Speed: Galvanic vs. Thermolysis

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I see a lot of posts about how certain methods are faster than others. Why is galvanic always described as the “slow” method? Does the needle need to be in the inserted for a longer period of time to treat the follicle? I understand how galvanic and thermolysis work, I just don’t know why one would be so much slower.

Tomorrow, I have my second 1-hr session with an Apilus machine. My electrologist mentioned that once I’ve got a full clearance (thick facial hair) that we will switch to galvanic. Does the Apilus machine allow her to select different methods? Is galvanic a lot more painful?

#2

Exactly, it must be in the follicle much longer than blend or thermolysis. And yes her Apilus can do all three modalities at least. (What model is it? Jr. Sr. SM-500, SX-500, Platinum, etc?)

My experience on myself as an example:
Leg hair, 60 lye units in size

Galvanic only - 45 to 70 seconds
Blend - 7 to 10 seconds
Thermolysis - 5 seconds

Admittingly, I am a DIYer and staying after school for tutoring with Professor Walker I realize the blend setting is ~3 seconds too long, but ok you get a rough idea :slight_smile:

Regular ‘old fashioned’ thermolysis is also referred to as “slow thermolysis” which might add to the confusion. As opposed to flash, microflash, picoflash, and multiplex among others which are even faster than old fashioned thermolysis!

All three modalities can achieve permanent hair removal. I am a bit perplexed why she would go to galvanic after first clearance as opposed to more thermo or blend.

#3

I don’t know why she would switch to galvanic after first clearance. Galvanic is tissue destruction by making a chemical reaction take place in the hair follicle. That’s why it is slower. We actually make sodium hydroxide or lye,in the hair follicle and it’s the lye that damages the hair growing tissue. It’s a highly effective electrolysis modality, but you may get frustrated and/or go broke if she uses this hereafter your first clearance.

So, since making this chemical reaction takes a longer time for treating each individual follicle, I sure am hoping that she is only thinking in your best interest and not about keeping you hanging around for a long time paying hundreds more dollars than you would have to in the long run. Are you sure she didn’t say that she would only treat a FEW hairs with galvanic??

There is no need to do galvanic on an Apilus. Is she a newly licensed electrologist?

Dee

#4

I think my electrologist did say that we might use galvanic on a few stubborn hairs after the first clearance. She mentioned galvanic just a few minutes into in my very first session. So far I’ve had 2 hours of work done on my face, with 2 more scheduled next week where we plan on fully clearing my chin and part of my jawline.

The elecrologist I see is highly recommended on this board, so I’m not really concerned that she’s trying to pull a fast one. So far, she hasn’t used galvanic at all. I definitely don’t have the patience for 45-70 seconds/hair!

#5

Can I ask who you’re seeing in LA? I find this odd. All the electrologists I’ve seen in LA have treated me with flash and microflash, and blend on the more stubborn hairs. No galvanic. I wouldn’t think it’s necessary. Blend is good on stubborn hairs and it slower than thermolysis, but not as slow as galvanic. I think there is rarely a need for galvanic and I would avoid it if I were you.