Electrolysis vs laser hair removal
Question: Which is better, electrolysis or laser hair removal?
The short answer is that for smaller areas, laser hair removal can be quite successful. However, electrolysis still has one big advantage, and several smaller advantages, over laser hair removal. For larger areas, laser hair removal may prove more convenient, if slightly less successful. Read on for all the details.
Laser Hair Removal
Lasers tend to work best on those with dark hair and light skin. This is due to the fact that the lasers target melanin. Melanin is found in higher quantities in darker hair. There are a few newer lasers that can remove blonde hairs, but they aren’t in wide use, and don’t match the results of lasers on darker hair. And, if your skin happens to be dark, proceed cautiously, as the laser targets the melanin in your skin as . This can cause dark or light spots in your skin, and potentially irritation.
Painfulness
Lasers are not nearly as painful as having your hairs waxed, but they are more painful tweezing or the Indian threading technique. The pulsing light feels a bit like a rubber band snap on your skin. Taking an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin ) before your appointment will minimize the effect.
How much time does laser hair removal take?
It really depends on the area. Facial laser treatment, around the chin and upper lip goes quickly, 10 to 15 minutes or so. Typically, five or six treatments, every four weeks, is needed for permanent results.
Larger areas, like the legs will have you in the clinic for around an hour, depending on the density of hair growth.
Cost
One of the downsides of laser hair removal is the cost. It varies by location, but sessions can range from $150-$300, or more. And, remember, that’s per session. You’ll need 4-6 sessions or more.
What about the results ?
Most laser hair removal salons quote an 80% reduction in hair growth. Of course, your results may vary. Some patients have better luck, and some have worse.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is generally more successful than laser hair removal, and work equally well on lighter and darker colored hair.
How electrolysis works
The technician uses a sterile needle, and individually inserts it into each of your hair follicles. Then, a low-level electric charge kills the follicle. Theh process treats one hair at a time, so it can be pretty. tedious process. For areas like the face, this is not such a big deal, but larger areas take a lot of time.
Pain
Electrolysis is more painful than laser hair removal, mostly because you feel the pinch for each hair. Where the laser feels like a rubber band, electrolysis feels like a small pin prick.
Cost
The cost per session is lower than laser hair removal, at $50-75 per thirty minute session. However, the total number of sessions is higher, at 15-30 visits.
Are results guaranteed? Yes. Unlike laser and pulsed lights, electrolysis kills every follicle the aesthetician treats.
The pain from electrolysis is greater than laser and it may feel like 20 pricks to your one for laser hair removal. Cost is about $60 for a typical 30-minute session, but the con is you need about 15-30 visits to see the best results (ouch!)
What about the results?
Electrolysis comes very close to being guaranteed results. The process kills each follicle the technician treats. Followups are typically treating missed or new follicles, not ones that have already been treated.