Does Hair Grow Back After Electrolysis
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Award winning
Clinics Across the UK
Expert Team of
professionals
Over 1 million Treatments
delivered
Rated 92%
on Trustpilot
9 Clinics
Across the UK
Are you upset because hair might grow back after you've spent time and money on electrolysis? Even though electrolysis is the best way to remove permanent hair, some people still see hair come back.
Hair may regrow after electrolysis due to hair growth cycles, incomplete follicle destruction, or hormonal and genetic influences.
However, electrolysis only targets active follicles during the Anagen phase, and dormant hairs in the Telogen phase can regrow later. With multiple sessions (8-12), most people experience near-zero regrowth and permanent results.
In this post, we’ll explore why hair may regrow after electrolysis, the factors influencing regrowth, and what you can anticipate throughout the therapy process.
Does Hair Grow Back After Electrolysis: What You Need To Know
Electrolysis is generally effective, but there are several reasons why hair may regrow. Understanding these aspects can help you reach the best possible outcome.
Hair Growth Cycles
Hair grows in cycles, and electrolysis only targets the follicles during the Anagen phase, when they actively produce hair. However, hair doesn't grow at the same rate or in the same phase across your body.
- Anagen Phase (Active Growth): This is when hair is actively growing and can be treated effectively by electrolysis.
- Telogen Phase (Resting): During this phase, hair is not actively growing, and the follicle is dormant.
Electrolysis doesn’t target dormant follicles during the Telogen phase, meaning hairs in this stage won’t be permanently affected immediately. As a result, these hairs can regrow later, creating the appearance of "false regrowth."
Solution: Multiple sessions (typically 8-12) are required to treat all hair strands during their active growth phase and to ensure permanent results.
Incomplete Follicle Destruction
One of the key factors in achieving permanent hair removal through electrolysis is completely destroying the hair follicle. If the follicle is not fully treated, it can remain intact and capable of regrowing hair.
- Skill Matters: The success of electrolysis largely depends on the technician’s skill and technique. Inexperienced or untrained practitioners may not be able to destroy the follicle fully, leading to incomplete hair removal and regrowth.
- Risk: The risk of incomplete follicle destruction is higher when someone performs the procedure without adequate training or experience.
Hormonal & Genetic Factors
Certain external factors, such as hormonal changes or genetic predispositions, can contribute to hair regrowth after electrolysis.
- Hormonal Shifts: Changes in hormone levels due to pregnancy, menopause, or conditions like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) can trigger dormant follicles to become active again, leading to hair regrowth.
- Genetics: Some people may be genetically predisposed to growing more hair. These people may require additional touch-up sessions to manage regrowth and maintain their results.
What to Expect: Regrowth Patterns
While some regrowth is common after electrolysis, it’s important to understand the general timeline and what you can expect over time.
Initial Sessions: 40-50% Regrowth
After your first few sessions, you might notice about 40-50% regrowth. This is often due to untreated resting hairs that were in the Telogen phase when you were initially treated.
Why this happens: Electrolysis targets only active follicles. As you progress through your treatments, these resting hairs will eventually be addressed.
Long-Term Results: Near-Zero Regrowth
As you complete 8-12 sessions, the regrowth should decrease significantly. Most people experience near-zero regrowth after completing their full series of treatments.
- Final Outcome: Any residual hair that does regrow will typically be finer and lighter in texture, making it less noticeable.
Timeline: If No Regrowth After 3 Months
If no regrowth occurs after 3 months following your final treatment session, it’s a good sign that the hair follicles have been permanently destroyed.
- Permanent Destruction: At this point, your hair removal results are likely permanent, with minimal or no regrowth expected.
How Much Does Treatment Cost?
Conclusion
While electrolysis is a positively effective method for endless hair removal, it's important to recognize that some hair regrowth may occur, especially during the early stages of treatment.
Factors like hair growth cycles, incomplete follicle destruction, and hormonal or genetic influences can contribute to regrowth. However, with multiple sessions (usually 8-12), most people experience near-zero regrowth, and any residual hair is typically finer and less noticeable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, electrolysis is permanent, but it requires multiple sessions to provide all hair follicles are targeted and destroyed. A trained, experienced practitioner should always perform the treatment for the best results.
Yes, hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause, or conditions like PCOS can cause regrowth. In these cases, periodic touch-ups may be needed.
Electrolysis is permanent and works on all hair types. Laser hair removal is semi-permanent and typically effective only on dark hair. Compared to electrolysis, laser treatments usually require more frequent follow-up sessions.
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