Electrolysis Kill Rate
I use the phrase electrolysis kill rate to mean the percentage of hair follicles treated that never sprout a hair again. A good electrologist knows what their electrolysis kill rate is. At the very least, they should be able give you a fair estimate. An electrologist’s success rate is crucial information for prospective clients. It’s a good indication of their effectiveness. You can also estimate the time and money it takes for you to achieve your hair removal goal.
The electrolysis profession does not have an accepted set of professional standards. As a result, electrolysis kill rates vary dramatically between electrologists. Some electrologists have a zero per cent kill rate. Yep, zero. You know these electrologists because they tell you electrolysis gradually breaks down the hair until it stops growing. This is incorrect. A hair follicle can be killed the first time you treat it and that is the goal of a good electrologist.
Although many electrologists strive for a 100% kill rate there is always the odd hair that isn’t treated properly because the follicle lacks moisture or grows in an odd direction. Or maybe it was just a difficult insertion. You won’t know what that hair is, I promise you. Indications of regrowth are a face full of ingrowns and zero improvement in your skin and hair situation.
In my opinion, the minimum the electrolysis kill rate should be is 75%. That means that out of 100 hairs treated by an electrologist, 75 will not grow back. This is a realistic goal for any electrologist with the proper training and appropriate tools. Proper visual aids are THE most important tool of all. If you are seeking professional and permanent hair removal then finding out an electrologist’s kill rate should be on your list of questions. If the electrologist cannot provide that information then my advice is to keep up your search until you find someone who will.