Why the Classic Image of Electrolysis is Outdated

Many misconceptions about electrical epilation arose during a period when equipment was simpler and the technique could be applied much less precisely. The image of a slow, burning treatment comes from that time — not from modern practice.

Yet this perception still regularly surfaces, both among clients and professionals who only have experience with outdated devices. But those who work with modern equipment know how much the technique has changed.

Before we examine what the new devices do, it is important to understand where the old system came from.

---

The Old Electrolysis: Chemical Destruction via NaOH

Traditional electrolysis worked according to a chemical reaction that takes place in the hair follicle. The needle functions as a cathode and in combination with the current, the water in the skin and the salt from sweat creates:

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) — also known as caustic soda.

How the Process Worked:

• a needle is placed in the follicle (hair sac)
• current is applied for several seconds
• water (H₂O) and sodium chloride (NaCl) react
• this forms NaOH
• this caustic soda destroys the hair-producing cells

Why this Was Painful:

• The reaction takes place over the full length of the hair shaft, also close to the skin surface.
• That is precisely where many nerve endings are located.
• The contact time is 6 to 15 seconds per hair, making the treatment slow.
• The process was not very selective: NaOH attacked more surrounding tissue than necessary, leading to a burning sensation and pain.

Electrolysis works, but it is logically sensitive and time-intensive. This is where the old image comes from.

---

Modern Techniques: Thermolysis and Blend in Silhouet-Tone Devices

The advent of high-frequency alternating current has fundamentally changed electrical epilation. Where classic electrolysis depended on a slow chemical reaction, modern devices work with thermolysis (destruction of the hair follicle through heat via high frequency) and — when necessary — blend (combination of both).

Silhouet-Tone is the manufacturer that offers a device with multiple frequencies, so that every hair type and every zone can be treated with maximum efficiency and comfort.

---

Thermolysis: Heat through High-Frequency Energy

Thermolysis uses high-frequency alternating current to generate heat exclusively at the bottom of the hair follicle. This is where the hair-producing cells are located that must be permanently disabled.

The great advantage of thermolysis is that:

• the heat is delivered extremely precisely
• the surrounding tissue is barely stressed
• the pulses last hundredths to milliseconds
• the treatment is much more comfortable than classic electrolysis

With Silhouet-Tone, thermolysis works on different frequencies, depending on the device.

---

Thermolysis in the EVO X HD — Three Frequencies

The EVO X HD works not on one but on three different high frequencies:

The device automatically chooses the most efficient frequency for the selected hair type through its programming, or the practitioner selects it manually for complete control.

---

Thermolysis in the ST350 — one Refined Frequency

The ST350 works with one high-frequency mode:

The ST350 is therefore an ideal choice as an all-round device for electrical epilation with a high comfort level.

---

Blend: when Thermolysis and Electrolysis Work Together

In addition to pure thermolysis, both devices can also work in blend mode, in which:

• thermolysis provides immediate heating of the growth zone
• electrolysis supports mild NaOH formation for stubborn hairs

Blend is automatically selected when hair thickness, growth direction or follicle structure requires it. Especially thicker, deeper or curly hair responds excellently to this.

---

How the Technique of Electrical Epilation Has Changed Dramatically

Thermolysis and electrolysis are theoretically based on the same principle: a needle is placed in the hair follicle and the hair sac is permanently disabled.

But how the energy is generated and delivered makes the difference between the equipment of the past and the modern systems now being used.

The Main Evolutions:

• thermal instead of purely chemical reaction
• smarter energy control
• shorter pulse duration
• intelligent measurement system for skin resistance
• program selection based on hair thickness and body zone
• more targeted reaction; therefore faster and more comfortable

This has made treatments faster, safer and less sensitive — without compromising effectiveness.

---

Intelligent Energy Delivery: why the Comfort Feels so Different

With most devices that use the thermolysis technique, the electrical pulse goes directly from 0 to 100%, maintains a plateau value and then returns to 0.

Silhouet-Tone devices work differently. They first generate a high, very short pulse. Then the current needed to destroy the matrix cells is modulated in a decreasing, vectorial manner. This bypasses pain perception and makes the treatment feel much more comfortable.

This means in practice:

• the right amount of energy at the right depth
• minimal stress on surrounding tissue
• less heat distribution
• less post-treatment pain
• faster sessions

Classic electrolysis could not offer this refinement. Modern electrical epilation works with micropulses that are controlled per fraction of a second.

---

For which Zones is Modern Electrical Hair Removal Ideal?

Nuance is essential here. Not every zone requires the same approach, and clients often choose different trajectories depending on their needs.

Small Zones: Perfectly Suitable as First Choice

Small zones can be completely treated electrically without any wax or laser treatment:

• upper lip
• chin
• jawline
• neck
• eyebrow contour
• nipples
• underarm detail
• bikini line detail
• fingers and toes
• isolated hairs
• very fine hairs

Because fewer hairs need to be removed, this can happen quickly, for example alongside another treatment. The hair density is relatively low and the treatment therefore efficient and cost-effective.

---

Large Zones: Supplementary when Laser Falls Short

Electrical hair removal is rarely used as a complete alternative for large zones such as legs, back or arms — the reason is simple: it is time-intensive.

But electrical hair removal is indispensable for large zones when laser cannot treat certain hairs, such as:

• blonde hairs
• gray hairs
• red hairs
• very fine or soft hairs
• hormonal residual hairs
• hairs with little pigment
• the 5–8% residual hairs that remain after 8 laser treatment sessions
• for clients who are afraid of laser treatment, or who are not eligible for medical or other reasons
• for clients with dark skin, who have too high a risk of burns with laser

Laser provides speed and volume reduction.
Electrical epilation ensures complete permanent hair removal, and therefore 100% satisfied clients.

---

Electrical Hair Removal as Definitive Solution after Waxing

Waxing is still often used for temporary hair removal. But those who are tired of coming back every few weeks sooner or later look for a definitive solution.

Electrical hair removal offers exactly that:

• no more ingrown hairs from repeated waxing
• no recurring appointments in the long term
• a permanent solution for zones that were waxed for years

For clients who are already accustomed to the feeling of wax, the transition to modern electrical epilation is often smaller than expected — with the great advantage that the result is definitive.

---

What Clients Feel: the Comfort of Modern High-Frequency Technology

The difference with classic electrolysis is felt first, even before the result is visible.

---

Evolution in Results: why Modern Electrical Hair Removal is so Predictable