In 1875, Dr. Charles Michel, an opthamologist, experimented with ways to remove the painful ingrown eyelashes of his patients. The early techniques used fine wires attached to a battery to produce GALVANIC ELECTROLYSIS. This was a chemical method that utilized direct current to convert normal body salt and water into the compound sodium hydroxide (lye). Lye destroys the cells that initiate hair growth. The galvanic electrolysis method is still used today, although the modern machines are now much more efficient and computerized.

In 1923, after the discovery of radio waves and high frequency current, a new method of electrolysis was born. This method, called THERMOLYSIS , uses the high frequency current to produce heat. The heat cauterizes and destroys the cells in the follicle that cause hair growth.

In 1945, Arthur Hinkel developed the BLEND method, which combines galvanic and high frequency currents. This combination causes destruction by both heat and chemical action at the same time.

All three methods have been proven to be safe and effective. Galvanic electrolysis uses up to 16 probes at a time and takes two to four minutes to permanently eliminate those 16 hairs. This method is especially effective for deep and/or curly follicles. Thermolysis uses a single probe and usually takes less than one second to permanently destroy a hair. This method is usually my method of choice for anyone with fine, straight hairs, pregnant women, or anyone who wants visible hairs (especially facial hairs) removed as quickly as possible. The Blend also uses a single probe and takes approximately 8-20 seconds to permanently kill the cells that produce the hair. This method allows us to have the galvanic lye that can flow around the curve of curly follicles and gives us the heat from the thermolysis to speed up the chemical reaction. All three methods are used in my office. If you have recently moved to the Tulsa area and have had electrolysis treatments from another electrologist, I will be happy to use the method to which you have become accustomed if that is your wish. Otherwise, the two of us will decide after discussing the pro's and con's of each, which would be best for you.