Generality
Electrolysis and electrocoagulation are two techniques widely used in the definitive removal of unwanted hair.
These hair removal techniques generally give satisfactory results, although the final outcome of the treatments may vary greatly from person to person.
Both - electrolysis and electro-coagulation - are very delicate treatments to be performed and that, therefore, must be carried out only and exclusively by specialized personnel within qualified structures, in order to avoid the onset of complications and side effects.
Techniques
As mentioned, both electrolysis and electrocoagulation techniques use electric current to remove hair.
The machines used in these procedures are able to emit an electric current at a specific frequency which is conveyed to the area to be treated through the use of a small needle-like probe.
More in detail, this very thin needle is inserted into the hair canal up to the follicle, then to the root of the hair which will then be destroyed following the release of the electric current by the instrument.
However, although the method by which these treatments are performed is similar, each technique has its own characteristics and operating principles which will be described below.
Galvanic electrolysis
As stated above, galvanic electrolysis is a hair removal technique that involves the insertion of a very thin needle - from which an electric current is emitted - inside the hair follicle.
This is a very ancient process, which exploits the potential of electric current to generate an electro-chemical reaction from which sodium hydroxide, a corrosive substance that destroys the hair bulb, develops.
This effect is obtained by applying a continuous electric current to the needle tip, which devitalizes the bulb within 10-20 seconds.
At the end of the operation, the hair, together with its bulb "struck", is removed with a simple tweezer.
Electrocoagulation
Electrocoagulation - also known as thermolysis or short-wave diathermy - is carried out with a technique similar to galvanic electrolysis, but - in this case - the action of an alternating electric current at very high frequency (or low length) is exploited. wave, if you prefer).
In this way the hair bulb is destroyed and, immediately after, it coagulates directly under the action of the heat thus developed, making the operation more comfortable and less painful than the aforementioned technique.
Moreover, compared to the prior art, the time required to apply the current is considerably reduced (from one to ten tenths of a second, compared with the 10-20 seconds required to perform electrolysis).
Electrocoagulation is usually performed on areas of the body that are not very extensive, such as the mustache, the armpits and the bikini area.
In some cases, moreover, this technique can be used following the epilation with laser technology, so as to eliminate any residual superfluous hairs.
Mixed technique
In addition to galvanic electrolysis and electrocoagulation, there is a third technique, called "mixed technique" or "Blend".
As can be easily understood, this epilation technique uses both the methods described above in an attempt to obtain a better result. In theory, therefore, it is more suitable for particularly hard and coarse hairs, such as male ones.
Note:
The insertion of the needle into the follicular ostium is a delicate operation, which must be performed with caution and under a high intensity light source; if well behaved it is absolutely painless and safe. The needle, in fact, is actually a small probe that, if well handled, does not prick the skin but is simply inserted into the hair follicle, resulting in a painless condition.
The choice of one or the other technique is up to the specialist, based on his experience, the area to be treated and the characteristics of the hair. Operators can also use probes that differ in size and technical characteristics.
Useful tips
Since the hair follicles that are in the telogen phase (resting) are more difficult to destroy than those that are growing (anagen), it is recommended to shave the hair to be treated 3 or 4 days before the treatment. In this way the hairs visible during electrocoagulation will be in anagen phase and will be more easily removable.
Instead of needle-shaped devices, electronic gripper devices have recently appeared on the market, which do not, however, offer the same guarantees of success. The same goes for appliances intended for domestic use. For this reason, when talking about permanent hair removal techniques, it is always good to turn to professionals in the sector, since, as often happens, products to be used in the home have a rather limited effectiveness.
Side effects
If used by inexperienced hands, electrolysis can cause the appearance of keloid formations (scars) and infections. The method - given its mechanism of action - can also be painful and lead to local fading or darkening of the skin. To decrease the perception of pain, it may be useful to apply a local anesthetic, such as EMLA (based on lidocaine and procaine), one hour before treatment.
In general, the side effects of electrolysis are however temporary and limited to the appearance of small edemas (swelling), burning and erythema (skin redness) in the treated areas.
Effectiveness and Limits
Electrolysis and electrocoagulation are two epilatory techniques which - if properly performed by expert personnel - have the great advantages of being effective and permanent.
However, the main limitation of electrocoagulation, and even more of electrolysis, lies in the long time necessary to obtain the desired result. In fact, each hair follicle must be treated individually. In general, moreover, several sessions are necessary to obtain the definitive removal of the hair.
Each session lasts an average of 15 to 30 minutes; longer durations are generally not compatible with the patient's patience and that of the operator (whose vision and precision are essential for the success of the treatment).
In such a period of time, depending on the method used, only about 60 to 600 hairs can be treated.
Those who intend to solve the problem of unwanted hair by exploiting the potential of electrolysis or electrocoagulation, should therefore consider their economic weight and long waiting times (on average a year, a year and a half); only at that point will it be possible to cut the competitive finish line.
In any case, the success of the treatment, the stability of the results and the side effects, vary from person to person, also based on the type of instrumentation used and the skill of the operator.
For this reason it is very important to inform yourself in advance about the experience and certifications of the professional you are addressing.
Electrolysis and electrocoagulation can be used by both men and women. The result is strictly influenced by the size of the hair; therefore, in boys it will be necessary more treatments to obtain the progressive devitalization of the hair follicles (the overall duration of the treatment, in these cases, can be extended up to three years).
costs
The costs of electrolysis and electrocoagulation can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, such as:
- Area of the body to be treated and its extension;
- Type of hair that must be removed (thin or coarse hair);
- Duration of sessions (15-30 minutes);
- Number of sessions performed (on average, for the epilation of areas such as the armpits, the bikini area or the mustache, 15 to 40 sessions are required, which are performed over a period of about one or two years);
- Final result to be obtained.
The cost of these techniques may also vary depending on the professional who performs them and the clinic in which they are performed.
However, indicatively, for a woman, the costs of an overall electrolysis or electrocoagulation treatment can vary from a minimum of 250 euros to up to 1, 300 euros.
Given the characteristics of their particularly robust and coarse hairs, men who decide to use these epilation techniques will have to incur much higher costs.
Contraindications
Although epilation with electrolysis or electrocoagulation is a technique considered safe and generally well tolerated, it presents some contraindications.
In fact, patients with pacemakers should not undergo either electro-coagulation or electrolysis.
For this reason, it is essential to inform your doctor about your health conditions before proceeding with the treatment.
