Reasons To Avoid Home Electrolysis
Submitted by Beauty Brains Blog
Meredith Muses…Do home electrolysis devices work? Do they really permanently remove hair and are they safe?
The Left Brain Lacks Enthusiasm:
Electrolysis is a process that involves inserting the tip of a metal stylus into your hair follicle; the stylus shoots a mild electric current through your skin to destroy the root of the hair. You then remove the hair from the follicle with tweezers and, if you’re lucky, it never grows back. Even when done professionally, this process can be hard to sit through but it does eliminate, or at least greatly delay, hair growth.
Should you attempt this on your own at home? Well, many people are happy with their home electrolysis units, however, scientifically speaking we think the risks outweigh the benefits. We agree with the assessment of the folks over at Hairfacts.com - you can click here to read their full list of electrolysis pros and cons. Meanwhile, here’s The Beauty Brains version:
7 Reasons To Avoid Home Electrolysis
1) The Process Is Difficult and Time Consuming
Since each hair must be individually treated, it can take a LONG time to treat a large area. The more hair you have, the longer the process. That may not be so bad when someone else is doing the work, but it’s hard when you have to do it all yourself.
2) Greater Chance of Skin Damage
Since the average person doesn’t have the same training, experience, and equipment as a professional, you’re more likely to damage your follicle. And kind of damage can leave you with a permanent scar.
3) Results May Not Last As Long
If you’re not skilled in the process and you don’t destroy the entire root, the hair could grow back. Even if you DO get the entire root, there’s no guarantee the hair won’t come back. According to the FDA’s Anthony Watson, ” the stimulus for hair growth in an area is never permanently removed. For instance, you can’t control hormonal changes that cause new growth. Most people would probably define permanent as ‘never comes back,’ but from a medical standpoint that may not be practical.”
4) Increased Side Effects
By doing electrolysis yourself, you may see a greater incidence of redness and swelling than with professional treatment. It’s a temporary effect but it’s unpleasant nonetheless.
5) Heightened Pain Level
Our personal favorite. Even though neither method uses dangerously high level of electricity, some people find home electrolysis more painful than professional treatment.
6) More Expensive
When you consider your time plus the equipment and additional supplies you’ll need to buy, home treatment may not be as cheap as you think. But then again, professional treatments are expensive too.
7) Harder To Treat All Areas Of Your Body
Remember that it’s hard to reach some of the areas you’ll want to treat - either because you’re looking at yourself backwards in the mirror or because you’re not using your dominant hand. The American Medical Association’s Committee on Cutaneous Health and Cosmetics says the success of electrolysis self-treatment depends largely on the condition of the hair and skin, the equipment, and the level of skill developed. The committee recommends limiting self-treatment to readily accessible areas, such as the lower parts of the arms and legs.
So there you have it: if you don’t mind the time, expense, pain, and inconsistent results of home electrolysis - go for it!
Have you tried home electrolysis? What did you think?
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