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ELECTRO destruction
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Among electrical methods, electroepilation, electrocoagulation and desincrustation (electropeeling) are destructive. Since their task is destruction, they are classified as surgical correction methods, not physiotherapeutic ones.
Electrolysis has been used in cosmetology for over 60 years. It involves removing hair by applying electric current to the hair follicle. During electrolysis, the current is supplied through a thin needle, which is inserted into the skin to the depth of the hair follicle, where the hair growth zone is destroyed. The needle inserted into the hair follicle is connected to the negative pole. The positive (passive) electrode is attached to the forearm, shin, or simply given to the patient. Under the influence of the current, the charged ions in the tissues of the hair follicle move to the poles of the opposite sign.
Namely: positively charged ions of the tissue environment Na+ and K+ move to the negative electrode, the excess amount of which is compensated by negatively charged OH– ions, which leads to strong alkalization of the environment due to local accumulation of NaOH and KOH. A highly alkaline environment causes the death of hair follicle cells, depriving it of the ability to regenerate. The advantage of this method is that if areas of the hair follicle are inaccessible to the needle, the resulting alkali spreads throughout the follicle. The disadvantage of this method is that it takes a fairly long time to remove hair.
Electroepilation can be combined with the introduction of pharmacological preparations by electrophoresis, for example, to restore pH, relieve swelling and irritation that may appear after electroepilation. Or to introduce special solutions or gels into the hair canals that inhibit hair growth (this method is called epilsoft). In several epilsoft sessions, you can achieve thinning of the hair, reducing its number. Taking into account the stages of hair growth, the procedures can be carried out every 20-30 days for a long time. The best result is achieved when treating thin hair.
Electrocoagulation is a method of cauterizing tissues using direct electric current, which causes denaturation of keratin and cellular proteins in the epidermis area under the electrode. An alkali is formed under the cathode, causing swelling, dry scab, and non-compacted scar. This method is used to treat flat hemangiomas, pityriasis versicolor, telangiectasias, and acne.
Desincrustation is a method of galvanization with an alkaline solution, designed to cleanse the skin of the face. This method is most often used on areas of oily skin (forehead, nose, chin) to soften sebaceous plugs (saponification of comedones). In addition, the effect of electric current helps remove sebum from the pores, increases the permeability of blood vessels, and causes cellular hydration.
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