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Epilator Hair Removal
Two types of devices use electric current to remove hair:
The Needle Epilator and the Tweezers Epilator
Epilators remove hair at the root.
One single session will leave your legs smooth and beautiful for up to approximately 4 weeks, instead of days. Results can vary from one individual to another.
Needle Epilator
Needle epilators are used in electrolysis. Because this technique destroys the hair follicle, it is considered a permanent hair removal method. The hair root may persist, however, if the needle misses the mark or if insufficient electricity is delivered to destroy it. Hair may grow back slowly after electrolysis.
"Needle epilators introduce a fine wire close to the hair shaft, under the skin, and into the hair follicle. An electric current travels down the wire and destroys the hair root at the bottom of the follicle, and the loosened hair is removed with tweezers. Every hair is treated individually. Also, the stimulus for hair growth in an area is never permanently removed. For instance, you can't control hormonal changes that cause new growth. Most people would probably define permanent as 'never comes back' but from a medical standpoint that may not be practical," says Anthony Watson, a materials engineer in FDA's ( Food and Drug Administration) Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
Tweezer Epilator
Tweezer epilators also use electric current to remove hair. A row of precisely placed tweezers removes the hairs, even extremely short hairs of 0.5 mm. The tweezers grasp the hair close to the skin, and applied current travels down the hair shaft to the root. And, like needle epilators, electric shock is possible if the tweezers touch the skin instead of grabbing the hair.
There is no body of significant information establishing the effectiveness of the tweezer epilator to permanently remove hair. Tweezers epilator manufacturers can claim permanent hair removal if they can provide supporting data.
Pain Factor: Relatively high.
Cost: $30 to $90 per set (prices can vary).
Warning: Can leave the skin sore and open to infection.
References:
Food and Drug Administration
September 1996
www.fda.gov