Galvanic Electrolysis
Galvanic electrolysis is a chemical process. The current produces a chemical reaction in the hair follicle eliminating the hair growth cells.
Electrolysis Hair Removal · Downtown Chicago
How Does Electrolysis Hair Removal Work?
A professional electrologist inserts a very fine needle (usually thinner than the hair being treated) into the natural opening of the hair follicle alongside the hair shaft. A tiny amount of electrical current is then applied to destroy the hair growth cells.
Based on a personal and confidential consultation, your electrologist will design a treatment plan that addresses your specific hair removal needs.
Three Modalities
What Are Modalities?
Medical electrolysis devices can destroy the hair growth cells with chemical energy, heat energy, or both. The method chosen by the electrologist is the modality. All are effective. There are three modalities in current use:
Thermolysis (Short-Wave)
Thermolysis (also called short-wave) produces heat. This modality heats and destroys the hair growth cells in the follicle. A higher intensity current can be applied for less time in the follicle, or current can be used at lower intensity with longer timing.
The Blend Method
The Blend method combines galvanic current with thermolysis current. Thermolysis heats up the chemical reaction in the follicle destroying hair growth cells.
What about after treatment?
Immediately following treatment, you may experience slight redness or tenderness which usually disappears in a couple of hours. There is very little risk of complication or serious skin irritation with electrolysis performed by a skilled practitioner. For the first 24 hours following treatment, it’s best to avoid activity that could irritate hair follicles such as excessive sweating, tanning and prolonged sun exposure or make-up application.
What does electrolysis feel like?
You’ll probably feel a momentary heat sensation or pinch. Discomfort is minimal for most people, but individual tolerances vary greatly. Keep in mind that some areas of the body are much less sensitive than others. Many people read, listen to music or even take a nap while being treated.
How long will my electrolysis treatment take?
Depending on the area you want cleared, it could be a few minutes for a followup appointment to an hour for a larger area. Most people who follow the recommended treatment plan can expect to be completed or nearly completed within 18 months. Factors such as hair growth cycles, the quantity and structure of hair presented, previous use of temporary hair removal methods, heredity, hormone function, certain medications and stress influence the treatment program for each individual.
Pain Management
Does Electrolysis Hurt?
YES! But at Electrolysis 100% Permanent Hair Removal & Skin Care in Chicago, we offer pain management options to our patients depending on the electrolysis session length. Our clinic is one of the leading clinics in the USA offering pain management options for large-volume electrolysis treatments.
Results
Are All Hairs Eliminated In One Treatment Or Is Regrowth To Be Expected?
Excessive hair growth, also known as hirsutism, can range from fine, vellus hair to dark, coarse hair on the face and body. Breaking down the hair growth cells on deep, coarse hairs may require more than one treatment.
Based on a personal and confidential consultation, your electrologist will design a treatment plan that addresses your specific hair removal needs.
Large Volume Electrolysis Protocol
Are There Any Electrolysis Pain Relief Options?
Yes, and far more than most clinics offer. Our Large Volume Electrolysis Protocol gives you four levels of comfort, from staying awake with the treatment area fully numbed to sleeping through the entire session. Every pain relief option is provided by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist or one of our Nurse Practitioners, and your plan is built around the length of your session and how you feel about needles.
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Level 01
General Anesthesia
Completely unconscious for the whole planned treatment, started through an inhaled mask rather than an IV.
Sleep Through Treatment
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Level 02
IV Twilight Sedation
Sedation medication through an IV, with lidocaine numbing the treatment area. You may drift in and out.
Sedate And Numb
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Level 03
Oral Conscious Sedation
Medication by mouth with no IV, combined with cream, lidocaine and ProNox as the Complete Comfort Protocol.
Relax And Numb
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Level 04
Awake With Local Comfort
Prescription numbing cream, lidocaine injections and patient-controlled nitrous oxide. You can drive yourself home.
Awake And Numb
Six Pain Management Options, Used On Their Own Or Together
Each comfort level is built from the options below. Your electrologist and our medical team will help you choose the combination that fits your treatment area, session length and medical history.
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Topical
Prescription Numbing Cream
Applied to the treatment area before we begin and effective within ten to thirty minutes. Many clients complete their entire treatment plan with cream alone, and it can be layered under any other option.
Available at every level
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Local Anesthetic
Lidocaine Numbing Injections
Reaches far deeper than cream and numbs the area within minutes. Dosed by weight and given by a board-certified nurse practitioner, it makes bikini and genital work comfortable while you stay awake.
Used with IV and oral sedation
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Inhaled
ProNox Nitrous Oxide
You hold the mask and breathe it in whenever an area feels sensitive. The calming effect begins within seconds and fades soon after you stop, so you can drive yourself home.
No recovery time or escort
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By Mouth
Oral Conscious Sedation
Anxiety medication taken before your appointment, with no IV required. You remain awake and able to talk with your team while feeling deeply relaxed. Combined with cream, lidocaine and ProNox, it forms our Complete Comfort Protocol.
$325/hr face & body
$350/hr genital -
Intravenous
IV Twilight Sedation
Sedation is given through an IV by the anesthesia professional while lidocaine numbs the treatment area. You may drift in and out of sleep, and additional doses can be given during longer sessions when medically appropriate.
Included in large volume packages
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Fully Asleep
General Anesthesia
Started through an inhaled mask rather than an IV, so you sleep through the entire planned treatment. No numbing injections are needed, which means no injection discomfort, bruising or swelling. Medical clearance and a ride home are required.
Packages from $2,260
Whichever level you choose, the licensed practitioner responsible for your comfort stays with you at our clinic for the entire session, monitoring you continuously and remaining with you through recovery and discharge.
Areas we can treat with Large Volume Electrolysis: face, body, breast and genital areas for MTF pre-op and post-op Facial Feminization, GRS, SRS surgeries.
Large Volume ElectrolysisAll sedation and anesthesia services require a medical evaluation and are subject to individual eligibility. Anesthesia is administered and monitored by qualified anesthesia professionals.
Keep Reading
Learn More About Electrolysis
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