Question 1

What is Electrolysis and how Does It Work?

Accepted Answer

Electrolysis, created in 1875 by American ophthalmologist Dr. Charles E. Michel, is a procedure for permanent hair removal. It remains the only method medically validated and approved by the FDA for this purpose. In this procedure, trained Electrologists use a fine, disposable filament or needle to enter the hair follicle's natural opening. They then apply a small electric current to destroy the hair root, effectively eliminating the growth cells of unwanted hair. Multiple electrolysis sessions are necessary to prevent any future hair growth in the treated follicle.

Question 2

What Is High Intensity Focused Ultrasound HIFU?

Accepted Answer

HIFU is a safe, FDA approved, non-surgical ultrasound treatment that counteracts the effects of time and gravity on your skin. The treatment uses the body’s own regenerative response to gently and gradually lift skin, on the face and body, reversing the signs of aging by up to 5 to 10 years.

Question 3

What Areas of the Body Can Be Treated?

Accepted Answer

The typical areas for treatment include the upper and lower lips, eyebrows, sides of the face, chin, jawline, hairline, neck, nose, ears, bikini line, legs, and other regions. You can discuss your specific concerns with a professional electrologist during a consultation.

Question 4

Is Electrolysis Safe?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! When carried out by a trained and certified professional, electrolysis is entirely safe. It is often recommended by medical professionals, leading to referrals to electrologists from doctors. Ensuring proper sterilization procedures and the use of single-use, pre-sterilized needles is crucial and should be emphasized during your personal consultation before the treatment.

Question 5

What Is the Cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost will vary based on the amount of hair being removed. However, the overall expense may be lower than the ongoing costs of temporary hair removal methods.

Question 6

How many treatments and how long does it take?

Accepted Answer

The number of treatments required varies based on several factors, including the type and amount of hair, as well as the underlying reasons for its growth. More hair generally means longer and more frequent treatments. Consistent, multiple sessions are essential for electrolysis to be effective, regardless of the amount of hair. Achieving the desired results in an area can typically take around 2-3 years, but it could be shorter or longer depending on individual circumstances. Hair grows in cycles, and each person is unique, so an assessment is necessary to tailor your treatment plan to your specific hair concerns.

Question 7

Does it hurt?

Accepted Answer

After treatment, the client should not feel the hair being removed. A well-treated hair will effortlessly slide out of the follicle with minimal sensation. However, individual experiences vary; some people report feeling a brief heat sensation, while others feel a prickling sensation. The level of discomfort depends on the treatment area and the client's physical and mental state on the day of the treatment.

Question 8

Does it remove ingrown hairs?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Electrolysis is beneficial in treating and eliminating ingrown hairs, helping the skin to recover from the irritation they cause and return to a healthier state. It is effective for everyone, regardless of their skin and hair types or colours.

Question 9

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost will depend on the amount of hair you have. The overall expense may be less than the ongoing costs of temporary methods, varying based on the type and quantity of hair you want removed.

Question 10

What Causes Unwanted Hair Growth?

Accepted Answer

Unwanted facial and body hair can develop for various reasons. Frequently, it is hereditary. Other causes include glandular changes, menopause and hormonal shifts, medications, pregnancy, puberty, or the natural aging process. Additionally, frequent waxing, tweezing, depilatory creams, and other temporary hair removal methods can transform light vellus (fine) hair into darker, terminal hair.

Question 11

Can I shave between laser hair removal sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can shave between sessions. However, avoid waxing, tweezing, or epilating as these methods remove the hair follicle, which is needed for laser treatment.

Question 12

Can laser hair removal cause skin damage?

Accepted Answer

When performed correctly, laser hair removal should not cause skin damage. Some temporary side effects like redness and swelling may occur but typically subside within a few days.

Question 13

Can I resume normal activities after a laser hair removal session?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can resume most normal activities immediately after your session, but avoid excessive heat and sun exposure for at least 24 hours.

Question 14

Can pregnant or breastfeeding women undergo laser hair removal?

Accepted Answer

It's generally recommended to avoid laser hair removal during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Question 15

Is laser hair removal effective on all hair colors?

Accepted Answer

Laser hair removal is most effective on dark hair. It may be less effective on blonde, red, gray, or white hair due to the lack of pigment.

Question 16

Can HIFU Replace a Face Lift Procedure?

Accepted Answer

HIFU treats the deep foundational layer addressed in cosmetic surgery. This is the SMAS layer. Even though it targets the same area and has amazing results, it won’t duplicate the results of a surgical facelift. However it is a great natural alternative to tighten skin with no pain and downtime.

Question 17

How Does HIFU Stimulate Collagen Production?

Accepted Answer

During the treatment the transducer delivers and deposits focused ultrasound energy deep beneath the skin at the optimal temperature for collagen regeneration. The delivered energy, jump starts a natural process, known as neocollagenesis, to produce fresh, new collagen. The treatment itself doesn’t involve any creams, fillers or toxins, it just relies on your body’s own collagen-building process for natural, noticeable results.

Question 18

How Long Will a HIFU Treatment Take?

Accepted Answer

The length of the treatment will depend on the area being treated and your individual treatment plan. A face and neck procedure typically takes 60-90 minutes, while a chest treatment on its own takes approximately 30 minutes. Areas of the body can take longer simply due to the size of different areas. HIFU can be delivered over more than one treatment without any reduction in results.

Question 19

Is there any downtime or will I Need to Take Time off Work?

Accepted Answer

After your HIFU treatment there is no downtime and you can resume your normal activities immediately. We have even had clients come to the clinic on their lunch break to have the treatment. There are some simply before and aftercare instructions to adhere to but they will not impact on normal daily activities.

Question 20

What Does HIFU Feel Like? Is it painful?

Accepted Answer

You want to feel HIFU and as the ultrasound energy is delivered, you will feel tiny amounts of energy being deposited to precise depths, indicating that the collagen-building process has been initiated. Comfort levels vary from person to person, but the sensation only lasts while the ultrasound energy is being delivered. It can feel like little elastic bands, tingling or small currents of energy. We always ensure that our clients are not experiencing pain. With HIFU, we manually adjust the level of energy being delivered to each client. Hence, we are in complete control of our client’s comfort levels.

Question 21

How Many HIFU Treatments Will I Need?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are completely individualised, as the number of treatments required, depends on a number of factors: age, skin, lifestyle, heritage and your own bodies response. During your assessment we will advise of number of treatments we believe that will benefit you most. However, this can change as we see your bodies response. As a rule, it is usually between 2 to 4 treatments in the first year, with annual top ups after that because obviously, we continue to age. Your future top up treatments, work to reduce your bodies natural aging process.

Question 22

Who is a Good Candidate for HIFU?

Accepted Answer

Not everyone is a good candidate for HIFU. This is why, prior to any treatment, a full assessment is conducted and adhered to by us. Most people between the age of 30 and 65 will benefit from HIFU, the procedure works best on people older than 30 with mild-to-moderate skin laxity. People with certain medical situations, cannot have HIFU. People with photodamaged skin or a high degree of loose skin may need several treatments before seeing results. Older people with more extensive photo-aging, severe skin laxity, or very saggy skin on the neck aren’t good candidates and may need surgery.

Question 23

Is HIFU Safe?

Accepted Answer

The HIFU procedure has been used safely in over 250,000 treatments worldwide. Ultrasound energy itself has been used safely in the medical field for more than 50 years.

Question 24

Are There Any Side Effects?

Accepted Answer

The skin might appear flushed at first, this can be during treatment but sometimes lasting longer, the redness should however disappear within a few hours. Some clients experience slight swelling, tingling or tenderness to the touch, but these are temporary in nature. Other, less common post-procedural effects may include temporary bruising or numbness on small areas of skin. As with any cosmetic procedure, there is the possibility of other rare effects, which your practitioner will review with you.

Question 25

How Long Does it Take to See Results and How long do They Last?

Accepted Answer

After your HIFU Treatment, you may see some initial effect, but the ultimate results will take place over 2-3 months, as your body naturally regenerates collagen. Since the procedure stimulates your own collagen production, how long the results last really depends on you. The treatment produces new collagen on the inside, but your natural aging process will dictate how long that translates into visible results on the outside.

Frequently asked questions