 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Electrology" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(November 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Electrology is the practice of electricalhair removal to permanently removehuman hair from the body.Electrolysis is the actual process of removing hair usingelectricity.
In electrolysis, a qualified professional called an electrologist slides a hair-thin, solid metal probe into eachhair follicle without puncturing theskin (when inserted properly). Electricity is delivered to the follicle through the probe, which causes localized damage to the areas that generate hairs, either through the formation of causticsodium hydroxide (the galvanic method), overheating (thermolysis), or both (the blend method).
All three methods (galvanic, thermolysis, and blend) have their own merits, and one method is not better than another. The success depends on the skill of the electrologist, the type of hair being removed, the condition of the skin and the pain threshold of the client. All three methods, when properly performed, can be thorough at destroying thehair matrix cells, and leaving follicles incapable of regrowing hair.
This method is named afterLuigi Galvani and uses a person's body as anelectrolytic cell. Galvanic electrolysis was first reported in medical literature in 1875 byophthalmologistCharles Michel as a method for removingingrown eyelashes.[1] A galvanic hair remover is essentially a positive ground power supply that delivers 0–3milliamperes through the body. The follicular probe is thecathode of an electrolytic cell.Sodium hydroxide formed at the cathode by the process of chemicalelectrolysis kills the hair matrix cells. Modern galvanic hair removers automatically adjust the voltage to maintain constant current.
Another method is known asthermolysis, also called radio frequency (RF), shortwave ordiathermy. Thermolysis was developed in the 1920s and first reported in medical literature by Henri Bordier.[2] A thermolytic hair remover is essentially aradio transmitter, usually with an output of about 0–8 watts at a frequency of 13.56MHz. RF energy emanates from the probe tip to tissue within about a millimeter. Thermolysis works by heating the hair matrix cells to about 48 to 50 °C (118 to 122 °F), causingelectrocoagulation.
The galvanic method and thermolysis are often combined in the blend method, developed byArthur Hinkel in 1948, which uses both RF and direct current, combining many of the advantages of both methods.[3]
The practitioner selects a metal probe that slides easily into the hair follicle, usually the same diameter as the hair shaft or smaller. The probe is typically 50 to 150 μm (0.002 to 0.006 inches) for all three modalities. Care is needed to insert the probe at the same angle as the hair is growing out of the skin. The probe is inserted to the depth of the hair matrix, the site where hair is formed. The power and duration of the electricity are started at the lowest setting, then gradually increased until the hair comes out as easily as possible. If the patient experiences significant discomfort, the settings can be lowered.
 | The examples and perspective in this sectiondeal primarily with the United States and do not represent aworldwide view of the subject. You mayimprove this section, discuss the issue on thetalk page, or create a new section, as appropriate.(April 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
In the United States, electrolysis is regulated in many states, requiring training and licensing.[4]
Electrolysis as a profession faced new competition in the 1990s afterlaser hair removal was developed and promoted as a quicker and easier way to remove hair. However, theU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared laser can only claim to reduce hair growth, not permanently remove it.[5]
