Laser Hair Removal Versus Electrolysis
Wednesday, January 7th, 2009
Which is better? Laser hair removal or electrolysis?
As soon as just 5 years ago electrolysis was the only choice for those with dark skin or light hair and is still preferred for small areas around the face for women when it comes to permanent hair removal. The many down sides of electrolysis though is the main reason that it was not even an option for men.
Electrolysis uses a needed to get into individual pores and attacks the root of the hair follicle, still making it safer for regions around the eyebrows. Lasers on the other hand attack the melanin (pigment) as well as the hair. This is why it works better on dark haired, light colored skin patients. Unfortunately the iris of the eye contains melanin, thus can be damaged by the laser.
With electrolysis, each hair follicle has to be individually treated for about one minute. So if you consider 30 hairs in half an hour, it may be doable for around the ears or eyebrows. After all, 30 hairs does not cover a lot of ground – making it un realistic if you are wanting your back hair or chest hair done. For best results, electrolysis takes 15 – 30 treatments for best results.
In comparison, laser hair removal might take about half the time per visit and only need 5-8 treatments. Keeping in mind that each person has different factors to weigh in passed on DNA (hair density. thickness, growth rate, etc…) so every person will have different results.
Prices are quite different between the two also. Laser hair removal can average $200 - $900 per treatment depending on the area being worked on. You can expect a couple of introductory ‘lower prices’. They may also try and sell you a whole batch of treatments at a discount. If you have the money up front you can pay, and as long as they guarantee their work you could save thousands with this option. Just realize that there is more then one case where the clinic / company has closed there doors and all the clients got in return was an apology letter in the mail.
Electrolysis though is about $60 per visit because it treats such a small area.
Each individual has a different level of pain threshold, if you’ve ever had a tattoo, then you can compare that to electrolysis. When done by laser, there is a larger area that feels more like a rubber band snapping followed by moderate heat. The ‘tension of the rubber band’ will vary depending on your hair type.
If not done right, both possesses can discolor the skin. Some is reversible, some is not. So it is critical that you select a licensed technician. Just be sure that you wear protective eye shields and keep you eyes closed for the entire treatment to avoid any contact when using the laser.
The FDA has approved home versions of both method but hardly recommended. After all you will either be inserting a needle into individual hair follicles, or risk eye damage from a laser.
Summing it up:
If you are light skinned and dark haired, then you can choose between either option. Laser is the generally the less expensive and requires less time and treatments. Laser is about the only choice if you are going for large areas. Waxing is an option but not permanent and a bit more painful.
Electrolysis wins when it comes to small areas on the face and light haired, dark skinned people that just need small areas done. Although… Laser technology is making advances to combine radio frequencies and laser to address this group though.
