During which phase of hair growth is electrolysis most effective?

Electrolysis is most effective during the anagen phase of hair growth, which is the active growth phase. In this stage, hair follicles are actively producing hair, and the hair is firmly anchored in the follicle. Electrolysis works by delivering an electrical current to the hair follicle, destroying its ability to produce hair. Since the hair is in a growth state during the anagen phase, it is more susceptible to the effects of electrolysis, resulting in more successful permanent hair removal.

In contrast, during the other phases—telogen, catagen, and exogen—the hair is either transitioning or resting. The telogen phase is the resting phase where the hair is not actively growing, making it less effective for electrolysis. The catagen phase represents a transitional state where the hair is beginning to shed, and the connection to the follicle is weakening, which also decreases the effectiveness of electrolysis. The exogen phase is when the hair is actively in the process of shedding, thus making it ineffective for this treatment as there is no active growth to target. Therefore, the anagen phase stands out as the optimal time for electrolysis to achieve the best results in permanent hair removal.