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