Laser Hair Removal vs. Electrolysis
Enough thinking about it. The time has come. For the sake of your confidence and budget, you want a more permanent solution for your unwanted hair.
Question is, what’s the BEST method to achieve that goal? We’re not talking about shaving or waxing. Better, longer-lasting options are out there.
So what’s the best route to take? Two of the more popular options are laser hair removal and electrolysis. Both are popular means to get hair-free, but that’s where the similarities end.
When deciding which method will work better for you, consider the facts we’ve gathered so you can make a decision that’s informed and best suits you.
How do laser hair removal and electrolysis remove hair?
With laser hair removal, the laser targets the hair follicle and delivers a controlled amount of heat directly to the follicle. The follicle is destroyed without damaging the skin, which prevents it from growing hair.
On the other hand, electrolysis disrupts hair growth by inserting a fine probe into the hair follicle and destroying it with chemical or heat energy. It prevents new hair from growing and causes the existing hair to fall out.
Regardless of which choice you make, both hair removal methods require multiple treatments to get rid of unwanted hair.
Laser hair removal targets the hair follicle and then delivers a controlled amount of heat directly to the follicle to destroy it without damaging the skin.
What benefits can you expect from laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal can be performed almost anywhere on the body. However, you should know some laser hair removal providers won’t treat the scalp or eyebrow area.
Also, very little recovery time is necessary. You can resume normal activities following treatment. Some treatments can even be done over your lunch hour! And you’ll no longer have to worry about ingrown hairs, cuts from shaving, or any pain that comes from waxing. It’s also the best option when you have any pigment in your hair.
The biggest advantage of laser hair removal compared to electrolysis is that it treats many follicles in an area all at once. Electrolysis treats one individual follicle at a time and is a more tedious treatment. Also, with the right technology, laser hair removal can treat all skin tones and any hair with pigment.
One of the most notable differences between electrolysis and laser hair removal treatments is the number of treatments you’ll need to get the results you want.
Electrolysis disrupts hair growth by inserting a fine probe into the hair follicle and destroying it with chemical or heat energy to prevent new hair from growing and causing the existing hairs to fall out.
What are the benefits of electrolysis?
The most notable benefit is its versatility. It inhibits hair growth from all skin tones and hair types because each hair is treated individually. You can also get electrolysis treatment anywhere on the body, eyebrows included. Also, it’s a viable option to treat ingrown hairs and white hairs.
What are the most important differences between the treatments?
One of the most notable differences between electrolysis and laser hair removal treatments is the number of treatments to get the results you want. It’ll take more electrolysis treatments than laser hair removal treatments to get rid of that unwanted hair for good.
For instance, if you go the electrolysis route, you may need as many as 30 treatments. That’s because every individual hair must be treated separately with electrolysis—this also means that these treatments take longer than laser hair removal treatments.
On the other hand, with laser hair removal, most people are hair-free in 10 treatments or less, and it treats many follicles at once, allowing for large body areas to be treated quickly!
Many feel that laser hair removal is more comfortable than electrolysis as well, but we’ll touch on that a little later!
Are there any side effects to laser hair removal or electrolysis?
There can be, yes, and most side effects are minor. Small scabs can develop on the surface of the skin with electrolysis, but they typically fall off naturally. Redness and swelling are also common following treatment.
Laser hair removal side effects are minimal as well. Some minor discomfort and redness might follow treatment, but those symptoms are usually gone within hours of an appointment.
Does laser hair removal and electrolysis hurt?
It varies from person to person, but many clients often describe electrolysis pain as a heat sensation and a small pinch when the needle is inserted into the hair follicle.
Clients who receive laser hair removal treatment liken it to a mild pinch similar to a rubber band snap. Compared to other methods of hair removal like waxing, laser hair removal has been described as far less painful.
So which method is better?
The truth is that it all depends on what you would prefer! The big takeaways with laser hair removal versus electrolysis are that both treatments require multiple sessions. They can be safely performed on all skin tones and provide permanent results when performed properly.
With laser hair removal, fewer treatments are required, treatments are faster, and it’s usually a more pleasant experience with comfort features available.
And electrolysis, although it takes longer, can treat peach fuzz and white hair. Laser hair removal treatments are not effective on these hair colors.
Understanding how each method can help you achieve your hair-free goals is an important part of deciding which hair removal method is right for you! So, make sure you’re asking the right questions while researching which method is best for you.