Hair Cycles
Why Consistency Matters
To perform electrolysis most effectively, we need to take a look at the three phases of hair growth and why they affect your treatments.
Three Phases of Hair Growth
Anagen is the active growing phase for your hair, most of the hair germ cells are present, the root papilla is nursed with nutrients/oxygen from blood supply, and your hair is growing at its deepest depth. This is the best phase to catch your hair in for treatments to effectively destroy the root papilla, the germ cells, and stop them from producing more hair. This phase can last anywhere from 4-6 weeks (face) or up to a few months (body areas).
Catagen is the transition phase where the hair detaches from the bottom of the hair follicle, and it moves upward in the follicle. This phase can still be treated but cannot effectively reach the bottom of the hair follicle to do the most damage.
Telogen is the final resting phase of the hair. The once plump root is now dried up and has turned into a white ball. This phase can still be treated as well, but as previously mentioned, it is not the most effective stage to catch the hair in.
The hairs treated at your appointment will not be the same hairs that grow in in the coming weeks. It takes the hair about 3 months to grow back in and begin the whole process all over again.
Other Epilation Methods
Waxing, Threading, Sugaring, Plucking
Removal do affect your treatments as well. I know so many of us were told to pluck or wax because it weakens the hair follicle and eventually it will give up and go away; however, that is not the case for most areas.
When we remove a hair by its root, it causes our bodies to send more blood circulation to the hair follicle to heal it, make is stronger, and harder to remove the next time. In sending blood to this hair follicle to repair it, it now has increased blood supply to that area altogether and can stimulate hair growth in the area. Pulling the hair out by the root also can cause ingrown hairs, which can be painful and cause permanent scarring.
Laser Treatments
Laser hair removal procedures target the melanin (color) in the hair follicle, the light travels thru the color spectrum to destroy the root papilla. Laser does not destroy the germ cells; it’s why it’s considered hair reduction. The correct hormonal imbalance, or increased blood circulation will result in hair regrowth.
Also, lighter hairs or grey hairs have no melanin, the laser light spectrum cannot travel to the root. Clients that have tattoos cannot get laser treatment due the color pigment of the ink. Electrolysis is the only option to inked skin. Clients with more melanin pigmentation laser is harder to treat the hairs due to reaction with melanin in the skin.
Laser also stimulates dermis skin blood circulation, which can result in regrowth, or stimulate lighter vellus hairs to become dark terminal hairs.
Clients that had laser treatment with regrowth occurring the follicle and pores are more deformed and harder to target, something to consider. Quicker treatment options don’t always win the race in the end.
Shaving, Cutting, Depilatory Creams
Hair removal from the surface of the skin such as shaving, depilatories or using a device like The Flawless have NO effect on the hair growth whatsoever. Since these methods never touch the root of the hair, they do not affect or interfere with your treatments and are safe to use in between appointments should you need a temporary fix.
Hormonal Imbalance, Hereditary, Ethnicity, Age
As women, we have areas that are more susceptible to hormonal hair growth: Chin, Sides of face, Neck, Upper Lip, Breasts, Stomach and Bikini Line. We can absolutely treat hormonally driven hairs; however, we can only treat the hairs that are present, not hairs that might be hormonally stimulate in the future.
This is why it is so important to address any hormone imbalances or sensitivities with your doctor prior to starting your electrolysis treatments, otherwise it will be an uphill battle.
Woman starting Menopause the body goes thru natural hormonal changes, androgen production increases, and estrogen decrease causing unwanted hair growth.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) causes an increase in androgen production, which increases unwanted hair growth.
Cushing’s Syndrome causes an increase in cortisol production in the adrenal gland, which increases unwanted hair growth.
Different ethnicity and hereditary backgrounds are more susceptible to more hair growth. We are all born different in our own unique beautiful way.