Electrolysis is the only FDA- and Health Canada-approved method of 100% permanent hair removal. Unlike temporary methods, it destroys the hair follicle itself so hair can’t grow back.

A very fine probe is inserted into the natural opening of the hair follicle (it never punctures the skin). A tiny electrical current is then applied to gently stop the follicle from producing new hair. Each hair is treated individually, making it precise and effective.

Yes! Electrolysis has been safely performed for over 100 years and works on all hair colors and skin tones. At Nüd, our electrologists are professionally trained and certified to ensure treatments are safe and comfortable. There are a few health or skin conditions that may require extra care or mean electrolysis isn’t the right option — you’ll find those listed below under contraindications, and we’ll always review your health history with you before starting treatments.

Most clients describe the sensation as a quick “pinch” or warmth. Discomfort is minimal and varies by area. Many find it becomes easier with each session as they get used to the feeling.

If you’re sensitive, you may take a mild over-the-counter pain reliever (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) about 30 minutes before your appointment if it’s safe for you to do so, or if approved by your doctor. Some clients also like to apply a topical numbing cream — we’re happy to recommend safe options during your consultation.

We don’t include numbing cream in our services, but we do carry Zensa (5% lidocaine), which is available for purchase if you’d like to apply it ahead of your appointments. Many clients find treatments very tolerable without numbing, but it’s there if you’d like the extra comfort.

👉 If you’re breastfeeding, check with your doctor before using numbing cream, as small amounts of lidocaine can pass into breast milk.

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer — the total number of sessions depends on factors like the area being treated, the amount of hair, and individual things such as hormones and health.

What we can tell you is what the process usually looks like:

• In the beginning: weekly appointments to consistently target hairs in their active growth phase.

• As treatment progresses: sessions are spaced every 2–3 weeks, then every 3 weeks, and eventually every 4–6 weeks.

• The full journey: usually 1–2 years depending on the area and your unique hair growth.

It’s also important to know that at any given time, only a certain percentage of hairs are in the anagen (active growth) phase — and electrolysis is most effective during this stage. For example, the lip and chin have about 65–70% of hairs in anagen, while the arms and legs only have about 20%. This is why treatment frequency and timelines can vary so much from one body area to the next.

Session times also vary — a small area like the upper lip may only take 15 minutes, while larger areas can take up to 2 hours.

Because electrolysis treats each follicle individually, it’s a commitment — but it’s also the only method that gives you 100% permanent results.

Session length depends on the area. Smaller spots (like the upper lip) may take just 15 minutes, while larger areas can take 45–60 minutes or more. Electrolysis is priced by treatment time, not by body area. We will come up with a customized treatment plan for you during your initial consultation.

Yes! Once an area is fully treated, the results are permanent. Unlike laser, which offers 80–90% reduction, electrolysis eliminates 100% of treated hairs.

It’s also worth noting that laser results can sometimes be affected by hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause, thyroid conditions, or PCOS, which may trigger new hair growth. Electrolysis, on the other hand, permanently destroys each individual follicle that’s treated — meaning those hairs are gone for good.

Electrolysis is safe and effective for everyone — all skin tones, hair types, and genders. It’s especially great for:

• Blonde, red, grey, or white hairs that laser can’t treat

• Small, stubborn areas (lip, chin, brows)

• Gender-affirming hair removal

• Finishing up after a series of laser treatments

There are a few situations where electrolysis may not be suitable — for example, if you have a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator, an active skin infection in the area, are pregnant, or have used Accutane (isotretinoin) within the last 6–12 months.

This isn’t a full list — we’ll always go over your health history in detail during your consultation to make sure treatment is safe and tailored to you.

Some acne treatments (like Accutane/isotretinoin) require you to wait before starting electrolysis due to skin sensitivity. Topical treatments may also affect when or how we can treat. Please let us know what you’re using so we can guide you safely.

At Nüd, we do not treat clients who are pregnant. While electrolysis may be considered safe for some, research is limited, and we never want to take any risks. We’d be happy to welcome you back once your pregnancy is over.

Yes — electrolysis is generally considered safe while breastfeeding. The only thing to keep in mind is that hormones during this stage can cause temporary changes in hair growth, so some clients prefer to wait until after nursing for the most predictable results.

If you’d like to use a topical numbing cream, we recommend checking with your doctor first, since small amounts of anesthetic can pass into breast milk.

For comfort and safety, we do not treat the breast area while you’re nursing, since the skin is more sensitive and in frequent contact with your baby.

We recommend waiting until you’ve had clearance from your doctor after childbirth (usually around 6–8 weeks postpartum). If you had a C-section, healing time may be longer, especially for treatments near the abdomen or bikini area.

Yes! Electrolysis is safe for sensitive skin. You may experience temporary redness or small scabs as your skin heals, but this usually subsides quickly. We’ll adjust your treatment settings to keep your skin as comfortable as possible.

Almost any area of the face or body can be treated, including the lip, chin, brows, underarms, bikini, abdomen, and more.

For safety reasons, we do not treat hairs growing directly on moles or birthmarks, and we do not treat hairs growing in mucous membranes (such as inside the nose or ears).

Electrolysis can be performed in three different ways:

• Galvanic uses a natural chemical reaction in the follicle to destroy the hair root.

• Thermolysis uses a high-frequency current to create heat, which disables the follicle.

• Blend combines both methods for maximum effectiveness.

At Nüd, our electrologists are trained to choose the best method (or combination) for your hair and skin type, so you can relax knowing you’re always getting the most effective treatment.

A few key things to remember before your appointment:

• No root removal (waxing, sugaring, tweezing, etc.) — we need the follicle intact.

• Shave 3–4 days before (or ~5 days for areas like the upper lip).

• Come with clean, product-free skin.

• Stay hydrated, and avoid sun, tanning, self-tanner, or any actives on the area beforehand.

For our full pre-care checklist, please scroll to the bottom of our Electrolysis Service Page.

Temporary redness or swelling is common and usually fades within hours. Tiny scabs may form as the skin heals — this is normal and part of the process.

Electrolysis is billed by time, not by body area. We offer sessions in 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes — and the more time you book, the more you save. Our best rate is $150/hour, with even greater savings available when purchasing packages.

The exact amount of time you’ll need depends on factors like the area being treated, how much hair is present, and individual things such as hormones and overall health — so it’s not something we can predict precisely.

For our full pricing menu, please visit our Electrolysis Service Page.

Because electrolysis treats each hair follicle individually, full removal usually takes 1–2 years of consistent treatments, depending on the area. For this reason, we recommend starting as early as possible if you’d like your treatments completed before a wedding, big event, or vacation.

If your timeline is shorter, that’s okay too — you’ll still see progress along the way. Even a few months of treatment can mean less regrowth and smoother skin leading up to your big day.

We do recommend avoiding treatments right before your event (such as in the final week) just in case your skin has any temporary redness or reactions — we want you to feel your absolute best and stress-free.

We absolutely love seeing your littles! 💕 That said, electrolysis treatments often require you to stay in one position for longer periods of time, which makes it tricky to safely tend to children during your session. For this reason, we kindly ask that children do not accompany you into the treatment room for electrolysis.

If your child is old enough to be trusted to wait on their own, they’re welcome to cozy up on our couch with a tablet or book while you’re being treated. We also understand that childcare isn’t always easy to arrange, and we’ll support you however we can to make your appointments work — whether that means helping you book at more convenient times or keeping sessions shorter when needed.

They’re different! Electrolysis offers 100% permanent removal, while laser provides 80–90% permanent reduction. For larger areas, many clients choose to start with laser to treat the bulk of the hairs quickly, then switch to electrolysis to finish treating the lighter, finer, or stubborn hairs that laser can’t target.

Yes! Electrolysis is completely safe to perform on hair growing over tattoos. Because it works by treating each follicle individually with a fine probe, it does not affect the surrounding skin or the tattoo ink.

In fact, electrolysis is often the only option for hair on tattooed skin, since laser hair removal cannot be done over tattoos. Attempting laser on tattooed skin can burn the skin, damage the tattoo, or even cause scarring.