Electrology F.A.Q

This is every thing you ever wanted to know about Electrology and answers the common questions and concerns that clients have. 
  • Where can I have treatment--who will you treat?

    Just about anywhere! Unwanted hair can be safely removed from most body areas. Common areas include the hairline, nose, eyebrows, upper and lower lip, cheeks, sideburns, ears, chin, neck, shoulders, arms and underarms, fingers, hands, breasts, abdomen, bikini line, legs, back, and chest.


    We are happy to offer services to men, women, and teens. G/L/B/T/TS/TG clients are welcome.

  • Does it Hurt? Really?

    The short answer is it depends. It is impossible to destroy hair growth tissue without sensation because each hair follicle is surrounded by its own network of nerve endings. The sensation, which may or may not be felt, is the assurance that destructive activity is taking place.


    Some clients sleep through hours of treatments and others honestly find 15 minutes to be very uncomfortable. We utilize advanced Apilus technology ensuring our clients a gentler and more comfortable way to permanent hair removal. If you have tried electrolysis before, try it again and feel the Apilus difference.


    The sensation you might experience depends on many reasons including where one is having treatment and what method is used. Some parts of the body are more sensitive than others. If you have ever waxed or plucked, you'll find electrolysis to be surprisingly comfortable. Some clients have described the sensation as a pinch, a mosquito bite, a quick snap, or building warmth.


    Many adjustments can be made which help to make the treatment more comfortable. Some clients choose to take an OTC analgesic such as Aleve, Aspirin, or Advil 30 - 45 minutes before treatment and report treatment is very comfortable. We will work within your personal comfort level and do have topical anesthetics available. We can include topical anesthetic with all of our upper and lower lip area electrolysis treatments for your comfort.

  • What exactly do you do to the hair?

    Electrology is the art and science of permanent hair removal utilizing your body’s natural reaction to exposure to electrical current. A fine sterile probe is inserted into the hair follicle and a small amount of electrical energy is discharged which destroys the hair growth tissue. When this is skillfully accomplished the regenerative ability of the hair follicle is permanently eliminated. The hair is lifted out after treatment and you leave with bare skin.

  • Why should I choose electrolysis over other hair removal methods?

    Electrolysis isn't right for every person or situation. If you want to look hairless for your vacation next week electrolysis is not the option for you. Electrolysis produces permanent hair removal but it is no overnight sensation. While you will look better right away, it takes a series of treatments to get to permanent.


    If you are looking for the only FDA approved method of permanent hair removal then electrolysis is for you. Electrolysis can permanently remove unwanted hair of any color from any skin type or color, and from any part of the body. It has been proven to be a safe and effective method of permanent hair removal since 1875. Investing in electrolysis is a decision that needs to be make carefully considering your goals, timeline, and budget.

  • Is it really permanent? How long does it take?

    Absolutely! However, electrolysis is not an overnight sensation.


    Electrolysis requires a series of treatments to achieve permanency. The number of treatments necessary varies with each client and with the area being treated. Factors such as hair growth cycles, the quantity and structure of hair presented, previous use of temporary hair removal methods, heredity, hormone function, normal physiologic changes, certain medications, and stress all influence the treatment program for each individual.


    In most cases it takes an average of 18 to 24 months to have absolute permanence. This time clock begins at the time we clear the area and are able to keep it clear of hair as your pattern fills in so we have treated your entire natural hair pattern.


    It is very important to adhere to the recommended treatment schedule to achieve optimum results in the shortest time frame. You are going to look better right away but we want to eliminate your hair problem, not manage it.


    Though it sounds long, your amount of treatment time or frequency with which you visit generally tapers off. Without looking at your individual hair pattern, and knowing what removal methods you have tried, as well as the potential cause of the hair growth, it is impossible to accurately estimate the exact number of treatments it will take.


    If you would like to know more precisely what your treatment schedule would look like, we encourage you to call for a free consultation and find out exactly what you will need to do to get great results from us.

  • What are the basic methods you use in treatments?

    We utilize all three modalities or types of electrolysis. Your electrologist will select the appropriate method for you after examining your skin and hair pattern and evaluating your personal history and medical profile at your consultation.


    Electrolysis --- Direct current (DC), is the original form of electro-epilation (and also the name of our field) DC is used to achieve chemical destruction of the hair follicle. One or more pre-sterilized disposable probes can be used. In the multiple needle form, It is by far the slowest form of electro-epilation. In the single probe form, it is comparable in time to the blend.


    Thermolysis --- Alternating current (AC), sometimes referred to as high frequency, diathermy, or short-wave, is used to create heat that destroys the hair follicle. Most often one sterile probe is used. It is generally the fastest form of electro-epilation.


    The Blend (also referred to as Dual Modality) --- Both of the above currents are used simultaneously or sequentially to achieve dual action destruction of the hair follicle. Most often, a single sterile probe is used for this procedure. This is comparable in time to electrolysis both being slower than Thermolysis.


    You can get great results with any modality if you have a skilled electrologist. Your electrologist will select the best method for your individual situation.

  • Why do I have to come so often? Does it make a difference if I let them all

    Yes it makes a HUGE difference! It is important to follow your individual treatment schedule to get the fastest results.


    Hairs are most effectively treated, regardless of method, in their earliest growth stage as we need moisture of an early growth stage hair to make our treatments effective. The older a hair gets, the drier it gets and thus the less effective treatment would be. We must catch your unwanted hairs as they just emerge from the skin as this is when the hairs are finer and straighter allowing for us to be more accurate in our insertions.


    When hairs are smaller the target zone is also smaller helping us to eliminate all of the germinative cells that grow hairs in one treatment rather than breaking down a larger hair's zone with multiple sessions. A smaller hair also means we can utilize less current making it a more comfortable treatment for you.


    Regular treatment ensures we are catching hairs at this early growth stage and makes for a more effective and more comfortable treatment with far less potential for regrowth. If you can make the time commitment at the beginning of treatment, you can think of it as taking time off the end so you get the best results in the shortest time frame.

  • How does electrolysis compare to common temporary or long lasting hair removal methods?

    There is no one right method of hair removal for every person. Which method you chose to use will depend on many factors. Learning more about all of your hair removal options will help you make an informed choice and have realistic expectations regardless of which method you choose.


    Laser Assisted Hair Removal vs. Electrolysis

    While laser promoters compare laser to electrolysis, it is actually not legally allowed to term itself a permanent form of hair removal just a reduction of the quality or quantity of hair. Only three laser devices have been cleared to claim a permanent reduction in hair by the FDA.


    Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) though often called laser, is NOT a true laser and not approved by the FDA to claim any efficacy. However, some people report they have found it an effective management tool.


    Electrolysis is cleared for claiming permanent removal of hair. If you follow a solid treatment plan and religiously attend regular treatments then you can expect that once you are done with all of your treatments you will not have less hair, you will have no hair in that area. We consider you done with electrolysis when you do not have any hair filling in and it stays bare.


    All laser assisted hair removal is considered a long lasting method of hair removal. It will require regular treatments to maintain any reduction in hair often called touch up treatments 4 to 6 times per year. Many people find they must continue to shave to be sure they appear totally smooth.


    Laser hair removal has not been evaluated for long-term safety of the patient's skin and health--new research is showing prolonged exposure to laser is capable of changing skin cells at the genetic level. People who are concerned about their exposure to radiation may want to avoid laser treatments.


    It takes a series of treatments before you stop seeing a shadow (generally 6+ spaced out every 6 weeks or so) which some operators may call the time it takes to "clear". The reason for is all of your hair is not present at one time in the optimal growth stage.


    On most body parts it takes up to two years to see a complete growth cycle--think about the hair on your head and how long it can get, that can be an eight year growth cycle on average. If all your head hair fell out and re-grew as fast as most people think, you'd have really, really, short hair all the time.


    Clients shave prior to laser treatment, then the laser is applied to the skin. Essentially, laser energy is drawn to pigmented cells. It heats the moisture in the pigmented cells. If the moisture gets hot enough then the theory is that the follicular cells are also heated at this time potentially enough to destroy or disable them. The moisture in the dark colored hair is heated out of the hair.


    The treated hairs are reabsorbed by the body or fall out on their own like coffee grounds over the next few days or weeks. Skin exposed to effective medical grade laser looks sunburned after treatment and must be protected from the sun.


    The best results require high levels of contrast which means it is most effective for those clients with very dark hair and very, very light skin. Darker skin tones or tanned skin must be treated with extreme caution as laser is attracted to pigment any pigment. Darker skin tones may require bleaching and sun avoidance for at least 6 weeks prior to and following treatment if it can be treated at all. White, grey, blonde, and most red hairs are unaffected by laser.


    Laser does have potential to work with electrolysis. One could argue laser would a good choice to initially clear large areas like legs or backs and then clients would follow up with electrolysis as the hair grows back in following the series of laser treatments. This might maximize the speed of a laser treatment and the effectiveness of electrolysis.


    To get the best possible treatments from laser, you need to make sure your laser provider is using medical grade laser. Generally these are very large devices which require careful calibration so they aren’t portable and would never be moved location to location (but they could carefully roll around a flat room on occasion). If the machine is taken location to location it is probably not medical grade laser.


    Do make sure your laser provider, the person doing your consult and selecting the device settings is a medical doctor (MD) and has appropriate training. There is no clear regulation for laser training. Yes, you read that right. A laser vendor of any kind can take anyone of you and "train you" in without any real program requirements.


    You too could take a weekend course and be a certified laser technician (CLT) and use an offsite medical director work-around and not have a doctor on site at all and yet call yourself a medispa giving the impression the shop is medically directed. Look for an onsite full time medical director.


    In Wisconsin, as of December 2006, the medical director must simply be located within 120 miles of the shop; regulations now require the medical director to actually be currently licensed in medicine and surgery in Wisconsin which is an excellent step toward ensuring client safety. Each state varies in its regulations, some don't even require a medical director--not even one in name only.


    Any kind of hair removal treatments are only as good as your technician/operator regardless of hair removal method. For safety reasons it is especially important for laser services to be given under real medical supervision. There is serious potential for instant significant tissue damage with a poorly used laser device.


    Electrology has proven itself safe, effective, and permanent since 1875 and does not use radiation it is a naturally occurring process. Electrolysis offers pin-point precision treatment. Unlike laser, were things to go wrong with electrolysis the hair-by-hair nature of the treatment also means you would have significantly less damage than with a wholesale approach to hair removal like laser. Electrolysis is equally effective on all colors of hair and skin; it is also safe to do near sensitive areas like the eyes making it ideal for eyebrow work and for darker skin tones or in or near tattoos.


    Waxing, Sugaring, Nads, Epilady or Threading vs. Electrolysis:

    Waxing, Sugaring, NuFree, Nads, and threading will remove all of the visible hair by removing it by the root (if well done). The outer layer of skin is often removed when the hair is removed with many of these methods. While this can be great when you want exfoliation, improperly done or improperly cared for after treatment, it can result in skin problems including ingrown hair, scarring, pigment changes, and bruising.


    To keep your skin clear, (and contrary to advertising claims) all of these methods must be done frequently forever. You must also wait until hair is at least 1/4" to 1/3" (about 3 weeks of growth) long for the wax/sugar/Nads "glue" to adhere to the removal strip.


    Research has shown that any method that rips hair out by the root such as waxing, sugaring, and Nads type products can actually increase hair growth in hormonally dependent areas such as the upper lip, chin, breasts, and abdomen of a female.


    This is not an issue on areas like eyebrows and legs as it does not increase growth in these areas. Feel free to wax away in these areas. Waxing is fast and long lasting. Since waxing removes all the visible hair it also removes hair in all the various stages of growth.


    This is why many people think waxing reduces hair growth. The re-growth is finer and softer because the fill is new baby hair. There seems to be less hair because all the stages of hair growth are removed and only active growth stage hair fills in. On body areas, up to 80% of the visible hair you have is old, dry, place saver hair not active growth stage hair.


    While it may look like waxing reduced your hair growth by 80%, it really just removed all the various stages of growth and if you keep up on waxing you’ll never see that old fill again.


    You only need a couple of days of growth to be treated with electrolysis so no fluff out required. There is no risk of skin removal with electrolysis either. It is safe to do if you are using many of the newer skin care products and even prescription level skin care. There is no risk of ingrown hairs with electrolysis treatment either.


    Tweezing vs. Electrolysis:

    Tweezing is easy to do, and inexpensive. However hair can become coarser from the repeated tweezing and skin problems including ingrown hair, pigment changes, and scaring can result. Obviously it is not a permanent solution to unwanted hair unless you are talking about the eyebrows. You can pluck to near permanent results up there because it is delicate like scalp hair.


    NEVER tweeze the upper/lower lip, chin, breasts, or abdomen if you are a female. You are stimulating growth in these areas. The hair will become thicker and darker with repeated tweezing. You will find that over time you have to tweeze more and more often and more and more hair. NEVER tweeze or dig out ingrown hairs. You will make the situation worse. The hair will distort further and you will have a bigger lesion the next time it grows in. Really it does. Trust us. Stop performing self-surgery, we mean it!


    Shaving vs. Electrology:

    Shaving is inexpensive and easy. However, the hair does grow back quickly for some people and feels coarse as it is cut off leaving a blunt tip. Contrary to popular belief, shaving DOES NOT increase hair growth in any way. It may feel thicker as you have cut off the hair at the thickest point but it did not make it darker or thicker.


    Seriously, this is the biggest myth in hair removal. We promise it does not increase your hair growth. Hair is dead above the skin surface. Anything you do at this level does not affect hair growth.


    Shaving is a safe and very effective temporary method of removal for basically anywhere you can reach. While it can be a great temporary method of removal many people report problems after shaving like razor rash--a red itchy raised almost acne like outbreak. Electrolysis provides releif for those folks affected by razor burn, razor rash, and folliculitis issues as it eliminates the follicle so it can no longer become inflamed. Investing in electrolysis means never having to shave again and zero irritation or break outs!


    Depilatories vs. Electrology:

    Depilatories like Nair are essentially a chemical shave. It will remove the hair by dissolving it with a chemical cream or gel. This can result in a chemical burning of the skin if you are not careful about patch testing and respecting timing. This can be a nice choice for people who do not wish to use a blade to shave. It also can work really well for those with light colored hair and fine hair. For those with especially sensative skin, electrolysis is a great choice as there is no risk of chemical burn or allergy with our modern methods; just perfectly smooth skin every day.

  • Is Electrolysis safe?

    Absolutely. Our office follows the national CDC Standards for Infection Control which ensures electrolysis is performed under the highest standards of cleanliness and safety and supersedes the Wisconsin State standards.


    Unlike other practices, we utilize only sealed pre-sterilized single use disposable probes for all treatments; we NEVER re-process and re-use probes. We always utilize fresh, latex-free medical grade disposable gloves for each treatment. We do not charge any extra fees for sterilization or using a new pre-sterilized probe for each client.

  • What do you mean my hair is not all active (showing)?

    Not all the follicles that produce hair are active and have visible hair in them at any one time. If they did, then we would also shed our hair all at one time and so basically we would be molting and completely bald at times like birds. Not all of your hair instantly appeared either, it gradually filled in over a period of years when you first started getting your hair. There was one hair, then two, then five, then twenty and so on. Each follicle has its own time clock and schedule.


    All hairs start as an empty hair follicle and then grow in to a fully mature hair. At some point, it separates from its blood supply, ascends toward the surface of the skin and falls out. Following active growing periods, most hair follicles go into a dormant or resting stage. The period of dormancy may last for an indefinite period of time, however, replacement hairs usually appear within 8 to 16 months.


    If you have ever brushed your hair and looked at the hairs in the brush you may have noticed the dry white tuft on the end of them. These are hairs that were ready to naturally shed, they are dead hairs. As opposed to when you pluck, say an eyebrow hair, it might have a moist shinny ball at the end. This is a growing hair.


    Not all hairs are visible on the surface of the skin at any one time. Depending on the area of the body, you may wait for up to 24 months to see all of the dormant follicles create a hair and for that hair to come to the surface as your hair pattern fills in. The appearance of coarse replacement hairs from previously dormant hair follicles should not be mistaken as regrowth from previously treated follicles. We won’t even see any potential regrowth for 18-24 months.


    This is why electrolysis is no overnight sensation. We clear the area of concern of all the unwanted hair and then we have to keep it clear for the entire growth cycle so we have treated all the active follicles. Most body areas have a total growth cycle of 18-24 months so we need regular treatment for 18-24 months to treat all the active follicles. While you will look better right away, you won’t be totally done until we have had a chance to treat all of your active follicles. We also need to factor in effective treatment which means we must see you regularly enough to capture the hairs in the earliest growth stage possible. This is why sporadic treatment isn’t an effective elimination plan.


    So folks that one hair on your chin that you pluck every day...we have some bad news. You might want to sit down.


    Ready? From the day you pluck a single chin hair, it takes an average of 18 to 24 months for that hair to be back in action again and have produced a visible hair. Really. You have about 600 follicles per square centimeter on the face that could be producing hairs; so though it seems to be in the same exact place every day, it is just a friendly neighbor hair. Which you probably stimulated into growth by plucking this hormonally controlled area.


    If we do the math that's one hair a day times seven days a week = 7 hairs. 7 hairs times 4 weeks in a month = 28 hairs a month. Now let's multiply that times the 18 month total growth cycle and we find you really have about 504 hairs there or more...but rest assured we can tackle them all!


    Still think that might be just one hair you tweeze daily? It is possible you are one of the lucky ones but to be sure that is the case how about you stop tweezing for a couple weeks and let's see if it is just one lone hair.

  • What do you mean I should stop tweezing my chin? because I'm making it worse?!?!

    On women, the facial hair (except the eyebrows which is more like scalp hair and you can pluck to patchy baldness) is basically under hormonal control or you could say is prone to hormonal stimulation. The centerline of the chest and abdomen as well as breasts are also under hormonal control.


    At certain times of one's life our body's natural changes (puberty, pregnancy, menopause) can cause a sudden appearance of hair. Many popular prescription (your electrologist must review your medication use history for this reason) and OTC medications (have you looked at the side effects of many popular weight loss drugs? Notice hirsutism listed as a potential side effect that is unwanted hair growth in these areas!) also can contribute to hair growth in these hormonally influenced areas as they alter the endocrine system of the body.


    Now when most people see unwanted hair of course they want to do something about it! Waxing and tweezing are often recommended by salons and spas for these areas. Unfortunately, unlike the rest of your body hair, facial hair when waxed or tweezed (or really any method that violently removes it by the root) repeatedly will come back thicker, stronger and it bring friends.


    Obviously we are in the business of helping you eliminate your hair problem, not making it worse. Though we offer waxing here, we do NOT routinely wax on the face for this reason, we will do it if you want us to but we aren't real excited about it. We will happily wax or tweeze your eyebrows for you and professionally sculpt them but no other areas on women without your informed consent that the service may increase your hair growth.


    Gentlemen, however, are free to wax or tweeze their beards and necks because it doesn't appear to make the pattern any denser or thicker.

  • What will my skin look like--will everyone know I've been in?

    Immediately following treatment, there may be a slight redness and/or swelling which usually disappears within a few minutes to a few hours. Though not desirable on face work, small white dots or tiny red dots may occur. Ideally, by the next day no one should be able to tell you have had treatment. On body work a pinpoint film or crust may develop that resolves into a tiny red dot or simply disappears. It is important to remember that scabs are a part of the normal healing process in some people. If this does occur, the client is advised to not pick them off.


    Following the aftercare guidelines will ensure your skin heals quickly and you don’t cause any unwanted side effects of treatment.


    Be sure and tell your Electrologist about any skin reactions so they can work with you to minimize their occurrence. While we ride that line between aggressive treatment and keeping your skin looking perfect it may take us a little bit of adjustment to find what works best for you. When electrolysis is administered by a qualified electrologist using state-of-the-art technology and techniques, the results are exciting!

  • Can women begin or continue electrology treatments during pregnancy?

    Yes. Electrology has never been proven harmful in any way to pregnant women since 1875. We will require your healthcare provider's permission to offer you treatment during your pregnancy. You may find your skin reacts very differently during pregnancy and that your sensitivity and tolerance of treatment may also change. Communicate with your electrologist so we can determine a treatment plan modification that works for you.

  • Can hairs be removed from moles?

    Yes they can. Your electrologist may require a note (on a prescription pad is fine) from your healthcare provider stating it is a typical hairy nevus (mole with a hair) and safe to treat. The potential side effect of treating a benign nevus with electrolysis is a flattening of the mole to the skin surface and a lightening of the color. If you love your beauty mark to be prominent and dark this may not be the method of hair removal for you.

  • Can you zap (work on) my tattoo?

    Yes. Electrolysis treatments have never been a problem for tattoos. In fact, it is one of the few hair removal methods that doesn't affect the design or color. We can keep your investment in body art looking perfect. Consider having electrolysis before you get your tattoo to prepare the canvas so to speak.

  • How much does it cost?

    Treatment is very affordable. I will work within your budget to design the most effective treatment plan for you. Please see the Price Menu for the current prices for all services.


    My fee schedule is based on appointment length. I charge only for the actual treatment time. What that means is if you have a 15-minute appointment with us you will not be in and out in your car leaving in 15 minutes. You will be in the treatment chair for 15 minutes.


    Spa Liz books additional time between each client to ensure you receive your full time. If you are squeezing us between your other appointments allow us about a 25-30 minute window for your 15-minute appointment. I almost always start on time,  Spa Liz values your time and want to keep your day on track.


    By on time we mean we are directing you to the treatment chair at 5 PM if you have a 5 PM, not that you are pulling into the parking lot and then heading to the bathroom at 5 PM getting started at 5:10 PM.


    Spa Liz never gets you in the door with a low price then surprises you with an "and upcharge" once you are here; nor do I have add-on charges for sterilization, or disposable probes, or anything else.


    Spa Liz just includes good service and all the amenities a quality treatment deserves. Spa Liz does not charge different fees for different clients; Spa Liz does not charge different prices for different genders. I also don't calculate fees based on the time of day of your appointments or determine fees based on the day of the week.


    Spa Liz charges a clear flat rate based on treatment time that is the same for everyone.

  • Can I record or take a picture of my treatment to show my friends?

    As cool (and potentially innocent) as it may seem to snap a couple quick pictures or record a treatment, it also opens a Pandora's Box we strictly forbid access to. To ensure compliance with our privacy policy, we ask you to respect our privacy and that of our other clients. For this reason, cameras, cell phones or glasses that record or have cameras, and any other recording devices are not permitted to be used.

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