Electrolysis – Permanent Hair Removal
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What Is Electrolysis?
Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved permanent hair removal method. It destroys the hair follicle using electrical and/or chemical current. There are three main techniques used in electrolysis: Thermolysis, Galvanic, and Blend. A licensed electrologist will choose the best method for you based on your skin and health history.
1. Thermolysis (Shortwave or High-Frequency Electrolysis)
Thermolysis uses a high-frequency alternating current (AC) to create heat in the hair follicle. A fine probe is inserted into the follicle, and the current causes water molecules in the tissue to vibrate, producing heat. This heat damages the follicle, preventing future hair growth.
2. Galvanic Electrolysis
Galvanic electrolysis uses a direct current (DC) to create a chemical reaction in the follicle. When the current flows through the probe and into the salty moisture of the skin, it produces lye (sodium hydroxide), a caustic substance that destroys the follicle.
3. Blend Electrolysis (Thermolysis + Galvanic)
As the name suggests, the Blend method combines thermolysis and galvanic electrolysis. The heat from thermolysis helps soften the follicle, while the chemical action of galvanic current destroys it.
Apilus xCell Pro
We use one of the most advanced electrolysis machines available today, the Apilus xCell Pro. This machine provides superior permanent hair removal and was designed with your comfort, safety, and long‑term results in mind. Its features help make hair removal faster, gentler, and more effective, especially compared to older machines. With this technology, Jenelle Dickson, LE, can more rapidly provide you with the smooth skin you’ve been waiting for.
Do Medical Conditions Affect Electrolysis?
Since it creates a small current, electrolysis can impact health conditions in body systems that rely on electrical impulses, such as heartbeat generation and nerve conduction, as well as electronic implants.
Similarly, because the process of electrolysis destroys the hair follicle, health conditions that affect the immune system, nerve sensitivity, or the surface of the skin can influence healing time, sensitivity, or the areas where electrolysis can safely be performed.
Please inform your electrologist of all medical conditions and medications at your consultation so we can assess and discuss their impact on treatment.
For your safety, if you have a history of heart or blood vessel conditions, epilepsy, seizures, cancer, diabetes, immune disorders, or if you use hearing aids, pacemakers, defibrillators, cochlear implants, or other electrical devices, you must provide written medical clearance from a specialist or primary care provider prior to undergoing electrolysis treatment.
Cardiovascular / Heart Conditions Include:
Heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias), high blood pressure, circulatory/vascular diseases such as thrombosis or vasculitis, or any history of cardiac issues.
Compromised Immune System Includes:
Diabetes, immune deficiency, cancer and cancer treatment, and some autoimmune disorders/treatments. Individuals with weakened immune systems may experience slower healing and may have an increased risk of infection.
Electronic Implants Include:
Devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, nerve/brain stimulators, and cochlear/auditory implants. If cleared by your specialist, your electrolysis treatments will always be done by the thermolysis technique because it has the lowest risk of electrical interference.
Important to Know:
Many conditions and factors may influence healing time, sensitivity, the areas where electrolysis can safely be performed, or the frequency/duration of your treatment sessions.
– Skin Conditions: Conditions such as psoriasis or eczema require caution. Skin affected by active flares needs to heal fully before electrolysis can be done on those areas.
Any skin findings, including atypical moles or scars, may need medical clearance prior to electrolysis on or near them.
Additionally, electrolysis can trigger a flare of herpes virus conditions such as HSV, cold sores, and shingles in susceptible individuals.
– Nerve Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, fibromyalgia, neurodiversity, and chronic pain syndromes can affect sensitivity both during treatment and afterward. We will work with you to maximize your comfort during your appointments.
– Trauma history/Psychiatric Conditions: We understand that many gender-diverse people have been impacted by medical and other forms of trauma, and may have heightened stress and trauma responses. Many people bring a support person, headphones, and/or a comfort object. We have blankets, eye masks, and manual stress relief objects (fidgets) on hand, and can provide breaks whenever you need them. Please let us know what would help during your appointments.
– Medications: Some medications can affect skin healing and sensitivity.
What Does Electrolysis Cost?
Electrolysis is covered by health insurance in Oregon when it is for gender confirmation, with or without pre-treatment skin numbing. Please send us a letter of support from a behavioral health provider so that we can request prior authorization from your insurance. With an approved prior auth, they will pay for your electrolysis per the usual terms of your health insurance coverage.
A few health insurance arrangements fall outside the state coverage law, unfortunately. If you have one of these companies or if your electrolysis is not for gender affirmation, the following cash prices apply. These are substantially discounted from insurance rates.
What Does Electrolysis Feel Like?
Most clients describe the feeling of electrolysis as a brief warm or stinging sensation. It can feel like a tiny zap, quick prick, or short burst of heat in each hair follicle as it’s treated. The sensation varies depending on the treatment area and your individual sensitivity. Areas with more nerve endings (like the upper lip or genital region) may feel more intense, while others (like the chin or underarms) are often more tolerable.
Numbing creams can be applied before you arrive at your appointment, and you are welcome to bring your product for reapplication during your appointment if needed to make the process more comfortable. This reapplication and wait time will count towards your appointment time. Your electrologist will always work at a pace that’s right for you, so please let us know how you are feeling.
Read on to learn about pain management.