Electrolysis removes hair by inserting a very fine probe into each follicle and delivering a small current that destroys the follicle's ability to grow. It is the only method the FDA recognizes as permanent hair removal, and because it does not rely on pigment it works on any hair color and skin tone.
Mild redness and tiny bumps for a few hours to a day.
Results
Effectively treated hairs do not return.
Longevity
Once a follicle has been properly treated it does not regrow.
01
Where you are
Sometimes the hair that bothers you most is the hair a laser can't see. A few stubborn white or gray hairs on the chin. Fine blonde hair along the jaw or upper lip that catches light in a certain mirror. Red hair that's been waxed for years and still comes back. Or a small cluster on the brow, the areola or the hairline that you'd simply like gone rather than reduced.
You may have already tried laser and been told, honestly, that your hair doesn't have enough pigment for it to work. Or you completed a laser series and are left with a scattering of pale survivors. Plucking keeps the situation manageable, but it also keeps the follicle active, and on the face it can leave the skin irritated or marked.
The goal is rarely about volume. It's about precision: specific hairs in specific places that you'd like to stop managing altogether.
02
Where you want to be
Electrolysis treats one follicle at a time. A sterile, hair-fine probe is slid into the follicle opening alongside the hair, without piercing the skin, and a brief pulse of energy is delivered to the base. Depending on the method used, that energy acts chemically (galvanic), through heat (thermolysis) or as a combination (blend), and it disables the cells responsible for producing the hair. The hair is then lifted out with fine forceps rather than plucked.
Because the probe targets the follicle directly rather than its pigment, hair color and skin tone don't limit the treatment. That's why electrolysis is the right method for gray, blonde, red and very fine hair, as well as for white hair and for finishing work after laser. It's also why the FDA recognizes it, uniquely, as permanent hair removal rather than reduction.
Like all hair treatments, it works with the growth cycle. Follicles that are dormant on the day of treatment can't be reached until they produce a hair, so a series of sessions is planned to catch each one as it becomes active. At Naiva the schedule is built around the area, the density of hair and how your skin responds, with the goal of clearing the area thoroughly rather than quickly.
03
What to expect
Sessions are short and focused, typically fifteen minutes to an hour depending on how many hairs are being treated. You'll be positioned comfortably under magnification and good light. For sensitive areas a topical numbing cream can be applied beforehand. Each hair takes only seconds, and your provider will work methodically across the area.
You'll feel a brief warmth or sting with each pulse. Most patients find it very manageable, particularly for small areas, and settings can be adjusted if a spot is more sensitive. Immediately afterward the skin is usually a little pink, with small raised bumps around treated follicles that settle within a few hours.
The visit
15–60 minutes. A review of the area and your history, then careful treatment of each active hair. You leave with aftercare instructions and can return to your day.
First days
Mild redness and tiny bumps for a few hours to a day. Occasionally a small scab forms over a follicle; leaving it alone lets it heal cleanly.
Results
Effectively treated hairs do not return. Because of the growth cycle, sessions continue at regular intervals, often weekly or every couple of weeks at first, then spacing out as the area thins.
Longevity
Once a follicle has been properly treated it does not regrow. Total clearance of an area can take several months to over a year depending on its size and density.
Who it tends to suit
Blonde, gray, white or red hair, which laser cannot target
Small, defined areas: chin, upper lip, brows, hairline, areola, a few scattered hairs
Deeper skin tones or skin that has reacted to light-based treatments
Hormonally driven facial hair that keeps reappearing
Patients finishing a laser series and clearing the last, lighter hairs
Less practical as a sole approach for very large, dense areas such as full legs or back, where laser is usually the better starting point
04
Who performs it
Electrolysis at Naiva uses single-use sterile probes. An assessment comes first: we look at the hair under magnification, ask about its history and any hormonal or medical context, and set out a realistic schedule for the area.
Where a hormonal cause is suspected for facial hair, particularly in women, we'll say so, because clearing hair without addressing what's driving it means a longer path. Our wellness side can help with evaluation when it's warranted, so the plan works at the root rather than only at the surface.
Each pulse feels like a brief pinprick of heat or a small sting, lasting a second or less. Most patients tolerate it well, and for sensitive areas like the upper lip a topical numbing cream applied beforehand makes a real difference. Settings are adjusted to your comfort as the session goes on.
How many sessions does electrolysis take?
It depends on the size and density of the area and on the hair's growth cycle, since only hairs that are actively growing can be treated at any visit. Small areas such as the chin often need a series of short sessions over several months; larger areas take longer. Sessions are frequent at first and space out as fewer hairs return. Your provider will outline a realistic schedule after seeing the area.
Is electrolysis really permanent?
Yes. Electrolysis is the only hair-removal method the FDA recognizes as permanent, because it destroys the follicle's growth cells directly. A follicle that has been effectively treated does not produce hair again. Occasionally a follicle needs a second treatment if the first pulse didn't fully reach it, which is why a series is planned rather than a single visit.
Electrolysis or laser: which should I choose?
Choose by hair color and area size. Laser is faster for large areas of dark hair, treating many follicles per pulse. Electrolysis works on any hair color, including blonde, gray and red, and is the better choice for small, precise areas or for clearing the lighter hairs left after a laser series. Many patients use both, in sequence, and we'll recommend the combination that fits your hair.
Can I have electrolysis on my face?
Yes, and the face is where it's used most: chin, upper lip, jawline, brows, sideburns and hairline. It's precise enough to shape a brow or clear a handful of stray hairs without affecting the surrounding area. Facial skin is treated under magnification with careful settings to keep the surface calm.
Will electrolysis leave scars or marks?
When performed correctly with proper technique and sterile probes, electrolysis does not typically scar. Temporary redness, small bumps, or an occasional tiny scab are normal and heal without a trace when left alone. Patients with a history of keloids or hyperpigmentation are assessed carefully, and a test area is treated first.
How much does electrolysis cost?
Electrolysis is priced by the time spent in the session rather than by area, because the number of hairs treated in a given period varies from person to person. We'll estimate how many sessions your area is likely to need and adjust the plan as the area clears. Pricing is set at your assessment.
