The Payne Center

The only option for permanent hair removal

Velma Payne Johnson, CPE

The Permanent Choice for Hair Removal

About Electrolysis

Electrolysis for Unwanted Hair Removal

Electrolysis is a permanent method used to remove unwanted hair on practically any part of the body. Electrolysis targets hair follicles in the area where the hair is germinated and nourished, and permanently destroys them by administering a small amount of electrical current through a fine probe or needle.

How Long Does Each Treatment Last?

The average treatment ranges from 15 minutes to one hour. The amount of time per treatment depends upon the reaction of the skin to treatment, and the patient's sensitivity. Timing also depends on what part of the body is being treated. It is not unusual for a patient to receive three hours of body treatment at one time. Facial treatments may vary greatly depending upon the area, from 15 minutes to two or more hours.

How Much Hair Can Be Removed in One Treatment?

The amount of hair that can be removed in one treatment depends upon the sensitivity of the patient, the skin, and the method used by the electrologist.

Myths About Electrolysis

Electrolysis is Painful?

The truth is, electrolysis usually causes only minimal discomfort. Modern electrolysis methods have reduced the discomfort; however, a topical anesthetic may be used if desired.

Electronic Tweezer Methods and Home Use Devices are Permanent?

Beware of devices that are being marketed for home use. These devices are targeted at the skin level and essentially melt or burn the hair in the opening of the follicle. These do not reach the part of the follicle that needs to be treated for permanent results. These same issues are true with bleaches and chemical depilatories (liquids or creams) as well as containing harsh and irritating chemicals.

Waxing Will Make the Hair Finer and Grow Less?

Waxing is a temporary method of removing hair by applying a hot wax to the skin, and when it has dried, the wax is ripped off pulling the hair out with it. Besides being painful, this is also irritating and traumatic to the skin and sometimes can burn the skin or peel some of it off. Waxing and tweezing will cause the hairs to become coarser, more distorted and harder to remove permanently, and therefore should be completely discontinued once electrolysis has begun.

The truth is, the Food and Drug Administration and the American Medical Association recognize only electrolysis as a permanent method of removing hair. In fact, some states prohibit those who use the electronic tweezer (which can also be purchased for consumer use) from claiming it provides permanent hair removal.

Facts About Electrolysis

Electrolysis is a time-tested method that was invented more than 100 years ago to remove irritating, in-grown eyelash hairs. The most popular areas I am treating today are eyebrows, ears, face, underarms and arms, breasts, backs, abdomen, bikini, genital, thighs, and legs. I have also worked with many, many transgender clients in conjunction with their doctors, to remove the hairs from the surgery site and prepare them for their reassignment surgery. Virtually all areas are treatable with electrolysis except mucous areas such as inside the nose. There are no permanent side effects. Sometimes, a light reddening of the skin occurs during or immediately after treatment; but seldom lasts more than 30 minutes to an hour. Electrolysis is very safe and effective.

There are three modalities available for use in electrolysis. The electrologist should be knowledgeable and able to explain which will work best for the type of hair being treated. Just because a machine looks sleek and is called state of the art, does not necessarily mean that it will deliver superior results. The electrologist needs to be the one with the knowledge and capability. A machine that can be manually set can accommodate the many different types of skin and hair of people of different origins or even the different areas on an individual.

In my many years of practice, I have used many different brands of machines and have done my research in selecting ones that have proven to be the most effective and user friendly in the market. I prefer both the true blend manual epilator and a galvanic direct current epilator with the latest techonology to provide faster results with extreme accuracy and precise timing to assure maximum client comfort. In addition I use a wall-mounted light source with the latest technology in the dental industry to ensure the best advantage to be able to see even the smallest light hairs.

How Do I Choose an Electrologist?

Electrologists are people who have undergone training to professionally administer the electrolysis procedure. If you are considering having electrolysis treatments, it is important to do your research before committing to an appointment. By following the guidelines listed below, you can take comfort in knowing that you will be making an educated and informed decision when choosing an electrologist.

Know Their Qualifications

Many states require that electrologists be state licensed to practice electrolysis. If you live in one of these states, be sure the practitioner's license is current and fully on display. For states that do not regulate electrolysis, look for an electrologist who not only have a certification from an accredited electgrology school, but also have the CPE credential after their name. This CPE designation shoes that the person is a professional that has been tested on a national level and they are required to complete 75 hours of continuing education every five years to retain this credential.

Get a Consultation

See if the electrologist offers a free consultation to explain what the treatment will consist of and what you can expect for results. They should be able to give you an idea of the time required per session for your personalized need and the cost of that. Ask how long they have been in business and if they have clients who would be willing to confirm satisfaction of results. Also ask if they use disposable gloves and probes and proper sterilization of tweezers. You may also ask what the procedure feels like and if any type of numbing solution is available for sensitive skin.

Hair Removal With Permanent Results

The term electrolysis is used to describe all methods of permanent hair removal. The electrolysis modality was the first method used to remove hair permanently back in 1875. The term electrolysis branded the process of permanent hair removal.

Find out everything you want to know about electrolysis, the only method recognized as permanent hair removal by the FDA.

The Payne Center Locations

Richland, WA Office

509-947-9442
404 Bradley Blvd #204
Richland, WA 99352

Permanent Hair Removal Near:

Richland, WA*
Finley, WA
Burbank, WA
Glade, WA
Kennewick, WA
Benton City, WA
Pasco, WA
Vista, WA
West Pasco, WA
West Richland, WA
Island View, WA
and surrounding areas

* Indicates that an office is located at this location

The Proven Hair Removal Solution

Whatever your hair removal needs may be, electrolysis has a solution. Get answers about how electrolysis can address unwanted hair issues just like yours.

For athletes
For breasts and sensitive areas
For curly, wavy or coarse hair
For dark skin
For hormone imbalance or PCOS
For men
For teenagers
For transgender