Electrolysis is the method of using electricity to damage and destroy hair follicles, and has been around for over a century. This first account of using electricity to remove hair occurred in 1875 while treating ingrown eyelashes. Since then, electrolysis has grown to be a popular method of hair removal. While laser hair removal targets the melanin in the hair shaft to deliver energy to the follicle, electrolysis can directly target the hair follicle and papilla.

During a treatment, an electrologist inserts a tiny probe into the follicle without puncturing the surrounding skin. Once inserted, the probe delivers an electric current in the milliamperes range to the skin tissue. The electrical current irreparably damages the follicle, allowing the hair to come out of the follicle easily, and removes the ability of the follicle to produce hair in the future. Electrolysis is capable of eliminating white, blonde and red hair exceptionally effectively.