Electrolysis vs Laser Hair Removal

If you are trying to choose between electrolysis vs laser hair removal, this hub is for you! Both electrolysis and laser hair removal are excellent permanent hair removal systems. Men and women undergo these procedures every day to rid themselves of unwanted body hair.

I. What is Electrolysis?

The concept of electrolysis is that an ultra-thin needle is pushed into a patient’s pores and an electric charge is transmitted through the needle to electrocute each hair follicle. This permanent hair removal system will weaken your hair follicles and, after repeated treatments, permanently stop hair growth.

The electrologist has two essential tools, the needle holder and the electrolysis epilator. The needle holder contains a micro-thin needle and is attached by an electric cord to the electrolysis epilator. The electrolysis epilator provides the energy required to electrocute the hair follicle.

Although it is not universal, the trend among electrologists is to move towards computerized epilators. Computerized epilators are able to give a more steady flow of the precise energy required for each hair follicle based on the moisture in the patient’s hair. Some computerized epilators even begin transmitting a charge as soon as they reach the correct part of the follicle, without any triggering by the electrologist. This can substantially speed up the process of electrolysis over manual methods.

II. What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a more modern permanent hair removal system. It is an FDA-approved process that uses lasers to kill the hair follicles. Specifically, the laser generates heat that is absorbed by the melanin in your hair. The heat causes your hair follicle to become inflamed and inactive. After it become inactive, it will not produce hair. Although the procedure was originally popular with women, male laser hair removal has become increasingly common.

Laser hair removal works better if you have dark hair and fair skin. This is because the laser interacts with the melanin in the dark hair and effectively eliminates the hair. If your hair is light, laser hair removal is much less effective. If your skin is dark or tanned, the melanin in your skin will tend to absorb the laser. This will not only impede the laser’s ability to attack your hair follicles but may cause permanent damage or scarring to your epidermis.

When candidates with darker skin do undergo hair removal, they are usually treated with a cream to cool down the surface of their skin and the laser is adjusted to project longer wavelengths. With these modifications, people with darker skin have successfully undergone laser hair removal. You should check with your physician to confirm whether you are a good candidate for laser hair removal and to discuss the potential risks.

III. Electrolysis vs. Laser Hair Removal

When deciding on electrolysis vs laser hair removal, the right tool depends on your particular needs.

First, consider whether you are a good candidate for laser hair removal based on consultation with the laser hair removal provider and your physician. If you are not a good candidate, then electrolyis is the only permanent hair removal system for you.

Second, figure out the best tool for the area of your body in which you are seeking permanent hair removal. If you are having facial hair removed, laser hair removal can be effective on the sides and bottom of your face and on your lips but should not be used anywhere near your eyes or eyebrows. This is because the melanin in your eyes can interact with the laser and harm you. So for those areas, electrolysis is the only solution. For larger areas of your body, laser hair removal is generally the only viable permanent hair removal system. This is because electrolysis is very time consuming and labor intensive. Imagine an electrologist poking a needle in every hair follicle in your chest or back!

Third, consider your pain threshold. Laser hair removal has been compared to the feeling of a rubber band snapping against your skin. Electrolysis has been compared to getting a tattoo. Electrolysis is more painful, time consuming, and probably not something you want to have done over a large portion of your body.

Fourth, consider cost and inconvenience. Laser hair removal can run into thousands of dollars but can be finished in several sessions. Electrolysis costs less per session but can take a great many treatments to reach your desired result.

Assess each of these items as you make your decision between electrolysis vs laser hair removal.  Imagine never having to worry about unwanted hair again! Your permanent hair removal solution is just around the corner.