39.5 Hours of Electrolysis: A Client’s Journey with PCOS and Why I Use the Blend Method

When my client came to me in November, she had thick facial hair under her chin, jawline, and cheeks—caused by PCOS. She’d been plucking daily for years, which left her with stubborn ingrown hairs and constant skin irritation. The hair wasn’t just a cosmetic concern; it was an emotional burden she wanted to be free from.

Early Sessions: Focused on Reduction, Not Clearing

The first phase of treatment isn’t about removing every hair in one go. It’s about reducing the overall amount of hair so it becomes manageable.

Because of the number of follicles involved and the careful nature of the technique I use—the Blend method—it’s simply impossible to clear all the hair in a single session. This is not only due to hair growth cycles, but because Blend requires treating each follicle for several seconds.

What Is the Blend Method?

The Blend method of electrolysis combines two forms of energy: heat (from high-frequency current) and chemical action (from galvanic current). Together, they work to destroy the entire follicle—both the papilla at the base, which nourishes the hair, and the bulge area, which contains stem cells responsible for regenerating the follicle.

By contrast, flash thermolysis—a technique many skilled electrologists use with excellent results—delivers a very rapid burst of heat focused primarily at the lower portion of the follicle, near the papilla. Because it works so quickly, it’s especially effective for treating large areas in less time.

However, due to the speed of delivery, flash thermolysis may not always reach or destroy the bulge region, especially in follicles that are deep, distorted, or curved from years of tweezing. If the bulge area remains intact, the follicle may regenerate and produce new hair—requiring multiple treatments over time.

The Blend method allows more time in each follicle, so the chemical action can thoroughly treat both the papilla and the bulge, reducing the chance of regrowth—even if it takes longer per follicle.

As Michael Bono, a highly respected electrologist and educator, explains in his book The Blend Method (1994, second printing 2005):

“Thermolysis removes more hair per hour, however, the regrowth is often substantial. By contrast, the blend takes sufficient time to destroy each follicle, so the regrowth is less... Just as the tortoise won the race through persistence, the blend may actually be the faster method.”

The book includes a charming illustration of the tortoise crossing the finish line ahead of the hare—a reminder that slow and steady wins the race. (Read more about Michael Bono at the bottom of this post)

My Client’s Treatment Journey: Hours Spent and Progress Made

Returning to my client’s story: over the course of nearly 7 months, she dedicated herself to regular treatments where I used the Blend method. She was consistent in her early visits, often coming twice a week, especially in the beginning, when the goal was to reduce—not clear—the hair. Her years of tweezing had created challenging conditions, with distorted and stubborn follicles. Thankfully, the Blend method tends to straighten these follicles over time, making subsequent treatments more effective.

Here’s a breakdown of the time we spent working together:

• November – February: 12 sessions totaling 24 hours focused on reducing dense hair, knowing this phase is about steady progress, not immediate full clearance.

• March – April: 6 sessions totaling 10.25 hours targeting the regrowth phase with continued reduction.

• May 8: 2-hour session continuing to clear remaining hair.

• May 24: 2.25-hour session — first full clearance achieved. This means that all follicles with visible hair appearing above the surface of the skin were treated.

• June 7: 1-hour session — second full clearance, allowing her to move toward less frequent visits, likely just once a month soon.

  Total time spent: approximately 39.5 hours

Moving Forward: Monthly Maintenance

After months of steady work, she reached full clearance. Now, we’re transitioning to monthly maintenance sessions to catch any remaining hairs as they cycle back. Her skin has transformed, her confidence has grown, and she no longer spends time plucking every morning.

Why I Use Blend (and When Flash Has Its Place)

There are different electrolysis techniques, and flash thermolysis is a widely used method that achieves excellent results in many cases. It’s fast, efficient, and allows electrologists to treat a large number of hairs in a short time. There are definitely situations where flash is the right choice.

But in my practice, I primarily use Blend, because it provides a deeper, more thorough destruction of the follicle—from the base (papilla) all the way up through the bulge region. Especially in cases involving PCOS, tweezing history, or thick facial hair, Blend gives my clients the long-term results they’re looking for.

What This Means for You

Electrolysis is not about rushing through as many hairs as possible in one sitting. The number of hairs treated per hour isn’t always the best measure of success. What matters is how thoroughly each follicle is treated, how the method fits your unique skin and hair situation, and how consistent you are with treatments.

With patience and the right approach—whether that’s Blend, flash, or a mix of both—permanent hair removal is absolutely possible, even for stubborn cases like PCOS.

Who Was Michael Bono?

Michael Bono (born c. 1955 – died December 27, 2022) was a highly respected electrologist, educator, and author. He specialized in advancing the Blend method, combining thermal and chemical techniques for permanent hair removal.

• Industry Educator: Bono taught professionals worldwide, and many in the field remember him as “an icon in the field of Electrology”

• Author: He wrote The Blend Method (1994, 2nd printing 2005), a defining textbook that introduced the tortoise-and-hare analogy — “slow and steady wins the race.”

• Clinical Excellence: His practice featured high-profile clients, and he was well-known for training electrologists worldwide and consulting on complex cases — all while emphasizing ethical, thorough care.

• Lasting Legacy: His scientific approach, focus on follicle biology, and dedication to the craft continue to shape electrolysis practitioners today.