ELECTROLYSIS GUIDE
How doeselectrolysis work?
Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal method that works directly on each individual hair follicle. Unlike systems that treat an entire area at once, electrolysis treats each hair individually.
During treatment, an extremely fine probe is carefully inserted through the natural opening of the follicle. A controlled amount of energy is then delivered to treat the cells responsible for hair growth. Afterwards, the treated hair can be gently removed.
This follicle-by-follicle approach makes it possible to treat hair of different thicknesses and colours, including blonde, red, white and grey hair.
Follicle by follicle · Every hair type and colour · Face and body
- Follicle by follicleIndividual treatment
- Every hair type and colourIncluding white hair
- Face and bodyAll treatment areas
Anatomical illustration of a hair follicle during electrolysis treatment
THE PROCESS
How each follicle is treated
Electrolysis is performed precisely and carefully in three steps.
- 01Precision probeThe probe used for electrolysis is extremely fine. It follows the natural hair canal until it reaches the area of the follicle that needs to be treated. The skin is not being pierced: the probe follows the follicle's natural opening.
- 02Controlled energyOnce the probe is correctly positioned, the device delivers energy for a precisely controlled period. Intensity and timing are not identical for every client: they are adjusted according to the treatment area, hair thickness and depth, skin and the response observed during treatment.
- 03Hair removalAfter the follicle has been treated, the hair is gently removed with tweezers. When treatment has been effective, the goal is for the hair to slide out of the follicle without needing to be forcibly plucked.
01.Precision probe
The probe used for electrolysis is extremely fine. It follows the natural hair canal until it reaches the area of the follicle that needs to be treated. The skin is not being pierced: the probe follows the follicle's natural opening.
REAL RESULTS
Precision is the key
With electrolysis, using more intensity does not necessarily mean achieving a better result. Effectiveness depends on positioning the probe correctly and delivering the appropriate amount of energy in the right place for the required amount of time.
Hair thickness, follicle depth, body area and skin response can differ even between hairs on the same person. Treatment parameters are therefore adjusted rather than using exactly the same setting for every hair and every client.
The goal is to treat the follicle effectively while respecting the surrounding tissue as much as possible.
ELECTROLYSIS MODALITIES
Three ways of delivering energy
Professional electrolysis devices can use different modalities to treat the cells responsible for hair growth. The choice depends on the technique, the hair and the area being treated.
01.Thermolysis
Uses high-frequency energy to generate localised heat inside the follicle. It is widely used because treatment can be delivered in very short applications when insertion and settings are appropriate.
TREATMENT PLAN
Why are multiple sessions needed?
Hair growth is not synchronised. While some hairs are visible and actively growing, other follicles are at different stages of their cycle and may not have a visible hair at that moment.
This means an entire area cannot simply be completed once with the assumption that every future hair has already been treated. As additional hairs become visible, they can be treated during subsequent appointments.
Treatment pace depends on many factors, including the area, hair density and thickness, previous hair-removal methods, the amount of time available for each appointment and individual response.
At the beginning there may be more visible hair and appointments may be longer. As treatment progresses and less untreated hair remains, the time required to work on the area will normally decrease.
There is no identical number of sessions for everyone. The treatment plan is adjusted according to the actual progress of each area.
Does hair colour matter?
With electrolysis, hair colour is not the factor that determines whether a follicle can be treated. The probe works directly inside the follicle, so treatment does not need to locate the hair through its pigment.
This makes it possible to treat dark, blonde, red, white and grey hair. It can also be useful for individual hairs that remain after other hair-removal methods.
What can change is the technique required: hair thickness and the shape and depth of the follicle influence how each hair needs to be treated.
- Dark
- Blonde
- Red
- White
- Grey
What does electrolysis feel like?
Sensation varies depending on the individual and the area being treated. During energy delivery, you may feel a brief sensation of heat, tingling or a small pinch.
Sensitivity is not the same across every area of the body and can also vary between appointments. Treatment parameters are adjusted with both treatment effectiveness and the skin's response and client comfort in mind.
Temporary redness or sensitivity may appear in the treated area after an appointment. The intensity and duration of this response can vary according to the skin and the treatment performed.
Electrolysis for face and body
The precision of electrolysis makes it possible to work both on individual hairs and on areas with a greater amount of hair. It can be used across different areas of the face and body.
In small areas, such as particular parts of the face, treatment can focus on very specific individual hairs. For larger body areas, treatment is normally organised progressively across areas and appointments.
The strategy depends on the amount, density and thickness of hair, the sensitivity of the area and each person's treatment goal.
- Face
- Beard and neck
- Underarms
- Arms
- Chest and abdomen
- Back
- Legs
- Other areas
What happens during an electrolysis appointment?
- 01
Assessment
The area, hair type and condition of the skin are reviewed to determine how treatment should begin.
- 02
Treatment settings
Device settings are adapted according to the hair, treatment area and observed response.
- 03
Treatment
Follicles are treated individually according to the area planned for that appointment.
- 04
Skin review
At the end, the response of the treated area is checked and appropriate aftercare guidance is provided.
Before your first session
The way you remove hair before starting, hair length on the day of your appointment and skin care can all affect the session. We are preparing a dedicated guide with recommendations for before and between treatments.
Guide prepared by Daniel · Electrolysis specialist
Before your first session
Frequently asked questions about how electrolysis works
Want to knowwhat treatment would suit your area?
You can book an appointment at our Fuengirola studio or request mobile electrolysis in Marbella, San Pedro, Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucía, Estepona, Mijas and other areas of the Costa del Sol.