Electrolysis is the only FDA approved method for permanent hair removal. There are two types of electrolysis, thermolysis and galvanic. Thermolysis is a method that uses heat while galvanic is a method that uses chemical decomposition. In both methods the hair papilla (the blood supply for the hair) is destroyed so that the hair can never grow in that follicle.
Thermolysis uses a thin filament which is inserted into the follicle to the depth of the papilla and a pulse of heat is dispersed which cauterizes the papilla. Each pulse lasts between 1 – 2 tenths of one second.
Galvanic method uses a thin filament which is inserted into the follicle and a pulse of electrical current which produces a chemical reaction where lye is produced which chemically cauterizes the papilla. Each pulse lasts between 5 -20 seconds.
While thermolysis is less painful, galvanic is more efficient.