Electrolysis
From an open message on a TransGenderNet BBS echo
TO........Beth
FROM......Ouisie
SUBJECT...Electrolysis
DATE......02:07est Feb-07-92
>I have seen the posts here about the advantages of the blend method.
>I'm wondering if the operator's great familiarity and skill with a
>system like the RF thermolysis can be of more benefit than an average
>operator's use of a blend system? Does anyone have any thoughts on
>this? Thanks! = Beth Richard
Yes, Beth, I'll throw my two cents worth in. As an electrologist myself,
I've observed that although 300 hour beards are not very common, they're
not unheard of either but the most common density beard usually requires
about 200 hours to permanently remove. Of course, genetic propensity for
hirsutism can be a factor as can your hormone (particularly
testosterone) levels and starting estrogen therapy before beginning
electrolysis is always an excellent idea as its effect on male hormones
will prevent the growth of NEW hairs, often perceived as "re-growth".
As for which mode is "best", this is subject to many factors as ALL
modes will effectively accomplish permanent hair removal WHEN APPLIED
KNOWLEDGEABLY AND SKILLFULLY.
The most common method practiced today is a form of RF Thermolysis
known as FLASH Thermolysis and is popular due to the fact that its speed
(in a "flash") of destroying the hair "germ" cells enables more hair to be
removed per session, thus making it the most cost-effective method.
Typically, a high intensity RF voltage (from 90 to 140 VRMS) is applied
in from one to three or more "zaps" each having a duration time of about
150ms, to a thin metal probe inserted into the hair follicle and although
the frequency is much lower (13.56MHz) than that of a microwave oven, the
principles are essentially the same. Water molecules, being polarized by
their very nature, will respond to an electric field and when the polarity
of the field changes, they will tend to align themselves with the polarity
of the field. If the polarity of the field changes (alternates) very rapidly,
the water molecules will attempt to follow the changing field by "flipping"
in rhythm with the alternating field and in so doing will encounter
friction resulting in heat. By increasing the strength of the field,
more friction will result in the production of still more heat. When
this process is applied in a hair follicle, water in the protoplasm of
the cells within the follicle, particularly in the lower third to half
of the follicle, absorbs the RF energy and some of it vaporizes
instantly resulting in desiccation or drying-out of the cells affected
by the treatment, ultimately causing in their instant death. The hair
is then removed from the follicle which will eventually close and
degenerate as there are no longer live hair producing cells in it.
The other method of thermolysis is "slow" thermolysis and may be
administered by automatic timer or manual controlled duration of a
relatively low intensity voltage (usually 10 to 40 VRMS) for from 1 to
3 seconds with the higher intensity settings and from 5 to as much as 20
seconds using lower intensities. Unlike the "flash" method which
accomplishes destruction of hair producing cells by electroDESICCATION,
this method "slow-cooks" or CAUTERIZES the cells in the hair follicle
and although effective, this method is not very practical for QUICKLY
removing hairs...particularly beards, and is seldom used for that
reason. The blend is in fact the blended effects of RF Thermolysis in
the faster portion of the "slow" thermolysis range combined with the
oldest method of permanent hair removal, Galvanic Electrolysis, which
accomplishes destruction of hair "germ" cells by using electrical
current of a fixed polarity (D.C.) passed through the salty water
present in the cells of the follicle to break the bonds of the molecules
(water = H2O and salt = NaCl). It is not this process but rather the
result of this process that actually and directly destroys the cells by
chemical action. The chemical is sodium hydroxide, more commonly known
as caustic soda or simply lye, which is created, along with hydrogen gas
and chlorine gas as a result of a negative charge flowing through the
salt water solution present in the tissue of the hair follicle. The
circuit is completed by an electrode held in the patron's hand. Thus,
the patron is positive GROUNDED by the hand held electrode. Another
interesting and useful phenomenon associated with galvanic electrolysis
is the property of electrophoresis, the forcing of a substance through
an unbroken membrane by electrical action. The production of lye as
described above is also accompanied by electrophoresis or more
specifically ANAPHORESIS, the propulsion of the lye toward the ANODE
held in the patron's hand. Since the lye actually tries to reach the
hand held electrode and also since the lye has already been given a dead
end path in the hair follicle to follow in order to get there, the most
that can happen is that the lye will diffuse into the very bottom of the
follicle where the critically important cells of the dermal papilla and
particularly the hair "germ" cells reside. It is this very process that
makes galvanic electrolysis more effective than thermolysis.
The only problem is that it can take anywhere from 20 to 30 seconds
PER HAIR! This certainly doesn't make it very cost effective for removing
beards and like "slow" thermolysis, it is seldom used...that's where the
blend method comes in. By mixing or blending thermolysis with electrolysis,
the total effect is not merely the sum of the two methods but is instead
almost multiplied! This is due to the fact that HEATED LYE is MUCH more
effective (approximately doubles the effectiveness for each multiple of
22.4 degrees F over 115 degrees F) than cooler lye while at the same
time, through the property of anaphoresis, the heated lye is being
forced to that part of the follicle where it can do the most good.
Because of the greatly enhanced effectiveness of the lye by virtue of
its being heated by thermolysis, the time required for the treatment of
each follicle is much less too...about 8 seconds per hair as opposed to
about 20 seconds for electrolysis alone but less than the 400 to 600 ms
needed for "flash" thermolysis so again, cost effectiveness becomes a
question.
It is also often necessary, due to the amount of lye left in
the skin after treatment with the blend method, to neutralize that lye
in order to prevent any long term damage to the skin and discomfort
after the session. This is accomplished by reversing the polarity so
that the hand held electrode is now negative instead of positive. Next,
a carbon roller is wrapped with a strip of paper towel or facial tissue
and this is moistened with a mist of water.
The current is usually increased to from 1 to 2 mA (as opposed to the
480 to 950 MICROampere range used for the actual hair removal treatment)
and the roller is applied (in a rolling motion) to the treated area.
Since the polarity is now reversed, a different chemical compound is
produced as a result of electrolysis with this polarity, hydrochloric
acid instead of lye is now produced and driven into the follicles by the
property of CATAPHORESIS (toward the CATHODE). This has a soothing
effect on the nerves as well as neutralizes the lye. The only important
consideration here is not to cataphorese the area more than is necessary
to neutralize the residual lye present in the treated follicles or a
certain amount of hardening of the skin (including any possible scar
tissue) could result so once again, as with all aspects of the
administration of permanent hair removal techniques, this requires
knowledge and skill on the part of the electrologist.
So what method is the "best" really depends on what you are willing
to compromise since ALL modes are effective in permanently removing
unwanted hair.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
ELECTROLYSIS More thoroughly destroys Very slow when compared
follicular tissue and hair to all other modes - 20
"germ" cells than to 30 seconds per hair.
thermolysis. May be more Requires cataphoresing
comfortable for some but of the area after
this is usually due to the treatment. May cause
fact that since this is a allergic reaction with
slow process, less hair can some people due to
be removed during a session. exposure to strong
Destroys tissue by chemical caustic (lye) and strong
action. Also effective on acid (hydrochloric acid)
curved/distorted follicles.
SLOW May be able to destroy Very slow, 10 to 30
THERMOLYSIS tissue in follicles seconds per hair. Often
(timed/manual) adjacent to the one being perceived as more
treated due to residual uncomfortable than other
RF radiation from the probe. modes. May not be
Destroys tissue by RF effective on curved or
electrocauterization. distorted follicles.
FLASH Very fast (200 to 600 ms May not be effective on
THERMOLYSIS per hair). May be able to curved or distorted
destroy tissue in follicles follicles.
adjacent to one being treated
due to residual RF radiation
from the probe. More
comfortable for most due to
the fact that nerves have
much less time to respond
and transmit during a pulse
or "zap". Most cost
effective of all methods.
Destroys tissue by RF
electrodesiccation.
BLEND Faster than pure galvanic Slower than "flash"
electrolysis (about 8 thermolysis. Requires
seconds per hair) and more cataphoresing of the
effective than all other area after treatment.
modes. May be more May cause allergic
comfortable than other modes reaction due to exposure
for some. Destroys tissue to strong caustic (lye)
by heated chemical action. and strong acid
Also effective on (hydrochloric acid).
curved/distorted follicles.
This should give an idea of what will truly be the best mode based on
your needs and what you will be willing to compromise. My personal
favorite choice for clients who don't have a preference is a setting in
the "flash" range for 3 pulses (zaps) with the intensity set from 50%
to 85% (40 to 100 VRMS), depending on many factors, and a total time
setting of 0.6 seconds (600 ms). Since our epilator is capable of
dividing the total time by the number of pulses selected, each "zap" is
0.2 seconds (200 ms) in duration and I've found this setting to be most
effective and comfortable for my clients. Of course, these precise
settings are possible because our epilator is a Fischer model SE-5
ProBlend and is capable of ALL modes as well as any variation within and
between modes. I Hope this information is helpful to all.
In Sisterhood,
Louise L. Raeder
The Sunday Society
P.O. Box 478850
Chicago, IL 60647
