| The quest for permanent hair removal goes | | | | Electrolysis has a long history, and many |
| back millenia; archeologist say that men | | | | researchers were experimenting with |
| shaved as far back as 20 thousand years ago, | | | | electrical methods of hair removal as far |
| using sharpened rocks and shells. Societies | | | | back as the American Civil War era. The first |
| all around the world use diverse hair removal | | | | workable electrolysis machine was invented by |
| methods, from sugaring to caustic depilatory | | | | St. Louis ophthalmologist Charles Michel, who |
| creams. However, the hair eventually grows | | | | in published results of permanent hair |
| back and the procedure must be repeated | | | | removal with treatment by a battery-powered |
| endlessly. | | | | electrified needle in 1875. He had been using |
| | | | his device to treat ingrown eyelashes since |
| The oldest method of permanent hair removal | | | | 1869. This DC-current powered method is |
| is electrolysis. It works as advertised for | | | | referred to as electrolysis or galvanic |
| most consumers if done correctly, but it | | | | electrolysis because a chemical reaction in |
| requires training and skill by the operator. | | | | the hair follicle causes formation of sodium |
| A hair-thin probe is inserted into each hair | | | | hydroxide, which damages the follicle. The |
| follicle, and low-voltage electricity is | | | | chemical reaction is as follows : NaCl (salt) |
| applied, causing localized damage to the | | | | H2O (water) direct current = NaOH (sodium |
| follicle and preventing hair regrowth. Proper | | | | hydroxide) Cl (chlorine) H (hydrogen). |
| insertion of the probe follows the natural | | | | |
| opening of the follicle and does not | | | | Subsequent improvements included a machine |
| penetrate the skin. | | | | using multiple needles, invented by Paul Kree |
| | | | in 1916; and the use of AC current, called |
| This method of hair removal has a proven | | | | diathermy, which causes direct thermal injury |
| track record of more than 125 years, and most | | | | to the hair follicle, reported in medical |
| studies show 90%-93% customer satisfaction | | | | literature in 1924 by Dr. Henri Bordier. The |
| with the results. However, it can be | | | | latter method is also referred to as |
| expensive if large areas are to be treated, | | | | thermolysis, short-wave, high-frequency, and |
| and waiting while a technician attends to | | | | radiofrequency hair removal. |
| each individual hair in turn can be tedious. | | | | |
| It can be moderately painful. If the | | | | Minor improvements continued through the |
| technician is unskilled, permanent scarring | | | | 1930s and 1940s. In 1948, Arthur Hinkel and |
| can occur, and unsterilized equipment can | | | | Henri St. Pierre received a patent in 1948 |
| spread skin infections. | | | | for a combination method they developed, and |
| | | | 20 years later published "Electrolysis, |
| The treatment may have to be repeated 3-4 | | | | Thermolysis and the Blend", which described |
| times, both to redo follicles which were not | | | | their experiments with different hair removal |
| destroyed after one treatment, and to catch | | | | techniques. "Blend" refers to the fact that |
| follicles which were not producing hairs at | | | | blended methods often work better than just |
| the time of treatment and thus went | | | | one method alone. |
| unnoticed. Hair follicles are not always in | | | | |
| an active growth phase; however, after a year | | | | Further improvements included incorporating |
| or so, most follicles will have been treated. | | | | transistors and computerized controls, as |
| Because a majority of hair follicles are in a | | | | well as insulated probes and sterile |
| dormant, non-growth phase at any given time, | | | | disposable needles. However, despite attempts |
| treatment must be repeated at 2-3 month | | | | to automate electrolysis equipment, the |
| intervals to catch them all. | | | | effectiveness and safety of electrolysis is |
| | | | highly dependent on the skill of the |
| The term "needle-free electrolysis" is | | | | operator. Electrolysis professional |
| sometimes used to describe hair removal | | | | organizations exist and set standards for |
| devices which function by passing electric | | | | member certification, but in many states, |
| current down the hair shaft to the follicle | | | | anyone is legally permitted to offer |
| by a tweezer or a conductive patch. These | | | | electrolysis services. Therefor it is |
| systems are completely ineffective, as hair | | | | important for anyone seeking electrolysis to |
| is a poor conductor of electricity. | | | | get references beforehand. |
| | | | |
| Battery-operated home units are sold on at | | | | Use of this hair removal method continued |
| department stores, the Internet and on Ebay, | | | | into the early part of the 20th century, when |
| usually for around $20. The most popular | | | | it was briefly eclipsed by X-ray hair |
| brand is One-Touch by Babyliss, though others | | | | removal, which was advertised as safe and |
| are offered as well. From personal | | | | painless. It should be noted that people in |
| experience, I can testify that these units do | | | | this era displayed a generalized, dangerous |
| indeed work, but a lot of practice is | | | | lack of knowledge about the dangers of |
| necessary. Consumers who try this option | | | | radiation; shoe stores even featured x-ray |
| should be aware that despite the detailed and | | | | machines to aid in shoe fitting! |
| quite adequate instructions accompanying the | | | | |
| units, there is a learning curve, and many | | | | After the X-ray fad ended consumers returned |
| people have found that performing | | | | to electrolysis until the advent of effective |
| electrolysis on themselves is too difficult | | | | laser treatment in the 1990's. These days, |
| to be worth the trouble. However, if you do | | | | most hair removal is done by laser, but |
| decide to use this option, a pair of | | | | electrolysis is still useful for isolated |
| magnifying glasses and a good set of tweezers | | | | hairs, and for pale hair which responds |
| can make the procedure much easier. | | | | poorly to light-based treatment. |
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