History of Electrolysis
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COSMETIC
AND MEDICAL ELECTROLYSIS
AND TEMPORARY HAIR REMOVAL
A Practice Manual and Reference Guide
by
R.N.
Richards M.D.
G.E. Meharg R.N.
1875
The first person to use electrolysis for hair removal was Dr. Charles
E. Michel (1833 - 1913), a St. Louis, Missouri opthalmologist (eye
doctor) who, in 1875, reported the results of his use of electrolysis
in trichiasis (ingrown eyelashes) (St. Louis Clinical Record,
October, 1875, 2:145-148). He had been performing electrolysis since
1869.
Dr. W.A. Hardaway, a St. Louis, Missouri dermatologist, gave the credit for the first use of electrolysis to Dr. Michel (Transactions of the American Dermatological Association, 1878, 4:337-340.) In this paper, Dr. Hardaway described his own results and those; an indication that numerous other physicians were also performing electrolysis.
1880
- 1900
The use of electrolysis became well-known in the latter part of
the nineteenth century. During this time, Dan Mahler established
an electrolysis practice, and subsequently, an electrolysis equipment
firm. The family business exists today as the Instantron Company,
which has been operating continuously for over a century, and is
one of the world's largest suppliers to the electrolysis profession.
1916
Paul N. Kree, of New York, developed the multiple needle (6) technique
for galvanic electrolysis. He was instrumental in the increased
marketing of electrolysis services to the general public. Electrolysis
spread from the medical profession to lay electrologists. The Kree
Company dominated the performance and teaching of electrolysis in
North America until the late 1970's.
1924
Dr. Henri Bordier, of Lyon, France, developed the method of thermolysis
(also called short-wave, diathermy, high-frequency etc.) Medical
literature of the period indicates that this method was probably
attempted as far back as 1910 in Germany by Dr. Eitner.
1925
Dr. A. Rostenberg introduced thermolysis into the North American
medical journals.
1928
Dr. Mildred Trotter published her classic article proving shaving
does not affect hair growth.
1940's
New equipment eliminated the crude spark-gap diathermy machines,
which provided an unpredictable performance. Thermolysis became
more widespread with the use of the simplified and more consistently
reliable vacuum tube machines.
1945
- 1948
Arthur Hinkel and Henri St. Pierre applied for the patent of their
blend machine in 1945 and received it in 1948.
1956
Gordon Blackwell began publishing Electrolysis Digest, and
continued until 1986. His reviews and critiques were vital to the
dissemination of helpful information to electrologists throughout
the world.
1968
Arthur Hinkel and Richard Lind widely publicized the blend in their
text, Electrolysis, Thermolysis and the Blend. Hinkel formalized
the concept of intensity x duration = units of lye (treatment energy),
which is fundamental to a better understanding of electrolysis.
The work of Hinkel and St. Pierre was brilliant, conceptually and
technically, and of great assistance to a better scientific understanding
of electrolysis
1960's
AND 1970's
Electrolysis equipment became much more reliable and simple to use
with the development of transistorized equipment. In November, 1979,
the Copperwaites of Toronto established International Hair Route,
a publication which continues to print articles of interest to all
electrologists.
1980's
Computerized electrolysis equipment became smaller, more reliable,
and easier to use. Mr. Mark Van Orden, of the Fischer Company, was
able to incorporate Hinkel's formula into programmable computerized
epiltors. The AIDS virus stimulated development of pre-sterilized,
disposable needles. In the early 1980's, Drs. Toshio Kobayashi and
Shiro Yamada described their technique of high-powered thermolysis,
using an insulated needle.
1990's
As we approach the twenty-first century, standardized training and
improved equipment will make electrolysis more popular and more
accessible to people around the world.
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BIO's:
Dr. Richards, a dermatologist, has a special interest in professional regulation and licensing. For eight years, he sat on the council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (the governing and licensing agency for physicians in Ontario) and was chairman of registration (licensing) for three of those years. He also served three years on the discipline committee and is a member of the task force on licensure, which determines educational prerequisites for physician licensure in Ontario. He is a lecturer in medicine (dermatology) at the University of Toronto, a member of the consulting staff at North York General Hospital and the courtesy staff at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (dermatology) and a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. He has authored over 30 scientific papers and a textbook on venereal diseases.
Mrs. Meharg graduated in nursing from the Toronto General Hospital, and has had a broad nursing experience, including intensive care, general duty and office nursing. In addition to teaching, performing, researching and supervising electrolysis, she has visited electrolysis facilities throughout North America, attended electrolysis convention, and consulted with electrolysis manufacturers and school directors.
You
may obtain information about the Meharg International School of
Electrolysis by:
Phone (416) 750-9001
E-mail info@mehargelectrolysis.com
Website www.mehargelectrolysis.com
COSMETIC
AND MEDICAL ELECTROLYSIS
AND TEMPORARY HAIR REMOVAL is copyright of Medric Ltd.
Permission to reprint electronically or mechanically must be granted in writing.