Electrolysis Hair Removal
Permanent Hair Removal for Face and Body
Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal treatment that targets individual hair follicles to stop their ability to produce hair. Because each follicle is treated individually, electrolysis is particularly useful for smaller or more precise areas and for hairs that cannot be effectively treated with IPL.
Suitable for a wide range of skin tones and hair colours, electrolysis can be used on areas including the chin, upper lip, jawline, face and body.
Treatment Benefits
Electrolysis may be suitable if you are looking for:
permanent hair removal
treatment for light, grey, red or fine hairs that are not suitable for IPL
precise treatment of small or sensitive areas
removal of persistent or isolated hairs
an option suitable across a broad range of skin tones and hair colours
How Electrolysis Works
A very fine sterile probe is inserted into the natural opening of the hair follicle. A controlled electrical current is then delivered to the follicle before the treated hair is gently removed.
At Sibu Skin and Beauty, treatment may use thermolysis, also known as diathermy, depending on the hair, skin and treatment area.
Each follicle must be treated individually.
Because hair grows in different stages, not every follicle can be successfully treated at the same time. A course of appointments is therefore usually required to progressively treat hairs as they enter the appropriate stage of growth.
Understanding Your Results
Electrolysis treats the individual follicles producing unwanted hair, but it does not control the biological factors that can cause previously inactive follicles to begin growing hair.
Hair growth can be influenced by factors including:
hormones
genetics
medications
age and life stages
the treatment area
hair density and thickness
This means that new hairs can sometimes appear over time even after successfully treated follicles have stopped producing hair.
Your therapist will assess your progress throughout your treatment plan and recommend appointment frequency according to your individual pattern of growth.
Contraindications & When We May Need to Postpone Treatment
Electrolysis may need to be modified or postponed when treatment cannot be performed safely.
Please tell your therapist before treatment if you:
have broken, irritated or infected skin in the treatment area
have an active skin condition or significant inflammation in the area
have recently undergone a procedure or treatment affecting the area
are taking medication that may affect skin healing or sensitivity
have experienced unusual reactions or healing problems following previous electrolysis
have an implanted medical or electronic device, or another medical condition that may affect treatment suitability
Your therapist will assess the treatment area and your relevant history before proceeding. Where appropriate, medical clearance may be requested before treatment.
Before Your Treatment
For the safest and most effective treatment:
arrive with clean skin where possible, without makeup, oils or creams over the treatment area
do not wax, tweeze or thread the hairs you would like treated, as the hair needs to be present in the follicle for electrolysis
allow enough visible hair growth for your therapist to identify and treat the individual hairs
avoid unnecessary sun exposure or tanning of the treatment area
tell your therapist about any new medications, medical changes or recent procedures
keep your skin well hydrated and follow any preparation instructions provided by your therapist
If you are unsure whether you should stop a particular product or treatment before your appointment, please contact us rather than discontinuing prescribed medication without medical advice.
What to Expect
During Treatment
Because individual follicles are treated one at a time, electrolysis is a precise treatment rather than a rapid method of clearing large areas.
You may feel heat, tingling or a brief stinging sensation as each follicle is treated. Treatment intensity is adjusted according to the hair, treatment area and your skin response.
After Treatment
Temporary redness, mild swelling or sensitivity around the treated follicles is normal and generally settles as the skin recovers.
Small pinpoint crusts may occasionally develop. These are part of the healing response and should not be picked or removed.
Your therapist will provide aftercare appropriate to your skin and treatment.
For complete instructions, please see our Electrolysis Aftercare page.
Your Questions, Answered
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Electrolysis permanently treats individual hair follicles when they are successfully destroyed. Multiple appointments are required because hairs grow through different stages and each follicle must be treated individually.
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Yes. Unlike IPL, electrolysis does not rely on pigment within the hair to target the follicle. This makes it particularly useful for hair colours that cannot be effectively treated with light-based hair reduction.
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Yes. Electrolysis is particularly well suited to precise areas such as the chin, upper lip, jawline and other areas of unwanted facial hair.
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There is no single number that applies to everyone.
The treatment area, number and thickness of hairs, growth cycles and hormonal influences can all affect how long a treatment programme takes. Your therapist will monitor your progress and adjust your appointment schedule as the amount of active hair reduces.
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No. Avoid tweezing, waxing or threading hairs you intend to have treated because these methods remove the hair from the follicle.
If required between appointments, your therapist can advise you on an appropriate alternative.
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Sensation varies according to the treatment area and individual sensitivity. Most clients feel brief heat, tingling or stinging as each follicle is treated.
Settings are adjusted according to your skin, hair and response throughout the appointment.
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t depends on your hair, skin and treatment area.
IPL can be more appropriate for reducing larger areas of suitable pigmented hair, while electrolysis is particularly valuable for precise areas, isolated hairs and hair colours that IPL cannot effectively target.
Your therapist can recommend the most appropriate approach for you.
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Not necessarily — the best approach depends on the hair being treated.
Electrolysis can permanently destroy successfully treated individual follicles and is particularly useful for light, grey, red, white or isolated hairs that IPL cannot effectively target.
For clients with a larger amount of suitable dark terminal hair, IPL/eLight may sometimes be used first for broader reduction, followed by Electrolysis for remaining hairs.
Hormonal conditions can continue to stimulate previously inactive follicles, so neither method prevents every new hair from developing in the future.
Treatment Plans
The number and frequency of appointments varies considerably between clients.
Factors influencing your treatment plan include:
the number of hairs being treated
hair thickness and density
treatment area
natural hair-growth cycles
hormonal influences
previous methods of hair removal
Initially, appointments may be closer together while active hairs are progressively cleared. As fewer hairs return, appointment frequency can generally reduce.
Your therapist will guide you throughout the process rather than prescribing the same treatment schedule for every client.
Pricing & Bookings
Electrolysis appointments are booked according to the treatment time required.
For current appointment options, pricing and availability, please refer to our online booking system.
Ready to Book?
If you are looking for a precise, permanent solution for unwanted hair, we can assess your hair growth and recommend an appropriate electrolysis treatment plan.