We think of electrolysis as a way to split things like water into oxygen and hydrogen using electricity, but it has a second meaning which is to remove hair using electricity. An electrologist inserts very thin needles into each hair follicle and uses a burst of electricity to permanently remove the hair. [Abbxrdy] didn’t want to buy a cheap unit because they don’t work well and didn’t want to spend on a professional setup, so designing and building ensued.
You’ll have to read through the comments to find some build details and the schematic. The device uses commercial electrolysis needles and a DE-9 connector socket as a holder. The device can supply 6 to 22V at up to 2mA. A timer can restrict the pulse to 5 seconds or less.
Any time you are putting electricity in or on someone’s body, there is a danger of shock. For this reason the device is powered with 3 9V batteries and a USB battery for some of the logic. The circuit isn’t very complex, using a few voltage regulators, a 555, and some meters.
If you look into it, electrolysis can work with a DC current like this. In that case, the current forms sodium hydroxide inside the follicle (at the negative terminal) and kills the hair-producing cells. Some devices use radio frequency energy to heat the cells, while other commercial machines apparently use both methods together.
If you want more hair instead of less, you can go Bluetooth. If you are disappointed this post isn’t about the other kind of electrolysis, maybe this will make you feel better.
“Electrolysis” is “to break up using electricity”. Ain’t nothing in the term specific to water, hair or anything else…
Um, ok. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/electrolysis?s=t
W is basing that on the greek roots.
As an eleven year old in my search for information on electrolysis (the H2O to O2/H kind) I was constantly thwarted by (then’ embarrassing) books with pictures of girls legs on them at the local library.
“As an eleven year old in my search” – I did have to spend a moment figuring out whether you are or were 11 years old or had been searching for 11 years.
As someone who lives in a household where everyone here has had electrolysis of varying types, a collective wince and cringe has overtaken us all upon viewing this.
Yeah, likewise here, it’s fairly excruciating. At least it’s the kind of pain that doesn’t last long.
I don’t want to remove “unsightly” hairs. I just want to relocate them back to where hair used to grow!
(B^)
You mean my eyebrow comb over isn’t fooling anyone?
Go home Donnie, you have a country to run.
I hear that, not on our back. Waiting for the IR hair growth treatment DIY kit. I’m sure the system costs less than they’re going for even if have to buy one… reverse engineer to verify if meet specs that align with patent/info available.
Seems like a neat business to do and something like this build will help with startup expenses.
Here it is… http://overmachogrande.com/ He uses the same wavelength as the patent. Instead of LEDs he uses lasers.
Awesome, good looking out! Found a youtube video and also regarding alzheimers so am like other than sticking some up my nose also… might not be bad to have pulse at 10Hz, 40Hz or some other beneficial frequency.
This DIY electrolysis system in the article is novel also. I’ve never seen anyone else make one before. That with the cost of licensing if doing as a business… man… sure helps in expenses.