Taking a Look at Laser Hair Removal Vs. Electrolysis Hair Removal

There are many options available to you when it comes to hair removal. As technology progresses they are coming up with new and less painful ways to get rid of unwanted hair. This is good news for those who need this type of treatment, however, choosing which method to go with can be a important and difficult decision. There are many factors that go into deciding which method is best for you, including pain, cost, time involved, and expected outcome. In this article we will look at the two main types of hair removal, laser and electrolysis, to help you choose if either of these methods are right for you.

One of the most important aspects of laser hair removal is its lasting effects. As of today, electrolysis is the only proven method for permanent and effective hair removal. If your main goal is for complete and lasting hair removal then this is the method that you should most consider. As it stands, laser hair removal can not only allow hair to grow back but can also only reduce it instead of completely removing it.

Laser procedures are known to reduce dark hair, mostly from light skinned individuals. There have been recent advances in laser hair removal technology that may make it effective on light hair as well, however it is still not clear how well this most recent technology works. One the other hand, electrolysis is great for getting rid of unwanted hair of any color. If you have dark skin electrolysis may be the best option for you anyway since utilizing laser technology does run the risk of discoloring skin pigmentation.

Electrolysis has been used as an effective permanent hair removal solution for many years. It has been tried, tested, and proven to work. This means that once you pay the money and go through the procedure that you will never have to worry about spending more time or money on it again. Laser technology is relatively new compared to electrolysis, so there are no long-term results to base any assessment on. We do know that it can cause damage and is not necessarily permanent.

Electrolysis and laser hair removal methods are based on two different technologies. With electrolysis metal shafts that are placed directly into each hair follicle that is to be treated. The follicle is then disabled and the hair falls out. With laser hair removal a beam of laser light goes through the skin and creates heat in the follicle which then disables it and the hair falls out.

Due to the types of methods used by each different technology, although they both somehow go under the skin to attack the follicle, electrolysis can be more invasive and painful than laser. However, you can expect some discomfort with any hair removal system and should ask your practitioner about pain relief methods available to you. If discomfort level is the biggest factor for you then laser would be the most appropriate choice.

There is an overwhelming difference between the amount of time that each procedure takes. For instance, an electrolysis treatment that takes between 2-12 hours, would only take 2-3 minutes if a laser were used instead. This is because to use electrolysis a metal shaft has to be placed in each follicle which, depending on the size if the treated area, could be an enormous amount. Even if you had to have ten laser treatments to achieve your desired result, it would still be hours quicker that electrolysis.

The amazing thing about electrolysis is that it is a one time deal. Once you have the procedure done you will never have to worry about hair appearing on the treated area again. This is a great advantage over laser hair removal which can sometimes require treatment upon treatment without the desired result ever being achieved. The smaller areas take on average 2-3 treatments to complete when using laser.

Deciding to utilize a hair removal treatment is an important choice that should not be taken lightly. You can choose between less risky yet more time consuming and painful treatments or more risky yet quicker and more comfortable treatments. Either way you need to make an informed decision that is right for your safety as well as your pocketbook and personal preference.

Laser Hair Removal

– Not always permanent
– Mainly for removing dark hair
– No long-term research
– Uses laser to pass through skin and heat follicle to disable
– A treatment takes minutes
– Less discomfort

Electrolysis Hair Removal

– Always permanent
– For removing any color of hair
– Used for many years
– Inserts metal shaft into follicle to disable
– A treatment takes hours
– More discomfort