Yes! Electrolysis is the only hair removal method that is recognized as permanent by the FDA and backed by nearly 150 years in practice.

Nope! Electrolysis is entirely different than laser and has been around since 1875! Obviously, there have been many improvements to the process of electrolysis since 1875 ;)

Yes! Unlike laser, electrolysis works for all skin and hair types. Electrolysis is safe for melanated skin (certain modalities of electrolysis are safer for melanated skin).

Shaving does NOT increase hair growth or make hair grow thicker, but waxing and tweezing DOES.

Hair that grows in after shaving feels coarse because the soft end has been cut off, but shaving and any treatment that only effects the hair shaft (the hair you can see above the skin) has no affect on hair growth.

Tweezing, waxing, sugaring, threading (any method that pulls hair out by the roots) will increase hair growth in hormonal areas. Hormonal areas are those that most cis males have more hair than cis females (chin, upper lip, etc). Over time, any hair removal method that pulls hair out by the root in these areas will accelerate hair, making it more coarse and deeply rooted.

Electrolysis uses direct current passed through a probe (inserted into the hair follicle) to cause a chemical reaction in order to destroy the structure (hair bulb and papilla) and the germ cells that allow the hair to grow.

There are different modalities of Electrology: Electrolysis (Galvanic: Direct Current), Thermolysis (Alternating Current), and Blend (a combination of the two). I work with two modalities, Galvanic and Blend, and will choose the best method based upon your skin and hair type during your consultation and subsequent treatments.

Immediately after treatment, some mild redness or irritation is typical and temporary (usually lasting only a couple of hours). To reduce redness and irritation, treatment is finished with cataphoresis, a process that helps to rebalance PH and calm the area.

After treatment, it’s important to let the skin breathe; no makeup or fragranced lotions, no touching the area (avoid introducing bacteria), and avoid heat (such as working out or saunas).

Electrolysis should leave you looking better than you did before, not worse!

Though laser cannot claim permanent hair removal, some individuals may benefit - especially if there is a great deal of unwanted hair (such as for trans folks). In some cases, laser can help reduce the amount and coarseness of hair, then the remainder can be eliminated through electrolysis.

NOTE: Several manufacturers of laser hair removal devices have received FDA permission to claim, "permanent reduction," NOT "permanent removal" for their lasers.

Ideal candidates have pale skin and dark hair. Laser is not effective on hair that is gray, blonde, or white, and most red hair. New lasers that are Interchangeable Wavelength have been developed that can work for people with darker skin tones.

Regarding laser for GCS/GRS surgery: hair can sometimes return to an area a couple of years after it was laser treated. If a GCS/GRS surgery is 4-5 years out, starting with laser then finishing with electrolysis may be an option (giving time to ensure there is no regrowth). If a surgery is less than 4 years out, electrolysis is a better option.

YES! Though we have no control over how long it takes for all hairs to have cycled through (be visible above the skin, and treatable), there are things that you can do to reduce the total treatment hours needed.

• Book multi hour sessions. There is a discount (e.g. Face Session 1 Hour = $110, 2 Hours = $210). The sooner the initial clearing can get completed, the sooner we get to treating new growth - and electrolysis is most effective on new growth!

• Follow the treatment plan developed for you by the electrologist, come to sessions regularly. Waiting too long between sessions can slow progress (a week skipped here and there is ok).

• Hydrate! I can’t stress this enough. Consistent hydration (drink 72 oz of water every day!) helps the process, making the hairs slide out easier (and quicker), meaning more hairs treated per session. For example: A recent client was very dehydrated and required 2 hours to clear the weekly growth on her face. She returned a week later, well hydrated, and I cleared the same amount of hair in 1 1/2 hours - 25% faster!

Discomfort is minimal for most people (heat or a little sting), but individual tolerances vary greatly and a person’s sensitivity can vary from day to day. Some areas are less sensitive than others.

I predominately use gold coated probes for treatment, as they are naturally hygienic and the sensation is more comfortable for the client. I will also adjust the settings of the epilator, working with you to achieve a balance of comfort and results.

There are some things that you can do to increase your comfort:

• Hydrate! Drink water daily; consistent hydration helps with the process of electrolysis, and good hydration levels support the healing response after treatment.

• Avoid caffeine a few hours before treatment.

• Limit sun exposure the day before treatment (sunburns are no fun).

• Over the counter topical desensitizing creams are available, as well as greater strength prescription creams from compounding pharmacies (with a doctor’s prescription).

• Some clients tell me that taking an anti inflammatory before treatment (e.g. Advil) makes sessions more comfortable.

Oregon House Bill 2002 passed in May 2023, changing transgender care in Oregon. HB 2002 requires insurance companies to cover electrolysis, facial feminization surgery, tracheal shaves, and any other treatments prescribed by a doctor as necessary gender-affirming treatment.

Many insurance companies will reimburse you personally for gender confirmation care of electrolysis with proper receipts (which i’m happy to provide), and doctor’s approval.

I’m currently unable to bill health insurance directly, as it’s so time intensive, it would reduce the amount of hours I can dedicate to working on clients.

• Treatment of hair from moles requires written permission from a physician, per state licensing laws and some general liability insurance policies.

• The inside of the ears and nose can not be treated.

• Doctor permission is required if you have certain implanted devices (pacemaker, etc).

• If you have metal implants in your jaw, galvanic and blend electrolysis on your face is not advisable (seek a practitioner that specializes in thermolysis).

• Although electrolysis has never been proven harmful to pregnant women, advice of your physician should be sought before treatment.

A client history assessment is required, which will include questions about previous methods used to control the hair, current medications, health conditions, and treatments such as chemical peels, fillers, or Retin-A.

This information is necessary in order to determine if you have any contraindications to treatment.

After a personal and confidential consultation, i’ll design a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

There is very little risk of complication or lasting skin irritation when electrolysis is performed by a skilled, licensed practitioner.

To ensure your safety (and for the best results possible), only receive electrolysis treatment by a licensed electrologist. You can check licensing status by visiting the Oregon Health Licensing Office website: Oregon HLO

Note: Washington is an unlicensed state.

StarVolta electrolysis adheres to the highest protocols of safety, health, sanitation, and sterilization. Each probe used in treatment is single use and comes individually wrapped and fully sterile. I predominately use naturally hygienic gold coated probes, that are immediately disposed of after treatment (in a biohazardous sharps container).

All tools used in treatment are properly sterilized. I sanitize and disinfect all other instruments according to State Regulations.

Vaccination and masking: I am fully vaccinated (and boosted) and wear masks during all treatment near a client’s face. If you prefer that I mask throughout all of our in-person interactions, please let me know - i’m happy to oblige.

The most commonly asked question about Electrolysis is, “How long does it take?”

The amount and type of unwanted hair varies so much from person to person, the answer is not simple.

However, the majority of individuals see a great reduction in unwanted hair within 3-4 months (with regular visits).

A few thing to consider:

• To treat the hair it must be visible above the skin.

• Only about a third of hair is visible at any given time.

• Hair grows in unsynchronized cycles, taking 12-24 months for all of your hairs to have cycled through and made their way to the skin’s surface.

So, it takes an average of 18 months for us to even get access to all of the hairs.

On average, electrolysis takes a series of three 16-week treatment phases, with treatments growing shorter and less frequent as progress is made.

An example of one client’s Phase 1 experience:

• Actual client (results not typical): Cis gender woman, treating facial hair (chin, jaw, cheeks) brought on by hormonal changes during menopause and increased by daily plucking.

• Treatment #1 = 80 minutes for the initial clearing of all unwanted hair

• Treatments #2-6 = 60 minutes weekly

• Treatments #7-10 = 45 minutes weekly

• Treatments #11-12 = 30 minutes weekly

• Treatments #13-15 = 45 minutes every 2 weeks

You can see how treatments start out longer for the initial clearing and treatment of weekly growth, then appointments are shorter and less often as there is less hair to treat.

For more detailed information, please check out the How long does it take? page.

The hair must be long enough to grab with tweezers. 3-5 days of growth is usually the perfect length for treatment.

In between treatments, shaving is the best way to control the hair. Many clients mask on days that they are growing out their hair.

Please see our rates: Electrolysis rates