Electrolysis Frequently Asked Questions

What hair colors and skin tones can electrolysis treat?

Electrolysis can treat all hair colors and all skin tones. Unlike laser hair removal, electrolysis does not rely on hair pigment, making it equally effective on every skin tone and every natural hair color. This makes it an excellent option for people with richly pigmented skin, as well as those with blonde, gray, white, or red hair that may not respond well to laser hair removal.

Which body areas can be treated by electrolysis?

Electrolysis can be performed almost anywhere hair grows, including:

  • Face (upper lip, chin, cheeks, sideburns)

  • Eyebrows (unibrow, shaping)

  • Neck

  • Underarms

  • Arms and hands

  • Chest

  • Abdomen

  • Back

  • Bikini area

  • Legs and feet

The only limitations are inner nostrils & ear canals or areas where treatment would be unsafe due to medical considerations.

Should I choose laser hair removal or electrolysis?

The best choice depends on your hair color, skin tone, treatment goals, and the treatment area. When comparing laser hair removal vs. electrolysis, it's important to know that the two treatments can also work together. Laser hair removal can efficiently reduce large areas of coarse, dark hair, while electrolysis permanently removes the remaining hairs, including blonde, gray, white, red, and other hairs that laser cannot effectively treat. For many clients, electrolysis alone is the best option. For others, I may recommend laser hair reduction first, followed by electrolysis to permanently remove the remaining hairs.

How long does electrolysis take?

Treatment time depends on:

  • The area being treated

  • Hair density

  • Hormonal factors

  • Previous hair-removal methods

A single session may last anywhere from:

  • 30 - 60 minutes for small facial areas

  • 1 - 2 hours or more for larger areas

Because hair grows in cycles, multiple treatments are required. Completing a treatment plan typically takes several months to two years or longer, depending on the amount of hair and the consistency of appointments. Appointments often begin on a weekly basis and gradually become less frequent, eventually being spaced several weeks or even months apart as hair growth decreases.‍

What does electrolysis feel like?

Most people feel brief heat, stinging, or tiny pinprick sensations during treatment. Comfort varies by individual and treatment area. Many people find electrolysis tolerable, though sensitive areas can be uncomfortable. Treatment settings may be adjusted to improve comfort while maintaining effectiveness. Clients may apply topical anesthetic beforehand if desired.

What should I wear for my hair removal appointment?

Comfortable street clothes are perfect as long as the treatment area is easily accessible. You may bring a robe to change into if necessary.

Why do some women develop unwanted facial hair? Is it always hirsutism?

Unwanted facial hair is common and can develop for many reasons. For some women, it is simply hereditary or part of their family's natural hair pattern. Others notice changes during puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause. Hormonal conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), certain medications, and other medical conditions may also contribute.

When excessive coarse, dark hair develops in areas where men typically grow hair, such as the chin, upper lip, chest, abdomen, or back, the condition may be called hirsutism. Although hirsutism is often associated with hormonal conditions, it can have other causes as well.

Regardless of the underlying cause, electrolysis permanently removes treated hairs.

Do men get electrolysis?

Not as much as they should! Yes, men commonly seek electrolysis for:

  • Beard shaping

  • Ingrown hairs

  • Neck hair

  • Back, lower back and shoulder hair

  • Outer ear and outer nose hair

  • Chest hair

What about infection control?

Your safety and comfort are my highest priorities. I adhere to rigorous sterilization and infection-control protocols in accordance with Oregon Health Authority regulations and professional industry standards. A new, sterile, single-use disposable probe is opened for every treatment session and safely discarded afterward. These practices help ensure a clean, safe, and comfortable experience for every client.

Temporary redness and mild swelling are common after treatment, but infection is truly rare when proper protocols are followed.

Can I get treatment if I am pregnant?

Although some physicians consider electrolysis during pregnancy acceptable, at Dahlia Electrolysis I do not perform treatment during pregnancy. After your baby is born, I hope you'll bring your little peanut to the consultation so I can admire them!

Why is electrolysis growing in popularity?

Electrolysis was first developed by an ophthalmologist in 1875 and has been used for permanent hair removal for well over a century. Although the method is not new, it remains the only hair removal method recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as permanent.

Interest in electrolysis has grown in recent years for several reasons:

  • More people want permanent hair removal.

  • A 2025 study found electrolysis to be more effective than laser hair removal for treating facial hirsutism associated with PCOS. (*Research cited below.)

  • It works on hair colors that laser cannot effectively treat.

  • Many people use electrolysis to finish hairs that remain after laser

    treatment.

  • Modern equipment is faster and often more comfortable than older systems.

  • It is widely used in transgender and gender-affirming care.

While electrolysis has existed for more than a century, its effectiveness and versatility continue to make it the gold standard for permanent hair removal.

*Marta Ivaskevych. (2025). Clinical efficacy of Electrolysis and Laser Hair Removal in PCOS patients. The American Journal of Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Research, 7(06), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.37547/tajmspr/Volume07Issue06-06