted hair growth in various parts of the body. This may result in spending more time during electrolysis hair removal. Other hormonal-related factors that may cause changes in hair growth include pregnancy, menopause, and hirsutism.
Conclusion
Electrolysis treatment require several months to fully remove the unwanted hair. There are several factors that may influence the length of the treatment, for example, the electrology method, hormonal balance, and hair density on the treatment area.
It is vital to know these factors so that you can understand why you may take too long to finish your treatment. If you would like to schedule an electrolysis treatment and inquire about the length of the treatment and many more details to get your hair removed permanently, contact us today!
