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How it works

How electrolysis works

Five diagrams that explain why electrolysis works regardless of hair colour and why results take several visits.

  1. 1The hair follicle
  2. 2The hair growth cycle
  3. 3How electrolysis works
  4. 4Laser and electrolysis
  5. 5Sensation and aftercare
The hair follicle123456
  1. Hair shaft — the part you can see.
  2. Epidermis — the outer layer of skin.
  3. Sebaceous (oil) gland.
  4. The small muscle that raises the hair.
  5. Hair bulb — where the cells that form the hair divide.
  6. Dermal papilla — feeds the growing hair through blood vessels.
The hair follicle Hair grows from a follicle, a tiny channel in the skin. Its growth centre sits at the bottom.
The hair growth cycle123
  1. Anagen — the active growth phase; the bulb sits deep and is joined to the papilla.
  2. Catagen — a short transition; growth stops and the follicle shortens.
  3. Telogen — the resting phase; the hair is loosely held and later sheds.
The hair growth cycle Hairs do not all grow at the same time. Treatment works best in the growth phase, so each visit reaches the hairs that are growing then.
How electrolysis works123
  1. A very fine probe slides into the natural opening of the follicle beside the hair — the skin is not pierced.
  2. A small current at the base of the follicle damages the growth cells.
  3. The treated hair is lifted out easily with tweezers.
How electrolysis works Each hair is treated individually, so the method works on hair of any colour.
Laser and electrolysis123
  1. Laser or IPL: dark hair pigment (melanin) absorbs the light, so dark hair heats up.
  2. Light, grey or red hair has little pigment — the light barely affects it.
  3. Electrolysis: energy goes through the probe straight into the follicle, so colour does not matter.
Laser and electrolysis Laser needs pigment; electrolysis does not.
  1. 1

    During the treatment

    A brief tingle or warmth for each hair. Sensitivity depends on the area; a numbing cream can be used if needed.

  2. 2

    Right after

    Mild redness or small bumps can appear — a common, temporary skin reaction.

  3. 3

    The first days

    Do not touch or scratch the area, protect it from the sun, and avoid saunas and make-up on the treated skin.

Sensation and aftercare Goda will give you individual advice after the treatment.

Electrolysis glossary

Follicle
the structure in the skin that a hair grows from; the hair bulb sits at its base.
Anagen
the active growth phase of a hair.
Catagen
a short transition phase in which the hair stops growing.
Telogen
the resting phase, after which the hair sheds and the cycle starts again.
Thermolysis
an electrolysis technique in which alternating current damages the follicle with heat.
Galvanic method
an electrolysis technique in which direct current causes a chemical reaction in the follicle that damages the growth cells.
Blend
a combination of the galvanic method and thermolysis.
Selective photothermolysis
the principle behind laser and IPL: hair pigment absorbs the light, which turns into heat.
Permanent hair reduction
the term used for laser: a long-term reduction in the number of hairs, not complete removal.