Electrolysis Overview (2024)

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Electrolysis Overview (2)
Medically Reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh,MD on November 14, 2023

Written by Emily Delzell,Kristin Mitchell,WebMD Editorial Contributor

What is Electrolysis?

Electrolysis is a method of removing individual hairs from the face or body. Today's medical electrolysis devices destroy the growth center of the hair with chemical or heat energy. After a very fine wire is inserted into the hair follicle, the hair is removed with tweezers.

Most areas of the body can be treated with electrolysis, including the eyebrows, face, abdomen, thighs, breasts, and legs. There are generally no permanent side effects, but sometimes a temporary, slight reddening of the skin may occur.

How Does Electrolysis Work?

Your dermatologist or a specially trained technician will insert a thin wire into each of your hair follicles (but not through your skin) in the area you want treated. Then, they’ll send a current of electricity down the wire, which heats up and kills the hair follicle as well as the root itself.

Destroying both the hair follicle and root makes the hair fall out and stops it from ever growing back.

Types of electrolysis

Your dermatologist will use one of these electrolysis methods based on the result you’re looking for and your hair type:

  • Short-wave diathermy or thermolysis uses heat alone to do its job. It’s quicker and less painful than other options.
  • Galvanic electrolysis mixes heat and chemicals to destroy the hair follicle. This method is more painful than others and isn’t used often.
  • A mix of both methods might be your technician’s top choice if you have thick or curly hair.

Electrolysis vs. Laser Hair Removal

Because electrolysis destroys the hair follicle, hair can never grow back. It’s effective for the greatest range of skin and hair types.

Electrolysis is the only method approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for permanently removing unwanted hair. While laser hair removal reduces the amount of hair that grows back, it doesn’t end all growth.

Laser hair removal also differs from electrolysis in these ways:

  • It uses heat to destroy cells that have a lot of color. The light from the laser attaches to pigment, or color, in your hair to heat up the follicle. This damages—but does not destroy—the follicle.
  • Unlike electrolysis, which treats one hair follicle at a time, your technician can use a light-emitting laser hair to remove all the hair in a large area.
  • Because the light from the laser damages cells that have a lot of color, it works best for people with light skin and thick, dark hair.
  • Your technician must go back and forth over the treatment area with the laser to remove all the hair in the area, which can irritate sensitive skin.

What Causes Unwanted Hair Growth?

Hair growth is the result of heredity and hormone levels. Also, some drugs like steroids, temporary methods of hair removal, and illnesses, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, can cause extra hair growth. Electrolysis may be an option when hair growth is in an area of the body where it may not be desired.

Who Needs Electrolysis?

Some people opt for electrolysis to remove hair that grows in areas they would prefer bare, such as their face or bikini line.

People who are transitioning to a new gender or have unusually thick hair growth, called hirsutism, may also seek electrolysis.

Which Parts of the Body Can Electrolysis Treat?

Your dermatologist can use electrolysis on most body areas, including your:

  • Cheeks, lips, chin, and eyebrows
  • Back
  • Underarms
  • Breasts
  • Stomach
  • Bikini line
  • Thighs and calves
  • Fingers and toes

How Many Electrolysis Treatments Will I Need?

Many factors influence hair growth, so you will need to return for several electrolysis visits. The total number of sessions needed to remove hair permanently from a particular area will vary from person to person.

For electrolysis to work, your hair needs to be in its growing phase (it also has resting and shedding phases).

Most clients return once a week or every other week as needed. Each treatment lasts between 15 minutes and one hour, and it can take up to a year and a half to complete all the needed sessions.

The good news is that the unwanted hair will be gone forever once the series of treatments is complete.

What to Expect With Electrolysis

Before Electrolysis

Check in with your dermatologist a few days before your first session to see how they want you to prepare and what to expect. Because some irritation can happen with treatments, they may recommend a numbing cream.

During Electrolysis

You’ll feel a sharp sting or temporary warmth as each hair follicle is treated. How much the process hurts depends on how you react to pain and the area being treated.

After Electrolysis

You should avoid activities that can irritate your hair follicles, including:

  • sweating

  • a lot of sun exposure

  • tanning

  • putting on makeup

Side Effects of Electrolysis

Electrolysis commonly causes redness. Right after each session, you’ll see some redness in the treated area. This can last a day or two.

Some rare side effects, if the treatment is not done properly, can include:

  • infection

  • scarring

People with darker skin may also develop dark spots, but these are usually temporary and don't require treatment.

How Much Does Electrolysis Cost?

Your full cost depends on how many sessions you need and how long each session lasts. These things can vary a lot depending on the body area you’re having treated and the thickness of your hair.

Ask your dermatologist to give you an estimate for your total time and cost.

Myths About Electrolysis

Some common myths about electrolysis include:

Electrolysis is very painful. For most people, today’s methods don’t cause a lot of pain, but it can hurt. If you find it too uncomfortable, your doctor may be able to give you an anesthetic cream.

The electric tweezer method is permanent. The FDA and the American Medical Association recognize only electrolysis as a permanent method of removing hair. Some states prohibit those using or selling the electric tweezer from claiming it provides permanent hair removal.

Temporary methods of hair removal can be better. Chemical depilatories (liquids or creams) are often used to remove body hair. These products contain irritating chemicals and can be time-consuming and messy. Likewise, bleaches contain harsh chemicals and do little to disguise dark hair. They may also discolor skin.

Waxing is another temporary method of hair removal and is usually done in salons. A hot wax is applied to the skin and removed once it has dried over the hair. The hair is stripped off when the wax is removed. Waxing can be painful and costly. Home waxing kits are available, but they can be messy and difficult to use.

There are electrolysis devices available for home use, but they are often unsafe for use by anyone who is not trained in electrolysis.

How Do I Choose an Electrologist?

Electrologists are people who have special training to perform electrolysis. If you are considering electrolysis, it is important that you do your research before committing to sessions. The wrong decision can mean extra sessions and cost along with unnecessary discomfort and scarring.

  • Know the professional's qualifications. Many states require electrologists to be licensed or certified within the state to practice. If you live in one of those states, be sure the practitioner's certificate is current and on display. For states that do not regulate electrolysis, look for electrologists who have certification from an accredited electrology school.
  • Ask around. One of the best ways to find good services is to ask friends and family as well as your doctor for recommendations. If you know anybody who has undergone electrolysis, ask for their input.
  • Get a consultation. Many places will give you a free consultation. During the consultation, be sure all of your questions are answered. Some things you may want to ask about include: how the procedure will feel; how many visits you will likely need; how much each visit costs; how long each session lasts; how long the practitioner has been in business; and the number of clients theyhave treated.
  • Make sure the electrologist uses the right technique. The practitioner should use needle electrolysis, which is the only permanent form of hair removal. Some places may advertise electrolysis but use electronic tweezers or photoepilators instead. These are not permanent hair removal procedures.
  • Use common sense. When you go to your consultation, look around. Does the place look clean? Do the workers use disposable gloves or needles? Ask to meet the person who will be performing the electrolysis. If you are not comfortable with one technician, look for someone else to do the procedure. Personal comfort is essential to knowing you have made the right choice.
Electrolysis Overview (2024)

FAQs

What is the answer to electrolysis? ›

Electrolysis is the process by which ionic substances are decomposed into simpler substances when an current is passed through them. Electrolysis Process: ionic compounds contain charged particles called ions. For example, Sodium Chloride contains positively charged Sodium ions and negatively charged Chlorine ions.

How to solve questions on electrolysis? ›

Formula and Concept: The quantity of charge (Q) passed in electrolysis is given by the formula Q = It, where Q is the charge in coulombs (C), I is the current in amperes (A), and t is the time in seconds (s).

What is the overview of electrolysis? ›

Electrolysis is the passing of a direct electric current through an electrolyte which is producing chemical reactions at the electrodes and decomposition of the materials. The main components required to achieve electrolysis are an electrolyte, electrodes, and an external power source.

What is the formula for solving electrolysis? ›

m = E x I x t /96,485, where m is the mass of the substance produced in g; Z is the electrochemical equivalent, which is the mass of a substance produced at the electrode during electrolysis by one coulomb of charge; I is the current in Ampere(A); t is the time in seconds; and 96,485 is the Faraday's constant and is ...

What is electrolysis pdf? ›

Electrolysis : It is a chemical process where a substance in its molten state or in an aqueous solution is decomposed by the passage of electric current. 2. Electrolyte : A compound that allows electric current to pass through itself, when either in a molten state or in an aqueous solution, is called an electrolyte.

What is electrolysis in very short answer? ›

electrolysis, process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a chemical change. The chemical change is one in which the substance loses or gains an electron (oxidation or reduction).

What are the 3 products of electrolysis? ›

Electrolysis is a very commercial and important process to produce Hydrogen gas, Chlorine gas and Sodium Hydroxide.

What is the basic principle of electrolysis? ›

The fundamental process of electrolysis is the interchanging of ions and atoms by the addition or removal of electrons from the external circuit. Ionic compounds contain charged particles called ions. For example, sodium chloride contains positively charged sodium ions and negatively charged chlorine ions.

Is electrolysis physics or chemistry? ›

Electrolysis is a process in physics where an electric current is used to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. It involves the use of electrodes (usually metal or graphite) immersed in an electrolyte solution.

What causes electrolysis? ›

Electrolysis – is the result of potential current existing between two different objects. It is normally caused by stray electrical current. Electrolysis is much more destructive than galvanic corrosion. To prevent electrolysis, the vessel must be wired properly and outside sources of stray current must be identified.

How does electrolysis work for dummies? ›

How does electrolysis work? The basic principle of electrolysis is to split water into oxygen and hydrogen with the help of electricity. The splitting occurs in two partial reactions that take place at the two electrodes – cathode (-) and anode (+) – in the electrolysis cell.

What is electrolysis in layman's terms? ›

In layman's terms, electrolysis is a process in which electricity is used to drive non-spontaneous chemical reactions. These reactions involve the breakdown of chemical compounds (electrolytes) into their constituent elements.

What is the process of electrolysis answer? ›

Electrolysis primarily is a process that brings about a chemical change using electrical energy. The definition of electrolysis is the decomposition of a compound using electrical energy. The term electrolysis means breaking a compound down by passing an electric current through it.

What is the rule of electrolysis? ›

Faraday's – First Law of Electrolysis

It states, during electrolysis, the amount of chemical reaction which occurs at any electrode under the influence of electrical energy is proportional to the quantity of electricity passed through the electrolyte.

What is the best solution for electrolysis? ›

In general, an aqueous solution of caustic potash or soda is used as the electrolyte for water electrolysis. At equal concentrations, the conductiyity of caustic potash solutionis higher than that of caustic soda solution.

How to solve A question on electrolysis? ›

Calculating the Current Required
  1. Find the quantity of substance produced/or consumed in moles.
  2. Write the equation for the half-reaction taking place.
  3. Calculate the number of moles of electrons required.
  4. Convert the moles of electrons into coulombs of charge.
  5. Calculate the current required.

What are the basics of electrolysis? ›

Electrolysis works by passing an electric current through an electrolyte solution. The electric current causes the ions in the solution to move towards the electrodes, where they undergo chemical reactions that result in the release of either positively or negatively charged particles.

What is the theory of electrolysis? ›

Arrhenius theory of electrolysis proposed that when an electrolyte is dissolved in water, it will dissociates into its charged particles i.e. cation and anion. AB ( aq ) ⇌ A ( aq ) + + B ( aq ) - Here, Compound AB undergoes electrolysis in aqueous solution will dissociate into and ions.

How to do electrolysis equations? ›

Writing half equations
  1. Write down the ion and the product that will form at the electrode, with an arrow in between them. For example: Cl ⁻ → Cl2
  2. Use coefficients to balance the atoms on both sides of the equation. 2Cl⁻ → Cl2
  3. Use electrons to balance the charges on both sides of the equation. 2Cl ⁻ → Cl2 + 2e⁻

What is the solution of electrolysis? ›

Electrolytic solutions are those that are capable of conducting an electric current. A substance that, when added to water, renders it conductive, is known as an electrolyte . A common example of an electrolyte is ordinary salt, sodium chloride.

What is electrolysis of water answer? ›

Electrolysis of water is the decomposition of water into oxygen and hydrogen gas due to an electric current passed through the water. The reaction has a standard potential of −1.23 V, meaning it ideally requires a potential difference of 1.23 volts to split water.

What are the word equations for electrolysis? ›

The word equation for the electrolysis of lead bromide is lead bromide + electricity → lead + bromine. During electrolysis, lead is formed at the negative electrode (cathode), while bromine is formed at the positive electrode (anode).

What is the process called electrolysis? ›

Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This reaction takes place in a unit called an electrolyzer.

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