Electricity is one of the world’s most helpful energy sources, lighting our homes, powering industries, and taking us places in electric automobiles. But electrical energy is more than just instant power; electric currents can be used to separate materials—including hair follicles from our bodies—with a technique known as electrolysis.
In this guide, we’ll look beyond the end result of unwanted hair removal and understand how electrolysis treatments—and other electrolysis-based procedures— play a massive role in the modern world.
What Is the Definition of Electrolysis?
The “electro” part of electrolysis is the same as in the words “electricity” and “electrical.” The “lysis” ending means loosening or releasing something; in other words, breaking something. Therefore, we can understand electrolysis to mean breaking something down via electricity.
As a practical, cosmetic term, electrolysis denotes an electrical current destroying hair roots. But electrolysis does more than just remove hair. The same word is used to describe a process that can separate compounds, one of the most famous being the creation of hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen (O) by “breaking up” water (H2O). The technique can also be used to help extract metals.
What Type of Electrical Current Is Required for Electrolysis?
Electrolysis requires a direct current of electricity to work. An alternating current would not allow positively-charged ions to travel to the negative electrode (cathode) or the negatively-charged ions to the positive electrode (anode).
Does Electrolysis Use Current or Voltage?
Electrolysis requires both voltage and current to work. The amperage is the amount of electricity flowing or the volume while volts concern the potential for energy to move. Electrolysis requires a minimum of 1.23 volts to work. With amps, the greater the amperage, the more molecules are separated.
What Is the Electrolysis Process?
In chemistry terms, electrolysis is the separation of positive and negative ions when an electric current passes through a solution called an electrolyte. Let’s break that down.
- Electrolyte: A liquid solution or molten salt that conducts electricity.
- Atoms: The building blocks of life. All matter contains atoms, which consist of a nucleus of neutrons and protons surrounded by electrons.
- Electrons: A subatomic particle with a negative charge.
- Ions: An electrically-charged particle that forms when atoms or molecules gain or lose electrons.
For electrolysis to occur, these ions need to be somewhere they can move around freely.
How Does Electrolysis Work?
Let’s think about separating water into hydrogen and oxygen through the electrolysis of water. First, we need an electrolyzer, the receptacle for our experiment. We fill the electrolyzer with our electrolyte solution and add two electrodes to carry our direct current electricity.
One of these electrodes will carry a negative charge (the cathode) and the other a positive charge (the anode). With everything in place, we turn on the electric current. The water (H20) reacts with the anode to create positively-charged hydrogen gas ions (H2), which move to the negative cathode. At the same time, the negatively-charged oxygen stays with the positive anode.
Electrochemistry requires one more step before the new substances can be harvested. Our positively-charged hydrogen ions travel through a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer before reaching the cathode. This exchange membrane allows industry to produce pure, clean burning hydrogen.
Different elements may require alternative cathodes, electrolytes, and anodes. Alkaline electrolyzers work the same way as above, using potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide and water—but without the exchange membrane.
Solid oxide electrolyzers require higher temperatures between 932 and 1,562ºF (500-850ºC) and use steam and a solid ceramic membrane.
Who Discovered Electrolysis?
Like many discoveries, electrolysis took several people several steps and decades to arrive at the processes we use today.
Dutch physicist Martinus van Marum kickstarted the movement with his electrostatic generator in the 1780s. Next came English chemist William Nicholson who, along with Anthony Carlisle, used electrolysis to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen.
The technique gained traction, and electrolysis helped discover new elements. In 1808, another English chemist, Humphry Davy, used electrolysis to reveal five new elements: barium, calcium, boron, strontium, and magnesium.
By 1834, English scientist Micahel Faraday had published his two laws of electrolysis and coined terminology like electrode, electrolyte, anode, and cathode.
What Substances Do We Make Via Electrolysis?
Electrolysis helps create many materials and substances.
Aluminum, chlorine, hydrogen, and sodium hydroxide are just a few. We can even get magnesium from seawater. These products form the backbone of numerous industrial processes and ingredients for multiple products.
The offshoot techniques of electroplating and electrowinning allowed for objects to be metal plated. This led to silver-plated cutlery at first and is now a technique used on everything from automobiles to computer components.
A growing industry is hydrogen production. Hydrogen could replace natural gas in central heating systems, and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are new, low-emission automobiles. Hydrogen, provided it is isolated using renewable energy sources, is also considered a renewable energy source.
Electrolysis and the Human Body
Electrolysis has also become a popular skin care routine as many people turn to electrolysis to remove unwanted hair growth. Also known as electrology, the process destroys living tissues using electric currents.
How Is Electrolysis Used in Hair Removal?
In the wellness world, electrolysis means sending an electric current through something. An electrologist—someone who removes hair through electrolysis—inserts a needle into the desired hair follicle, reaching the root. This machine is called an epilator. An electric current passes through the needle, causing a chemical reaction in the skin’s natural salts and waters. This reaction produces sodium hydroxide, a caustic chemical that kills the cells that stimulate hair growth.
Does Electrolysis Remove Hair Permanently?
Electrolysis removes hair permanently in almost all cases. Electrolysis is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved method of permanent hair removal. Permanent is the operative word here because, unlike waxing, shaving, or tweezing, electrolysis is (for the most part) forever.
What Electrolysis Hair Removal Treatments Are Available?
There are three types of cosmetic electrolysis treatments available.
- Galvanic electrolysis creates a chemical reaction from a direct current and works well on thick, coarse, and dark hair.
- Thermolysis generates heat from an alternating current to damage the base of a hair follicle. It’s a quick way to remove hair, but regrowth can occur.
- Blend method, which combines galvanic and thermolysis techniques.
Where Do People Have Electrolysis Treatments?
Electrolysis is often used to remove facial hair, including the upper lip, eyebrows, and chin. Some people use the technique to remove hair from their bikini line, back, underarms, breasts, and abdomen. Transgender people may elect electrolysis to remove unwanted facial hair while transitioning.
How Often Should I Get Electrolysis?
Most electrologists devise individual plans for clients based on the size of the hair removal area, location, and budget. Hair follicles need to be growing for electrolysis to work correctly, so keep those tweezers at bay before and during electrolysis.
You may need regular visits of 15-60 minutes for six months to a year. That’s quite a long time, but the upside is once the hair has gone, it likely won’t grow back over your lifetime.
How Painful Is Facial Electrolysis?
Electrolysis can be uncomfortable or painful for some people, while the sensations are more like mild tingling for others. Electrologists can apply a topical numbing cream to the skin to help reduce discomfort. Always consult your doctor or a dermatologist before using any cream or getting electrolysis.
Should I Choose Electrolysis or Laser Hair Removal?
Electrolysis is the only technique for permanent hair removal, according to the FDA. It’s a time-consuming process as the electrologist has to work on each hair individually. This is fine for smaller areas but not if patients want larger areas like legs and back cleared of hair.
Laser hair removal may not provide permanent hair removal, but it’s much quicker. The laser uses light to cause thermal damage to a hair follicle, influencing its ability to produce more hair. Some people find laser hair removal is permanent, while others experience less frequent regrowth or a change in hair color.
What Are the Side Effects of Electrolysis?
Side effects of electrolysis include:
- Pain
- Potential for hair regrowth
- Post-treatment tenderness and swelling
- Possible infection
- Permanent scarring
- Discolored skin
- Scabbing (mainly from galvanic treatments)
Other considerations are the time taken to treat areas, cost, and finding a reputable and qualified electrologist. Only some states regulate the industry or standards. Look for qualifications from accredited schools, licenses to operate, and membership in relevant trade associations.
Can Electrolysis Be Used to Fight Tumors?
Electrochemical therapy (EChT) is occasionally used to attack tumors, albeit there is relatively little research in the field. Most treatments come as a palliative option for advanced-stage tumors that may not be cured any other way. Some people in the medical industry hope the technology may develop and become more useful in the fight against cancer.
Electrolysis: Taking Charge of the Elements
Electrolysis revealed new elements to human hands. We can separate substances and materials using an electric current, leaving us with two fantastic resources where previously there was one.
Electrolysis simplified extraction methods for materials fundamental to our everyday lives. Indeed, the electric vehicle revolution is powered by lithium batteries. Lithium is now easier to obtain thanks to electrolysis.
Ingenuity and technology eventually carried electrolysis to the wellness and beauty sphere. It’s incredible to think we can make pinpoint alterations to our appearance thanks to a tiny electrical current and a chemical reaction. Remember that electrolysis means permanent hair removal, so talk to your doctor before moving forward with the procedure.
What’s more, electrolysis can even help the environment in certain circumstances. Green hydrogen, made via electrolysis systems powered by renewable energy like solar panels, could provide an enormous amount of low-emission, low-pollution energy. In the meantime, if you’d like to help the fight against climate change, consider making the switch to a green energy plan with Amigo Energy.
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