Complications of Electrolysis (2024)

FAQs

What can go wrong with electrolysis? ›

Electrolysis can cause scarring, keloid scars, and changes in skin colour of the treated skin in some people.

Electrolysis treatments result in minor lesions which do not result in scars, however, over-treatment and improper aftercare and previous skin care can result in damage to the skin known as pitting. Loss of pigment at the site of the follicle may occur with over-treatment on dark skin.

Electrolysis Cons

It's a time-consuming procedure requiring multiple sessions. Skin discoloration is a possibility. The electricity in the device can actually destroy the capillaries in the surrounding areas. It can be very painful. It is not recommended for people with rosacea since the skin is so easily irritated.

Most side effects of electrolysis are mild but may include redness, swelling, blisters, scabs, dryness, and ingrown hairs. The commonest complication of the electrolysis is the skin edema. After treatment, your skin may be red, swollen (inflamed), and tender. These are temporary side effects.

Also, electrolysis works with the widest range of skin and hair types. It's good for sensitive areas of the body, like the face or bikini line. The main disadvantage to electrolysis is the length of time needed to achieve permanent hair removal.

Absolute Contra-Indications – Requires a Doctor's Note: Diabetes, heart condition, hemophilia, pacemaker, seizures, transplant, surgery.

Hormonal changes can affect hair regrowth after electrolysis hair removal. Hormones can stimulate hair growth, even in areas that have been treated with electrolysis. Hormonal imbalances, such as those caused by pregnancy, menopause, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can result in hair regrowth after electrolysis.

Aggressive successive treatments can in fact cause the opposite of what most people want, deeper, coarser hair that eventually will take longer to remove using electrolysis.

When you're getting electrolysis, the needle used by your electrologist produces enough heat or chemical action to destroy tissue. Nerves translate this sensation to the brain as pain. Hair follicle is the most innervated part of the skin and that's why pain is a necessary reality of electrolysis.

Another major drawback of the electrolysis method is that it can't be done for a large body surface area, and it also sometimes leads to scar formation. Laser hair removal requires fewer sessions than electrolysis. Laser hair removal usually takes about 4 to 8 sessions for best results.

What happens if you stop electrolysis? ›

Whatever hairs have been killed already, won't come back if you take a break. That's the most common misconception I hear from clients. So on that front nothing to worry about. Depending on what method of hair removal you'll use in the meantime (if any) and the body area, you might miss partial hair cycles.

Chemical hazards: The electrolysis process can produce harmful chemicals, such as chlorine gas, if the water used is contaminated with impurities. Exposure to these chemicals can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and other health issues.

Weak Electrolytes are those compounds which partially dissociates into positive and negative ions when dissolved in water. These Electrolytes are partially dissolved in water. In solution or molten form, these electrolytes are partially ionized. Even at higher concentration, interionic interactions are weak.

Prolonged electrolysis reduced chlorine concentration in the electrolyte and was detrimental to electrolysis efficiency, especially under high electric potential conditions. Therefore, the optimal choice of electrolysis time depends on the electrolyzable chloride in DOW and cell potential adopted for electrolysis.

Safety measures such as grounding, insulation, and protective equipment should be in place to minimize this risk. Explosive gas production: Hydrogen gas produced by water electrolyzers is highly flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air if it leaks or accumulates in an enclosed space.

About 93% of electrolysis procedures yield permanent success, an excellent number for hair removal procedures. Remember, electrolysis does not work for everyone, and the chance for regrowth is still there, though very slight. Fortunately, this myth is true!

Going to an inexperienced electrolysis technician can cause permanent skin damage. Because electrolysis involves permanently damaging the hair follicle, it can damage other parts of the skin if the probe is placed incorrectly. Sadly, it's one of the most common side effects of electrolysis.