Electrolysis Permanent Hair Removal

Tattoos And Permanent Hair Removal

May 19th, 2016 . Comments Off

permanent hair removal tattoos Hair removal and tattoos are both ways of expressing yourself. Both are about you taking control of your body and appearance. Unfortunately, these two means of expression do not always get along. When looking into hair removal options, it is important to know how your body art may affect your process.

Hair Removal Near Tattoos

For unwanted hair issues, the two main contenders are electrolysis and laser. With professional electrolysis, an effect on tattoos is very unlikely. Electrolysis goes below your ink, to the base of the hair follicle. It destroys the growth cells in that one follicle, making it a very precise art. With laser hair reduction, the treatment can act unpredictably when presented with tattoos.

When considering laser hair removal, the location of your tattoos in relation to the treatment area is very important. Laser is attracted to pigment in both your unwanted hair and your tattoo ink. Even if the laser technician isn't working directly over the tattoo, the nearby pigment can attract the heat.

The lasers used in hair reduction are not the same as the lasers used in tattoo removal. Tattoo removal lasers are designed to act on a different layer of the skin. They use a pulsing laser to break up the ink and prevent the heat from getting too extreme. This pulsing method is not effective for hair reduction. As a result the hair reduction laser might not just distort your tattoo, it could also burn your skin.

Good laser technicians will keep at least an inch away from the tattoo, working around it. They may also use a shield to reflect the laser energy away from your ink. Regardless, the tattooed area will require a different method of permanent hair removal. Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method recommended for tattoos.

Check with your electrologist and see if they treat skin with tattoos. Electrolysis is the best way to combine permanent hair removal needs with body art.

Posted in General
Tags: tattoos

Children With Unwanted Facial Hair - What to do?

March 17th, 2016 . Comments Off

Children With Unwanted Facial Hair As electrolysis becomes more popular it is no surprise that its popularity is also growing among minors with unwanted facial hair. We all know how important image and appearance are to a young person. Teens are one thing, but what is a parent to do for a younger child embarrassed by their unibrow or harassed over their dark upper lip? Electrologists say, "For your little ones, start with the easiest option - a cheap personal facial trimmer."

Most Electrologists are reluctant to treat children under 12, though requests will still come in for children as young as 6 years old. Electrolysis can be an uncomfortable process, even for adults. Topical numbing creams can help manage the process, but they can only do so much. One should not have high expectations that a small child will be able to handle facial hair removal treatments like laser or electrolysis.

Children have delicate, sensitive skin, making facial hair removal options designed for adult skin less than ideal. Chemical products that dissolve or bleach unwanted hair can burn or irritate young skin. Waxing may be fast, but it can also be harsh, causing bleeding or a rash. Shaving may seem obvious, but it's easy to nick or scrape the skin, especially when shaving the face.

Professional Electrologists recommend starting small with a battery-operated facial hair trimmer like those made by Finishing Touch, Remington, Panasonic, etc. These items are cheap, painless, easy to get, provide a close cut, and are simple to use at home. You can always move up to electrolysis when your child is older.

What If a Trimmer Isn't Enough?

If you feel that your child's situation is more than a trimmer can handle, schedule a consultation with an Electrologist. Electrolysis is permanent hair removal, so the Electrologist will want to talk with the child to make sure that this is something they really want. As a parent your consent is, of course, required, and you will play a part in the consultation. Most parents are also able to witness the treatments, which will probably be no longer than 15 minutes per session. Remember, a consultation isn't a commitment. If you or your child are unsure about pursuing a certain treatment, talking with a professional can help to ease the mind and come to a decision.

Enjoy helping your child take control of their personal appearance!

Posted in Hair Removal at Home
Tags: unwanted facial hair

Mole Hair and Electrolysis: What You Need To Know

January 4th, 2016 . 3 Comments »

Are you curious or concerned about a mole with hair growing on it? Moles are common skin abnormalities but you may have several questions about them. What exactly is a mole? How and why does hair grow on them? Are these moles a cause for serious medical concern? You may wonder if electrolysis can safely remove hair from moles. Regarding skin conditions and hair removal, information is crucial, so we'll help answer these questions before you make a decision.

Remove hair from moles with electrolysis

What are moles?

Moles are growths which appear when skin cells develop in a cluster instead of spreading evenly over the skin. They are often darker in color than the surrounding skin. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, and they usually develop between early childhood and age 30, often increasing during adolescence. Though many adults have at least a few moles which are usually benign, it's still important to seek a medical evaluation for prevention and early treatment of skin cancer.

How and why does hair grow on moles?

The answer is that moles themselves don't actually produce hair, hair grows through them. Hair follicles produce hair on nearly every area of the body, including areas where moles occur. The dense cluster of skin cells growing together which forms a mole can cause darker pigmentation of hair growing through the mole. Sometimes hair appearing on a mole is vellus, which is shorter, fine, and light-colored, compared to longer, dark, and thicker terminal hair, which can also occur on moles.

Electrolysis and moles

Despite the common misconception that moles with hair are more likely to indicate a serious type of skin cancer, melanoma, dermatologists clarify that moles with hair are no more or less likely to develop melanoma than similar moles without hair. However, if you notice changes to a mole such as asymmetry, irregular edges, different colors throughout the area of the mole, or changes in size, shape, or color, this may indicate melanoma, and you should speak immediately with a dermatologist.

Is electrolysis safe for permanent mole hair removal?

Generally speaking, electrolysis on mole hair is safe and simple. Your local electrologist is the best source of information though, because regulations for using electrolysis to remove hair from moles vary from state to state. Some states require a doctor's approval before electrolysis treatments, and your electrologist may recommend speaking with a dermatologist or another medical doctor to check that the mole is not cancerous. If you're considering electrolysis for permanent hair removal from your mole, ask your electrologist about how to get started.

Posted in FAQs, Health
Tags: mole hair removal

A Topical Anesthetic May Increase Your Comfort During Permanent Hair Removal

November 13th, 2015 . Comments Off

Topical anesthetics

If you have unwanted hair, you know that hair removal can be painful, regardless of the method you choose. Fortunately, electrolysis hair removal, unlike those other methods, is permanent - so there is an end in sight! Electrolysis might also feel uncomfortable, but there are ways to reduce the discomfort.

There are all sorts of tricks to manage pain, but if you want something more straightforward, you and/or your electrologist can use topical anesthetic creams, gels, or sprays, to help your treatments be as comfortable and pain-free as possible. Regulations for the strength of topical anesthetics and whether your electrologist can directly provide them vary from state to state, so ask your electrologist what they recommend.

What are topical anesthetics and how exactly do they help?

Most of these creams, gels, and sprays contain a medicine called lidocaine, which is a common numbing agent. Usually, the amount of lidocaine will be 4 to 5 percent. The topical anesthetic is applied directly to the skin. Once the lidocaine has numbed the area, it is then wiped off for the electrolysis treatment. Many clients who use lidocaine anesthetics describe feeling much less pain and discomfort during electrolysis.

While many creams, gels, and sprays with lidocaine are available over the counter, some are only available by prescription. These may be higher strength or combine a mixture of lidocaine and other numbing agents, such as prilocaine, benzocaine, or tetracaine. Different numbing agents can last for different lengths of time, so the numbing effect lasts longer and/or takes effect more quickly than with lidocaine alone. Again, regulations for these products vary by state, so ask your electrologist what they recommend and where you can get it.

Occlusion

Electrologists sometimes also recommend occlusion, which just means placing an airtight plastic dressing, such as a cling wrap, over the topical anesthetic and your skin. This keeps the anesthetic closer to your skin, which makes absorption more efficient and enhances the numbing effects. It helps to make sure there are no wrinkles or creases in the occlusion, and to use transparent plastic dressings, to ensure the cream, gel, or spray stays in the desired area.

Everyone's body chemistry is different, so topical anesthetics can work differently from person to person. Still, many clients report significantly less pain with use of these products, so if you are finding your permanent hair removal treatments uncomfortable, a topical anesthetic might be worth a try. Ask your electrologist if they think you might benefit from use of a topical anesthetic.

Posted in General
Tags: pain management, permanent hair removal

Getting Started With an Electrologist

October 9th, 2015 . Comments Off

What to Expect at Your Initial Consultation With an Electrologist

Getting Started With an Electrologist So, you've decided you're ready for permanent freedom from unwanted hair. Congratulations! After shaving, plucking, and waxing yourself into frustration, you're probably ready for something that lasts. But first, you might have some questions about the beginning of your electrolysis process. Here's a few things you can expect at your initial consultation with an electrologist.

When you first come in, you'll meet your electrologist and talk about your hair removal goals: Which areas do you want to target? What hair removal methods have you already tried? You can discuss this with your electrologist and they'll fill you in about how many appointments you can expect, and how exactly electrolysis works.

You'll often get a chance to sample the electrolysis treatment so you can experience the sensation for yourself. Some electrolysis clients are concerned about pain, but after trying it out, they find it's a mild, slightly warm sensation, and less painful than tweezing. Of course, everybody's pain tolerance is different, so if it's overwhelming for you, your electrologist may suggest various ways to reduce the pain, such as breathing exercises, listening to music, and topical numbing agents.

Electrologists often share some of their own journey with unwanted hair removal. Years of the same shaving, plucking, and waxing that you've been through sparked many electrologists' interest in providing electrolysis. They understand the frustrations of unwanted hair, so they may share their own experience with you, and answer any questions you might have about the process.

Your electrologist will probably request your health history, which is similar to most other medical questionnaires. The history also may ask about any temporary hair removal methods you've tried, like tweezing, waxing, depilatories, laser, etc. They may ask about skincare treatments, medical conditions, medications, body modifications, and allergies. This is to ensure that electrolysis is the best choice for you, and also to look at the possible causes of your unwanted hair growth. These questions help electrologists provide the best permanent hair removal possible.

Your electrologist might also recommend things you can do so the treatment works most effectively, like refraining from some temporary hair removal methods right before electrolysis appointments. Sometimes certain habits, medications, or medical issues can cause unwanted hair growth, and your electrologist will want to empower you with knowledge about the causes, and help you with the solution.

Transgender clients may be asked about plans for hormone replacement therapy and surgeries. This is because HRT and surgery can affect hair growth patterns or require that hair removal treatments be coordinated with your plans, so as to be most effective.

Unfortunately, there's a lot of inaccurate information out there about electrolysis. Your electrologist will clarify those misconceptions and explain the realities of permanent hair removal. They will tell you the best ways for your treatments to be successful, such as consistently attending your appointments and taking good care of your skin.

Finally, your electrologist will encourage you and assure you that electrolysis is a team effort. They will confidently support you throughout your journey, and provide all information you need along the way. Again, congratulations on deciding permanent hair removal is for you. Freedom from unwanted hair is more than worth it.

Posted in Electrologists
Tags: choosing an electrologist, hair removal, permanent hair removal

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