TEENS

Adolescents face a myriad of changes, both physiological and psychological. Physical changes such as unsightly hair can negatively impact body image and self esteem.

Common Questions About Electrolysis From Teenage Consumers

Q. What is the youngest age for electrolysis treatments?

A. The earliest age for treatment depends upon the motivation of the young person. Most electrologists want to make sure that it's the young person, and not a parent, who is deciding that it's time for electrolysis treatments. Girls as young as 12 seek treatments to remove hair on their upper lip. Teens and even pre-teens of both genders receive treatments to define or separate eyebrows.

Q. Can young people tolerate the treatments?

A. Yes, new techniques, equipment, and topical anesthetics help reduce the sensation of electrolysis treatments. A tolerance for the treatments will also come with maturity. If the young person decides not to have treatments, the electrologist will discuss options to hide the hair until he or she is less sensitive.

Q. If the young person is too sensitive, what other options are there?

A. Cutting, clipping, or shaving are the best ways to hide the hair - it will not result in coarsening or increased density. Bleach will hide scattered hairs, to a degree. Depilatories remove the hair with chemicals. Those chemicals can cause irritation, which may result in skin pigmentation problems.

Q. What areas do teens have treated?

A. Teen and pre-teen girls will get treatments on their upper lip, chin and sides of face. Young women and men will also have their eyebrows defined or separated, as well as hairline, neckline and body areas treated.

Q. Why do young girls grow hair on their upper lip?

A. Genetics, hormones, and medications can cause hair growth at any age. Most people never learn the cause of their excess hair growth and accept the fact that electrolysis treatments are the solution.

Q. Where can I get more information about electrolysis?

A. Answers to general questions about electrolysis are available on the FAQ page.

The Common Questions above are provided by Barbara Greathouse, CPE, a member of the American Electrology Association.