The Thermolysis Method of Electrolysis Permanent Hair Removal

What Is Electrolysis?

Electrolysis is a hair removal treatment that involves a fine probe being inserted into hair follicles and then passing an electric charge through the surrounding cells. By targeting the hair follicle, electrolysis is suited for all types of hair and skin. Electrolysis gets rid of thin, thick and coarse hair. Your hair removal plan will have to be customized according to your body and desired results. Permanent hair removal by electrolysis is the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health and is the regulating body for medical devices.
Electrolysis can be the perfect solution for removing stubborn body hair. Regardless of the cause of your unwanted hair growth – heredity, metabolic, or hormonal conditions – electrolysis will permanently remove unwanted hair to reveal a glowing, confident you. A professional electrologist inserts a very fine needle (usually thinner than the hair being treated) into the natural opening of the hair follicle alongside the hair shaft. A tiny amount of electrical current is then applied to destroy the hair growth cells. There are three different methods, or modalities, of electrolysis, which vary in their specifics. Medical electrolysis devices can destroy the hair growth cells with chemical energy, heat energy, or both. The method chosen by your electrologist is the modality.

The Thermolysis Method

Thermolysis was developed by Dr Bordier of Paris in 1923. Today, it is one of the most widely practiced forms of hair removal. Thermolysis is heat-based electrolysis, also known as shortwave method. A thermolytic epilator destroys the hair follicle by injecting each follicle with high-frequency radio energy. This energy produces localized heat and weakens cells and surrounding tissues to prevent future hair growth. This is a process called electrocoagulation. There are no chemicals used with this method. 

Thermolysis electrolysis uses an alternating current to charge water molecules until they create enough heat to disable the cells responsible for growing hair in the follicle. The electrical current heats and destroys hair growth cells. 

With thermolysis, individual hairs are treated in mere seconds, as there are not many steps involved in this procedure. An electrologist can move swiftly from hair to hair and can reach a lot of hair follicles. The electrologist may use a higher intensity current for a shorter period of time or a lower intensity current for a longer period of time.

 Blend Method of Electrolysis

Blend thermolysis uses a combination of the two methods. It is faster than galvanic electrolysis but slower than thermolysis.

The blend method was developed by Arther Hinkel in 1948. Also known as dual-action method, blend “blends” the galvanic and thermolysis methods into one. Hair follicles are destroyed by combining the lye produced through the galvanic method along with the heat from thermolysis. Galvanic electrology creates its effect by converting moisture in the follicle into caustic lye to break down the walls and structure of the hair follicle while thermolysis relies on heating this same moisture to the point of electrocoagulation. First, when lye is heated, it has a stronger effect on the hair follicle. Next, the tissue becomes more porous, allowing the heated lye to disperse more.  The hot lye solution spreads into all areas of the hair shaft. This helps to prevent cells both shallow and deep from building new hairs.

The goal of blend electrology is to combine the advantages of both thermolysis and galvanic into one potent hair removal method. Blend proponents believe that heated lye is an order of magnitude more caustic than when at body temperature. This method therefore combines the speed of thermolysis with galvanic electrology. Electrologists who practice the blend modality believe they are applying galvanic electrology with a power and speed boost from thermolysis.