For years electrolysis has been a method of choice for women seeking permanent hair removal. There are three types of electro-epilation methods in use: galvanic electrolysis, thermolysis, and a combination or the blend method. The use of galvanic electrolysis can be traced back to 1875 when Charles Michel, an ophthalmologist used this technique to treat trichiasis (ingrown eyelashes) [53]. The procedure involves inserting a thin needle along the hair shaft down to hair follicle region and applying a pulse of low magnitude direct current (DC) to destroy the hair producing follicle tissue [54-56]. The galvanic current results in the formation of sodium hydroxide from water and sodium chloride in the hair follicle cells, resulting in a permanent destruction of the follicular structure [57]. Hair removal by the thermolysis method involves sending a high-frequency alternating current (AC) through the needle, which heats up the water molecules and destroys the follicle. Some electrologists claim to have obtained better results using the blend method, and experts recommend this method of hair removal over galvanic to thermolysis [58-60].
The effectiveness of electrolysis procedures is highly dependent on the operators’ expertise in accurately positioning the needle in the follicle bulb. The procedure is time consuming, expensive, and painful as each follicle needs to be individually destroyed [61]. Potential dermal side effects include papules, inflammation, scarring, and skin pigmentory changes [54,55,62].