Needle epilator

The Needle epilators serve as instruments for removing body hair, including hair roots. Needle epilation is a very old method that has proven to be the most effective epilation process to date. It is suitable for all hair types and can also be used on birthmarks, on the eyebrows or on tattoos.

What is a needle epilator?

Electro-epilation was introduced in the USA as early as 1875. It is the most effective way to completely remove unwanted body hair.With the help of needle epilation, the hair roots in the hair channels are completely destroyed. The condition of the hair is irrelevant. Hair color, skin color and hair thickness do not play a role. Good results are also achieved in critical areas such as birthmarks, eyebrows or tattoos.

Above all, this method is very gentle on the skin compared to other methods. During the treatment, the individual hairs are not removed at the same time, but one after the other. The epilator for needle epilation works on the basis of electric current. During the actual treatment, a very fine probe (needle), which is tailored to the hair thickness and follicle depth, is inserted into the hair canal of the hair follicle. The hair roots are completely destroyed by using direct or alternating current.

According to the American FDA, needle depilation is the only method that belongs to the "Permanent Hair Removal" category. Permanent hair removal cannot be achieved with any other method. With the laser method, a maximum of permanent hair reduction is possible.

Shapes, types & types

There are three methods of needle epilation. These methods include thermolysis or high-frequency electrocoagulation, electrolysis and the blend method. In all three procedures, a very thin probe made of surgical steel is used, which sends a short current pulse into the hair canal. With the help of this current surge, depending on the method, heating, the formation of caustic soda or a combination of both applications occurs. Which procedure is used depends on the individual hair condition, the sensitivity to pain and the respective skin reaction.

In Germany, thermolysis is only rarely performed because the needle has to remain in the follicle for at least two minutes in order to be effective. Electrolysis and the blending process are used more frequently.

The blend process is a combination of thermolysis and electrolysis. In thermolysis, high-frequency alternating current is used to heat the relevant hair canal. After brief, intense heating, the proteins coagulate in the area of ​​the hair roots. This allows complete destruction of the hair root.

During electrolysis, sodium hydroxide solution is generated with the help of direct current, which also leads to the kaogulation of the body's own proteins in the hair follicle area. The treatment of a hair canal takes about a second with this method. The blend method is a combination of both processes. In this case, alternating and direct currents are fed into the area to be treated, with both heat and sodium hydroxide treatment taking place. The heated caustic soda can make electroepilation even more effective. The treatment of a hair follicle here takes about 10 to 20 seconds. In contrast to other epilation methods, electroepilation can be used on all hair types and delivers better results.

Structure & functionality

All permanent epilation methods such as laser or electroepilation can only be successful if the hair is in the growth phase. There are three stages in hair growth. Therefore, repeated use of the procedure is necessary to achieve complete hair removal.

The three phases of hair growth are divided into anagen phase, catagen phase and telogen phase. Around 85 to 90 percent of all body hair is in the anagen phase. This phase lasts two to six years and is characterized by the creation of a new hair root. The catagen phase is characterized by atrophy of the existing hair roots and lasts only two to three weeks. The hair falls out, but the attachment remains. Only one percent of all body hair is in this phase. In a third phase, the telogen phase, the hair papilla and hair follicle regenerate. New hair forms. This cycle then lasts two to four months.

A successful full hair epilation can only be carried out if these growth phases are observed. This also applies to electroepilation. In the catagen phase, for example, it is difficult to find the appropriate hair canal. The treatment must be carried out several times.

Medical & health benefits

Body hair removal has been going on in many cultures for many centuries. It has no special medical significance, although it is often claimed that it is carried out for hygienic reasons. This may apply in individual cases. However, for body hair removal in general and for epilation in particular, aesthetic and cultural reasons play a greater role.

In humans, in contrast to animals, hair has lost its biological significance. The body is only partially hairy and can do well without hair. Body hair removal for ritual reasons was carried out at an early stage. It often signaled belonging to certain groups such as the military or clergy. In addition, hair removal has developed into an ideal of beauty and thus exerts psychological pressure on people with a lot of hair. Overall, however, body hair removal has no medical significance.