Electrology
Education
Electrology can be generally broken down into two practices: Thermolysis and Electrolysis. This section of my website has an in-depth breakdown of the science and function of each, which I encourage you to read.
The most important things to understand about the two processes are that, individually, they can be used to treat the follicle. Thermolysis uses heat to coagulate the tissue and disrupt it, while Electrolysis produces lye in the Follicle, which chemically treats the follicle. Electrolysis is preferred for curly or wavy hair follicles, as the lye in liquid form can penetrate the follicles down to the base. Thermolysis is preferred for individuals with Electrolysis sensitivity or those who react poorly to lye, although this is a very small percentage of the population.
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Blend Electrolysis
Blend Electrolysis, as the name implies, is primarily Electrolysis that blends Low Energy Thermolysis for greater results. The real potency and adaptability of the process is what makes Blend Electrolysis the most effective form of Electrology. When properly applied, Blend Electrolysis is usable on any hair and skin type.
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Importantly, the independent variables of each process can be tweaked to the comfort of the patient. The graphs below roughly show how time and intensity can be adjusted, bringing down the peak intensity for those clients who may be more sensitive, while increasing the treatment time to keep the overall effectiveness of the treatment the same. The smoothing of these treatment curves into longer treatment times reduces the sensation associated with keeping the overall total treatment variables the same.
Thermolysis and Electrolysis each have their individual benefits when treating Follicles. These individual components of both processes, combined into a single treatment, is what makes Blend Electrolysis more effective than the sum of its parts.
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The heat and turbulence of Low Energy Thermolysis move the lye further and faster through the Follicle. Thermolysis creates a convection current that works with the hydrogen and chlorine gases created during the lye generation. This allows the lye to reach deeper into Follicles, and is especially useful with Follicles that are naturally curved or distorted.
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The light coagulation of the tissue from the heat allows the lye to penetrate the Follicle wall better. This ensures that the entire thickness of the Follicle wall is treated, not just the surface, as may be the case in some treatments. This also ensures any stem cells in that wall are properly removed.
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The additional heat makes the lye slightly more chemically active, increasing its treatment over a given period. This means that when using Blend Electrolysis, we are able to work more quickly than when using solely Thermolysis or Electrolysis.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the original, oldest and most well-studied form of Electrology. This method is the most effective and “true” when it comes ot the actual practice of Electrology. Electrolysis is also the only true permanent hair removal method cleared by the FDA.
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Electrolysis is a chemical process that uses direct current (specifically negative current) to split or lyse molecules in your skin. This process allows skin molecules to reform into a new subset of chemicals that treat the cells in the Follicle responsible for generating hair. The term Electrolysis actually is derived from this process; “Electro” for Electricity and “Lyse” to split, translating to Electrolysis!
Electrolysis specifically applies a direct negative current, which provides enough energy to overcome the bonds that hold water and salt together naturally occurring within the skin. These molecules, after being split because of this current, immediately look to rearrange themselves in a stable configuration that is strong enough to overcome the current being applied. This stable arrangement happens to be lye, a chemical that is perfect to gently treat, chemically, the tissues in the Follicle that produce hair.
Lye, being a liquid, can flow into all portions of the Follicle, gently treating areas of the Follicle that may be less accessible by other hair reduction processes. It is particularly good at treating the Follicle walls where stem cells reside.
Thermolysis
Thermolysis is the most commonly practiced and incorrectly named form of Electrology. Often confused and misrepresented as Electrolysis or classified under “Electrology”, Thermolysis is not properly cleared for permanent hair removal. Technically, the practice of Thermolysis doesn't qualify as true Electrolysis, though many practitioners may claim it does. Unlike true Electrolysis, Thermolysis does not produce any chemical lye in the follicles. Instead, it relies entirely on high-frequency current to generate heat. While this heat does treat the tissues in the follicle, when Thermolysis is done incorrectly, it can be harmful; it also struggles to treat all types of follicles.
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Thermolysis works by rapidly oscillating and changing between positive and negative charges. The probe attracts and then repels the electrons orbiting surrounding water molecules. This rapid push and pull generates friction and, in turn, heat. This is the same process by which a microwave generates heat in food. The more energy placed into the probe, the faster and farther this heat spreads. Too much energy leads to Flash Thermolysis, which damages epidermal tissue and causes scarring.
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Low Energy Thermolysis, on the other hand, slowly spreads from the thinnest point on the probe and works deep in the Follicle, treating the Papilla while avoiding the Epidermis. Proper application of Thermolysis with Electrolysis is the most effective way to treat follicles.
