Thermolysis – what is this treatment and how does it differ from depilation?

Thermolysis is considered a procedure in aesthetic medicine, which involves permanently closing blood vessels and removing unwanted hair. It uses low-voltage, high-frequency current. This current generates high heat that destroys dilated vessels or hair follicles. Thermolysis is used not only in aesthetic medicine but also for treating soft fibromas, neurofibromas, or sebaceous gland hypertrophy.

What does the thermolysis procedure involve?

Thermolysis is used to remove unwanted hair from small areas on the body (due to the long duration of the procedure), usually on the face (eyebrow shaping, removing hair from the chin or upper lip). This procedure can also be used to remove hair from the tops of feet or toes. During the procedure, a special device ending with a thin insulated needle is used, through which the current passes. The needle is inserted into the hair follicle. The heat generated by the current causes a thermo-coagulation effect that destroys the hair growth cells and tissue. The best results are achieved when thermolysis is performed on freshly grown hair or on vellus hair. The thermolysis procedure will be less effective if the hair is deformed or too thick.

Thermolysis is also used to close blood vessels. During such a procedure, a special needle is used, which, upon contact with individual blood vessels, precisely seals them. Thermolysis can be applied not only to remove single vessels but also to treat spider veins, known as telangiectasias. It is also employed in aesthetic dermatology to remove skin lesions such as fibromas, cysts, or warts.

How does thermolysis differ from hair removal?

Thermolysis achieves desired results using alternating current with high frequency but low voltage. During the current flow through the follicle, high temperatures are generated, destroying the vellus hair and preventing new hair growth. This method can remove hair in just a few seconds. Despite its effectiveness, the results may be less satisfactory if the hairs are mature or deformed. After the procedure, it is necessary to protect the skin with a sunscreen, avoid stimulating substances, and refrain from swimming pools and saunas. Sunbathing is also prohibited after thermolysis. The healing time depends on the overall health condition (for example, anemia could prolong the healing process). Swelling, hives, and redness may appear shortly after the procedure. When scabs form as a result of thermolysis, there is no need to worry, as they will heal within a few days. It is advisable to take omega-3 fatty acid supplements, especially EPA, which have anti-inflammatory effects, reinforce the cell walls of capillaries, and maintain their elasticity. A diet rich in fish, where omega-3s are abundant, is also recommended.

Modern hair removal, unlike thermolysis, relies on laser light beams that penetrate deep skin layers and quickly damage hair follicles. It also destroys the roots, preventing hair from regrowing for a longer period. How does laser hair removal work exactly? Its mechanism is quite simple. The light beam reaches the hair follicles, where it is absorbed by melanin and converted into thermal energy, irreversibly destroying the follicles during the process of selective photo-thermolysis. Then, the stem cells of the hair undergo carbonization. To be effective, laser hair removal requires choosing the correct light intensity, which varies depending on the hair color.

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