Electrolysis uses an electrical current to remove any unwanted hair follicles on just about part of the body, whether it’s the legs, back, chest, chin, arms, legs and/or cheeks.
Different from other hair methods, such as laser removal, for example, electrolysis will target individual hairs, rather than a group, effectively creating more permanent results by using chemicals or heat to destroy the growth center of the hair.
How much does electrolysis hair removal cost?
The costs of electrolysis will greatly depend on the number of sessions required, your circumstances, the professional you choose and your geographical region, and based on these factors and the quotes sourced online, the prices range anywhere from $25 to $110+ per session, all depending on the length of the session and amount of hair being removed. The session price can often drop by more than 30 percent if you were to commit to more than five sessions, however, so it doesn’t hurt to ask your provider if discounts are available.
The number of sessions you require will depend on the amount of hair that needs to be removed, the size of the area in question and the individual, and more of than not, during the initial consultation, an electrologist will be able to determine how many sessions are required based on your responses and requests. In total, be prepared to spend $450 to $800 for multiple sessions to see results.
As the procedure is considered cosmetic, no health insurance companies will cover the procedure.
| Area of Body | Reported Average Costs |
|---|---|
| Bikini | $500-$950 |
| Chin | $275-$500 |
| Upper Lip | $300-$600 |
| Legs | $2,000+ |
| Back | $2,500+ |
| Eyebrows | $100-$175 |
The American Electrology Association states the cost of electrolysis will depend on a variety of factors, including how much hair needs to be removed, the size of the area and where you get the services performed, with a larger city having higher prices than a smaller city.
Members of Realself.com, for example, reported paying an average of $450 for all sessions.
On this LiveAbout.com page, they posted an invoice, noting the costs of each session. All in all, the total, which totaled 477 minutes, cost $601.
The procedure
Before the electrolysis starts, a local anesthetic is applied. Next, a handheld-like device, which is connected to an electrolysis machine, will apply a current to your hair follicle as a thin needle is inserted into the follicle that needs to be removed. Doing so will destroy the cells which are responsible for the hair growth. After the procedure completes, patients report feeling slight pain and redness at the sight, but for most, you should be able to resume normal activities that day.
The entire procedure, depending on the area being treated, can take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes to perform.
Depending on the factors mentioned above, most patients will then return seven to 14 days later for additional treatments until you see desired results. Once all of the treatments complete, then the unwanted hair will be gone forever
Electrolysis vs laser hair removal — the difference?
| Laser | Electrolysis | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Creates a mild radiation via a high-heat laser to damage the hair follicles to slow the growth. While the results can last quite some time, it will not create permanent results, meaning you will need multiple treatments in future for long-term results. | Disrupts the hair growth by inserting an epilator handheld device into the skin, effectively damaging the hair follicles to prevent them from growing in the future. This procedure is backed by the FDA as a permanent solutions. |
| Benefits | - Can be done on any part of the body - Very little, if any, recovery period - New hairs will grow, but the new growth will be much finer and lighter in color - Works great for those with darker hair and fair-colored skin |
- Very versatile and can produce permanent results - Can be used on any body part, even the eyebrows |
| Side Effects | Can include blistering, swelling, irritation, inflammation, pigment changes, redness and/or swelling. Rarer side effects may include scars or changes the skin texture. | Very minimal but can include swelling or pain. |
Tips to know
Regulations for electrolysis do vary by state, so be sure to know the rules and be certain that the electrologist you’re hiring meets all state licensing and certification requirements. To find a qualified electrologist, we highly recommend the official American Electrology Association provider search. Failing to do so can lead to unnecessary discomfort, scarring and/or additional sessions that were not required. Aside from this, ask for recommendations, look online for reviews and see if you can take advantage of a free consultation to ask questions that may concern you.
The risks of electrolysis, as per the FDA, does include scarring and infection, but in general, there are very few side effects.
Today’s methods, as per WebMD.com, usually do not hurt, but your doctor can apply a topical anesthetic if you’re uncomfortable with the procedure.
Patients who follow a treatment plan as set by a professional should expect to see results in about 12 to 18 months, but these results will directly be related as too much hair you need to lose.
At home electrolysis machines exist, but most of the devices available have very poor reviews and are not recommended.
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