Electrolysis Hair Removal

Yes and no. Destroying a hair follicle takes electric heat energy, which can translate as pain to your nervous system. However, many clients report minimal pain — and some have even fallen asleep during their treatment sessions.

If you have sensitive skin and are concerned about whether electrolysis will hurt, there are a few questions you can ask your treatment provider:

• Are there setting options for the epilator?
• Do you use numbing cream?
• How can I prepare for the discomfort?

Some professionals use a lower setting and leave the epilator in your follicle for more time. For individuals with sensitive skin, this can help to reduce any discomfort you might feel. However, your treatment session will be faster and address more hairs if you use a higher setting.

Hormonal changes can impact the amount of pain you experience. For example, some clients reported that their skin felt more sensitive when they were recovering from being sick or menstruating. Most facilities offer a numbing cream or other option to reduce any feeling of pain.

Electrolysis can be used on all body parts for most people. Regardless of your gender or hair type, electrolysis can help you remove unwanted hair from all over your body. Here are a few common areas that electrolysis is used to treat:

• Hairline
• Eyebrows
• Ears
• Sides of the face
• Cheeks
• Upper lip
• Chin
• Jawline
• Throat
• Neckline
• Underarms
• Chest
• Breasts
• Abdomen
• Back
• Bikini lines
• Arms and legs
• Hands and feet
• Fingers and toes

If you’d like to remove hair permanently from any of these areas, electrolysis is the most effective treatment option. 

After an electrolysis treatment, your skin might react with temporary swelling or redness. It’s helpful to avoid any irritation or high-impact activity immediately after treatment — ideally, you should rest and allow your skin to recuperate. 

Here are some practical steps you can take to care for your skin after electrolysis treatment:

• Avoid wearing make-up 
• Avoid tanning or sitting in the sun
• Apply aloe vera or witch hazel to reduce irritation

Good skin care involves getting plenty of sleep, exercising regularly and eating anti-inflammatory, healthy foods. It’s also important to drink plenty of water. If you follow these steps consistently, this holistic approach will have your skin recovered, glowing and hair-free.

For permanent hair removal, electrolysis is likely the best treatment option. However, electrolysis might not be the right choice in some cases. Here are a few examples of people who shouldn’t get electrolysis:

• People who want their hair to grow back
• People with high anxiety about the treatment
• People who have extremely sensitive skin or rosacea

For individuals with very sensitive skin, electrolysis might trigger an unwanted reaction. If that’s something you’re concerned about, talk to your electrolysis center about your concerns. Many people with sensitive skin get electrolysis with no adverse reaction.