Q How long will it take?
A This is an impossible question to answer as everyone has a different amount of hair, plus the time taken to treat each hair varies a great deal. However you will see the amount of hair reducing during the course of your treatments, so you will know that it is working. It’s important to understand that the time frame for completion (the time between your first and last appointment) is not the same as the total hours of treatment needed.

NB From experience I advise you NOT to try and estimate or control the number of appointments you will need by reading about other people’s experiences or their opinions. You will only end up frustrated and disappointed. Hair growth is far more complicated than you think, and not all hairs are neatly in the category of anagen, catagen or telogen. It is better to just start electrolysis and keep a regular appointment in order to reach completion as soon as possible. While I appreciate that cost is an important factor, the results from electrolysis last a lifetime and overall work out the same (if not less) than temporary hair removal methods (with the exception of shaving).

Q Is it painful?
A It can vary from just a gradual warmth for a few seconds to a sharp pain similar to plucking the hair out. The current settings can be adjusted to give a more tolerable treatment for stronger hairs, and for very sensitive areas you may wish to try a local anesthetic such as Emla cream. Most people can tolerate electrolysis very well, and some even fall asleep during treatment. For the few who still find it unbearable, a new multi-needle machine is now available which is very comfortable.

Q Isn’t laser faster and quicker?
A Laser (and similar treatments such as IPL) are often touted in the media as alternatives to electrolysis, but they are very different methods. Electrolysis is permanent hair removal. Laser is permanent hair REDUCTION.

Q Will electrolysis get rid of my hair for good?
A Successfully treated hair will not grow back, however electrolysis can’t stop future NEW hair growth from happening. For example a woman taking strong steroid medication or with an untreated hormonal imbalance may develop some new chin hairs later on in life, even if the previous chin hair growth was completely removed.

Q Can’t I just book lots of appointments in a week and get it over with?
A I can certainly remove a lot of hair this way, but since hairs are in different stages of the hair growth cycle there will be many that are not active and cannot be seen at the surface of the skin. It may takes months for some hairs to emerge at the skin surface, which is when it can be treated. You can approach treatment in two ways. Either have a regular treatment every week or month until it has all gone, or have as many as possible to start off with and taper them down as the hair reduces.

Q Which areas can I have treated?
A I can treat all areas APART FROM genitalia, inside the ears and inside the nose. I will only remove bikini line hair from the tops of the thighs (the classic bikini line shape)..

Q Can men have electrolysis too?
A Yes, popular areas for men are the upper arms, shoulders, earlobes, top of the nose and beard thinning or removal. For some bizarre reason there has been a high drop-out rate this past year with male clients booking shoulder and/or upper arm hair removal. Please DO NOT start treatment unless you are certain you will stick with it. The free consultation and free sample treatment is for your benefit as well as mine, and I will not be offended if you decide not to book right there on the spot. If you have 3 or 4 appointments before stopping treatment you not only take up appointment slots that other clients would have wanted, but you also end up wasting your beer money. It’s a shame I even have to mention any of this, but it is infuriating when people say “I had electrolysis and it didn’t work” when in fact they have just had a few appointments.

Q Do I have to let the hairs grow out for treatment?
A The hairs only need to be long enough to grasp with tweezers, which in some cases is as little as 24 hours growth. Hair can be shaved, cut or bleached between appointments.

Q I read on the internet that I need to reach something called First Clearance before electrolysis works.
A Although it’s helpful to research electrolysis on the internet, please don’t feel that there is a ‘right’ way and a ‘wrong’ way to approach your treatment.  Just because someone else booked their appointments in a certain way and with a certain machine doesn’t mean you should do the same.  What matters is finding a way to fit electrolysis into your lifestyle and budget.

Q I’ve read that flash thermolysis is faster and quicker. Why don’t you do flash on everyone?
A Because I have had far too many customers come to me with open, weeping sores on their face from having flash electrolysis elsewhere. It is ok for some hairs but if you have even the most basic understanding of science you will know it’s impossible to safely treat hairs that are tougher than the surrounding skin. I do use flash, but only when it is safe to do so.

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