FAQs

Electrolysis is the insertion of a fine, sterilized probe into the hair follicle (the natural skin opening from which the hair grows).   An electrical current is then passed down this probe to treat the growing portion of the hair follicle, destroying the cells and tissue responsible for hair growth.

Heat or a slight pinch sensation is felt during the current flow. Using sterilized tweezers, the electrologist gently slides the hair out of the follicle.

There are three types of electrolysis used today.  Regardless of the method used, the client should not feel the insertion nor resistance when the hair is removed.

The word electrolysis applies as a general description of three methods. Thermolysis causes heat resulting from friction, electrolysis is a chemical change in the tissue and the blend is a combination of both. It involves the insertion of a fine sterile probe into the existing hair follicle, the current applied, hair growth cells destroyed, and the hair removed with sterile tweezers.

Electrolysis is a personal service and we follow a rigorous disinfecting and sterilization process to ensure the treatment area and equipment are safe.  A new sterile and disposable probe will be used for every treatment and will be removed from its sterile packaging in front of you. All tools are cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized between uses according to health standards.  Single use gloves are used for each client.  Electrolysis is a safe method of treatment often recommended to address health issues or anxiety due to excessive pilosity due to hormone conditions.

Schedule a free consultation appointment. This will take about 20 minutes and there is no obligation. A private consultation with the electrologist will answer any questions and enhance your understanding of the process. You will receive a sample treatment to determine if electrolysis is right for you.

Every client will be on a different treatment program taking the following into consideration, as they will affect the treatment process.

The growth of excess facial hair is related to the balance of estrogen and testosterone. Women produce these hormones in a fine balance, allowing for menstruation, reproduction, and menopause. A malfunction of this balance may result in an excess of testosterone and the result is development of thick, dark hair on the face, breasts and lower abdomen which becomes more noticeable as years go by. Should you have a sudden onset of hair growth, i.e. within a year or less, prompt investigation should be carried out to determine which organ has the hormone malfunction.

Please make sure you have hair.  We will need to examine the treatment area and the density of the hair.  It is best to avoid peels and retinol treatment since this can increase skin sensitivity.

Hydration is important to the process.  Please arrive hydrated, rested and calm.  This is helpful to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.

Any area of the body can be treated except for nostrils and the inside of the ear – mucus membranes in the area are delicate and should not be treated by heat or laser. Also, electrolysis can treat all hair type and colour, in case you have stubborn white, grey, red or colourless hair.

For those transitioning, it is important to address critical areas well in advance to ensure complete elimination of hair.

Permanent hair removal is not achieved in one session. Rather, a number of regular appointments are necessary. The number of visits will vary from person to person.

The number of sessions will depend upon the amount of hair being removed, the skin sensitivity and the type of temporary removal methods that have been employed in the past. Treatments work best when they are planned on a program of regular sessions. The appointments may be scheduled once a week at first and may eventually reduce to once every month or six weeks until the results are achieved.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is the original method using galvanic current.  A fine probe is inserted into the hair follicle.  A direct or galvanic current is sent through the probe into the follicle causing a physiochemical reaction with the water and salt resulting in caustic soda or lye.  This is a destructive substance destroying the cells and tissue responsible for hair growth.

This treatment method takes longer and is uncomfortable for the client hence, it is used less with the development of newer methods.

Thermolysis

Thermolysis is a method using high frequency which generates heat to coagulate the cells and tissues responsible for hair growth.  It is the fastest treatment method and the most comfortable for the client.

Blend

Blend is a combination of Thermolysis and Electrolysis.  It is typically used on distorted follicles and difficult, coarse hair.  It is effective but lies between the two in terms of comfort.

The level of discomfort a client may experience depends mostly on the area being treated and the clients sensitivity to pain.  The sensation is typically described as a pinch or heat prick.  Clients can use topical numbing agents (EMLA, Zensa) or other pain management products (Ibuprofen) as approved by their physician.  You may wish to speak to your dentist for freezing to remain comfortable around the face.

It is normal to experience minor redness and swelling in the treated area.  This can last for a couple of days depending on your personal healing process.  Tiny scabbing is normal and clients are encouraged not to pick to avoid any pigmentation issue.

It is important to avoid the sun and to apply sunscreen, especially on the treated area for 48 hours after treatment.  Tight clothes are to be avoided, heavy creams and hot baths/water.   Each individual reacts differently and your Electrologist will review the post treatment procedures at the end of your treatment.

Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of medical cosmetic procedures, including treatment of facial and leg veins, age spots and smoothing fine lines on the face. The *FDA Approved Lutronic Clarity Laser, a revolutionary dual length, long-pulse high energy Alexandrite and nd: YAG laser system, emits a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin to the hair follicle leaving the surrounding skin unchanged.

Traditional hair removal techniques such as shaving, plucking and waxing, provide only temporary relief. Scarring, allergic reactions and ingrown hairs are common side effects of all these hair removal methods. Until recently, the only permanent way to remove hair has been by electrolysis which we are specialized in providing – this can be time-consuming for large areas, dense hair coverage, sensitive areas, so we combine the treatments to effectively remove all hair of any colour or thickness, on any skin tone.

The lasers used by Forever Smooth are Health Canada and FDA approved for providing permanent hair reduction. Our Lutronic Clarity machines use Cryogen to cool the skin and minimize any discomfort of the treatment.

Depending on the amount of hair treated, the procedure varies from patient to patient. Forever Smooth provides safety eyewear, skin area disinfection and the application of a soothing post treatment skin gel or lotion. During our consultation, we will make it clear what area is covered in each selected treatment area, so you are completely satisfied, and expectations are met.

Hair grows in cycles. The number of treatments required depends upon your skin, hair colour and coarseness of the hair. Not everyone is a candidate for laser which is why we offer electrolysis as well. Most people require 5-8 treatments as the process is only effective on hair during the anagen phase of the growth cycle.

In laser hair removal, the shafts of hair follicles in the telogen or ‘resting phase’, may be destroyed; however, hair roots may be unaffected since, in this phase, the hair may already be separated from the hair follicle. Therefore, hair removal procedures (laser AND electrolysis) may need to be repeated more than three times in order to remove hair in different phases of the hair cycle. Generally, the procedure can be repeated every 4-6 weeks to achieve great results.

This is a highly effective procedure to remove unwanted hair from large areas or dense hair and sensitive areas, in a shorter period of time.

A variety of factors can influence the treatment process. It is recommended that individuals book a consultation for evaluation and to discuss the best process to deal with their own skin and hair type.

This is important when considering a laser treatment with Forever Smooth. When evaluating your choices with anyone, ask what laser is being used for hair removal.

Our Laser, Lutronic Clarity, is considered the work horse of the industry for effective hair removal, successful in removing more types and colour of hair from a broader range of skin tones.

Laser energy is targeting melanin (‘pigmentation’) in the hair causing heat in the hair shaft right down to the base where the germative cells are in the hair follicle. This is different from electrolysis where a probe is inserted into each hair follicle and heat is generated from the probe destroying each hair follicle individually. Both use heat just in different ways.

The Lutronic Laser is a dual wavelength, long-pulsed machine. What this means to you is the option to have medium fine to coarse light and dark hair removed safely from all but tanned or extremely dark skin tone. So, no tanning before your treatments!

One of the wavelengths is called Alexandrite, technically 755 nm in terms of the light spectrum. This wavelength is extremely effective in removing finer hair. We achieve excellent results in removing lighter coloured, thinner and fine hair on individuals with lighter skin tones. As your hair density is reduced and the hair becomes finer, we can continue to eliminate hair as the texture becomes finer and lighter.

The second wavelength is called Nd: YAG, 1064 nm wavelength – the king of all hair removal wavelengths for darker skin tones. This wavelength can penetrate deeper into the skin, safely avoiding melanin in the skin to target the hair follicle, safely remove hair on clients with darker toned skin.

Offering both wavelengths allows Forever Smooth to match the appropriate laser hair removal treatment to your skin type throughout the treatment process, in consideration of hair colour and thickness, treatment areas and skin tone.

Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of medical cosmetic procedures, including treatment of facial and leg veins, age spots and smoothing fine lines on the face. The *FDA Approved Lutronic Clarity Laser, a revolutionary dual length, long-pulse high energy Alexandrite and nd: YAG laser system, emits a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin to the hair follicle leaving the surrounding skin unchanged.

Traditional hair removal techniques such as shaving, plucking and waxing, provide only temporary relief. Scarring, allergic reactions and ingrown hairs are common side effects of all these hair removal methods. Until recently, the only permanent way to remove hair has been by electrolysis which we are specialized in providing – this can be time-consuming for large areas, dense hair coverage, sensitive areas, so we combine the treatments to effectively remove all hair of any colour or thickness, on any skin tone.

The lasers used by Forever Smooth are Health Canada and FDA approved for providing permanent hair reduction. Our Lutronic Clarity machines use Cryogen to cool the skin and minimize any discomfort of the treatment.

Depending on the amount of hair treated, the procedure varies from patient to patient. Forever Smooth provides safety eyewear, skin area disinfection and the application of a soothing post treatment skin gel or lotion. During our consultation, we will make it clear what area is covered in each selected treatment area, so you are completely satisfied, and expectations are met.

Hair grows in cycles. The number of treatments required depends upon your skin, hair colour and coarseness of the hair. Not everyone is a candidate for laser which is why we offer electrolysis as well. Most people require 5-8 treatments as the process is only effective on hair during the anagen phase of the growth cycle.

In laser hair removal, the shafts of hair follicles in the telogen or ‘resting phase’, may be destroyed; however, hair roots may be unaffected since, in this phase, the hair may already be separated from the hair follicle. Therefore, hair removal procedures (laser AND electrolysis) may need to be repeated more than three times in order to remove hair in different phases of the hair cycle. Generally, the procedure can be repeated every 4-6 weeks to achieve great results.

This is a highly effective procedure to remove unwanted hair from large areas or dense hair and sensitive areas, in a shorter period of time.

A variety of factors can influence the treatment process. It is recommended that individuals book a consultation for evaluation and to discuss the best process to deal with their own skin and hair type.

This is important when considering a laser treatment with Forever Smooth. When evaluating your choices with anyone, ask what laser is being used for hair removal.

Our Laser, Lutronic Clarity, is considered the work horse of the industry for effective hair removal, successful in removing more types and colour of hair from a broader range of skin tones.

Laser energy is targeting melanin (‘pigmentation’) in the hair causing heat in the hair shaft right down to the base where the germative cells are in the hair follicle. This is different from electrolysis where a probe is inserted into each hair follicle and heat is generated from the probe destroying each hair follicle individually. Both use heat just in different ways.

The Lutronic Laser is a dual wavelength, long-pulsed machine. What this means to you is the option to have medium fine to coarse light and dark hair removed safely from all but tanned or extremely dark skin tone. So, no tanning before your treatments!

One of the wavelengths is called Alexandrite, technically 755 nm in terms of the light spectrum. This wavelength is extremely effective in removing finer hair. We achieve excellent results in removing lighter coloured, thinner and fine hair on individuals with lighter skin tones. As your hair density is reduced and the hair becomes finer, we can continue to eliminate hair as the texture becomes finer and lighter.

The second wavelength is called Nd: YAG, 1064 nm wavelength – the king of all hair removal wavelengths for darker skin tones. This wavelength can penetrate deeper into the skin, safely avoiding melanin in the skin to target the hair follicle, safely remove hair on clients with darker toned skin.

Offering both wavelengths allows Forever Smooth to match the appropriate laser hair removal treatment to your skin type throughout the treatment process, in consideration of hair colour and thickness, treatment areas and skin tone.

Keratosis Pilaris, also known as KP or “chicken skin”, is a very common skin condition that creates small, hard bumps on the surface of the skin. These bumps form as a result of an excess buildup of keratin; keratin is a protein that is part of the skin and hair. Currently, it is unknown what causes this buildup in the first place. Nonetheless, the extra keratin clogs the pores and causes a bumpy rash to appear. KP is commonly found on the upper arms, thighs, chest, elbows, and the tush.

The best way to (naturally) treat KP involves:
– Removing the excess buildup of keratin; and
– Restoring the skin’s natural moisture. We’ve put together a step-by-step routine that will fulfill these conditions and leave your skin KP-free:

Step #1: Unclog pores
Before showering, gently buff your skin with our Nordic Dry Brush. Made with densely packed all natural bristles, this brush will unclog your pores by gently breaking down the keratin deposits that cause KP. We recommend using this product 1-3 times a week (pre-shower), depending on how sensitive your skin is. Lightly stroke the brush in an upward motion towards your heart.

Step #2: Exfoliate
Our ultra-thin sugar based scrubs are gentle yet effective. This product will exfoliate away dead skin cells and small bumps, without drying out your skin. Each scrub is infused with nourishing oils to help rejuvenate and reveal healthier-looking skin. We recommend using the scrub 2-3 times a week in the shower – depending on how sensitive your skin is.

Step #3: Treat
Our treatment oils are formulated to moisturize and soften the skin in order to help prevent clogged pores/excess keratin buildup. We recommend using a treatment oil on a daily basis. For the best results, apply the product within two minutes of stepping out of the shower since the skin is most absorbent during this time.

Step #4: Repeat
Being consistent with your routine is key to treating Keratosis Pilaris. It will take time, but your skin will thank you.

See our Bushbalm Skincare Products page to find our Nordic Dry Brush and our Sugar-based Scrubs.