|
Hair
removal by electrolysis
Electrolysis was probably invented by Charles E. Michel, a St.
Louis ophthalmologist in 1875. Dr. Michel used galvanic current
and a surgical needle in his device, which was initially developed
to treat ingrown eyelashes. Today electrolysis is perhaps being
superseded by laser treatment, but electrolysis for permanent hair
removal is still widely available and many clinics offer both electrolysis
and laser hair removal together.
Electrolysis works by destroying the hair root with an electric
current. With galvanic electrolysis machines, a direct current is
passed down a needle inserted into the hair follicle, destroying
the follicle through the induction of tissue necrosis, no heat is
involved. However, while there are still some electrolysis machines
around that use galvanic current like Charles Michel's original
machine, most modern machines use a different approach. Modern machines
produce either a high-frequency alternating electric current or
a blend of galvanic and high-frequency current. Technically machines
producing high frequency current do not perform electrolysis, they
perform "thermolysis" (sometimes also called "electrocoagulation").
In thermolysis a high frequency alternating current is passed down
the needle and produces destructive heat. The heat cooks the cells
rather than the electricity killing the cells as with galvanic electrolysis.
Although the galvanic current and high-frequency current machines
work in these slightly different ways, the result is the same so
both types of process are commonly referred to as electrolysis.
In electrolysis an operator inserts a very fine wire needle into
the opening of hair hair follicle and an electric current is transmitted
down the needle. The current destroys the cells at the root of the
hair and also loosens the hair which is then removed with tweezers.
Recent studies suggest the most effective of the three electrolysis
machine types, galvanic, high-frequency, or blended, the machines
producing blended current produce the most effective results. To
minimize discomfort during the procedure ice packs or a lidocaine/prilocaine
cream are applied before and after the treatment.
There are several potential problems with electrolysis. The process
is expensive, slow, tedious, and uncomfortable. Where treatment
is needed over a large area, the process has to be broken up into
half hour session once or twice a week and lasting several months
or even longer as each hair root has to be individually treated.
Because of this, and with the development of lasers which are much
more suitable for treating large areas of hairy skin, electrolysis
is generally recommended for removing facial hair. The most common
temporary complications from electrolysis treatment include infections
and spots of hypopigmentation. Good hygiene when undergoing treatment
can minimize the former while the latter should spontaneously resolve
with time.
The safety and effectiveness of electrolysis depends in large part
on the expertise of the operator. The worst thing an inexperienced
operator can do is to apply excessive electrical current. This may
damage the skin around the hair follicle and result in scar tissue
formation. If it is severe enough the scarring is permanent. Unfortunately
the regulation of electrolysis clinics is rather variable and many
countries of the world have no standard training and licensing requirements.
This means that there are some cowboy operators out there. The best
way to find a good clinic with an experienced operator is through
a personal recommendation from someone you know and trust - plus,
if they are good friends, you could ask them to show you the results
from their procedure.
A certain amount of hair regrowth always occurs after electrolysis
no matter how skilled the operator is. Some hair regrowth is inevitable
because the operator is working blind. Some follicles are twisted
or grow at an unusual angle and it is not possible to be sure that
the needle is inserted into the root of the follicle every time.
Also, in an attempt to minimize discomfort for the patient, the
operator may not use enough current to destroy the root. Finally,
hair grows in cycles and some of the follicles in the treatment
area will be in a telogen resting state. If these follicles do not
have a hair in them at the time of treatment the operator may miss
them and the follicles will grow a fiber at a later date. As a result
up to 40% regrowth can be expected after a single electrolysis session.
To catch all the follicles several sessions some weeks apart are
usually required.
Hair
removal by electrolysis references
- Gorgu M, Aslan
G, Akoz T, Erdogan B. Comparison of alexandrite laser and electrolysis
for hair removal. Dermatol Surg. 2000 Jan;26(1):37-41.
- Wagner RF Jr,
Brown T, Archer RE, Uchida T. Dermatologists' attitudes toward
independent nonphysician electrolysis practice. Dermatol Surg.
1998 Mar;24(3):357-63.
- Richards RN,
Meharg GE. Electrolysis: observations from 13 years and 140,000
hours of experience. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995 Oct;33(4):662-6.
- Wagner RF Jr,
Flores CA, Argo LF. A double-blind placebo controlled study of
a 5% lidocaine/prilocaine cream (EMLA) for topical anesthesia
during thermolysis. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1994 Feb;20(2):148-50.
- Landow K. Choosing a hair-removal method.
Postgrad Med. 2000 Oct;108(5):33-4.
- Richards RN. Electrolysis for the treatment
of hypertrichosis and hirsutism. Skin Therapy Lett. 1999;4(6):3-4.
- h JD, Dickinson BP, Flaxman AB, Mylonakis
E. Local spread of molluscum contagiosum by electrolysis. Clin
Infect Dis. 1999 May;28(5):1171.
- Richards RN. Point-counterpoint: electrolysis
for permanent hair removal. J Cutan Med Surg. 1999 Jul;3(5):239-40.
- Ditmars DM Jr, Maguina P. Neck skin sporotrichosis
after electrolysis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998 Feb;101(2):504-6.
- Wagner RF Jr, Brysk H, Tyring SK. Revisiting
the Michel/Green controversy of 1879: was Carron du Villards the
first to use probe/needle electrolysis for permanent hair destruction?
Int J Dermatol. 1997 Dec;36(12):947-51.
- Wagner RF Jr. Medical and technical issues
in office electrolysis and thermolysis. J Dermatol Surg Oncol.
1993 Jun;19(6):575-7.
- Wagner RF Jr, Tomich JM, Grande DJ. Electrolysis
and thermolysis for permanent hair removal. J Am Acad Dermatol.
1985 Mar;12(3):441-9.
- Peereboom-Wynia JD, Stolz E, van Joost
T, Kleiman H. A comparative study of the effects of electrical
epilation of beard hairs in women with hirsutism by diathermy
and by the blend method. Arch Dermatol Res. 1985;278(1):84-6.
- Kligman AM, Peters L. Histologic changes
of human hair follicles after electrolysis: a comparison of two
methods. Cutis. 1984 Aug;34(2):169-76.
- Petrozzi JW. Verrucae planae spread by
electrolysis. Cutis. 1980 Jul;26(1):85.
- Peereboom-Wynia JD. The effect of electrical
epilation on the beard hair of women with idopathic hirsutism.
Arch Dermatol Res. 1975 Nov 14;254(1):15-22.
|
