This is your online consultation for Electrology treatments. 

At times it is somewhat dismaying to deal with the problems of seeking an Electrologist and understanding the nature of electrolysis treatments.  The information found here should help you understand some of the factors causing your hair problem and it should help you learn what to expect from your treatments. The electrology consultation can also be a first screening for other health related problems.  The in-office consultation is free and there is no obligation on your part. 

Your first visit.

At your first appointment, you will fill out a form that asks the basics such as name, address and contact information.  Some of the questions on the form might seem personal, but they help Barbara evaluate your hair problem and the possible cause of your hair growth.  All of the information shared during the consultation and treatment will be kept in the strictest confidence. 

Areas to be treated.

Barbara will want to know eactly what area you want treated.  Determining your hair removal goals will help to meet your needs.

Many areas of the face and body grow excess hair, which can be considered a cosmetic problem.  For women, other face and body areas with excess hair can indicate hormonal factors, which can result in hair growth throughout your life.  These hormonal factors can also point to some other health related problems, which would indicate that you should discuss your hair problem with a physician.  The areas underlined below are affected by hormones.

Hormone related questions for WOMEN.

The areas above, underlined, can indicate that there are hormonal factors causing the excess hair growth, or it can indicate a sensitivity to circulating androgens (the normal male hormones that are present in women). Barbara does not diagnose medical disorders, but has been the first step in screening for certain health problems for many of her clients. 

The form will ask at what age the hair growth began.  Puberty, pregnancy, surgical- and age-related menopause are the most common times for women to notice new hair growth.

The frequency of your menstrual cycle can indicate  hormonal imbalances.  Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or Syndrome X are the cause for excess hair growth in many women.  These syndromes can be an indication of other health related disorders.

You will be asked if you have had a history of fertility problems, hormonal or endocrine disorders, scalp hair loss, weight gain, family history of similar hair growth, irregular periods, acne or eating disorders.  These problems should be discussed with your physician and Barbara needs to know about them so that a proper treatment recommendation can be made.

What do you believe cause your hair growth? 

You might have information that can help Barbara in evaluating your hair problem.  Women often blame the prior methods of hair removal for their current hair growth. 

                    Grade 1                  Grade 2                 Grade 3                  Grade 4

Excess hair growth on women's faces usually begins with a few coarse hairs on the chin or upper lip.  Some women will never have the hair growth increase from Grade 1 and other women will advance to Grade 4 over time.  The length of time it takes to be completed with your electrolysis treatments will depend entirely on how much hair "Mother Nature" has destined for you to grow.  One person can be finished with their treatments in 6 to 9 months, and another person can take 18 months or longer. 

Treatments for men.

Men seek treatment for the same areas as women and no special questions are asked.

How hair grows.

Hair grows through an opening in the skin called the HAIR FOLLICLE.  Scientists have determined that the human body is born with about 5 million hair follicles.  Fortunately, for most people, only a small percentage of these follicles will ever produce noticable hair.  In childhood, our bodies are covered by VELLUS hair except for the scalp, brows and eyelashes.  Vellus hairs are short, fine, lightly pigmented and have no medulla.  During puberty, hormones cause vellus hair to convert to TERMINAL hair in the axilla and pubic areas.  For some women, the vellus hair on their face will become ACCELERATED VELLUS which can then convert to terminal hair such as the hair you see in Grades 1 through 4 above. 

Hair grows in CYCLES that do not coincide with one another. This cycle is a constant growing and shedding of all hair.  Each hair then goes through four specific stages of growth.  The follicle with a growing hair is in the ANAGEN stage.  Anagen growth (when not cut off) can be seen as hair with a soft tapered ends.  It can be 2 to 5 millimeters deep and can grow to be several feet in length as seen in scalp hair.  The length of anagen hair growth is determined by genetics and health.  The second stage of the cycle is CATAGEN, a short transition period when the hair stops growing, stops producing pigment and releases from the papilla in preparation to shed from the follicle.  As catagen comes to an end, the root sheath rises in the follicle and forms a "collar" around the hair - sometimes called a "club" hair.  Severe stress and environmental factors such as hormones, medications and trauma can cause hair to transition to the catagen stage.  The third stage of a hair's life is TELOGEN where the follicle is shallow, but the hair may still be sitting in the skin as a "club" hair.  A hair in telogen can sit on the skin for months before shedding. The shedding stage is called EXOGEN.   

For more indepth information on the physiology of hair cycles visit: Controls of Hair Follicle Cycling.

Understanding hair loss might also help you to understand the cycles and stages of hair growth. For more information visit: Towards a molecular understanding of hair loss and its treatment found in "TRENDS in Molecular Medicine" Vol.7 No.7 July 2001. 

Consistency of treatments is the secret to permanent results.

Removing your hair soon after it appears through the skin will help you to complete  your treatments in the quickest time possible.   If you are clearing the area once a month, then you should be treated the follicles during the anagen stages.  For frequently tweezed areas, you should begin with weekly clearings.  As your treatments progress, the length of the treatment will shorten, and the interval of time between treatments will lengthen. 

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