EASTSIDE ELECTROLOGY of Portland
We all want to feel good about our appearance, but sometimes it’s difficult to be positive when we know where are areas that we would like to change if we could If excess hair is one problem area you’d like to eliminate, electrolysis (permanent hair removal) can help you do just that. This procedure will eliminate your unwanted hair and, in the process, give you a new self-confidence. Electrolysis can definitely change your life in a positive way.
Regardless of age or gender, Electrolysis can bring you a smooth and healthy look, restoring your inner confidence!
CAUSES OF UNWANTED HAIR
​​
-
Heredity
-
Normal physiological changes
-
Malfunction of the endocrine system
-
Medication
-
Topical influences
-
Stress
Heredity, as a cause of excess hair must be approached from three different levels:
-
Race
-
Nationality
-
Family
People belonging to the Caucasian race tend to be the most hairy. Those of the Negroid race follow and the Mongolian race is the least hairy. If your ancestors lived along the Mediterranean Sea, your chances of having excess hair are greater. Italians, Greeks, Spanish and French all fall into this category as well as many others.
It is a known factor that if your mother and grandmother had facial hair, your chances for having the same condition are greater than if they did not.
Puberty, pregnancy and menopause can cause excess hair growth. During the normal systemic changes of a woman’s life, hormone production varies. It is not uncommon for hormones during these times to be unbalanced. Increased male hormones (androgens) can be present which may result in unwanted hair growth.
Malfunctions of the endocrine glands can trigger the appearance of excess hair. Some diseases of the thyroid gland, ovaries, pituitary gland and adrenal gland are known to stimulate hair growth.
Cushing’s disease, polycystic ovary syndrome and thyroid conditions are just a few of the medical causes of excess hair growth. These pathological disorders must be treated by a physician in order for electrolysis to be effective.
Medications are another known factor influencing the production of unwanted hair. Some common culprits include:
-
Birth control pills
-
Cortisone
-
Some seizure drugs
-
High blood pressure medication
Topical influences may also play a part in increased hair growth. These are external influences on the body that can cause an increase in blood supply to the skin and hair follicles. Included in this category are:
The abrasive action of casts
Sunburn
Scars from injuries
Prolonged tweezing and/or waxing
Stress (both emotional and physical) can stimulate the adrenal glands to initiate a hormonal reaction that can cause fine, soft body hair to become more coarse and noticeable. It has been proven that emotional disturbances can cause menstrual irregularities which, in turn, can also affect excess hair growth.
Regardless of the cause of your specific unwanted hair, electrolysis can safely and permanently eliminate it for you without the risk or frustration of temporary solutions such as laser hair removal, waxing and the many other solutions that are not recognized by the American Medical Association or approved by the FDA for permanent hair removal.
HOW ELECTROLYSIS WORKS
An electrolysis treatment involves the insertion of a sterile probe, the same size as the hair, into the hair follicle opening down to the dermal papilla. The dermal papilla is the electrologist’s target. It’s the part of the follicle that contains blood and nerves and feeds the growing hair. If the papilla and the regenerative cells surrounding it are destroyed, the hair will die.
​
When the probe is in place, a low-level electrical current is applied that will destroy the papilla and the surrounding cells and loosen the hair in the follicle. The hair is then removed. Many hairs will be eliminated with only one treatment, but some will need two or more treatments to achieve permanency.
​
Electrolysis involves a series of treatments over a period of time. The length of time depends on the amount of hair, its coarseness, the cause of the excess hair and many other factors. But once the dermal papilla has been eliminated, the hair is dead and will not regrow.
CHOOSING ELECTROLYSIS
Unlike other hair removal options, professionally performed electrolysis eliminates unwanted hair permanently, with unsurpassed results. It does so for the largest variety of skin and hair types.
​
Waxing, threading and tweezing are all alike. With all these methods, ingrown hairs and discoloration may result. In addition, they may cause an increase in hair growth activity. Depilatories and shaving can cause an irritation to the skin while the hair regrows quickly. These methods also require a lifetime of maintenance. They can appear inexpensive, but they do cost more due to long term use, and are often very inconvenient too.
​
Other methods focus on immediate, but temporary hair removal. None of them deliver permanent elimination of unwanted hair like electrolysis does. Electrolysis works on most areas of the body to give you permanently smooth, sleek, healthy-looking skin. No other solution can claim such universal acceptability and success.
COMMON TREATMENT AREAS
Electrolysis can be applied to most facial and body parts. Based on a personal and confidential consultation, we will design a treatment plan that addresses your specific hair removal needs.
​
HAIR REMOVAL FOR WOMEN
Almost all areas of the body can be subject to unwelcome hair growth. For women, the unwanted hair on commonly visible areas, like the face, usually takes priority.
Hair growth on the chin, upper lip, jaw and throat areas is usually caused by hormones. Genetics and medications can also cause excess hair on the face and on body areas such as the chest, breasts and abdomen.
The most commonly treated areas for women are:
-
Chin
-
Jawline
-
Upper Lip
-
Throat
-
Sides of Face
-
Eyebrows
-
Chest
-
Abdomen
-
Breasts
-
Bikini Lines
-
Underarms
-
Hairline
-
Fingers & Toes
​
HAIR REMOVAL FOR MEN
Men who feel they have too much hair will often seek electrolysis treatment. Even without an excess amount of hair, men will frequently use electrolysis for eyebrow shaping as well as underarms, groin, arms and legs, lower back and buttocks.
The most commonly treated areas for men are:
-
Back including shoulders and torso
-
Ears
-
Brows
-
Cheeks to clean up beard line
-
Neckline
-
Nape
-
Groin
-
Hands
CURLY, WAVY OR COARSE HAIR
When you work with a professional electrologist, you will learn that electrolysis is a safe and effective treatment for all types of hair and skin tones. We can answer any specific questions you have about your particular hair or skin type.
​
Curly hair can be more prone to become ingrown or cause raised bumps on the skin. Coarse hair gets stuck underneath the skin. Attempting to manage these problems by using temporary methods such as depilatories, shaving or tweezing can just make them worse, causing scarring or discolored areas. These methods are very hard on your skin.
​
Electrolysis safely and permanently removes ingrown hairs and the curly, coarse hairs that tend to damage your skin. Electrolysis avoids the issues that occur with tweezing and other temporary methods of hair removal.
FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE
Your own sense of personal beauty is based on your insight into the unique person you are, which is the reason for your gender transition. When you feel attractive and express your authentic self, life is more vibrant and fulfilling.
​
There are times we need some assistance to enhance our appearance so we can be truly comfortable with ourselves. You may find, as many others have, that permanent hair removal can help you express your finest self and reveal the one and only beautiful you.
​
If you are looking for a treatment to permanently remove facial hair and excess body hair as part of a gender reassignment, electrolysis is the solution for you. It’s the key to attaining the smooth, sophisticated, hair-free look you desire.
​
At Eastside Electrology we are knowledgeable about transgender treatment. We are aware of what you are trying to accomplish and how electrolysis fits into your process. We take pride in performing our job with the utmost respect for you, your choices, and your privacy.
LASER VS. ELECTROLYSIS
Permanent hair removal by laser treatment is one of the most promoted “permanent hair removal” options on the internet. Unfortunately, laser hair removal is not yet FDA approved, nor is it proven to be as effective for permanent hair removal as electrolysis is.
​
Additionally, permanent hair removal using laser treatment is not not risk free. Depending on your skin type and skin condition, you may find that laser hair removal can leave unwanted scaring or pigmentation effects.
​
A BRIEF COMPARISON
Laser
The mainstream laser unit can only be used on those with light skin and dark hair. It can burn those with dark skin and not give optimal results for people with light hair because the laser targets pigment (dark color). Advancement is being made in laser technology for those that don’t fit the light skin/dark hair profile using a combination of radio frequency and laser, however no laser treatment has yet been approved by the FDA for permanent hair removal. Laser does not work on blonde, gray or red hair.
​
Electrolysis
Can be used on anyone despite their skin or hair color because it attacks the hair follicle itself, and not the pigment in the hair.
​
PAIN FACTOR
Each person has a unique “pain tolerance”, so it is hard to tell any individual which method they will find more comfortable.
​
Laser
Laser is described by most as a sensation of a rubber band ‘snapping’ against your skin along with a heat sensation. Coarse, dark hair feels more of the burn. Thus, a man’s laser hair removal in the beard and mustache area will feel more painful than a woman’s lip, cheeks or chin.
​
Electrolysis
Electrolysis has been described as “a stinging and pricking sensation”, the level of “pain” depends on the electrologist and the equipment that is used.