So far the only technique that is proven to work for permanent back hair removal is electrolysis. This is also the only method of hair removal that the FDA has approved for permanently removing hair. Electrolysis kills the treated hair follicle, the cell from which the hair grows. Since the cell is gone hair can no longer grow from that cell again.
How is Electrolysis Performed?
The technician will use an ultra slim electrode that resembles a needle to probe the hair shaft and kill the root, or hair follicle. The root is killed by an electrical current that shocks the cells. Once the cell has been destroyed it can never grow hair again.
There are three different stages of hair growth: growing, resting and shedding. Since all hair is not growing through the exact same stage at any time, multiple electrolysis treatments will have to be performed to achieve permanent back hair removal.
How Many Treatments Are Required?
Electrolysis for a lot of hair could take up to a year of weekly treatments, or more. The length of each treatment will depend on the amount of hair to be removed. Since each hair is treated individually, this process could be quite lengthy if the hair is dense or covers a large area.
What are the Side Effects and Drawbacks?
Everyone has their own pain threshold, and permanent back hair removal by electrolysis can be quite painful to some. It has been described as a stinging, stabbing or pricking pain. The pain only lasts while the treatment is being performed; there is no residual pain once the procedure has been completed.
The main drawbacks to electrolysis are the length of treatment sessions and how many sessions must be completed for permanent back hair removal. The most notable side effect is that skin can become discolored if the procedure is not properly performed. The procedure can become quite pricey, especially if the back is extremely hairy to begin with.
People with many different skin and hair types will benefit from electrolysis since it does not target the pigment in the hair like a laser. Even men who are not considered to be good candidates for laser hair removal will still be able to have electrolysis treatments.
Semi-permanent back hair removal
The next best thing is laser back hair removal which is not technically permanent since the hair follicle is not actually killed. It is possible for hair to grow from the treated follicle again, though it does take a long time. Laser back hair removal will need to be touched up either annually or every two years.
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