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, pre-surgical clearance, and any area you want fully cleared rather than reduced.

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. Topical numbing is available for sensitive areas, and the pace is always adjusted to your comfort. 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. You can pause at any time, and you direct what's happening and how.

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

Electrolysis is the standard of care for pre-surgical hair removal — especially for genital reconstruction surgeries — and is one of the most reliable methods for facial feminization.

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

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. Only follicles in the active growth phase can be treated at any one session, which is why electrolysis requires regular visits over several months.

For most areas, a complete clearance plan runs 18 to 24 months of consistent sessions on average, with smaller areas often finishing sooner and dense or hormonal areas sometimes taking longer. A realistic estimate for your specific area is part of your first consultation. It includes a likely number of total hours, a suggested session length, and a sensible pace.

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.