Generally speaking, electrolysis is the usage of electricity to separate chemicals. For the application of hair removal, the specific electrolysis done inside a hair follicle creates tiny amounts of sodium hydroxide, or lye, which permanently kills the hair-growing cells in the follicle. The term "electrolysis" is also used these days to refer to flash thermolysis, which uses radio waves to intensely heat the inside of the follicle to damage the hair-growing cells. The blend technique refers to combining electricity to produce lye, with a lower level of heat than flash. The blend technique may reduce the amount of discomfort felt during treatment, as well as work faster than pure electrolysis.

When performing electrolysis to remove a hair, your technician will insert a probe or filament alongside the hair, and to the bottom of your hair follicle, as seen in the diagram. Once the probe is inserted, the technician will apply an electric current for enough time to produce enough lye to fully damage the hair-growing cells along the follicle walls and the root of the hair.

Electricity is often thought of as a powerful, dangerous force, but the amount of electricity used in electrolysis for hair removal is 1/100 the level that will start to cause health issues, and 1/10,000 the level that will cause lasting damage. When done by a qualified and licensed professional, with up-to-date equipment, electrolysis as a method of hair removal is perfectly safe.

Anyone can desire hair removal for any reason, but for some people, having smooth hairless skin is an absolute priority.

People usually turn to electrolysis for hair removal when laser is ineffective or advised against (for darker skin or coarser hair), for alleviation of gender dysphoria or body dysmorphia, in preparation for various surgical procedures that need hair-free skin, or for PMOS/PCOS. Body hair removal in general is also commonly sought-after.