Needle epilators serve as instruments for removing body hair along with hair roots. In this regard, needle epilation represents a very old method, which has proven to be the most effective epilation procedure until today. It is suitable for all hair types and can also be used on birthmarks, eyebrows or tattoos.
What is a needle epilator?
There are three methods for needle epilation. These methods include thermolysis or high-frequency electrocoagulation, electrolysis and the blinding method. Electroepilation was introduced in the USA as early as 1875. It is the most effective method for complete removal of unwanted body hair. With the help of needle epilation, the hair roots in the hair canals are completely destroyed. The nature of the hair does not matter. Hair color, skin color and hair thickness do not matter. Good results are also achieved in critical areas such as birthmarks, eyebrows or tattoos. Above all, this method is very gentle on the skin compared to other methods. During the treatment, the individual hairs are not removed simultaneously, but one after the other. The epilator for needle epilation works on the basis of electric current. During the actual treatment, a very fine probe (needle), which is adjusted to the hair thickness and follicle depth, is inserted into the hair channel of the hair follicle. By applying direct or alternating current, the hair root is completely destroyed. According to the American FDA, needle epilation is the only method that belongs to the “Permanent Hair Removal” category. With all other methods, permanent hair removal cannot be achieved. With the laser method, a maximum of permanent hair reduction is possible.
Forms, types and kinds
There are three methods for needle epilation. These methods include thermolysis or high-frequency electrocoagulation, electrolysis and the blinding method. In all three methods, a very thin probe made of surgical steel is used, which conducts a short current pulse into the hair canal. With the help of this current impulse, depending on the method, heating, formation of sodium hydroxide or a combination of both applications occurs. Which method is used depends on the individual hair situation, pain sensitivity and the respective skin reaction. In Germany, thermolysis is only rarely performed because the needle must remain in the follicle for at least two minutes in order to achieve a sufficient effect. Electrolysis and the blinding method are used more frequently. The Blend procedure is a combination of thermolysis and electrolysis. In thermolysis, high-frequency alternating current is used to heat the corresponding hair channel. After brief strong heating, coagulation of the proteins in the hair root area takes place. This enables complete destruction of the hair root. During electrolysis, sodium hydroxide is generated with the help of direct current, which also leads to the coagulation of endogenous proteins in the hair root area. In this method, the treatment of one hair canal takes about one second. The blend method is a combination of both methods. In this case, alternating alternating current and direct current are directed into the area to be treated, with both heat and sodium hydroxide treatment. The heated sodium hydroxide solution allows electroepilation to work even more effectively. Here, the treatment of one hair follicle takes about 10 to 20 seconds. Unlike other epilation procedures, electroepilation can be used on all hair types and provides better results.
Structure and mode of operation
All permanent epilation procedures, such as laser or electroepilation, can only be successful if the hair is in the growth phase. There are three phases of hair growth. Therefore, repeated application of the procedure is necessary to achieve complete hair removal. The three phases of hair growth are divided into anagen phase, catagen phase and telogen phase. The anagen phase contains approximately 85 to 90 percent of all body hair. This phase lasts two to six years and is characterized by the creation of a new hair root. The catagen phase is characterized by atrophy of the existing hair root and lasts only two to three weeks. The hair falls out, but the plant remains present.Only one percent of all body hair is in this phase. In a third phase, the telogen phase, the hair papilla and hair follicle regenerate again. New hair is formed. This cycle then lasts two to four months. Only by observing these growth phases can a successful complete hair epilation be performed. This also applies to electroepilation. For example, in the catagen phase it is difficult to find the appropriate hair channel. The treatment must be performed several times.
Medical and health benefits
Body hair removal has been taking place in many cultures for many centuries. It does not have a specific medical significance, although it is often claimed that it is performed for hygienic reasons. This may be true in individual cases. However, for body hair removal in general and for epilation in particular, aesthetic and cultural reasons play a greater role. In humans, in contrast to animals, hair has lost its biological significance. The body is only partially hairy and can do well without hair. Early on, body hair removal was performed for ritual reasons. It often signaled membership in certain groups such as the military or clergy. In addition, total hair removal partly developed into an ideal of beauty and thus exerted psychological pressure on people with strong hair. Overall, however, body hair removal has no medical significance.
