Electrology
Encyclopedia
Electrology is the practice of electrical epilation
to permanently remove human hair
. The actual process of removing the hair is referred to as electrolysis.
. Proper insertion does not puncture the skin. Electricity
is delivered to the follicle through the probe, which causes localized damage to the areas that generate hairs, either through the formation of caustic lye (galvanic method), overheating
(thermolysis method), or both (blend method).
and uses a person's body as an electrolytic cell
. Galvanic electrolysis was first reported in the medical literature by ophthalmologist Charles Michel in 1875 to remove ingrown eyelashes in patients with trichiasis
. A galvanic epilator is essentially a positive ground power supply that delivers 0-3 milliamperes
through the body. The follicular probe is the cathode
of an electrolytic cell. Sodium hydroxide formed at the cathode by the process of chemical electrolysis
kills the hair matrix cells. Modern galvanic epilators automatically adjust the voltage to maintain constant current.
, shortwave or diathermy
.
Thermolysis was developed in the 1920s and first reported in medical literature by Henri Bordier. A thermolytic epilator is essentially a radio transmitter, usually with an output of about 0-8 watt
s at a frequency
of 13.56 MHz. RF energy emanates from the probe tip to tissue within about a millimeter. Thermolysis works by heating the hair matrix cells to about 48°C (118°F), causing electrocoagulation
.
in 1948, which uses both RF and direct current, combining many of the advantages of galvanic and thermolysis.
, usually the same diameter as the hair shaft or smaller. This is typically 50 to 150 µm (0.002 to 0.006 inches) for all three modalities. Care is given to insert the probe at the same angle as the hair is growing out of the skin. The probe is inserted to the depth of the dermal papilla or hair matrix, which is the site of formation of hair from highly mitotic
and keratin
ized cells
. The power and duration of the electricity are started at the lowest setting, then titrated up until the hair comes out as easily as possible. If the patient experiences significant discomfort, the settings can be lowered.
Electrolysis as a profession faced new competition in the 1990s after laser hair removal
was developed and promoted as a quicker and easier way to remove hair. The Food and Drug Administration
declared laser and similar devices can only claim to reduce hair growth, not permanently remove it.
In the state of Connecticut the professionals govern a board called the Connecticut State Electrolysis Association.
EPilation
EPilation is the first full-length release from Brisbane musician Tara Simmons. Although a full-length, EPilation contains no new material and is a compilation of Tara's first two EPs Pendulum and All The Amendments...
to permanently remove human hair
Hair
Hair is a filamentous biomaterial, that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Found exclusively in mammals, hair is one of the defining characteristics of the mammalian class....
. The actual process of removing the hair is referred to as electrolysis.
Overview
The practitioner slides a solid hair-thin metal probe into each hair follicleHair follicle
A hair follicle is a skin organ that produces hair. Hair production occurs in phases, including a growth phase , and cessation phase , and a rest phase . Stem cells are principally responsible for the production of hair....
. Proper insertion does not puncture the skin. Electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
is delivered to the follicle through the probe, which causes localized damage to the areas that generate hairs, either through the formation of caustic lye (galvanic method), overheating
Electrocoagulation
Electrocoagulation, also known as Radio Frequency Diathermy or Short Wave Electrolysis, is a technique used for medical treatment and wastewater treatment.- Medical treatment :...
(thermolysis method), or both (blend method).
Modalities
Three methods or "modalities" are used in electrology. Galvanic, thermolysis, and blend all have their own merits, and one method is not better than another. The success depends on the skill of the electrologist, the type of hair being removed, the condition of the skin and the pain threshold of the client. All three methods, when properly performed, can be thorough at destroying the hair matrix cells, and leaving follicles incapable of regrowing hair.Galvanic
This modality is named after Luigi GalvaniLuigi Galvani
Luigi Aloisio Galvani was an Italian physician and physicist who lived and died in Bologna. In 1791, he discovered that the muscles of dead frogs legs twitched when struck by a spark...
and uses a person's body as an electrolytic cell
Electrolytic cell
An electrolytic cell decomposes chemical compounds by means of electrical energy, in a process called electrolysis; the Greek word lysis means to break up. The result is that the chemical energy is increased...
. Galvanic electrolysis was first reported in the medical literature by ophthalmologist Charles Michel in 1875 to remove ingrown eyelashes in patients with trichiasis
Trichiasis
Trichiasis is a medical term for abnormally positioned eyelashes that grow back toward the eye, touching the cornea or conjunctiva. This can be caused by infection, inflammation, autoimmune conditions, congenital defects, eyelid agenesis and trauma such as burns or eyelid injury.Standard treatment...
. A galvanic epilator is essentially a positive ground power supply that delivers 0-3 milliamperes
Ampere
The ampere , often shortened to amp, is the SI unit of electric current and is one of the seven SI base units. It is named after André-Marie Ampère , French mathematician and physicist, considered the father of electrodynamics...
through the body. The follicular probe is the cathode
Cathode
A cathode is an electrode through which electric current flows out of a polarized electrical device. Mnemonic: CCD .Cathode polarity is not always negative...
of an electrolytic cell. Sodium hydroxide formed at the cathode by the process of chemical electrolysis
Electrolysis
In chemistry and manufacturing, electrolysis is a method of using a direct electric current to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction...
kills the hair matrix cells. Modern galvanic epilators automatically adjust the voltage to maintain constant current.
Thermolysis
Another method is known as thermolysis, RFRadio frequency
Radio frequency is a rate of oscillation in the range of about 3 kHz to 300 GHz, which corresponds to the frequency of radio waves, and the alternating currents which carry radio signals...
, shortwave or diathermy
Diathermy
In the natural sciences, the term diathermy means "electrically induced heat" and is commonly used for muscle relaxation. It is also a method of heating tissue electromagnetically or ultrasonically for therapeutic purposes in medicine.-Surgical uses:...
.
Thermolysis was developed in the 1920s and first reported in medical literature by Henri Bordier. A thermolytic epilator is essentially a radio transmitter, usually with an output of about 0-8 watt
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
s at a frequency
Frequency
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. It is also referred to as temporal frequency.The period is the duration of one cycle in a repeating event, so the period is the reciprocal of the frequency...
of 13.56 MHz. RF energy emanates from the probe tip to tissue within about a millimeter. Thermolysis works by heating the hair matrix cells to about 48°C (118°F), causing electrocoagulation
Electrocoagulation
Electrocoagulation, also known as Radio Frequency Diathermy or Short Wave Electrolysis, is a technique used for medical treatment and wastewater treatment.- Medical treatment :...
.
Blend
Galvanic and thermolysis are often combined in a method known as blend, developed by Arthur HinkelArthur Hinkel
Arthur R. "Art" Hinkel was an American electrical engineer best known for developing the Blend Method of electrology....
in 1948, which uses both RF and direct current, combining many of the advantages of galvanic and thermolysis.
Technique
The practitioner selects a metal probe that slides easily into the hair follicleHair follicle
A hair follicle is a skin organ that produces hair. Hair production occurs in phases, including a growth phase , and cessation phase , and a rest phase . Stem cells are principally responsible for the production of hair....
, usually the same diameter as the hair shaft or smaller. This is typically 50 to 150 µm (0.002 to 0.006 inches) for all three modalities. Care is given to insert the probe at the same angle as the hair is growing out of the skin. The probe is inserted to the depth of the dermal papilla or hair matrix, which is the site of formation of hair from highly mitotic
Mitosis
Mitosis is the process by which a eukaryotic cell separates the chromosomes in its cell nucleus into two identical sets, in two separate nuclei. It is generally followed immediately by cytokinesis, which divides the nuclei, cytoplasm, organelles and cell membrane into two cells containing roughly...
and keratin
Keratin
Keratin refers to a family of fibrous structural proteins. Keratin is the key of structural material making up the outer layer of human skin. It is also the key structural component of hair and nails...
ized cells
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
. The power and duration of the electricity are started at the lowest setting, then titrated up until the hair comes out as easily as possible. If the patient experiences significant discomfort, the settings can be lowered.
Treatment duration
Most practitioners will advise that complete removal of facial hair takes between 1 and 4 years, with an average treatment length of 2 years.Status of profession
In the United States, electrolysis is regulated in many states, requiring training and licensure.Electrolysis as a profession faced new competition in the 1990s after laser hair removal
Laser hair removal
Laser hair removal was performed experimentally for about 20 years before it became commercially available in the mid 1990s. One of the first published articles describing laser hair removal was authored by the group at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1998...
was developed and promoted as a quicker and easier way to remove hair. The Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
declared laser and similar devices can only claim to reduce hair growth, not permanently remove it.
In the state of Connecticut the professionals govern a board called the Connecticut State Electrolysis Association.