By Mariela
July 24, 2023
7 minutes
If you have decided to finally end the growth of those spiky hair strands on your face, bikini lines, or other body parts, electrolysis is perhaps the hair removal technique on your mind. I say this because no other methods carry the FDA and American Medical Association’s approval for permanent hair removal apart from electrolysis.
If you’ve tried epilation, waxing, shaving, tweezing , or even lasers, you would have noticed that none offer a lasting solution as this method. The best any of them can offer is to delay the time you would go for another treatment. Waxing and lasers delay the next treatment longer than others, but they also come with prices to pay. Hence, a permanent hair-removal method like electrolysis becomes expedient.
What is Hair Removal by Electrolysis?
As a high school student, I first encountered this word in my chemistry class. There, the teacher mentioned things like anode, cathode, electrons, etc. Not until recently it never occurred to me that the same principle I learned years back could apply to solving a significant problem.
From the word itself, you can guess that electrolysis would require electricity to lyse or break down something; that’s precisely what this process entails, although there is more to it.
Hair removal through electrolysis involves focussing on individual strands at a time. You or the professional in charge thrust a tiny needle connected to the electrical setup into the hair follicle to lyse or break it down permanently.
Achieving permanent hairlessness through this method requires several sessions, which may be up to ten, depending on the thickness of the hair you’re trying to remove. The professionals who carry out electrolysis on people are called electrologists.
Should You Do Electrolysis by Yourself?
Let me use barbing your hair to drive home this point. You will agree that letting a professional do your haircut is still the best. He or she can see every angle clearer than a mirror would reveal. Also, they have mastery of the tools required for the job and will hardly make a mistake that can lead to injuries.
All these do not mean you cannot barb your hair by yourself. Some do, and it turns out as perfect as if a professional did it for them. But for many people, the result is usually less than desired. Hence, the need for a professional touch.
You are better off with an electrologist, especially if the hair you want to remove Is on your face. However, with the right skills and machines, you can do it yourself with a high accuracy rate.
Having an expert do your electrolysis can be costly , as many charge between $50 and $100 per hour. If treating a large surface, you can expect an extended time, say 2-3 hours. Multiply that time by about ten sessions required for a complete treatment, and you can understand why electrolysis can be pocket-demanding.
But with an excellent home electrolysis machine and technical know-how, you can save some bucks and the time you would have spent in the clinic.
You must have seen different options for home electrolysis machines online if you’ve been searching. But, as with many advertisements, the more you look, the less you see. Many do not live up to expectations, and without proper guidance, such as the one his article offers, you might be making a wrong investment.
Best Home Electrolysis Hair Removal Machines to Buy
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It’s almost impossible to bypass mentioning this electrolysis machine in any list of such. That’s because of the potential it boasts. The device combines a professional probing style with an electronic epilator. It also comes packed with disposable probes numbering five, which you shouldn’t repeat.
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Hair Removal Principle: Electrolysis
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Price: $1,499
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Rating: 4.5/5
Review: “Though not as powerful as it claims, I found Electrolyse Automatique very practical and straightforward to use. Unlike what many people have been saying, it didn’t take me a long time to understand its use. I think I will rate it 8/10.”
2. Biotechnique Avance V2R Galvanic Electrolysis System
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The V2R Galvanic system by Biotechnique Avance does not need any specialized training for its use. It boasts 18,000kV power intensity and comes equipped with an adjustable rheostat that gives you complete control over it. Some of its other components include five disposable probes, a foot switch, Conductivity Gel Anode Prep (2 oz.), a probe stylus, and others.
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Price: Typically $899.95 (now $799.95 – 11% discount)
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Principal: Electrolysis
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Rating: 4.1/5
Review: “All I can say is that you should read the instruction pamphlet very well, and you’d be fine. It works and is not as complicated as I thought.”
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There is another Aavexx 600 by the same company that works quite similar to this one. The difference is the price, but it has blend functionality absent in Aavexx 500. The machine requires slow and consistent use to remove unwanted hair from your body permanently. Although the manufacturer claims that it works for all body parts, Aavexx 500 is best used for beards and other facial hair purposes. With its 90-day money-back guarantee, you can safely return this
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Working Principle: Electrolysis
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Price: $
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Rating: 4.0/5
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Warranty: 1 year
Review: “I have been using this electrolysis system for a few months now, and I can say that it’s working. Besides the blend function that it doesn’t have (which I don’t mind either), it’s easy to use and comes with an unmatched output intensity. I think the price also matches the product size.”
4. Clean & Easy One Touch Electrolysis Stylet Tips 3
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If you want something easy to handle and simple to use, this Clean & Easy Touch system is your best bet. The replacement tips in this system are six and are usable once. Besides being lightweight (0.704 ounces), this setup doesn’t require much expertise, and a first-timer can get around it quickly.
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Price: $20.85 ($6.95 per count)
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Working Principle: Electrolysis
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Rating: 3.8/5
Review: “While I do not doubt the quality of this system, the needle doesn’t stay in place and bends easily. I also found out that the result doesn’t match the advertisement.”
5. Verseo smooth Electrolysis Permanent Hair Removal
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This system features large and small interchangeable rolling tips, treatment tweezers, and conductive gel pads. The four pads included functions to remove hair from a large surface area. As such, if you have a large surface area to treat, the gel pads will be more suitable.
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Price: $89.95
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Operating Principle: Electrolysis
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Rating: 3.8/5 (420 ratings)
Review: “I never knew an excellent electrolysis system could be this affordable. However, it’s quite slow, as I’ve been using it for over a year with minimal output.”
Home Electrolysis Machine: Buying Guide
Electrolysis machines are generally categorized into three: galvanic, thermolysis, and blend. Some of the machines on this list combine two types and are, therefore, more expensive than others. However, when deciding on which to purchase, the following considerations are important:
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Which part of your body contains unwanted hair? This understanding will guide the type of device to purchase. While some are multipurpose, some electrolysis devices are best for certain body parts.
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What’s your level of expertise? Different home electrolytic machines come with varying levels of complexity. If you are new to this process, it’s best to start with simple, easy-to-use ones.
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Your budget is also important. Electrolytic devices range from $$$ to $$$$, and your budget plays a significant role in your choice.
Conclusion
It takes patience and the right knowledge to conduct an electrolytic hair removal on oneself. Also, the procedure takes time to give the desired result. As such, you must factor in these things to effectively manage your expectations.
Laser devices like the Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL device are also effective, but they don’t give permanent results like well-done electrolysis either at home or by a professional.
You should not experience scarring or prolonged skin redness when permanently removing hair at home using these devices. However, if you experience persistent discomfort , you should consult your physician before things escalate.
