The Treatment
Yes, we love having headfulls of luscious hair, but let's be honest: the rest of it is an annoyance. In the endless pursuit of being hair-free, one has to wonder if there really can be an end to it. Answer: yes. It's name, electrolysis.
Electrolysis is no spring chicken in the hair-removal arena. A.R. Hinkle invented the Electro Blend electrolysis machine some 50 years ago. To date, it is the only method of hair removal that the FDA has approved as permanent.
 With the Blend machine, two different techniques can be employed. The first, called "blend", uses a combination of galvanic current and thermolysis, a high frequency current. Between the two, and the moisture underneath the skin, it creates a chemical reaction which produces sodium hydroxide. That is literally what burns out all the tissue surrounding the root of the hair, so that the hair doesn't reproduce. Second is the "flash method", where in approximately two quarter- second flashes, the root is deadened, and the hair is expelled. This method allows a larger area to be treated quickly, though since it is a high frequency currant, it causes the skin to be more sensitive. The method also produces a higher percentage of regrowth.
To ensure treatment of growing hair, a patient needs to shave the area to be treated about 5 days prior to electrolysis treatment. Also, the patient should decide if she wants to use a topical anesthetic before treatment, with the lidocaine injections, the person feels nothing.
The Procedure
1.If necessary a topical anesthetic is applied around the treatment site
2.If the blend method is used, patient holds an instrument called an "anode". It helps to complete the current back to the machine. It helps to also create the sodium hydroxide in our bodies; it's the combination of the salt and the water. That actually becomes fluid through the hair follicle, and when it's combined with the heat, it's being brought to a boiling temperature, and that helps to destroy the tissue as well.
3.A probe is inserted into each pore and into the individual hair follicles; the electrologist will regulate the intensities according to the skin and personal tolerance.
4.After the flow of current stops, the skin around the probe begins to bubble slightly; hair slides out (including the entire root sheath) and is grabbed by sterile tweezers.
5.Entire area of unwanted hair is treated.
6.Antiseptic cream is applied to treated area.
Hair re-growth comes up to the surface about 2 to 4 months later. Each succession of hair regrowth-hence the need for subsequent treatments--is sparser, finer, and lighter, until you have nothing. It is highly ill-advised to go out and have any sun [exposure] immediately after electrolysis.
We are applying heat to the skin so it is already creating somewhat of a burn. Even though it doesn't show it at the surface, [the skin] is still very, very sensitive up to a good 48 hours after the treatment." In addition, any physical exertion that causes perspiration should be avoided; sweating can create bacteria, and cause some skin irritation. One more thing that should be avoided for 48 hours after treatment is the use of retinoids like Retin-A™.
The procedure is very pleasant and relaxing. An added bonus: acne can potentially be improved when there is an existing breakout in the area being treated. The current that electrolysis uses zaps any bacteria that are swimming around in the pore.
It should be mentioned that electrolysis is an extensive, long-range procedure, that requires second treatment. At it's conclusion though, the pesky hair can safely be referred to in the past-tense...forever more.
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Find the follicle opening with the tip of the probe, match the angle of the hair growth with the probe, and then slide it downward until it stops. Once the probe is correctly placed, simply depress the foot switch on your electrolysis unit. A blend of short-wave and galvanic energy exits the probe into the follicle pore destroying all hair growth tissues in a fraction of a second. Blend-tone electrolysis is so complete and thorough only one of ten hairs may return to require a second application. 