Wednesday, July 30, 2008 

Electrolysis Treatment - Answers To Frequently Asked Questions

What is electrolysis treatment?

Electrolysis treatment refers to the destruction of hair roots with an electric current. Three types of electrolysis hair removal are:

  • Galvanic
  • Thermolysis
  • Blend

1) Galvanic Electrolysis

A DC current passing through the needle causes a chemical reaction in the hair follicle which produces sodium hydroxide, also know as lye, which destroys the hair follicle.

2) Thermolysis Electrolysis

An AC current passing through the needle causes vibration in the water molecules surrounding the hair follicle which produces heat. (Similar to the principle behind a microwave oven.) The heat damages the hair follicle. This method is much faster but less reliable than galvanic electrolysis treatment. Thermolysis is also known as 'short-wave radio frequency diathermy'.

3) Blend Electrolysis

This method tries to combine the benefits of the galvanic and thermolysis methods by passing an AC and a DC current through the needle at the same time. It is much quicker than the galvanic method.

How does electrolysis hair removal work?

Very fine metal probes are inserted into the hair follicle. A small electric current is then applied which destroys the hair root. Each hair has to be treated individually. (See item above for description of various electrolysis treatment methods.)

How much does electrolysis treatment cost?

Usually there is a rate per hour. Get an estimate of how many hours are required for your particular problem and then multiply it by the rate per hour. A cheap hourly rate does not necessarily mean lower cost if the electrolysis procedure takes longer than it should!

Quotations for electrolysis can vary from $25 to $100 per hour.

Is electrolysis painful?

This depends on the individual's level of sensitivity. Some describe the discomfort from electrolysis treatment as being similar to using tweezers. Others complain of excessive pain during electrolysis treatment. A qualified electrologist will be able to suggest methods for minimizing the discomfort.

How long does electrolysis take?

The time needed for electrolysis hair removal varies greatly from person to person. Factors such as the size of the area to be treated, the curvature of the hair follicle, the level of skin sensitivity, hormonal balance and heredity all have an effect.

Electrologist Fino Gior, author of Modern Electrology (see resource box below), gives these estimates:

  • Upper Lip 4-10 hours
  • Chin 2-12 hours
  • Sideburns 4-8 hours
  • Eyebrows 3-8 hours
  • Underarms 4-12
  • Arms 5-10 hours
  • Bikini Line 8-16 hours

These estimates are based on averages taken in the U.S.A. and Canada at clinics performing electrolysis treatment treatment. They will vary from person to person and should only be taken as a rough guide.

Note: For 44 years Fino Gior has researched the Permanent Hair Removal Industry. During that time he has become a Consumer Advocate fighting for the welfare of the inquiring patient. His professional ability as a full time electrologist is well established all over the world. He received the highest and most prestigious honor in the profession, November 1985, the Charles E. Michel, M.D., Award, by the International Guild of Professional Electrologists. (Web site: electrolysis treatmentinformation.com. See resource box below)

What is the effect of electrolysis hair removal on the skin?

If the electrolysis treatment is performed by a fully qualified electrologist, the tissue surrounding the hair follicle should not be damaged. electrolysis treatment should therefore be safe when performed at a reputable clinic by trained personnel.

Obvious precautions to note when going for electrolysis: The electrologist should wear gloves and use disposable, pre-sterilized needles to minimize the risk of infection.

Temporary side effects from electrolysis treatment may include some redness and swelling, dryness and scabs.

If electrolysis hair removal is not carried out by professionals, there is the risk of permanent skin damage resulting in a scarring or pitting of the skin.

How long do the results last?

Electrolysis is often viewed as a permanent hair removal method. Once the hair root is destroyed, the hair will not grow back.

There are exceptions however. In some cases hair does regrow in places after electrolysis and clients need to return once or twice a year for a cleanup.

Hair can continue to grow in the underarms, pubic area and around the nipples during a woman's reproductive years.

As level of expertise varies in different countries and even in some states in the U.S.A., it's important to check the credentials of the individual performing the electrolysis treatment.

Check out "Modern Electrology" by Fino Gior here:

http://www.about-hair-removal.com/hair-removal-book-store.htm

Compare electrolysis with laser hair removal here:

http://www.about-hair-removal.com/Laser-Library

Plastic Surgery Free Research Library:

http://www.bodyfaq.com/plastic-surgery-library

 

Difference Between Tumescent and Ultrasonic Liposuction - Why You Need to Know

Looking to have liposuction done? Then you may have begun your search for the best procedures. Likely, you have come across various terms for liposuction, such as lipoplasty and suction-assisted lipoplasty. These are all the same thing; tumescent liposuction. Any other terms that have the name ultrasonic in it are different. So what is the difference between tumescent and ultrasonic liposuction? They both provide the same results, but in the matter of getting there - they are driving two different vehicles.

With tumescent liposuction, you will not have to undergo any anesthesia that will put you to sleep. You can stay awake the entire time and you will be able to move at the dermatologic surgeon's request. During this process, the areas of your body that will be liposuctioned will be injected with a cannula - a thin long rod that is inch in diameter - and salt water or tumescent fluid is placed in the areas that will be suctioned.

It all depends on where you have the procedure done that will determine how it will be conducted. Some people use salt water and others use tumescent or a small amount of anesthetic drugs to help minimize the amount of bleeding during the process. Are you still asking "What is the difference between tumescent and ultrasonic liposuction?" Read on.

Ultrasonic liposuction is a more popular method of liposuction that is used by many people. The reason for its popularity is that its said to have less bleeding and pain involved. Unlike the tumescent liposuction method, there isn't really that much cutting of the skin either. There are two types of ultrasonic liposuction procedures available; internal and external. External is what most people flock to the most. This uses external paddle-like instruments that are placed in the areas that need the liposuction. These instruments then generate ultrasonic waves (meaning high-pitched noise), which cause the fat to loosen. There is also a lot of vibrations that help to make this happen. Most of the time, the fluid pumped in before hand is water because it acts as a better medium for the ultrasonic instruments. Afterward, the fat is vacuumed out through a cannula.

What is the different between tumescent and ultrasonic liposuction? Well, with the external ultrasonic liposuction, the use of a cannula, which is a thin rod that is used to inject fluids into the area; it also stays in the skin throughout the process until being attached to the vacuum. The cannula is used to vibrate the fat to cause it to loosen, so that it will be easier to suck through the tube. First and second-generation cannula rods were much smaller, but had issues with overheating. Today they come with metal jackets that keep them cooled by the water that was injected, but in result, these are much bigger since most of the space is taken up by the jacket.

So the main difference between the two is the use of ultrasonic instruments.

Are you considering liposuction? Want to make an educated decision or find effective alternatives? If so, check out the award-winning, liposuction information resource on the web: Lipsuction - Tumescent Vs Ultrasonic

Brandon Walsh is an Ezine expert author with over 100,000 article views.