Understanding Hair Follicles & How Electrolysis Permanently Stops Hair Growth
What Is a Hair Follicle?
To understand how electrolysis permanently removes hair, we first need to understand the anatomy of a hair follicle. A hair follicle is more than just the root of a hair—it’s a complex mini-organ that grows and supports hair strands.
Key Components:
Hair Shaft: The visible part of the hair above the skin.
Hair Bulb: The base of the follicle containing living cells that divide and grow to build the hair shaft.
Dermal Papilla: Located at the base of the hair bulb, it supplies nutrients and signals that regulate hair growth.
Sebaceous Gland: Produces sebum (oil) to lubricate the hair and skin.
Arrector Pili Muscle: A small muscle attached to the follicle that causes hair to stand erect when contracted.
Bulge: "bulge" of a hair follicle is where most of the hair follicle stem cells reside.
Blood Supply: brings nutrients to the hair follicle that are essential for growth.
⚡ How Electrolysis Destroys Hair Follicles
Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved method for permanent hair removal. To effectively eliminate a hair follicle, the lower two-thirds must be destroyed. This includes targeting the blood supply and the growth cells located in the bulge area of the follicle. There are three primary electrolysis methods:
1. Thermolysis (Shortwave or High-Frequency Electrolysis)
Mechanism:
Thermolysis uses a high-frequency alternating current to generate heat within the hair follicle. This heat coagulates and destroys the cells responsible for hair growth.
Process:
A probe is inserted into the hair follicle.
High-frequency current is applied, producing heat.
The heat destroys the hair growth cells, preventing future hair growth.
2. Galvanic Electrolysis
Mechanism:
Galvanic electrolysis uses a direct electrical current to produce a chemical reaction in the hair follicle. This reaction generates sodium hydroxide (lye), which destroys the hair growth cells.
Process:
A probe is inserted into the hair follicle.
Direct current is applied, causing a chemical reaction.
The resulting lye destroys the hair growth cells.
3. Blend Electrolysis
Mechanism:
Blend electrolysis combines both thermolysis and galvanic methods. It uses high-frequency current to heat the follicle and direct current to produce lye, enhancing the destruction of hair growth cells.
Process:
A probe is inserted into the hair follicle.
Both high-frequency and direct currents are applied simultaneously.
The combined heat and chemical action destroy the hair growth cells.
Electrolysis is a scientifically backed and FDA-approved method for achieving permanent hair removal by targeting the very foundation of hair growth—the hair follicle. By understanding the anatomy of the follicle and how each electrolysis method works to destroy its key components, it's clear why this treatment remains the gold standard in permanent hair removal. Whether using heat, chemical reaction, or a combination of both, electrolysis offers a precise and effective way to stop unwanted hair at its source.
