Electroepilation

This process involves the progressive eradication of tissues responsible for hair growth. To help us understand better, we need to identify these tissues and consider the stages of hair growth. We should also take into account our skin and the importance of ensuring treatment takes place in the correct target areas, so as to avoid damage to the skin's surface.

The skin is composed of three primary layers, which contain numerous sub-layers, sensory corpuscles, immune system cells, adipose cells (used in stem cell hair regeneration), glands, interstitial fluid, blood vessels and tiny capillaries. The following diagram identifies these key elements, and the complexity of their construction further illustrates the value of attending a practice whose electrologists are fully familiar with our skin's design and the influences upon hair growth, through this and other systems of the human body.

If we take a close up look at a hair and the hair follicle, we will see it is composed of many structures. The areas responsible for hair growth are the dermal papilla where nutrients are supplied by tiny capillaries, these nourish the hair and also an element called the bulge. The bulge contains stem cells which activate to promote new hair, consequently this element also needs to be eradicated during the electroepilation process.

When the resting hairs appear it is termed as 'false regrowth' as the hairs are yet to be treated. Some treated hairs will grow back, this is 'true regrowth.' Those that do regrow will generally be weaker and as treatment progresses they will cease growing entirely.

Hair removal by Electrolysis is a process where a galvanic current (direct continuous current) is applied through a probe which has been inserted into the hair follicle and the moisture in the hair follicle acts as an electrolyte. This current triggers a chemical reaction which produces Lye (Sodium Hydroxide NaOH). Lye is caustic and is produced in the immediate vicinity of the negative electrode (probe). 

This causes a physiochemical reaction to the surrounding tissues, resulting in the destruction of the papilla and other tissues responsible for hair growth. This technique is particularly suitable for hairs in the early Anagen phase, where moisture in the follicle is at its greatest. Also for strong deep rooted hairs and those with distorted follicles, which otherwise prevent full access by the probe to the papilla. However, the Lye will flow for several seconds to permeate the surrounding tissues which causes their destruction, regardless of any distortion to the hair follicle.

The current used in thermolysis is alternating current (AC) which alternates at very high speed. This high frequency current continuously changes polarity, which creates a constant attraction and repulsion of atoms within tissues. This process is known as 'Colomb's Law' where these movements of attraction and repulsion of atoms generate friction or vibration of atomic structures in the surrounding matter. 

When the probe is inserted into the follicle, the current is targeted at the dermal papilla. This results in a warming effect at the tip of the probe and the heat produced at over 50 degrees centigrade dries out the surrounding tissues. A modification takes place in the tissues, which transform them into a more solid mass. This reaction is called 'thermocoagulation' rather like a boiled egg, compared to a fresh one, which progressively eliminates the tissues responsible for hair growth.

This technique combines Electrolysis (DC Galvanic current) with Thermolysis (AC current) to provide the best outcomes from both techniques. The underlying principle of 'Blend' is based upon the proven chemical reaction created by galvanic current, combined with the application of the high frequency alternating current of thermolysis. (Here, thermolysis is not used to coagulate the tissues, simply warm them.) This changes the tissues to become a porous intracellular mass, which facilitates the propagation of Lye more readily into the surrounding tissues. 

Galvanic current and high frequency current omissions are computer controlled and distributed along the probe. This creates a highly effective method of destruction of the tissues responsible for hair growth.