Everything worth knowing,
before you book.

A fine, smooth probe slides alongside the hair and into the follicle. A controlled current is delivered to the base, disabling the growth cells that produce the hair. The hair is then lifted out with tweezers, no pulling.

That is the entire mechanism, repeated one follicle at a time. It is the only method recognized by the FDA and Health Canada as permanent hair removal. Not "permanent reduction." Permanent removal.

The trade-off is time. Electrolysis is slower than laser by design, but the result does not need to be revisited.

Electrolysis works on every hair type and every skin tone. If you want a result that does not come back, it is the only method that delivers it.

It is especially valuable if you have light, grey, blonde, red, or fine hair that laser cannot treat, or if you've been told laser cannot help with your skin tone. It is also the leading method for hormonal hair and any area you want fully cleared rather than reduced.

Many clients also come to finish what laser started: laser is good at thinning dense, dark hair quickly, but it tends to leave behind lighter, finer, or stubborn hairs. Electrolysis is the standard way to clean those up permanently, which is why the two methods often work well as sequential steps rather than competing choices.

A small number of conditions or medications require additional caution, which is something we'll cover thoroughly during your consultation.

A warm, comfortable room. Steady pressure, brief warmth, occasional pinch. Most clients describe it as more meditative than expected once they settle in.

Sensation varies by area and by person. For sensitive areas, topical numbing cream is available for purchase to apply at home before your session. You're more than welcome to bring AirPods and an audiobook, a podcast, or a playlist. Many clients find this is exactly how they want to spend the time.

After your session, mild redness for a few hours is normal. Most people return to regular activities the same day.

Electrolysis is one of the most reliable methods for facial feminization and full-body gender-affirming hair removal, because it is permanent and works on every hair colour and skin tone.

At Willow, this is a meaningful and routine part of the practice. Documentation is provided for medical referrals where applicable. Sessions are paced, structured, and held with the same dignity as any other request.

A note on insurance: Willow does not currently accept insurance, but hopes to in time. Please reach out about your specific situation and any documentation you may need.

If you are early in your transition, the consultation is also a place to ask questions without commitment.

Persistent hair from PCOS, perimenopause, or hormone changes is one of the most rewarding things electrolysis can address. Unlike laser, electrolysis is not limited by hair colour, and unlike shaving or waxing, the follicle stops producing.

The honest part: hormonal hair often arrives in cycles. A treatment plan is paced realistically and adjusted as your hormones shift over time. The goal is clearance you can maintain, not a single dramatic session.

Hair grows in cycles. The priority at each session is treating actively-growing hairs, but research shows that some hairs in other phases can also be effectively treated. The stem cells at the bulge of the follicle are reachable too, which is part of why skill and pacing matter so much.

For most areas, a complete clearance plan runs 18 to 24 months of regular sessions on average, with smaller areas often finishing sooner and dense or hormonal areas sometimes taking longer. A realistic timeline for your specific area is part of your first consultation.

The plan is yours to adjust at any time.

Electrolysis is not one technique but three: thermolysis (high-frequency current), galvanic (chemical-based current), and blend (both, combined). Each has strengths in different situations: thermolysis is fast and ideal for fine hair, galvanic is thorough for coarse and curved follicles, and blend is the versatile workhorse.

A trained electrologist chooses the right method for each follicle, not the same setting for everyone. The skill is in matching the current, the depth, and the timing to the hair in front of them, which is what makes the difference between a permanent result and one that needs to be revisited.