Galvanic electrolysis is the oldest of the three modalities and the one that first earned electrolysis its reputation as a genuinely permanent treatment. Instead of relying on heat, it uses a steady direct current to create a chemical change inside the follicle.
That difference matters. Because the action is chemical rather than thermal, galvanic is often the method of choice for follicles that are deep, curved or distorted, and it tends to be gentler on richer, more melanated skin where heat needs to be handled with extra care.
How galvanic works
A fine probe is slid into the natural opening of the follicle, following the hair down rather than piercing the skin. A small direct current then passes down the probe and reacts with the salt and moisture that are naturally present around the follicle.
This reaction produces a tiny amount of a substance called lye (sodium hydroxide) right at the base of the follicle, where the hair-producing cells live. The lye breaks those cells down so the follicle can no longer grow a hair. The current is low and controlled, and the amount of lye is confined to the follicle itself.
What galvanic is especially good at
Deep and distorted follicles
The chemical action spreads to reach the full depth of a follicle, including ones that have been bent or misshapen by tweezing or waxing over the years.
Thorough, lasting results
Galvanic is known for the completeness of its action on each follicle it treats, which is why it is often chosen for coarse or stubborn hair.
Gentler on deeper skin tones
Because it does not rely on heat, galvanic is frequently preferred for Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin, where heat carries a higher risk of temporary pigmentation changes.
The trade-off: time
Galvanic is thorough but slower, because the chemical reaction needs a little time to develop in each follicle. For that reason many practitioners reach for blend, which pairs galvanic thoroughness with the speed of heat, when a larger number of hairs needs treating in one sitting.
Your practitioner will decide, follicle by follicle and area by area, which approach gives you the best balance of comfort, safety and results.