Both laser and electrolysis are popular methods of hair removal, and both can achieve very good results.
There are similarities between the two, and lots of conflicting advice, but in certain circumstances laser hair removal is the better option. Here is a list of reasons when you may want to choose laser hair removal over electrolysis:-
When to Choose Laser Hair Removal over Electrolysis
1. You're Content with Permanent Hair Reduction Rather than Complete RemovalWhat Does Permanent Hair Reduction Mean?2. You're on a Budget and Time is a Premium3. You Prefer a Non Invasive Procedure4. You Want to Continue Shaving Between Treatments5. You Want to Treat Ingrown Hairs
6. You have the Right Hair and Skin Type for Laser Hair Removal7. When You Want to Remove Very Dense HairWhen Should you Consider Using Laser and Electrolysis Together?Similarities between Laser Hair Removal and ElectrolysisSummary
1. You're Content with Permanent Hair Reduction Rather than Complete Removal
Whilst electrolysis is the only FDA approved method of permanent hair removal, it is acknowledged that laser hair removal can produce permanent hair reduction, which can be up to 80%.
What Does Permanent Hair Reduction Mean?
Permanent hair reductionhairs
It should not be confused with permanent hair removal and some individuals have been known to experience complete hair re-growth in the years following their last treatment.
On the other hand, a few fortunate people have reported the opposite, with hair never re-growing. Both of these are, however, exceptions to the rule.
2. You're on a Budget and Time is a Premium
Laser treatment is by far the quickest, most efficient and cost effective method of long term hair removal for dense areas of hair e.g. the back, chest, arms and legs.
The reason for this is that the laser beam emitted focuses on melanin, the dark pigment found in concentration around the base of the hair follicles, and can treat many hairs at the same time.
Lasers come with a variety of head sizes and have can emit pulses of light every few seconds, allowing large treatment areas to be covered far quicker than the one hair at a time electrolysis process.
3. You Prefer a Non Invasive Procedure
Laser hair removalthe laser beam
Electrolysis, on the other hand, is an invasive procedure, as the process involves the insertion of a fine needle directly into the hair follicle and administering a short burst of electrical current.
While the needle is hair-sized and therefore barely noticeable during insertion, some people aren't comfortable with the invasiveness of the procedure.
4. You Want to Continue Shaving Between Treatments
The second key reason for choosing laser hair removal rather than electrolysis is that it works for short hair. Therefore, it is not necessary to stop shaving prior to treatment, as the beam targets the melanin below the skin, although waxing and plucking should be kept to a minimum.
Most electrologists advise not shaving for at least 2 days prior to electrolysis, although it should be borne in mind that there is conflicting advice concerning this.
5. You Want to Treat Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairspoor shaving techniques
If the hair shaft does not grow out of the skin properly, it becomes buried within the skin itself causing ingrown hairs which lead to bumps, infections and irritation and can sometimes cause cysts.
Due to the fact that lasers work by targeting and destroying the hair follicle itself, which is the source of the ingrown hair, it provides an effective solution to the problem. This treatment must be applied before the ingrown hair becomes infected as lasers cannot be used on an infected area.
6. You have the Right Hair and Skin Type for Laser Hair Removal
Although lasers have traditionally only been consistently effective and safe for those with dark, coarse hair and light skin, technological advances have resulted in some equipment which use a combination of radio frequency and laser light to successfully treat those with darker skin and also finer hair.
Lasers are not, however, suitable for blond, grey or red hair.
It is crucial, when embarking on a laser hair removal regime, to ensure that you research thoroughly and only go to a reputable, experienced and qualified clinician with the correct equipment to suit your individual hair, skin and health requirements. For more information about this, see our article:- How to find a reputable laser hair removal clinic.
7. When You Want to Remove Very Dense Hair
Electrolysis simply isn't very suitable for removing dense patches of hair (especially over large treatment areas).
Assuming that your skin and hair colour are suitable for one of the lasers on the market, laser hair removal is your only option for long term hair removal of dense hair.
When Should you Consider Using Laser and Electrolysis Together?
If you wish to achieve permanent hair removal for a large, dense area of hair it is possible to begin with laser treatment to considerably reduce the amount of hair to be removed, with follow up electrolysis to permanently remove any remaining hair.
Similarities between Laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis
Both laser and electrolysis require a series of treatments over a period of time, to accommodate the difference in hair growth stages. For more information concerning this see our article “The life cycle of a hair and Electrolysis/Laser hair removal”.
Depending on the amount of hair to be removed, a course of electrolysis is likely to end up being more time consuming and therefore more costly than a course of laser treatments.
Unfortunately, neither laser nor electrolysis is pain-free but it is generally agreed that laser is less painful than electrolysis. This will, however, vary depending on hair type, skin type, area of body and an individual’s own pain threshold as well as type of equipment used.
Summary
In summary, laser hair removal is the preferred choice if:
- Permanent hair reduction is sufficient
- There is a large area of dense hair to be treated
- If an individual does not want to allow hair to become visible prior to treatment
- If ingrown hairs are to be treated
- To reduce large areas of dense hair prior to electrolysis
