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Treatments Face Electrolysis

Electrolysis Treatment Twickenham

At Thames Skin Clinic, we understand that unwanted excess hair can be frustrating. We offer the most effective hair removal treatments for all skin and hair types.

Electrolysis is one of the top FDA approved permanent hair removal solutions for facial and body hair. With this method, you do not need to settle for hair reduction as it can remove the hair permanently.

Unlike laser or IPL, white, red, pale blond and light grey hairs can be treated successfully with this treatment.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is a method of permanently removing individual hairs from the face or body. Today’s medical electrolysis devices destroy or weaken the bulb of the hair follicle with chemical or heat energy, which over time stops the hair growth.

The different methods of electrolyis include:

Galvanic Electrolysis – Galvanic electrolysis is the oldest type for of this hair removal. The direct current used extremely effective but very slow. It creates a chemical change in the follicle to disable the root.

Thermolysis Electrolysis – Thermolysis uses shortwave radio frequency or AC current. Thermolysis causes the water molecules by your hair to rapidly vibrate, which produces heat. When enough heat is created, thermolysis damages the cells that cause hair growth.

Blend Electrolysis – True to its name, blend combines both galvanic and thermolysis in one treatment. If one type of electrolysis doesn’t kill your unwanted hair the other will.

At Thames skin clinic – we use the Thermolysis (diathermy) method.

A single-use, sterile, disposable needle is provided for every treatment and each hair is tackled on an individual basis, a very fine probe is inserted directly into the hair follicle, which is then removed with tweezers once detached from the bulb, this makes the procedure targeted and thorough.

Most areas of the body can be treated with electrolysis, with popular areas including the face, abdomen, chest and neck and any colour hair can be treated.

Am I a suitable candidate?

We assess patient specific factors to determine the likely number of treatments for your course.

  • Your skin — Skin type and skin sensitivity are factors that influence the result.
  • Hydration of your skin — Electrical current is conducted more readily in moist tissue than in dry. Moisture is vital for effective electrolysis treatment. In order to generate heat, the moisture molecules must vibrate and cause friction. Therefore, if the amount of moisture is limited, the heat will also be limited.
  • Thickness of your hair — Thicker hair is more difficult to remove.
  • Quantity of hair — It takes longer to remove hairs that are close together than hairs that are further apart.
  • Medical history – It’s important to check your suitability for treatment depending on your medical history
  • Medications – Some medications may cause stimulated hair growth or be contraindications to treatment
  • Area where the hair is located — Different areas have different growth cycles. Bikini hair takes longer to clear than facial hair because the growth cycle is longer.
  • Hormonal balance — A variety of biologic changes (puberty, illness, emotional upset) can lead to hormonal change that can alter vellus hairs to terminal hairs and activate previously sleeping hair follicles. Estradiol can act as a brake on hair follicle cycling by delaying initiation of growing stage and by prolonging the duration of the resting stage. There are some individuals who are extremely sensitive to changes in hormonal levels.
What's the difference between electrolysis and laser?

Laser requires further treatment when the hair grows back, whereas electrolysis will destroy the hairs indefinitely.

Electrolysis can be performed on ALL hair types and colours including white, red, grey and blonde.

With laser, it is easier & quicker to treat large areas of skin which can reduce hair growth but does not remove all the hair permanently. It is termed hair reduction rather than hair removal.

It is possible to perform both electrolysis and laser together, as the two treatments can work well in conjunction with each other in some circumstances.

How many sessions will I need?

Each hair follicle has its growing cycle and accordingly repeated sessions are required for permanent hair removal.

Electrolysis treatments can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years depending on how strong the hair is, whether your body is still producing new hairs due to an ongoing medical condition, how much hair there is and how regularly you attend sessions.

Electrolysis treatments are usually spaced closely at just 1-2 weeks apart.

Can results be guaranteed?

Results are permanent but can take time.

Hair grows in three stages and then falls out and starts over. The hair’s follicle is only present and susceptible to treatment during the first and perhaps the second stage of growth. If a hair is treated during the last phase of growth the effort is wasted because there just isn’t a follicle there to treat. Unfortunately there is no way to know what phase of growth the individual hairs are in.

This is why it’s important to return for treatments frequently. If a hair is treated unsuccessfully once and then is given too much time to grow again it will once again pass in to its final (telogen) stage where treatment is ineffective.

How safe is treatment?

Electrolysis is extremely safe when using FDA approved machines and fully trained staff.

Our doctors and therapists are highly trained in the use of Electrolysis and can be consulted to discuss treatment options.

Will I feel any pain or discomfort during my treatment?

The treatment is not painful, but the sensation experienced depends upon factors like the hair type, part of the body and the pain threshold of the individual.

Modern electrolysis methods can be described as causing a tingling or warming sensation but is considered to be comfortably tolerable.

Topical desensitizing creams can be applied to help ease the sensation.

How much downtime is usually needed and what should I expect?

After your treatment, it is common to experience redness or swelling, both of which are usually short lived. These are both natural reactions from the stimulus applied the follicle and can be eased with the use of an ice pack and witch hazel.

In order to prevent any additional reaction, it is critical that you inform us of any medical conditions, medications, supplements, lotions and oils.

Procedure

First your medical history will be taken followed by an examination of the areas where you would like hair to be removed. We will discuss whether electrolysis treatment is the most suitable for you and if this will address your expectations from our treatment.

When the treatment procedure has been fully explained you will be required to sign a consent form and a photograph will be taken for your confidential records.

How to prepare your hair

Stop all tweezing and waxing immediately. It can distort your follicles and may even nourish stronger, coarser hair in the wounded area as it heals.  Cutting the hair with scissors is the best method. Bleaching will work, but it may make it difficult for your electrologist to see the hair.  Shaving works too, but try to shave within 24 to 48 hours before an appointment, so that your electrologist will have a hair shaft long enough to grasp.

Patch Tests

A patch test is not required for this treatment.

 

Side effects

You are likely to notice some slight redness or pink and perhaps some swelling or slight welting.  This is normal.  A cold compress applied for 10-15 minutes immediately following a treatment will help reduce the irritation.

Redness and perifollicular edema (looks like a rash/bug bites) are common and resolve with time

Bruising, swelling and blistering are less common but may occur and will resolve with time

Some resolve within hours, others a few days up to 3-7 days post treatment.

Aftercare
  • Notify clinic of any concerns (infection, excessive redness/swelling, etc.)
  • Hair removal requires a series of treatments.  The number of treatments depends on body location and type of hair.
  • Keep up with appointments to obtain desired results
  • Tweezing, threading and waxing must be avoided during a course of electrolysis
  • Ensure makeup, brushes, pads and other applications are clean, preferably new.
  • Omit your normal skincare routine until discussed with your Thames Skin therapist. Some products in skincare can irritate your skin following treatment.
  • Your Therapist can provide a suitable post-procedure skincare plan for you.
  • Moisturise the skin, starting 4 hours post treatment and continuing twice a day for 4 weeks. Hydrating and Calming cream is excellent for this.

Things to avoid

  • Avoid sun exposure and use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen, We recommend ZO SPF 30 or BroadSpectrum SPF50.
  • Avoid touching the area and do not pick any scabs that may form
  • Avoid excessive exercise for 24-48 hrs post treatment.
  • Avoid direct sunlight on the area for 7-14 days post treatment.
  • Avoid steam rooms, saunas, swimming and hot showers for 24-48hrs post treatment.
  • Avoid make-up for 24-48 hrs.
  • Avoid skin irritants (examples below) a few days post-treatment:

Products containing tretinoin, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic/salicylic acids, astringents, etc.

When skin returns to normal your skincare regime can resume. If you do not have a skincare routine we can set this up for you. Good skincare encourages skin health and helps prolong treatment results.

If you have any concerns following your laser treatment please contact the clinic immediately.

At Thames Skin Clinic Dr Hemming offers skin consultations to create a personalised skin care plan for your skins needs. Click here to arrange a consultation.

 

 

We often get asked about the cost of treatment. At Thames Skin Clinic we pride ourselves on results rather than focus on the price of a treatment, it is more important that we get the correct quality of product rather than offer cut price treatments, products and services (especially when it comes to medical treatments). You will never see Thames Skin Clinic advertising services on social coupon sites such as Groupon as we believe they have a negative impact on our customer safety, results and satisfaction. We also wish to abide by the advertising regulator and work in a safe ethical manor.

Our prices reflect the skill, training and premier product choices we have made as well as the true reflection of the beautiful bespoke clinic surroundings.

To discuss Electrolysis treatment and for a detailed consultation regarding the best options for you please call us today and book an initial consultation with our specialist practitioners. There is a charge for appointments with Dr Hemming and deposits are taken for appointments with aesthetic therapists which are then put towards to the treatment cost and redeemable on the day of first treatment. If you decide not to go ahead with laser, the deposit is redeemed as a consultation charge.

Electrolysis sessions work in 15 minute intervals, the time required will be determined upon consultation with your therapist:

15 minutes – £50

30 minutes – £65

45 minutes – £80

60 minutes £100

Course of 6 & 12 available – please contact the team at the clinic for further information.

Additional effects

Face and Body treatments available

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Initial appointment

New Patient consultation 45 minutes

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Treatment takes

15-60 minutes (following consultation)

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Follow up

Depends on area treated

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Lasts for

Permanent.

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Results take

6-24 months

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Downtime

Minimal

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Anaesthetic required

Available if required

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Treatments from

From £50

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Percent efficacy

99%

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