Electrolysis Background

Lots of people have heard the term electrolysis, but many don't know what it is, or how it works.
Electolysis actually has 2 main applications:
1) electrolysis describes splitting the water molecule H2O into Oxygen and Hydrogen (which is not our subject) and
2) it is a term for a method for removing hair with gentle local electric treatments (which we will discuss here).
Our subject is #2, electrolysis for hair removal, not for splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen.
Few people understand how hair-removal electrolysis originated and what it is.

In the late 1800's, Dr. Charles Michel, an optometrist, discovered what we now call electrolysis. Since then many other hair removal treatments have been used, but none could match the Dr. Michel's results. Tests proved Dr. Michel's method was truly safe and permanent. It was so effective that after 100 years of use, we still find electrolysis is the best way to permanently remove unwanted hair.

Electrolysis uses an electric charge to kill hair follicles to stop re-growth. Electrolysis can be effectuated with needles or gels.

Until recently, the only technique was to insert a tiny probe, a needle even finer than a strand of hair, into the follicle of each unwanted hair. These needles aren't usually painful, because there is no contact with the skin itself - the needle is so fine there is no pain or bleeding. When the needle goes into the follicle, a small electrical charge enters it, which gives the patient a small tickling sensation. The electricity doesn't pass from the needle to the body, as hair doesn't conduct electricity, but acts as an insulator. After needle is removed, when the current treatment is completed, the follicle is tested to see if the treatment is complete for that follicle. The technician tests a treated hair by pulling on it. If the hair pulls away from the skin easily, the treatment for that follicle is complete. If it still clings, additional treatments will be necessary.

Electrolysis machines can now also be bought for use at home. At home, treatment is much more convenient and economical than an appointment with a salon or lab. Electrolysis machines can be bought at retail outlets or online websites. Home electrolysis uses a gel instead of needles.

All electrolysis treatments have to be repeated multiple times for complete results for several reasons:

1) the thicker the hair, the tougher it is to remove. Thick hairs that grow back at first will be thinner. Additional treatments cause the hair to become thinner and thinner and eventually not regrow at all. If the hair doesn't grow back in three months, it probably won't grow back.

2) Another reason multiple treatments are needed is that not all follicles are straight at the beginning. Each treatment straightens the follicle a little more, letting the needle penetrate more deeply each time and will eventually seal off the root so it can't grow any more.

Electrolysis has a long history and excellent track record, and is an amazing method for permanent hair removal. The results are fantastic. It might take a while for multiple treatments, but it is definitely worth the effort.

This article was written by Jim Krage of Healing Energy News .com.