The 8 Risks and Side Effects of Electrolysis Hair Removal

Electrolysis hair removal has recently become a popular hair removal method as it is the only FDA-approved method that eliminates the body hair permanently. However, similar to any other cosmetic procedure, it also comes with the risk of discomfort and skin reactions.

Knowing about these side effects before the sessions can help you take the necessary measures to minimize the side effects. This allows the treatment to go as smoothly as possible. Let’s discuss the possible risks and side effects of electrolysis and some ways to cope with them!

Table of Contents:

• Part 1: What is Electrolysis?
• Part 2: 8 Side Effects of Electrolysis Hair Removal
• Part 3: Tips to Avoid Side Effects of Electrolysis
• Part 4: What Else to Expect From Electrolysis
• Part 5: A Safer Alternative Hair Removal Method

What is Electrolysis?

Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal method that destroys hair follicles with current. During the procedure, an electrologist inserts a thin, tiny needle into the hair follicles, and electric current flows through the needle, reaching the hair follicle.

It damages the cells responsible for body hair growth and prevents further growth. There are three types: galvanic, thermolysis, and blend technique. Alternating current is used in thermolysis, while direct current is used in galvanic. The blend technique uses a mix of these, and the choice mainly depends on your electrologist.

The procedure can be a bit painful, but the pain is reduced with the help of topical numbing cream. However, the method includes treating each hair one by one since the electrologist inserts the needle by hand, which can be time-consuming.

The 8 Risks and Side Effects of Electrolysis Hair Removal

Once you finish all the electrolysis sessions, you can enjoy smooth and hair-free skin for life. However, it is not completely risk-free. Here are some side effects that one can face throughout their treatment:

1. Redness or Irritation

Redness is the most common side effect of electrolysis. It is your body’s reaction to the current that damages the hair follicles. The blood vessels expand in the damaged area to initiate the repair process and get rid of waste as soon as possible.

For some people, it subsides within 24 hours, but for others, the redness can last for at least 36 to 48 hours. It is normal and you will not need any medications as the redness will subside on its own. If it lasts longer, you can contact a professional.

2. Blisters or Red Spots

Similar to redness, you might notice small blisters or red spots on your skin after electrolysis. These blisters are small fluid-filled vesicles that form as a result of skin damage. Scratching the blisters or trying to pop them will only worsen the situation.

It can lead to permanent scarring on the affected area. Wait for a minimum of 24-36 hours, as they will heal on their own within this time. Otherwise, you can get help from a professional.

3. Inflammation

Swelling is also a form of your body’s reaction to the damage caused by current flowing through the hair follicles. The body identifies the damaged area, and white blood cells accumulate there to start the healing process. This causes minor swelling.

But do not worry as this is only minor and can be reduced as time passes. The timeline for swelling to completely subside is about 36-48 hours.

4. Dryness

Without proper aftercare of electrolysis hair removal, your skin can become dry, sensitive, and irritated. The dryness will only worsen as time passes if you do not take care of your skin after the treatment session.

Therefore, it is necessary to keep your body moisturized with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type.

5. Scarring

Scarring is a rare side effect of electrolysis that can be temporary or permanent. It is not common and mostly occurs due to the negligence of your electrologist. It mostly occurs when your skin is overly treated. As a result, permanent scarring occurs in the affected area.

In some cases, picking on the minor blisters or scabs that form after electrolysis can also cause scar formation on the skin which might not go away.

6. Breakouts or Acne

Breakouts or acne are common in people with open pores and acne-prone skin. Treatments like electrolysis also open the pores and trigger acne. These breakouts are not permanent and can last up to 10 days, depending on your skin type.

To minimize the risk of developing acne, you must cleanse your skin regularly, especially after the hair removal session. Applying toner and cleanser before and after the treatment can also help.

7. Infection

The risk of infection increases as the skin barrier is disrupted, pores open, and becomes dry. This is because opportunistic bacteria present on our skin all the time.

They will invade the body as soon as they find a chance to enter it and start growing. As a result, infection occurs, which can cause continuous itching. The risk also increases due to excessive sweating or continuously touching the area with unclean hands.

8. Hyperpigmentation

As the skin becomes irritated due to the influx of electric current in the body, the risk of skin discoloration increases. This is the skin’s reaction to the minor injury that occurred during hair removal.

There is an overproduction of melanin in the affected area, which leads to dark skin patches. This does not impose any health side effects on the person. Even the discoloration fades on its own with time.

Tips to Avoid Side Effects of Electrolysis

How your skin reacts to electrolysis hair removal depends upon how you take care after the hair removal session. Even common side effects like redness and inflammation can be reduced or treated quickly with a little aftercare. Here is what you can do for this purpose:

• Maintain Hygiene: Maintaining proper hygiene can help reduce the risk of developing an infection. You must keep your skin clean and avoid touching the area without washing your hands. Also, cover our body properly before going out
• Keep the Body Hydrated: Keeping the body hydrated can help accelerate the recovery process. To do this, you must drink plenty of water. You must also take help from moisturizers as applying them can help hydrate the skin surface
• Avoid Any Heavy work: Heavy exercises increase sweating. The dirt, along with the sweat, increases the risk of developing infection. It can also clog your pores thus causing acne and breakouts
• Apply Cool Compresses: Applying cool compresses can help treat the redness and inflammation that occurs after electrolysis. You just need to wrap ice in a clean cloth and apply it to the treated area

What Else to Expect From Electrolysis

We have discussed the side effects of electrolysis. Here are a few other things that you need to know before booking your appointment:

• Time-consuming: Since electrolysis involves hand-treating individual hair strands, it can be time-consuming, especially for bigger areas like the chest, legs, and arms.
• Requires Multiple Sessions: The effectiveness of electrolysis depends upon our hair growth cycle. All the hair must be targeted in its active phase to avoid regrowth. Therefore, the process requires 8 to 12 sessions to be effective
• Expensive: A single electrolysis session costs between $30 to $200, depending upon the area treated or the time taken in the treatment. Since it requires multiple sessions, you might have to spend hundreds of dollars for complete hair removal

A Safer Alternative Hair Removal Method

Electrolysis hair removal sounds fascinating as it offers permanent hair removal, but electrolysis has many side effects. It can also be painless. Let us introduce you to a similar but safer alternative to electrolysis hair removal.

It is at-home IPL hair removal with Ulike Air 10. IPL offers semi-permanent hair removal with results that last for months to years. It reduces hair growth so you will only need occasional maintenance sessions after completing the initial treatment.

Why choose Air 10? Let’s see:

• Nearly Painless: The handset has sapphire ice-cooling technology that soothes your body and retains the temperature within range to avoid over-heating and skin-burning
• Safe: Its smart SkinSensor technology ensures that the intensity level matches your skin tone. If your skin tone is at risk of burning, the device will stop on its own
• FDA-cleared: The device is FDA-cleared, which means it has gone through all the essential trials that ensure that it is safe for at-home use
• Pocket-friendly: Ulike offers a pocket-friendly alternative to electrolysis as the device costs $399, which is equal to the price of only two electrolysis sessions

Conclusion

Electrolysis hair removal is a method of choice for those who want to eliminate unwanted hair permanently from their body and face. But, your skin can react to the current that flows through the hair to the hair roots and damages them.

It can cause redness, irritation, swelling, inflammation, and dryness. If you do not take care of the treated area after the session, even scarring, acne, and infections can occur. So, consider all these factors before making the final decision to ensure smooth and safe results.