HairFire: Electrolysis At It’s Hottest

One of the first questions people ask about electrolysis is, “How long will it take?”This is not an easy question to answer. It really is different for everyone.

Thanks to the American Electrology Association Convention in 2005, I was able to get a clearer answer to this question.

If 1) the area is cleared at least once a month, 2) your hormones are stable, and 3) you don’t tweeze or wax between appointments…It will take about 1-2 years.

Permanent hair removal begins on the very first treatment.

The length of time it takes to permanently remove hair depends on whether the hair is in the correct stage of the hair cycle. We (Electrologists) want to treat the hair when it is in the “growing” stage. This is the time when the capillaries meet up with the hair follicle. If we catch the hair then, the most damage will occur, and the hair will be permanently removed.

Hair follicles are damaged every time they are treated, but if the hair is in another stage (”resting” or “transition”) , the hair will typically go through a “breaking down process.”

Instead of being permanently removed the first time, the hair may actually come back, but will be thinner/lighter than the time before. It may take 2-3 months for this hair to return after it’s been treated with electrolysis. Over a period of time, the hair will not be able to grow again.

We never know how many hairs will actually be in the “growing” stage before we work on the hair. Most hairs are typically in the “resting” stage. Therefore, it takes time/patience to permanently treat every hair. It is worth it…don’t give up!