FAQ

1. What is Electrolysis?

Electrolysis is the Only permanent method of hair removal. Its been around for over 130 years and was developed in 1875 by Dr. Charles E. Michel, an opthamologist who discovered that he could remove ingrown eyelashes from his patience eyes by inserting a small needle charged with negative galvanic current into the follicle. Electrolysis destroys hair from growing follicle by follicle by causterizing the blood flow to the dermal papilla using electric current and a fine sterile desposible probe. The sodium hydroxide or lye is highly caustic and effective for destroying the follicle.

2. Why should I do electrolysis?

It works! Electrolysis has been shown to be the only permanent hair removal method in over a century (135 years). If you want a scientifically proven method of permanent hair removal then electrolysis is your answer. If you are someone who is removing your unwanted hair regularly by temporary methods such as waxing, tweezing, threading, shaving and depilatory creams only to find that your skin is irritated, you’ve developed ingrown hairs, discoloration and some scarring and you have even noticed an increase of hair growth, then you should do electrolysis. Look no further to gimmicky types of hair removal which promise permanency. There have been numerous scientific articles published in medical literature. Electrolysis is recognized and supported by knowledgeable physicians in the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) support electrolysis as the only permanent hair removal method. Time is another factor in choosing electrolysis. Dealing with unwanted hair utilizing temporary methods is tedious, costly, time consuming and continuous with no end in sight. Electrolysis liberates you from this routine. It buys you time, improves the condition of your skin, enhances self esteem, boosts self confidence, decreases the anxiety caused by unwanted hair and helps you feel more attractive.

3. How does electrolysis work?

A sterile disposable probe into the hair follicle alongside the hair shaft. You do not feel the insertion as it is as if I put my hand in a glove or pocket. A small amount of electrical current, or milliampere, is then delivered to the probe down to the Dermal Papila which is the organ which causes your hair to grow. This current either by heat, or chemical reaction or a combination of both damages and eventually destroys the hair. I then lift your hair out of the follicle after it has been treated.

Thermolysis- The hair root is destroyed by heat production or high frequency (friction) This mode destroys the tissue with elcectro-desiccation (a drying action) or electrol-coagualtion (a cooking action).

Galvanic- The hair root is destroyed by a chemical action (Direct current) The electrical current causes the salt and water to break into their chemical elements to form sodium hydroxide (lye).

Blend- The hair root is destroyed by a combination of both galvanic or chemical production and low intensity high frequency current.

*Increased causisty- more caustic strength , cooks tissue around the needle which the heated lye can diffuse

*Porosity- the heat combined with the lye makes the tissue porous and gives it access to tissue it would not be able to gain access within the follicle

*Turbulance- the heat sends hot lye throughout every nook and cranny of the follicle.

Hair grows and sheds through cellular activity. In order to understand how to become hair-free one must understand the three stages of hair growth:

Anagen is a period of active growth. It has a JUICY GELATINOUS BULB a JUICY ROOT. It’s the moment when an inactive follicle comes to life and this begins at the organ called the dermal papilla. Early Anagen is the optimal time to destroy the hair follicle because this is when the hair germ cells are the most prominent and active.

Catagen- (middle age) after a short period, days, weeks or months the hair shaft separates from the hair matrix. It is still rooted in the follicle and receives some nourishment from the hair germinative cells it continues to rise or grow out of the follicle. This is also a good time to damage the hair follicle.

Telegen (elderly)-This is the resting period. It’s not the optimal time to destroy the follicle because there is no more cellular activity taking place. The hair shaft or club hair has completely detached from it’s blood source. If you tweeze it, you will see a white keratized bulb at the tip. It’s dry, and maybe shiny. The depth of the hair is very superficial and it will appear long at the surface. The dermal papilla has shrunken and will soon regenerate itself again, starting a new cycle.

It’s my job to eliminate the follicle permanently during the early anagen phase. Some regrowth is to be expected. If you will return when the first regrowth occurs, the roots will be shorter and weaker and therefore can be treated more effectively.

If you are not able to come in as soon as you would like for your next appointment, shave, clip or melt the hair with a depilatory cream.

It is crucial to do electrolysis “right” with regular appointments so I can keep up with the hair growth cycles and work on Anagen hair. It’s a commitment and an investment in your smooth future.

4. How long does it take to be permanently hair-free?

The golden question and a great question. Consistency is key! It is important to realize that time, commitment, and a lot of patience are needed in order to overcome a problem which did not develop overnight. In some cases, it can take 12-18 months to witness all the cycles of hair and with that said, it is not exactly clear when you will be permanently hair-free.

The total treatment can very greatly from one individual to another. It is dependent on a number of factors that include: the size of the area being treated, previous use of temporary hair removal methods (yes certain methods stimulate growth), hair growth cycles, the density of the hair, the texture of the hair, the texture of the hair, the existence of curved or distorted hair follicles, heredity, normal physiological changes, hormonal function, certain medications, medical history, the client’s age and tolerance level and stress level influence the treatment program for each individual. Some improvement should be observed within several months of beginning treatment, provided the client adheres to the recommended schedule. We have many cycles of hair growth which varies from person. You will see improvement during the course of your treatment but there is no hard answer. Every case is different.

5. Why am I so hairy?

You are not alone. Hair growth is caused by various factors: Normal systemic changes such as hormones, puberty, pregnancy, Abnormal systemic changes such as certain syndromes, surgical changes, medicinal changes, emotional changes, increased blood supply, congenetal patterns: heredity or genetics, medication side effects, and topical causes such as tweezing or waxing which increases blood supply. I think that not only expertise makes a good electrologist but also someone who can empathize and show compassion for her clients. I know how it feels to have unwanted hair and feel like I am the only one on the planet suffering from the psychological impact it has. Society is cruel to hairiness and we can be hard on ourselves also.

At Juicy Roots Electrolysis, you are heard and taken care of because I understand the journey. We all have hair because we are mammals but some of us have more hair than others. For some it is more and esthetic reason (you want to eliminate your abdominal hair), for others it’s hormonal (you have PCOS and the chin and neck hair is really getting you down) or maybe you are transgender and transitioning involves eradicating your facial and body hair. I realize this is an emotional process and you are supported and heard at Juicy Roots. Whatever the circumstances may be, I am here to help liberate you from your pesky hairs for good.

6. Am I a good candidate for electrolysis?

Electrolysis is amazing because it can work on All hair, shapes, textures, and skin types and tones. Yes, ALL. Electrolysis clients range from 18-80 years. Women, men and identifying transgender or non identifying transgender. All are welcome in my private studio. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have parental or guardian consent. Most prepubescent individuals are unwilling to tolerate the treatment. There are some medical situations where electrolysis is not recommended and may require your doctors permission before starting treatment.

7. How much time do I need?

We will determine this during the consultation (20 minutes). This depends on the area(s) you wish to be treated and your tolerance level and how much hair the individual has and other circumstance. The most common appointment types are between 30-90 minutes in the beginning. I must have several clearings of the areas I am treating. We will discuss the fine details during your complimentary consultation.

E.g. The upper lip
The approximate duration of treatment time is 15-30 minutes. The average time for the first clean-up (removing all the hair that has grown) is 1-4 hours and the average time for complete clearing of the area is 1-1.5 years.

8. How do I prepare for my appointments?

Please see pre care instructions.

9. How do I take care of my skin after my appointments?

Please see post care instructions

10. Can I remove my hair between my appointments?

Absolutely. I don’t want you to feel that you need to be uncomfortably hairy before your next appointment, i.e. that you have to have your chin hair grown out for that job interview. Make sure you give me at least 3-5 days of growth. The hair needs to be long enough to hold with tweezers. Only remove the hair by shaving, clipping with a manicure scissors, using a depilatory cream or bleaching. These are methods that remove the hair shaft at the epidermis and not the root therefore it does not interfere with the progress we are making. Other methods such as tweezing, waxing, threading, sugaring or doing laser treatments are not recommended and actually are counter-productive because they stimulate growth. These methods are temporary and appealing because they leave your skin smooth for a few days but in the long run the action stimulates blood flow in the dermis which then fuels the hair shaft to become courser and may even cause new follicles to emerge. Yes, the quick fix could be hurting the situation and your skin (ingrown and discoloration).

For optimal results, it is best that you shave 3-5 days before your appointment (I know it may be tough at first). Trust me. It does not cause new growth or make the hair thicker, it just feels like it to the touch. Shaving cuts the hair on an even plain, so in 3-5 days after you shave or clip or melt the hair with a depilatory cream, I can see which hairs have emerged in an active stage, or Anagen phase. I then use my tweezers to remove the hair. I don’t tweeze the hair, but rather it has been zapped it slips out like butter, smoothly.

11. Does it hurt?

Electrolysis is PERMANENT so you do feel something. I want to work as close to your pain and skin threshold as possible. You do not feel the insertion, but you will feel the current. Depending on the method that is used and the area treated, people have describe the sensations as the following:A  rubber band snap, tingling, slow wave of heat, and a deep tissue massage.

Remember the first five minutes are the most sensitive because your nervous system is adapting to the sensation. After this time frame there is something called synapses fatigue where the sensation is minimal because the messages to your brain have slowed. Some days you may be more sensitive than others and certain areas on the body hurt more than others also. Please see Pre Care instructions.

12. What machine do you use?

At Juicy Roots Electrolysis and Skin Care you get the best epilator of the 21st century : The Apilus Platinum. It’s the latest in microchip technology. Its ultra rapid frequency of 27 MHz is twice as fast as older machines which enables me to coagulate and or desiccate the cells responsible for hair growth with much more comfort. It’s ultra- comfortable settings will have you at ease and many of my clients become so relaxed on my table that they could fall asleep! When you are comfortable, it allows me to work as close to your pain threshold as possible and this is important because I want to employ the maximum amount of current that the client can handle, resulting in a shorter treatment time per follicle. The Apilus Platinum allows me to customize treatments with several highly effective hair removal modes in Thermolysis and the Blend techniques.

13. Are there side effects?

Please see Post Care Instructions for complete details. It is very common to be red and a little swollen in the area that was treated up to a few ours after treatment. After your appointment, I offer small ice packs for the facial treatments which helps reduce the swelling. Keeping the area(s) clean and free of bacteria is crucial to reduce the chances of infection as your pores are open and more susceptible to get infected. Refrain from sweat producing activity, using products on the area, avoid the sun, and don’t touch or pick the area with soiled hands or materials. In addition, after your appointment, I apply soothing calming creams and perform an after-care procedure which cleans the area, kills bacteria and closes the pores (high frequency or cataphoresis) Does Not Hurt.

14. Is electrolysis safe?

Yes. It sure is. Electrolysis has over 130 years history of safety and effectiveness. I use all up-to-date methods of sanitation and sterilization approved by the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmotology. There has never been a reported case of disease transmission in electrolysis. I always wear gloves, use a new sterile disposable probe and a new one is provided for each treatment. My equipment, and all other metal reusable implements are sanitized and sterilized before and after each treatment. I always have your safety and health in mind.

15. Can I get electrolysis if I am pregnant?

Fist off Congratulations! Pregnancy hormonal fluctuations can cause new hair growth. Yes, it is safe but I do request a doctor’s note of approval and waiting until the first trimester passes. Furthermore, I will only perform Thermolysis technique as that is just a heat production into the follicle as opposed to the chemical production. Keep in mind that the new hair growth you experience during pregnancy may just be temporary and could subside after pregnancy on its own.

16. Can you work on my mole?

Hairy moles are usually safe to work on because it shows that there is blood flow through the area. I ask that you provide a letter from your physician or dermatologist stating their approval to work on the mole. State laws are concerned with the treatment and removal of these growths.

17. Is it expensive?

Please see “Rates” page. If you consider what you spend on short term, temporary hair removal methods with no end in sight, you are actually spending more money and more time in this arena. Considering the results you benefit from with electrolysis, for a life time the cost is well worth it. Electrolysis is a commitment and not a quick fix that temporary methods provide. One of the best investments you’ll ever make. It takes time and is not a quick fix. Your hair didn’t come in overnight, so it will take more than a short period of time to destroy the hair follicles. Electrolysis is charged by the time, not body part. I charge by the hour and break down the treatment sessions into 15 minute increments. Electrolysis is something you usually do weekly or every other week for several months to a year and as we begin to see progress your appointments become shorter and less frequent. During the consultation we can discus your hair type and hair removal history and customize an ideal schedule that you should adhere to as close as possible. We will estimate the cost and as we make future progress, we will reevaluate the schedule to help reach your to become hair-free.

18. What about Laser?

Many people think laser is permanent hair removal but it is actually “permanent hair reduction.” Feel free to visit the FDA and other medical sites which clearly state that electrolysis is the only method of permanent hair removal. Unlike Electrolysis that works on All skin tones, and hair colors and hair types, laser does not. You must have fair skin and coarse hair to be an ideal candidate for laser and even then it is not capable of targeting individual hairs and their unique composition. Electrolysis targets the hair follicle by follicle regardless or hair type and skin tone. I measure the depth and moisture content, whereas laser targets the pigment of hair underneath the skin after you have shaved. It damages the follicles for a period of time and may reduce growth to some degree but in some cases it can stimulate growth especially on the face, a hormonally driven area with many vellus hairs.