Articles

Electrolysis the only Permanent solution to unwanted hair growth

Brief History of Electrolysis

Electrolysis has been around since 1875 originally invented by Doctor Charles Michel of St Louise, Missouri, USA,   who discovered it when he inserted a needle with a negative electrical charge into a hair follicle to remove  an in-growing eye lash and it never grew back. This method of electrolysis was known as galvanic electrolysis and was a very slow time consuming process.
However in 1924 Dr Henry Bordier of Lyons in France invented the Short wave diathermy method of Epilation which used an alternating oscillating high frequency current rather than a direct galvanic current. This method speeded up the hair removal process and soon very popular.
Then in 1945 Arthur R. Hinkle and Henrie St.Pierre patented the first blend machine which combined both galvanic direct current and short wave diathermy currents using the best of both types of currents to successfully treat unwanted hair growth.
The blend method of electrolysis was introduced in England during the 1980’s and is now widely used.

Electrolysis Treatment 
Electrolysis is a course of treatment and not a miracle cure it takes time and commitment on both the part of the electrologist to do their very best for the client, for the client it is a financial and emotional commitment requiring them to attend regularly and follow after care advice carefully to ensure a successful outcome.

Electrolysis involves the insertion of a very fine, disposable, sterile probe (the same diameter as the hair) into the hair follicle, a natural opening in the skin. The skin is not pierced and does not scar. The only sensation is of heat being passed through the probe to seal off the hair at the root.  During a course of treatments there will be a constant, gradual decrease in the growth of the hair until it has all been permanently removed. The number of treatments required will differ from person to person and will be discussed at the initial consultation.

Electrolysis can be used on any part of the body (Some particularly skilled practitioners can even treat eye lashes, nostrils and the inner ear). No type or volume of body hair is too stubborn for treatment and no body part too embarrassing. Customers frequently ask for treatment on the legs, face, chest, nipples, back, abdomen and bikini area. 


Treatment Costs:

Costs of treatment vary across the country
However in some areas the prices vary as follows
10 minutes £10- £15.00
15 minutes £16- £18.00
30 minutes £26- £30.00
45 minutes £34- £40.00
60 minutes £43 -£60.00
 

The Benefits of Electrolysis include:

1. It is recognised as a safe, reliable and successful treatment for over 100 years when carried out by qualified skilled practitioners e.g. see www.electrolysis.co.uk for list of registered skilled practitioners.

2. Electrolysis can treat any skin type and hair type successfully unlike laser treatment.

3. Today, thanks to highly advanced equipment, rigorous industry standards, specialist professional training and international knowledge-sharing, the capabilities of the technology are more impressive than ever.  Whilst many new treatments for hair reduction or non-permanent hair removal have emerged over the years, electrolysis has remained the only treatment to achieve permanent and complete eradication of unwanted hair

Electrolysis requires regular treatment depending on the type of hair growth problem and underlying cause of problem, some clients require, weekly, others monthly an experienced practitioner will advise the client at consultation and review treatment progress regularly with client, adapting the treatment to suit the client’s individual hair and skin type requirements.

Training requirements for Electrolysis

In the UK the basic qualification for electrolysis is a level 3 NVQ or VRQ qualification. Once this qualification has been achieved it is possible to progress to a  higher level electrolysis qualification via  from the British Institute and Association of Electrolysis (BIAE), which is a non-profit organisation that was set up to promote the safe and effective use of electrolysis across the UK.  BIAE is the only professional body that requires its members to pass strict entrance examinations and undergo rigorously checks on an on-going basis as a non-profit organisation that takes absolutely no money from tax payers, BIAE’s entire focus is on the interests of consumers

In promoting electrolysis however, it is extremely important that consumers are cautioned against scam treatments that are wrongly promoted as electrolysis, and warned about the possibility of bad electrolysis being carried out by unskilled practitioners. In a country where licensing arrangements for electrolysis vary from town to town, and training standards differ from college to college, customers need guidance on how to select an electrolgist that they can trust.
 

Author: Angela Wheat  MBIAE Cert Ed  www.gemini-beauty.co.uk
Angela has 34 years experience of working in the Beauty Industy as a skilled practitioner, and College lecturer , Head of Beauty in a Further Education College,  published  author and examiner for City and Guilds.
Angela also is  Vice chair of the British Institute Association of Electrolysis and the Kent trainer for Sterex International