Why Do Electrolysis Myths Persist?
The internet was a very different place when I was a novice electrologist. There was little information available to answer questions on electrolysis, laser and general hair removal. Eventually I stumbled on the most active hair removal forum at the time, but it was rife with squabbles between the self-declared “stars” of the electrolysis world. On the forum I came across the most laughable advice on the practice of electrolysis. Unfortunately I cannot repeat it here but I will happily tell anyone about it in person. It’s truly a gem.
If a practicing electrologist can be that confident in showcasing their obvious gap in knowledge on a public forum then the average person looking for reliable information must be coming up short indeed. So once and for all I am going to clear up some myths that clients bring to me from time to time.
ELECTROLYSIS MYTHS #1: Electrolysis Might Damage The Skin
This is one of the most persistent electrolysis myths. The fact is that even when electrolysis is done poorly it is unlikely to result in any permanent damage to the skin. The current targets such a small area of the skin that significant damage is hard to come by. Clients occasionally ask me about “pitting” because they’ve read something online that has scared them, but you have to remember that internet forums tend to attract somewhat anxious people who see any side effect as a calamity. Temporary post-treatment swelling and large pores can be mistaken for pitting, but I have never seen pitted scars even with clients who’ve had electrolysis done by someone else for years before they come to me.
The forum mentioned above used to go on ad nauseum about “overtreatment” and made sweeping claims about the quality of electrolysis treatment from pictures alone. I advise my clients not to research online because it often stirs up confusion and misunderstanding.
Electrolysis is a very simple chemical reaction that occurs under the skin. The current dissolves the hair generating cells so they can’t produce another hair. It’s as simple as that. Side effects are predictable (therefore manageable) and, when needed, a good Epsom salt compress works works wonders after electrolysis.
ELECTROLYSIS MYTHS #2: The Electrolysis Machine Kills The Hair
Nope, I kill the hair. I’m occasionally asked what technique, tool or machine I use and I don’t answer that question. I know the person asking has picked up some information online and they are looking for a specific response. Questions on my electrolysis machine and technique are as wrongheaded as asking what cookware a kitchen uses before making reservations at a restaurant. It ultimately doesn’t matter because what matters is how the food tastes and that depends on the creative hands that process it. It’s the same with electrolysis – I can work with any machine and deliver permanent hair removal. The success of your electrolysis treatment lies in my hands, my energy, my ethics and my experience.
ELECTROLYSIS MYTHS #3: Electrolysis Is A Licensed and Regulated Profession
Electrolysis is not licensed or regulated anywhere in Canada. There is no oversight, no professional designation and no regulatory body to set standards of practice. When I was starting out I bought some equipment from a woman who was part of a group of electrologists in the 80s who did their best to turn electrolysis into an regulated profession like teacher or nurse. She said they gave up because it would obviously never happen. It’s 15 years later and there is no change at all. When I was starting out one of my suppliers said electrolysis was typically done by “housewives for pin money”. A little flippant but not entirely untrue at the time.
Even where electrolysis regulations exist, as it does in some states in the USA, there are no standards of practice on the effectiveness of electrolysis treatment. That means that no professional body has established what is an acceptable kill rate for a “professional” or “certified” electrologist. So you can still get a shoddy treatment from a “certified” electrologist.
Professional organizations exist on a voluntary basis in Canada, which means that if you want to join a group of electrologists to meet socially and talk shop, that’s great, but these are not professional bodies. Electrolysis certification does not exist in Canada, however, there is a voluntary exam you can take to call yourself a certified electrologist but it’s more of an honorary certification because there is no regulatory body in Canada.
ELECTROLYSIS MYTHS #4: Timing Is Everything
Timing doesn’t matter when it comes to electrolysis. You can space your electrolysis appointments any way you like. If you want rapid results then you should treat every hair as it emerges from the skin, however, waiting longer between appointments does not impact the effectiveness of the electrolysis treatment. You can book once a month, every 3 months, whatever works for you. As long as you don’t wax, tweeze or thread the hair between appointments you will not delay your progress if there are gaps of time between your treatments. Electrolysis works on any hair in any stage of growth. Electrolysis is a simple procedure – you just have to show up to reap the results.