Does Electrolysis Hurt?
Whether you’re waxing, threading or plucking, achieving hairless skin usually comes with some level of discomfort. You may have heard a spectrum of information regarding what electrolysis feels like and how painful it can be. Some have compared treatments to a hot prick or a pinch. Along with this feeling, the hair follicle is being destroyed, and you are that much closer to perfectly smooth skin. In this article, we will discuss pain when it comes to electrolysis and how different areas feel being treated.
Everyone interprets the sensation of electrolysis differently. Some people are very sensitive and feel stronger levels of pain, while others feel no pain at all. Some clients even fall asleep while they are being treated! With more and more treatments, you learn what to expect and adjust to how it makes you feel. The level of pain you experience during a single treatment can depend on many factors (such as pain tolerance, time of month – for women, stress, caffeine and sugar, music, intensity of treatment and many others).
Electrolysis works best when the client is treated as close to their pain threshold as possible, taking in the strongest current that is comfortable. The greater the intensity, the less time it will take for the follicle to be destroyed. The pain sensation that some associate with electrolysis is quite short, many saying that it hurts for a fraction of a second. The general level of pain varies greatly location to location, day to day, person to person.
Specific factors that affect pain threshold include: thickness of the skin, the amount of nerve-endings per follicle and the number of pain receptors in that location. Below are some key areas of treatment and typical pain responses:
- Upper Lip: This is a very sensitive area due to the number of nerve endings here. The good news is that hair follicles in this area tend to destroy quicker than other areas. The corners of the upper lip are less sensitive than in the middle.
- Cheeks, Jaw and Chin: These areas are typically a mild to medium level of painful. The bones are very close to the skin surface here, which makes electrolysis feel stronger.
- Neck: This area is sensitive for many clients because the skin is thin here and the throat is tender.
- Underarm: For some people there is very little sensation in this area, while others feel discomfort here.
- Chest: Some discomfort due to many nerve endings.
- Stomach: Minor to medium discomfort, if any.
- Legs: Hair is thinner on the thighs so it is less painful here than on shins and calves.
- Toes and Fingers: Many report feeling the most pain on the toes and fingers. This is because this is a very bony area and there is less fat tissue.
We adjust the level of current to the specific part of the body. Over time, the practice of electrolysis has evolved. With this, the savvy machine equipment has become more effective at minimizing pain.
Just remember, nearly every hair removal method comes with some aspect of discomfort. Even if you experience any pain sensation, that means the follicles are weakening and are less likely to return – and that means one step closer to permanent hair removal. Electrolysis is the only form of permanent hair removal approved by the FDA.
FAQs
You'll feel a sharp sting or temporary warmth as each hair follicle is treated. How much the process hurts depends on how you react to pain and the area being treated.
How painful is electrolysis in the pubic area? ›
Electrolysis doesn't typically cause too much discomfort. You may feel a slight tingling. Talk to your electrologist about a topical anesthetic (numbing cream) if necessary.
What are the negatives of electrolysis? ›
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.
How bad does electrolysis hurt on Reddit? ›
I thought I had quite a high pain threshold. Usually when something hurts I'm able to tolerate it for a while, but the electrolysis hair removal is probably the most pain I've ever felt in my life. It hurts more than tweezing my facial hairs by hand.
Where does electrolysis hurt most? ›
Legs: Hair is thinner on the thighs so it is less painful here than on shins and calves. Toes and Fingers: Many report feeling the most pain on the toes and fingers. This is because this is a very bony area and there is less fat tissue.
Should I feel tugging during electrolysis? ›
Things To Look For In A Proper Electrolysis Treatment.
Current is applied to the filament and that's the only part of the treatment you should feel. The current can be adjusted to keep you comfortable. The hair should slide out and you should never feel a pull.
Is electrolysis safe for private parts? ›
Can I Do Electrolysis For Pubic Hair? Electrolysis is the only method that can be used for pubic hair. Laser hair removal and waxing will not work because they both remove pubic hairs from the surface of your skin, which means there's still a root left under it.
How many electrolysis sessions for pubes? ›
As a guide, it is likely that at least 8 or more treatment sessions will be needed after the first pass clearance has been made, and that you plan to complete treatment eight weeks before surgery. This ensures that the process has been completed and that your skin is in the best possible condition for surgery.
How can I make electrolysis less painful? ›
Ibuprofen taken 10-15 minutes before treatment will help to take the edge off the slight discomfort you may experience. Liquigels tend to dissolve and get into the bloodstream more quickly. Eating prior to treatment will also reduce discomfort.
Why isn t electrolysis popular? ›
Unskilled technician
Compared to laser hair removal, electrolysis hair removal is much more complicated and difficult to operate. While in some regions and countries, electrolysis hair removal operators do not require any qualifications or training.
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.
Who should avoid electrolysis? ›
Absolute Contra-Indications – Requires a Doctor's Note: Diabetes, heart condition, hemophilia, pacemaker, seizures, transplant, surgery.
What hurts more, laser or electrolysis? ›
Laser hair removal is a bit less painful than electrolysis. It's a rubber-band snap compared with a bee sting, and Dr. Farhang says some of the newer laser hair removal devices are even less uncomfortable. Laser hair removal can treat and cover larger areas at once, such as the legs and back.
How do you make electrolysis more bearable? ›
Keeping your skin and hair hydrated and moisturized makes the electrolysis treatments more comfortable. Drink plenty of water and moisturize the area being treated frequently between sessions. This will help the hair slide out of the follicle with ease during treatments.
What are the sores after electrolysis? ›
Another infrequent side effect of electrolysis is the appearance of a pustule a day or two after treatment. A pustule is a small, inflamed, blister-like lesion. If you are prone to developing pustules, apply a warm compress as soon as you get home after a treatment to help prevent their formation.
Does electrolysis hurt worse than laser? ›
Laser hair removal is a bit less painful than electrolysis. It's a rubber-band snap compared with a bee sting, and Dr. Farhang says some of the newer laser hair removal devices are even less uncomfortable. Laser hair removal can treat and cover larger areas at once, such as the legs and back.
How painful is electrolysis compared to laser? ›
Electrolysis can be likened to having a tattoo—it stings or prickles. Many people get around this by taking an over-the-counter painkiller an hour or so before treatment. Applying ice packs afterward can reduce any post-treatment discomfort. Laser treatment is akin to having a rubber band snapped against your skin.
Is electrolysis more painful than waxing? ›
Less painful than waxing electrolysis. Results are permanent. Fewer treatments required compared to waxing and electrolysis. Very effective for darker hair colours.
Is electrolysis more painful than plucking? ›
Another myth about electrolysis is that it is painful. There is some sensation but little more than would be felt if you plucked or waxed the hairs away. A tiny probe is entered into the hair follicle and an electrical current cauterises the blood supply.
