What Is Electrolysis?

Electrolysis is a hair removal method that uses electrical current to permanently destroy individual hair follicles. A tiny probe is inserted into each hair follicle, and a small amount of electrical energy is delivered, damaging the follicle’s ability to produce new hair. The hair is then removed with tweezers.

Unlike laser hair removal, which targets the pigment (melanin) in hair, electrolysis works on the follicle itself—regardless of hair color or skin tone. This makes it the only truly permanent hair removal option for people with light-colored (blonde, red, gray, or white) hair.

Electrolysis has been used for over 140 years and is the only method of hair removal classified by the FDA as permanent. With proper treatment, hair follicles are destroyed and will never produce hair again.

How Does Electrolysis Work?

During electrolysis, a tiny probe (about the thickness of a hair) is gently inserted into the hair follicle alongside the hair. This doesn’t puncture the skin—the probe slides into the natural opening of the follicle.

Once the probe is in place, a small amount of electrical current is applied, which destroys the follicle’s ability to grow hair. The specific mechanism depends on the type of electrolysis used.

Galvanic Electrolysis

Galvanic electrolysis uses direct electrical current to create a chemical reaction in the follicle. The current converts the body’s natural salt and water into sodium hydroxide (lye), which destroys the follicle. This method is thorough but slower than other types.

Thermolysis (Shortwave)

Thermolysis uses high-frequency alternating current to produce heat, which damages the follicle. This method is faster than galvanic electrolysis and is widely used today.

Blend Method

The blend method combines galvanic electrolysis and thermolysis, using both chemical and heat damage to destroy follicles. This approach offers thorough destruction with reasonable treatment speed.

Our practitioners will select the most appropriate method based on your hair type, skin type, and treatment area.

Treatment Areas

Electrolysis can be performed on virtually any area of the body where unwanted hair grows. Common treatment areas include:

Face

Upper lip, chin, cheeks, sideburns, eyebrows (shaping), and neck are popular treatment areas. Facial hair is often ideal for electrolysis because the areas are relatively small and hair may be light-colored.

Body

Underarms, bikini area, arms, legs, abdomen, back, chest, shoulders, and fingers and toes can all be treated with electrolysis.

Sensitive Areas

Electrolysis can treat sensitive areas where laser may not be appropriate or effective, including areas with light-colored hair or very fine hair.

Because electrolysis treats one hair at a time, it’s particularly well-suited for smaller areas or for refining areas after laser treatment.

Electrolysis vs. Laser Hair Removal

Both electrolysis and laser hair removal offer long-term solutions for unwanted hair, but they work differently and are suited to different situations.

How They Work

Laser targets melanin (pigment) in the hair, using light energy to damage follicles. Electrolysis uses electrical current to destroy individual follicles directly, regardless of hair color.

Hair Color

Laser works best on dark hair because it needs melanin to absorb the light energy. Light-colored hair (blonde, red, gray, white) has little melanin and doesn’t respond well to laser. Electrolysis works on all hair colors, including those laser cannot treat.

Skin Tone

Laser works best when there’s high contrast between skin and hair (light skin, dark hair). Darker skin tones require specific laser types and careful settings. Electrolysis works equally well on all skin tones.

Treatment Speed

Laser treats many hairs simultaneously, making it faster for large areas. Electrolysis treats one hair at a time, making it more time-consuming for large areas but ideal for smaller areas or detail work.

Permanence

Both methods can provide permanent hair reduction. The FDA recognizes electrolysis as the only permanent hair removal method. Laser is classified as “permanent hair reduction.”

Best Uses

Laser is often preferred for large areas (legs, back) in candidates with dark hair and light-to-medium skin. Electrolysis is preferred for light-colored hair, small or precise areas, darker skin tones, and areas laser hasn’t completely cleared.

Many patients benefit from combining both methods—using laser to reduce the majority of hair, then electrolysis to eliminate remaining light or stubborn hairs.

The Electrolysis Treatment Experience

Your Consultation

Your electrolysis journey begins with a consultation to assess your hair removal needs. We’ll examine the areas you want to treat, discuss your hair removal history, and determine the best approach. We’ll explain what to expect and estimate the number of sessions you may need.

Preparing for Treatment

Before your appointment, let hair grow for a few days so it’s visible and long enough to grip with tweezers (about 1/8 inch). Avoid tweezing, waxing, or using depilatory creams—these remove hair from the follicle, leaving nothing for the probe to follow. Shaving is fine up to a few days before treatment.

Come to your appointment with clean skin, free of makeup and lotions on treatment areas.

During Treatment

You’ll be positioned comfortably, and the treatment area will be cleansed. The practitioner inserts the fine probe into each hair follicle, delivers a brief pulse of electricity, and removes the treated hair with tweezers.

You’ll feel a sensation with each hair treated—often described as a slight stinging, heat, or pinching feeling. Discomfort varies by treatment area and individual sensitivity. Most patients find treatment tolerable, especially for facial areas. Topical numbing cream can be applied before treatment if desired.

Treatment sessions typically last 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the area being treated and your tolerance.

After Treatment

Immediately after treatment, the skin may be slightly red and swollen, with small bumps at the treated follicles. This typically subsides within a few hours to a day.

Aftercare instructions include keeping the treated area clean, avoiding touching or picking at the area, staying out of the sun and using sunscreen, avoiding makeup on treated areas for several hours, and skipping swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas for a day or two.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

Electrolysis requires multiple treatments because hair grows in cycles, and not all follicles are active at the same time. A follicle can only be permanently destroyed when it’s in an active growth phase and producing a hair.

The number of treatments needed varies significantly based on the size of the treatment area, the density of hair, hair growth cycles in that area, hormonal factors, and individual response to treatment.

Small facial areas may require 12 to 18 months of regular treatments. Larger areas take longer. Sessions are typically scheduled weekly or biweekly, with treatment times adjusted as hair decreases.

During your consultation, we’ll provide an estimate based on your specific situation. While electrolysis requires a significant time commitment, the results are truly permanent—once a follicle is destroyed, it never grows hair again.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Electrolysis?

Electrolysis is appropriate for virtually anyone who wants permanent hair removal. Unlike laser, there are no restrictions based on hair color or skin tone.

Good candidates include people with light-colored hair (blonde, red, gray, white) that laser cannot effectively treat, people with dark skin who may not be ideal candidates for certain lasers, anyone wanting truly permanent hair removal, people who have completed laser treatment but have remaining hairs, and those seeking precise shaping (such as eyebrows).

Electrolysis may need to be postponed for people with pacemakers (depending on the type of electrolysis), active skin infections in the treatment area, and certain skin conditions.

Pregnant patients should consult their healthcare provider before beginning electrolysis.

Benefits of Electrolysis

True Permanence

Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal. Once a follicle is treated successfully, it never produces hair again.

Works on All Hair Colors

Unlike laser, electrolysis is effective on blonde, red, gray, and white hair—any hair color at all.

Works on All Skin Types

Electrolysis is safe and effective for all skin tones, from the fairest to the darkest.

Precision

Because electrolysis treats individual hairs, it’s ideal for precise shaping and detail work, such as eyebrow shaping or removing specific hairs.

Versatility

Electrolysis can treat any area of the body where unwanted hair grows.

Is Electrolysis Safe?

When performed by a trained professional using proper technique and sterile equipment, electrolysis is very safe. The procedure has been used for over a century with an excellent safety record.

Common side effects are mild and temporary, including redness and slight swelling at treated follicles, temporary skin sensitivity, and small scabs at treatment sites (rare, and heal quickly).

Serious complications are rare but can include infection (prevented with proper sterile technique), scarring (rare with proper technique), and pigmentation changes (usually temporary).

Choosing a qualified, experienced practitioner minimizes risks and ensures the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions About Electrolysis

Does electrolysis hurt?

You’ll feel a sensation with each hair treated—typically described as a brief sting, warmth, or pinch. Discomfort varies by area and individual sensitivity. Most patients find facial treatments quite tolerable. Numbing cream can be applied to sensitive areas.

How long does each session take?

Sessions typically last 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the treatment area. Facial areas like the upper lip may take 15 to 30 minutes. Larger areas or initial sessions with denser hair may take longer.

Why does electrolysis take so many sessions?

Hair grows in cycles, and a follicle can only be permanently destroyed when it’s actively producing a hair. Multiple treatments over time are needed to catch all follicles in their active phase. Additionally, the same follicle sometimes needs more than one treatment to be completely destroyed.

Can electrolysis remove gray hair?

Yes! Unlike laser hair removal, electrolysis works on all hair colors, including gray, white, blonde, and red hair.

Is electrolysis more painful than laser?

Sensations differ—laser feels like a rubber band snap over a larger area, while electrolysis produces a brief sting at each individual follicle. Some patients find one more tolerable than the other. Both are generally manageable, and numbing options are available.

Can I have electrolysis after laser hair removal?

Absolutely. Many patients use laser to reduce the majority of dark hair, then switch to electrolysis to permanently remove any remaining light or stubborn hairs that laser couldn’t effectively treat.

Schedule Your Electrolysis Consultation Today

Ready to achieve truly permanent hair removal? Contact Glo Dermatology today to schedule your electrolysis consultation. Our skilled practitioners will assess your needs and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you enjoy smooth, hair-free skin permanently.

Contact our Parma office at (216) 351-7700 to schedule your appointment. We welcome patients from throughout Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, including Parma Heights, Brooklyn, Seven Hills, Independence, Middleburg Heights, and surrounding communities.