How many electrolysis hair removal treatments will I need? - 2pass Clinic (2024)

Posted December 17th 2018

How many electrolysis hair removal treatments will I need? - 2pass Clinic (1)

Generally speaking, you are likely to require between 8 and 12 treatments. The average time from start to finish is about 12 months.

It can take anything from 8 months up to 2 years in some cases. The total number of sessions needed to remove hair permanently from a particular area will vary from person to person.But the unwanted hair that is gone will be gone forever.

We realize that this will seem like a very wide time-frame but it is just impossible to be more specific due to a big variation in response to treatment.

The amount of treatments needed is influenced by the following factors

  • 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.

How many electrolysis hair removal treatments will I need? - 2pass Clinic (2)

  • 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.
  • Pain threshold— The higher your pain threshold, the longer we can continue the treatment. At 2pass Clinic, you can use local anesthesia to reduce the pain. When using local anesthetics we can carry out longer and more intensive treatments.
  • Hair removal that you have already tried in the past—If you have previously had epilation or waxing, your hair follicle may now be deformed. This makes it more difficult to insert the needle. Also it is important to know that hair removed by plucking, waxing or failed electrolysis may not reappear until months later. The regrowth time for a plucked hair will vary with the body area, but the general rule is regrowth occurs 2 to 4 months after plucking.
  • Shape of your hair follicle — Curved hair is more difficult to kill as the insertion with the probe is hindered.

How many electrolysis hair removal treatments will I need? - 2pass Clinic (3)

  • Your cooperation— We advise for a fixed time interval of 10 weeks between treatments.
  • Your electrologist — There will always be a certain amount of regrowth, even when electrolysis is performed by a skilled operator. The average killing rate is 50-60 % with 60-75% being roughly the highest level possible. More information on regrowth after electrolysis.
  • Unknown factor — Individual unexplained variation in response to treatment. We still don’t fully know all factors that account for the difference in response to treatment. Our knowledge of hair growth has helped us to reduce our regrowth rate. There are still factors concerning hair growth that are not yet known to science. Hopefully, when those factors are discovered we can use this knowledge to even increase our killing rate. At 2 pass Clinic, we are obsessed by our killing rate. If we see we have a bad killing rate the next session we will do a patch test on your face. We will treat different areas with different techniques and settings. The next time we can then determine which program works best for you.
  • Safety margin — Remember that in electrolysis hair removal we aim for a fine balance between just enough destructive energy to destroy the hair follicle, yet not enough to produce undesirable side effects. We always err on the side of caution, even though this may result in some regrowth.

Related articles:

  • What is the difference between thermolysis and blend and which method works best?
  • How many hairs can be removed by electrolysis per hour?
  • Laser hair removal vs Electrolysis: what is the difference?
  • Does hair regrow after electrolysis hair removal?

We are doing our very best to keep this information up-to-date. In case you see anything that no longer seems accurate, or in case you have a question, please fill out the form below!

How many electrolysis hair removal treatments will I need? - 2pass Clinic (2024)

FAQs

How many electrolysis sessions are usually needed? ›

The total number of sessions needed to remove hair permanently from a particular area will vary from person to person. On average, it takes around 12 months to complete 8 to 12 electrolysis sessions. However, the duration may range from 8 months up to 2 years in certain cases.

Is electrolysis covered by insurance? ›

One common question that often arises is whether electrolysis hair removal is covered by insurance. In general, health insurance companies will not reimburse for electrolysis treatments under any circ*mstances, as excessive hair growth is considered a cosmetic problem.

Can electrolysis be done in one session? ›

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.

Does electrolysis require multiple treatments? ›

Typically, you need an appointment every week or every other week. The appointments can last for up to a year and a half. Treatment length depends on several factors, including the body area and the type of hair growing there. If you're treating a larger area, or an area with coarse hair, you'll need more treatments.

What is a downside to electrolysis? ›

Electrolysis Cons

It's a time-consuming procedure requiring multiple sessions. Skin discoloration is a possibility. The electricity in the device can actually destroy the capillaries in the surrounding areas. It can be very painful. It is not recommended for people with rosacea since the skin is so easily irritated.

Why is my hair growing back after electrolysis? ›

Hormonal changes can affect hair regrowth after electrolysis hair removal. Hormones can stimulate hair growth, even in areas that have been treated with electrolysis. Hormonal imbalances, such as those caused by pregnancy, menopause, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can result in hair regrowth after electrolysis.

How much should I expect to pay for electrolysis? ›

The cost of electrolysis hair removal can vary depending on the size of the area being treated and the number of sessions needed. A one-hour session can range anywhere from $50 to $200, depending on the area being treated.

Is electrolysis worth the money? ›

The Benefits of Electrolysis

Our experts gave a resounding "yes," touting the procedure for its ability to make the skin hair-free for good. Though electrolysis requires lengthy sessions (15 to 60 minutes) spaced one month apart (for roughly 12 to 30 sessions in total), Dr.

Is electrolysis cheaper than laser? ›

Costs. Electrolysis is cheaper on a per session basis, but because the number of treatments is greater, the costs tend to even out. While paying less per session may appeal to many, most laser treatment centers offer financing, so cost tends to be a non-factor.

How many hairs can an electrologist remove in an hour? ›

Your electrologist removes individual hairs from the body one by one, approximately 200-800 hairs per hour. Laser covers large areas and can treat thousands of hairs.

What happens if you stop electrolysis? ›

It is therefore very important that electrolysis is performed upon the detection of re-growth. Left untreated, hair will reconstitute itself to its original diameter and depth. Once a treatment program begins, it is important that appointments are kept to the predetermined schedule set at the beginning of your program.

Do you shave before electrolysis? ›

Please don't shave the area prior to your appointment

We're often asked if you need to shave or trim your hair before electrolysis (as you might before a laser treatment). The answer is no – in fact, as you'll read in the next tip, we ask that you don't shave the area at least 3 days before your treatment.

Why is electrolysis hair removal not popular? ›

Electrolysis is not as popular as laser hair removal for a few reasons: Longer Treatment Time: As mentioned, treating each hair follicle one by one makes electrolysis a much lengthier process. Discomfort: The procedure can be more uncomfortable, which deters some people from opting for it.

How many sessions electrolysis upper lip? ›

The exact number of sessions varies. However, it usually runs between 8 and 12 sessions. Nevertheless, it's important to remember that outcomes can differ among individuals, and certain individuals might necessitate a greater or lesser number of sessions.

Is electrolysis 100% permanent? ›

Traditional Electrolysis

Regardless of the cause – heredity, metabolic, or hormonal conditions – electrolysis will permanently remove unwanted hair to reveal a glowing, confident you.

How long does it take to see results from electrolysis? ›

How long does it take to see results? Electrolysis takes some patience but it's absolutely worth the wait as the effects are truly permanent. Most patients start to have noticeable results after several treatments, however, it can take on average 8-18 months for full results.

Does electrolysis remove hair permanently? ›

Yes. Unlike other hair removal methods that offer a temporary solution, Electrolysis is permanent and is the only FDA approved method of permanent hair removal.

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