Boston Electrolysis®: Permanent Hair Removal System — For Facial & Neck Hair©

Author Kimberly Williams, R.E., Dean, Boston Electrolysis®, Scientific Writer©

Published: May 26, 2008

For Safe Permanent Hair Removal

Trade Secrets & Techniques: High‑Intensity Galvanic Treatments© (Single‑Probe)

Equipment: U.S.‑made Computerized Programmable Epilator — R.A. Fischer CBX Pro‑Blend Series Four

Overview

In thirty‑three years of private practice (especially the last five), I have worked long hours to develop a specialized procedure to address the toughest unwanted hair problems, achieving a reported one‑in‑three to one‑in‑four hair “kill rate” per treatment, with improved results on the second, third, and fourth sessions.

Boston Electrolysis has earned a five‑star reputation for clearing difficult cases after others have given up. My trade‑secret techniques allow consistent use of galvanic current with initial settings around 5–9 mA on first treatments and 7–15 mA on subsequent ones (case‑dependent). Importantly, patients report no scabbing, scarring, or pitting, and treatments are described as exceedingly comfortable.

Hair Density & Skin Condition

If hair density is very intense or the skin is inflamed from shaving, plucking, or waxing, I may opt to use short‑wave (thermolysis) for a few rapid clearings—especially when an area has as much (or more) hair than skin. After the second or third visit, I generally begin galvanic treatments at 6–12 mA+, depending on skin condition and hair type.

The core of my technique utilizes a firm three‑way stretch with accurate, swift, deep back‑handed insertions and computerized current timing of 10–30 seconds galvanic current per hair. The epilator can automatically deliver a second round after three seconds (without removing the probe), and a third round if needed. This approach aims to maximize comfort and results on each follicle.

Any transient “bubbling” from galvanic action subsides quickly and is typically gone by the time patients complete their prescribed Epsom salt soaks at home.

Boston Electrolysis® Technique — Clearing the Toughest Chin & Facial Hair Growth©

Education matters. Using galvanic current at higher levels requires expertise yet can be as comfortable as lower ranges when performed with precise deep insertions (beyond the papillae into the capillary blood supply) and proper technique. Treatments performed this way often induce temporary electro‑anesthesia in the area (a numbed sensation).

This is my preferred approach for resistant, severe facial hair problems—including deep‑seated, previously plucked/waxed/shaved follicles and post‑laser hair—especially when related to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or other hypertrichosis patterns.

Applied correctly, there is generally no next‑day scabbing or excessive edema. On initial intensive sessions, slight edema may appear for a day; by a second galvanic pass, it’s typically minimal or absent.

While thermolysis has advantages in rapidly clearing dense areas, galvanic is often preferred for deep‑seated, distorted follicles. I use all three computerized modes and select what is best for each patient’s case.

All treatments are performed by me personally. Boston Electrolysis is a neat, clean, efficient licensed practice—not a spa/salon model. Patients are encouraged to verify a provider’s education and state licensing/registration.

Do You Need Antibiotic Therapy?

You may need antibiotic therapy if you have acute folliculitis—skin inflamed with pustules and ingrown hairs. Dead microorganisms left untreated can discolor or damage the skin. If your personal physician is unfamiliar with these hair/skin conditions, this can be discussed during consultation; for local patients (Phoenix–Scottsdale), referral options are available for specialized care. In my experience, appropriate antibiotic therapy during intensives can promote rapid healing and improve complexion.

Do Not Shave — Period

Do not shave between treatments. The outer two layers of skin are composed of dead cells that protect against bacterial invasion. Shaving can abrade these layers, exposing live tissue (Malpighian/Corium) and increasing risks of folliculitis, infected ingrowns, and pustules. For specialized treatment, the skin must be in excellent condition; educated electrologists will not work on inflamed or infected skin. Shaving often worsens unwanted hair by stimulating growth.

Are Treatments Painful?

There are no nerve fibers inside the follicle itself. With a trained, licensed, and experienced electrologist, most patients find treatments comfortable—upper lip being a common area of increased sensitivity. Skill, education, and motivation to do excellent work are key to a virtually pain‑free, relaxed experience.

Theoretical Application of High Current Galvanic Treatments

Galvanic’s ability to permanently disable hair growth is attributed to electrolytic action, electrodessication, and chemical decomposition that break down the active follicle. A well‑trained electrologist can insert past the active hair into the germinative papilla and treat the coiled “baby anagen” bed hair and the capillary couplers (blood supply) nourishing each follicle.

Deeper insertions are appropriate only for adequately thick tissue (e.g., chin/neck). Early‑stage “bed hair” may be microscopic and unseen to the naked eye; proper technique targets these cells to prevent regeneration.

Why Galvanic for Microscopic Cellular Hair Growth

Thermolysis excels for rapid clearing of high‑density areas with non‑distorted roots. For deep, endocrine‑driven, distorted follicles—often worsened by shaving/plucking/waxing—galvanic is uniquely effective due to its spreading action within the follicle.

Effects that improve efficacy:

Improved causticity — heated lye is more caustic.
Porosity — surrounding tissue becomes permeable, letting the solution disseminate.
Agitation — turbulence helps the solution reach all follicular structures, including stem cells slightly higher in the follicle.

Modern computerized galvanic reduces traditional two‑minute timings to ~10–30 seconds while maintaining high efficacy. Single‑probe galvanic “kill rates” of ~70–80%+ are reported in practice.

Administering galvanic effectively is technically involved and benefits from state‑of‑the‑art equipment (e.g., R.A. Fischer CBX Pro‑Blend Series 4). As a former distributor and early adopter (since 1985), I provided training and have extensive experience with computerized epilators.