Upper lip electrolysis permanently removes unwanted hair one follicle at a time. A 20-minute session costs $50 at our Irvine studio. Most clients need 8 to 15 sessions over 9 to 18 months, and it works on every skin tone and hair color, including gray and blonde.
Why choose electrolysis for the upper lip?
The upper lip is where hair is most visible and most often misjudged. Many women have fine, pale, or mixed-color hair there that laser cannot detect. Shaving gives stubble, waxing causes irritation and ingrowns, and threading needs to be repeated every few weeks.
Electrolysis is the one option that reaches every hair. The probe follows the shaft into the follicle and destroys the root, so treated follicles do not grow again. The FDA allows electrolysis to be marketed as permanent hair removal, and it is the only method with that standing. If you are weighing options, see electrolysis vs laser.
What does it cost?
| Service | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Upper lip electrolysis | 20 min | $50 |
| Upper lip and chin, back to back | 20 + 30 min | $115 |
First-time clients take $25 off. Buy 5 visits and save 10%, or 10 visits and save 15%. Every price is listed on the prices page. The consultation, 15 minutes, is free.
How many sessions will you need?
For the upper lip, the typical range is 8 to 15 sessions over 9 to 18 months. Results vary. Several things change the number:
- Hair type. Fine vellus hair clears faster than thick terminal hair.
- Hormones. Conditions such as PCOS, or the hormonal shifts around menopause, keep bringing new hairs in. See PCOS facial hair.
- Past hair removal. Years of waxing or plucking can distort follicles, which makes them harder to treat.
- Consistency. Regular visits early on shorten the total time.
You will usually start with a visit every week or every other week. As hairs thin out, visits move to every three or four weeks. Most clients see a visible change within the first two or three months.
What happens during a 20-minute session?
You sit reclined, the area is cleansed, and your electrologist opens a new sterile probe. Each hair is treated in turn: the probe slides in, a short pulse of energy is delivered, and the hair is lifted out. You feel a quick sting or heat. How many hairs are treated per visit depends on density and growth stage.
Aida Khazieva, a licensed cosmetologist and electrologist with 20+ years of experience, chooses between thermolysis, galvanic, and blend per hair on an Apilus device. You can read how each works on the electrolysis hub.
How should you prepare and heal?
Before: shave one or two days ahead, skip waxing and plucking, and arrive without makeup or sunscreen on the area. Take a mild painkiller beforehand only if your doctor says it is fine for you.
After: expect light pinkness and tiny bumps for a few hours. Skip heavy makeup that day, avoid picking, and use sunscreen. A cool compress calms any sting. Small scabs, if they form, heal on their own within a few days.
Because the upper lip heals fast, most clients return to work or errands right after the visit.
Is the upper lip a good place to start?
Yes, and many clients do exactly that. It is small, the results are easy to see, and it shows you how your skin reacts before you commit to a larger area. If you also have hairs on the chin, you can add the chin electrolysis to the same visit.
We serve clients from Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, and the rest of Orange County. Book online or stop in during the free consultation, open daily 8am to 9pm at 18021 Sky Park Circle, Suite N, Irvine, CA 92614. You can also reach us from the contact page.
Results vary by person. Electrolysis is performed by a licensed professional, and an individual estimate is given at your consultation.
Questions
How much does upper lip electrolysis cost?
A 20-minute upper lip session costs $50. Your first visit is $25 off, and packages save 10% on 5 visits and 15% on 10 visits.
How many sessions does the upper lip need?
Typically 8 to 15 sessions spread over 9 to 18 months. Fine, light hair often clears faster than dense, dark hair. Hormonal hair takes longer.
Does upper lip electrolysis hurt?
It is the most sensitive facial area, so expect a sharper pinch than on the chin. The sessions are short, and the intensity can be adjusted. Many clients find it easier after the first two visits.
Why not just use laser on my upper lip?
Laser needs dark hair against light skin. It misses gray, blonde, and fine hair, and it can leave a fuzzy layer behind. Electrolysis treats every hair regardless of color.
Can I wax or thread between sessions?
No. Hair must be present for the probe to follow it to the root. Shave or trim if you need to, and keep waxing and plucking off the table.
Will my skin look red after a session?
Mild redness for a few hours is normal. Most clients leave and carry on with their day. Avoid makeup on the area until the next morning.
How long should the hair be before I come in?
About one to two millimeters, roughly one or two days after shaving. Long enough to grasp, short enough to treat easily.
Is it safe for dark skin?
Yes. Electrolysis does not rely on pigment, so it is safe and effective on all skin tones.