Electroepilation (electrolysis) in hirsutism. 35,000 hours' experience on the face and neck.

Physicians frequently recommend electroepilation (electrolysis) in the management of hirsutism, but there have been no English language reports of its clinical effectiveness. We performed over 35,000 hours of electroepilation (electrolysis) on two hundred eighty-one women over a 4-year period. We used conventional, commercially available electroepilation (electrolysis) equipment that produced both thermolysis and blend type currents. We found that electroepilation (electrolysis) helps control hirsutism, and 93% of the patients improved. There was no scarring. For best results electroepilation (electrolysis) must be combined with treatment of excess androgens. Instructions about good grooming and stressing that shaving is not harmful will help to maximize improvement in appearance. Electroepilation (electrolysis) is expensive and not readily available to those lacking insurance or other funding.