Can women begin or continue electrology treatments during pregnancy?

Yes. Electrology has never been proven harmful in any way to pregnant women for over 125 years, and unwanted hair can be caused by hormonal changes brought on by pregnancy. At Zappity Doo Dah Electrolysis, we do not treat in the first trimester and require approval from your doctor, so let us know if you are pregnant or think you might be. We would also want to avoid treating the breasts, abdomen, or bikini line of pregnant women in their last trimester due to the increased sensation they experience.

What if I'm running late for my appointment?

Late arrivals will be charged based on the time originally scheduled (we may not be able to extend your appointment due to other scheduled clients), but we will still proceed with treatment in the time allowed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is electrolysis?

Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method approved by the FDA. It has been around since 1875. The electrologist uses a very fine filament, placing it alongside the hair shaft and into the hair follicle. A mild electric current then destroys the hair-growth cells within the follicle. When this is competently and skillfully accomplished, the regenerative ability of the hair follicle is permanently eliminated, and the hair is lifted out after treatment.

Does it hurt?

Short answer: it depends. It is impossible to destroy hair growth tissue without sensation, because each hair follicle is surrounded by its own network of nerve endings. The sensation you might experience depends on many things, including where you're having the treatment and what method is used. Some parts of the body are more sensitive than others. If you have ever waxed or plucked, you'll likely find electrolysis to be surprisingly comfortable. Some clients describe the sensation as a pinch, a mosquito bite, a quick snap, or building warmth. Some clients choose to take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory/pain reliever 30 minutes before treatment. For some clients a topical anesthetic (numbing cream) applied prior to treatment can also be helpful. If you are highly sensitive, you could talk to your doctor about getting a numbing cream to apply prior to appointments.

Would electrolysis work for me?

Electrolysis works on any hair, and pretty much anywhere - no matter what hair color, skin color or hair texture you have. We just need to be able to see where it is entering the skin in order to treat it. There are some contraindications that could prevent treatment (pacemaker, certain skin issues in the area to be treated, etc.) but these are rare. Common areas treated include the hairline, bridge of nose, eyebrows, upper and lower lip, cheeks, sideburns, ears, chin, neck, shoulders, arms and underarms, fingers, hands, breasts, abdomen, bikini line, legs, back and chest.

Can hair be removed from tattoos?

Yes. Electrology has never been a problem for tattoos. In fact, it is one of the few hair removal methods that doesn't affect the design.

What will my skin look like? Will everyone know I've been in?

Immediately following treatment there may be a slight redness and/or swelling which usually disappears within a few minutes to a few hours. Though not desirable on face work, small white dots or tiny red dots may occur, but this is rare. Ideally, by the next day no one should be able to tell you have had treatment. On body work a pinpoint film or crust may develop. It is important to remember that scabs are a part of the normal healing process in some people. If this does occur, do not pick them off. Follow our recommended Aftercare for best results. And be sure and tell us about any skin reactions so we can work with you to minimize their occurrence.

What is causing my unwanted hair growth?

Genetics, side effects of certain drugs, stress, supplements, oral contraceptives, obesity, eating disorders, hormone imbalances (excessive androgen secretion and overactive adrenal glands such as PCOS or Cushing's Disease), overly sensitive hair follicles, endocrine and thyroid disorders, insulin resistance, diabetes, menopause, pregnancy, and environmental stressors can all contribute to excessive hair growth. Trying to understand what is causing your hair growth, can help us determine how to best treat it. Keep in mind, this information is no substitute for consulting a physician.

Why should I choose electrolysis?

Short answer: it's safe and effective.

Like we said above, it is the only FDA approved method for permanently removing hair, and it has been proven safe and effective for over 125 years.

What are the downsides of electrolysis?

It requires a commitment of multiple appointments over time, and it can be months before you notice a change in your hair pattern. If you are dealing with unwanted hair frequently then it is very worthwhile to investigate what your actual costs will be. Compared with laser, electrology is an absolute bargain as far as price goes. An hour of body waxing in our area costs a little more than electrolysis for an hour. Remember when you are done with electrolysis, you are done with the hair. As with any method, your results will be largely determined by the skill of your practitioner. Shop around and don't hesitate to set up consultations at several places and decide which works best for you. Electrolysis is not an overnight sensation. It requires a series of treatments to achieve permanency. The number of treatments necessary varies with each client and with each area being treated. If you want a quick solution, this may not be right for you, but if you want a permanent solution, then it totally is!

How long is this going to take?

The number of treatments and the length of the appointments varies with each client and with each area being treated. Our initial goal is to clear all unwanted hair from the skin’s surface. Depending on the density of your individual hair growth and tolerance this could take 1 or multiple treatments. From that point we are typically looking at 18-24 months of treatments to see all hairs in active growth stage and treat.

How do I book an appointment?

You can book anytime through our online booking system HERE. You can also text, email, or call to book an appointment. Please keep in mind that we respect your treatment time and do not interrupt appointments to take phone calls. So we will get back to you as soon as possible if we are not immediately available to answer.

Why do I need to have a consultation prior to treatment?

Each person is unique. That is why we take the time to gather your health information, determine underlying factors that may be contributing to your hair growth, and design a treatment plan based on your needs and goals. We also want to identify any potential reasons why treatment would be inadvisable. We go over hair growth, how electrology works, and what to expect, and can answer any questions you may have. We also offer a free sample treatment after the consultation to see how your skin responds and so you can see what it feels like.

How long of an appointment do I need?

The length of the appointment depends on the area (or areas) being treated and the density and nature of the hair. We recommend scheduling enough time to clear the area at each appointment. Typically, the appointment length and frequency can be reduced over time until all unwanted hair is gone!

Do men get electrolysis?

You bet! Electrology is for everyone. Whether it is to tidy up certain areas (such as ears, eyebrows, beard, neckline, shoulders, back, etc.), eliminate shaving cheeks and neck, prevent skin irritations and ingrown hairs, or completely clear an area - men are using electrolysis to look well groomed, feel confident, and have the appearance they desire.

What if I need to cancel or change an appointment?

We require 24-hour notice for cancellations for appointments under 90 minutes and 48-hour notice for appointments over 90 minutes. You can manage your appointments online HERE or if you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment within 72 hours please contact us directly.

What kind of payments do you accept?

We accept cash, check, and major credit cards.

Do you have a referral program?

Yes! The best advertising comes from happy clients. To inspire you to share our services with others, we offer a $10 referral reward for each person (no limit) you send our way. Be sure your friend tells us your name when they come in. After their first paid appointment, you will receive a $10 credit on your account.

We keep it clean. (You didn't ask, but we want you to know.)

To protect your health and safety, we utilize hospital level sanitation. Everything used in your treatment is thoroughly disinfected. We use sterile, tweezers, sterile and disposable probes, and fresh disposable gloves for all services.

What if I have a question that's not listed here?

You can fill out this form or contact us via any of the methods listed at the bottom of our website. We appreciate your interest and look forward to hearing from you!

Why does it seem like the hair keeps coming back?

Not all hairs are visible on the surface of the skin at any one time. Depending on the area of the body, you may wait for 12 weeks or even 12 months to see all of the dormant hairs come to the surface as your hair pattern fills in. The appearance of these coarse replacement hairs from dormant hair follicles should not be mistaken as regrowth from previously treated follicles. These are new hairs whose follicles are close to their evicted neighbors.

Why do I have to come in multiple times?

All hairs start as an empty hair follicle and then grow into a fully mature hair. At some point, the hair separates from its blood supply, ascends toward the surface of the skin, and falls out. Following the active growing period, most hair follicles go into a dormant or resting stage. The period of dormancy may last for an indefinite period of time; however, replacement hairs usually appear within 3 to 12 months. If you have ever brushed your hair and looked at the hairs in the brush, you may have noticed the white tuft on the end of them. These are hairs that were naturally shed. As opposed to when you pluck, say an eyebrow hair, it might have a moist shiny ball at the end. This is a growing hair. It is essential that you come in for regular treatments to eliminate hairs in this early growth stage if you want to get the most for your electrolysis dollar and become hair free permanently as fast as possible. It is important to follow your individual treatment schedule to get the fastest results. Hairs are most effectively treated in their early growth stages when the hairs are finer and straighter, and the target zone is smaller helping us to reach all of the germinative cells that grow hairs. Regular treatments ensure catching hairs at this early growth stage and makes for a more effective treatment with less potential for regrowth. If you can make the time commitment at the beginning of treatment, you can think of it as taking time off the end, so you get the best results in the shortest time frame.