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