• Why Do You Have Unwanted Hair?

Statistics show that most people have facial or body hair, which they feel detracts from their appearance. Superfluous hair growth is often the result of normal biologic changes in which both males and females undergo throughout life.  As humans advance through puberty, pregnancies, menopause, midlife and aging, fluctuations in hormone levels in both genders may cause increased hair growth in areas that have never before been affected.  Excessive hair may also be due to such diverse causes as heredity, medication side effects and stress.  It can be associated with endocrine dysfunction, which may cause irregular menstrual cycles, ovarian disorders, and diabetes or thyroid irregularities.  We are trained to recognize hair growth patterns, which may require a referral to a physician.

 
• What are the most widely used methods of Hair Removal?

There are several techniques to remove unwanted hair; however, only One is Permanent!
• Shaving
• Waxing
• Creams
• Depilatories
• Laser(Expensive, Painful & Not Completely Permanent)
• Electrolysis - This is Gold Standard.  It's the Only Type of Permanent Hair Removal that works for Everyone.

 

• What Areas can be Treated?
 
Electrolysis has few limits when it comes to removing hair from the human body.  Regulations appropriately preclude hair removal from mucous membranes (inside the nose), the breasts of a pregnant woman, inside the ears, moles (unless you can provide a written release from your physician), and any known area of communicable or suspicious skin conditions.  This leaves a world of smooth, sleek skin.  From hairline, eyebrows, upper lip and chin, to underarms, bikini line and toes, virtually every area of the body can be effectively treated.

• How does Electrolysis work?
 
A professional Electrologist Technician slides a very fine, sterile probe alongside the hair in the hair follicle.  A small amount of heat is then applied through this probe, which destroys the hair root, papilla, and hair germinating cells, without harming the surface skin.

• Is Electrology Always Effective?
 
This question is usually asked when patients see hair appearing in the treated area. Hair that appears in the area is not necessarily hair growing from a treated follicle.  Most, in fact, will grow from untreated follicles. If the hair appears in six weeks or less, you can be sure that it is from a follicle that was previously dormant.  Seven to eight weeks would be required for a hair to grow from the treated follicle.

• How long has Electrolysis been performed?
 
In 1869, ophthalmologist Charles Michel, MD in St. Louis, Missouri, needed to find a safe, effective way to remove ingrown eyelashes which frequently led to blindness.  He published his first scientific paper in 1875.  The medical community accepted and then adapted the treatment of excess hair on other parts of the body.  The same basic technique is still used today with modern computerized technical improvements.

• Can Electrology Be Harmful or Cause Scarring?
 
Under normal conditions, there are no harmful effects from electrology treatment. Most undesirable aftereffects are caused by the patient.  Scratching, picking, or using heavy makeup, and of course general uncleanliness, can cause problems. Caution should be taken with diabetics and patients prone to keloids.  To avoid harming the patient, the electrologist should not treat areas inside the nose or ears, or wherever there are skin irritations, until the patient has been examined by a physician.

• Can Hair Be Removed From a Mole?
 
The electrologist should check insurance coverage and state regulations before treating a mole.  A physician's permission should also be obtained to protect the health of the patient.  These precautions are presently necessary because treating moles is still controversial.  There is no recorded damage due to treatment of a mole, and some insurance companies now cover this treatment.  In fact after treating moles in 90% of the cases the mole color disappears in 2 to 4 months, leaving the skin in good condition.
 
         
 
• How many Treatments are needed?

Treatment programs are custom tailored to meet each patients' needs.  Many factors determine the number and length of treatments needed.  Some of these may include the condition of the skin to be treated, the sensitivity of the skin, the number of follicles involved, and past methods of hair removal, may impact treatments.  The closer you keep to your treatment schedule recommended by your Electrologist the faster you can free yourself of unwanted hair forever.

• How Long Does It Take?

• Upper Lip (3-8 Hours Total/Average)
• Chin (3-12 Hours Total/Average)
• Sideburns (4-8 Hours Total/Average)
• Eyebrows (3-8 Hours Total/Average)
• Underarms (8-16 Hours Total/Average)
• Bikini Line (8-16 Hours Total/Average)

All above Listed Electrolysis Treatment Times are based on Average Estimates of Previous Patients Treatment History, spread over a average 12 to 18 Month Treatment Period.  Your Exact Total Treatment Times of Completion may vary differently.

• How Long Does Each Treatment Last?
 
The average treatment ranges from 15 minutes to 1(one) hour.  Many patients find weekly or bi-weekly sessions of 15 - 60 minutes to be most efficacious.  The amount of time per treatment depends upon the reaction of the skin to treatment, and the patient's sensitivity.  Timing also depends on what part of the body is being treated.  The first treatment should last no more than 15 minutes.  Use this treatment as a test.  If all goes well, a patient may eventually receive up to 2(two) hours of body treatment at one time.  Facial treatments will always vary greatly depending upon the area; from 15 minutes to 1(one) hour.

• How Much Hair Can Be Removed in One Treatment?
 
The amount of Hair that can be removed in one treatment depends upon the sensitivity of the patient, the skin, and the skill of the electrologist.

• What can be done for a heavy growth of Hair between treatments?
 
It is really best not to use any other methods between treatments, like Tweezing, Waxing, or Depilatories.  However, extremely heavy growth can be trimmed with a small manicure Scissors or Shaved with an Electric Razor.

• Clipping and Shaving!
                                 
Contrary to what most people believe, Clipping and Shaving is your BEST form of Temporary Hair Removal. Tweezing and Waxing is the WORST thing you can do to Remove your Hair!  Shaving or Clipping DOES NOT cause the hair to grow back Thicker!  When a hair grows out of the follicle it has a worn off tapered end.  When you clip or shave it, it becomes Blunt Tipped.  Plus all the hairs are suddenly the Same Length making it appear and feel like it is thicker, darker and more course.  This is only an Optical Illusion, you have not caused your hair problem to increase. FACT:  SHAVING and/or CLIPPING is the Best Type of Temporary Hair Removal.

• Does Temporary Hair Removal Affect Hair Growth?
 
Stimulation of the dermal papilla can cause hair to grow wider in diameter, and at times can rarely distort the hair follicle.  Only tweezing or waxing can cause enough trauma to stimulate the dermal papilla.  Cutting, shaving, and depilatories do not reach the dermal papilla and do not affect growth.  A patient under treatment should not tweeze between sessions, but may cut or shave any visible hairs until their next appointment.

• Can I Get an Infection From Electrolysis Treatment?
 
Infection can result from electrology treatment, although it is rare.  Infections are most commonly caused by the patient after treatment, and are usually of a minor cosmetic nature.  This type of infection will clear within 3 to 8 weeks.  It is crucial that the electrologist use sterilization and sanitation procedures to decrease the possibility of infection.  It is normal following Electrolysis for the treated area to be red and slightly swollen.  Both of these conditions usually disappear from 1(hour) to 12(hours), but can last longer.  You may see some scabbing on areas, especially those below the neck.

The following post-treatment care suggestions should be followed for at least the first 24 to 72 hours after treatment.  In general, avoid any kind of activity that would subject the treated skin to irritating conditions while it is in the healing stage. We recommend:

1. Keep the areas clean with a suitable antiseptic, such as witch hazel, alcohol, or mild soap and water.
2. Apply antibiotic cream (i.e. Neosporin® or Polysporin®) to help minimize possible infection in the treated areas.
3. Keep your hands OFF the area.  If any pimples or scabs appear following treatment, tell your electrologist about them.  Do not pick them off!
4. Do not use any abrasive scrubbing action on the treated areas.
5. 48 hours before and 48 hours after treatment do not visit a tanning salon or get sunburn on the treated area.  No Swimming or Excessive Exercise for 24 Hours after electrolysis treatment.
6. Use only fresh make-up and/or cosmetics, purchased within the last 60 days to minimize the possibility of infection.  If any reaction occurs which appears related to your electrolysis treatment, contact your electrologist for further care instructions.

• Why Does Hair Regrow?

There are many reasons for hair regrowth.  Sometimes an insertion is not accurate and misses the dermal papilla, resulting in regrowth. If the insertion is accurate, but only destroys the dermal papilla and not the lower two-thirds of the hair follicle where the germinative cells are located, hair will regrow.

Most Important:  If you Feel the Hair coming out After-Treatment, nothing is being accomplished, only Tweezing.  Please Find a new Electrologist.

• Will Hyperpigmentation Always Occur After Treatment?

Not always.  Hyperpigmentation (HEYE per PIG men TAY shun) or freckling of the treated area, is possible, especially if the hair is dark, deep, terminal hair.  Most cases of Hyperpigmentation clear within a few months, but in some cases it can last for as long as 24 months.

• Will Electrology Treatment Stimulate New Hair Growth?
 
Some experts feel that the stimulation can cause a few surrounding follicles to grow hair. This has NOT been scientifically proven.

• Is One Electrology Modality Most Effective?
 
There are 3(three) acceptable Modalities for Permanent Hair Removal at the present time.  The efficiency of the method depends totally on the practitioner, not the equipment.  We prefer the "short wave" or Thermolysis Method is the most cost effective for the patient.

• What is the Black Material That Appears on the Skin After Treatment?
 
It can be identified as the remnants of a club hair.  This occurs when a hair is treated in the later stages of telogen with an early anagen hair already growing beneath it.  If both hairs are successfully treated, the anagen hair will appear at the skin surface days later.  There is also the possibility of hair breakage during removal.  This will leave the thick root portion in the follicle.  It will appear on the surface a few days to a week after treatment.

• What Is the White Tissue that Appears Soon After Treatment?
 
The white tissue is the sheath, or the covering around the hair itself.  As the hair is removed from the follicle, the sheath will occasionally peel off.

• Why Does the Skin Scab After Treatment?
 
Electrology causes microscopic hemorrhaging, so it is normal for some small scabs to form occasionally after treatment, especially on the lower areas of the body. The patient must be advised not to pick scabs or they will leave small pits.

• What Causes Ingrown Hairs?
 
Ingrown hairs grow through the side of the follicle and lie just beneath the skin's surface.  Ingrown hairs are usually caused by tweezing or waxing, when the hair breaks at the weakest point just below the surface of the skin.  This can distort the hair, especially if it is pulled against its direction of growth.  The hair will then grow under the surface of the skin rather than up and out of the hair follicle.  A pimple like inflammation results that is uncomfortable to the patient, especially when it occurs on the inner thigh, the neck, or the underarm.  Men with heavy beards can have this problem.  When they shave close, the hair pulls back into the hair follicle, and sometimes its direction of growth is altered, causing ingrown hairs.  Patients who are prone to ingrown hairs should stop tweezing or waxing and receive electrology treatments immediately.

• Does Electrology Treatment Hurt?
 
The sensation is about that of tweezing.  Most patients are surprised as they expect to feel much more.  Today one may use a Topically Applied Anesthetic(EMLA® Cream/30 gram tube), to eliminate most of the sensation.  EMLA® Anesthetic Cream requires a physician's prescription in the USA.  No prescription is required in Canada.

• Can Injected Local Anesthesia Be Given?
 
Yes, but only by a qualified Dentist or Physician.  Many patients may want this, particularly for the Upper Lip or Inner Thigh areas.  The electrologist must be extremely careful not to overtreat these areas when a Injected Local Anesthesia is utilized.

• Can the Breast Be Treated During Pregnancy?
 
Medical authorities recommend not performing electrolysis on the abdomen or breasts during the last Trimester (last 3 months) of the pregnancy using any modality.  It is best to leave this decision to the patient, however, as some women are more sensitive during pregnancy.  We have treated many pregnant women with no adverse side effects.

• Will the Pore Be Larger After Treatment?
 
                      
The size of the pore is due to the size of the hair treated.  The electrologist must make the patient aware of this before treatment, as pores are more evident once the hair is removed.

• Can Teenagers Be Treated?
 
Unless prohibited by state regulations, Teenagers may be treated.  It is, of course, wise to have the permission of the Parents of Teens under legal age.  We have treated Teenagers very successfully many times.

• How much does Electrolysis cost?
 
Electrolysis is one of the least expensive forms of cosmetic surgery available.  It is an Investment which provides a PERMANENT Solution to ridding yourself of Unwanted Hair forever.  The cost in comparison to the mental frustration and the expense of a lifetime of Temporary Removal methods is minimal.  Many patients that come to our Electrolysis Office say,  "If I only knew how Easy this was, I would have had treatment Long ago!"
 
Here are our current Professional Fees for Electrolysis PERMANENT Hair Removal at the UNIVERSITY of CINCINNATI DERMATOLOGY CONSULTANTS, Inc. Office.

15 minutes - $45.00  /  30 Minutes -$60.00  /  45 minutes - $70.00  /  60 minutes - $85.00
 

 
Contents Copyright© 2001-2004, Karen Vickers, CT, CPE
Cincinnati Electrolysis sm, Cincinnati Electrology sm, Cincinnati
Hair Removal sm, are SERVICE MARKS-Karen Vickers (2001-2004)
in association and practicing with:
University Dermatology Consultants, Inc
234 Goodman Street, PAVILION A (Room 307) • Cincinnati, OH 45267-0523
Phone: 513-584-4972 Email
             

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