ELECTROLYSIS VS. LASER
WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
I am also trained in laser treatments and always do what is best for my clients, so I will be honest with you if I think laser would be a better option for you. Laser works best when you have dark hair and light skin. It works well on the body and I often refer people with large body areas to get treated with laser first. We can clean up the stubborn leftover hair later.
BUT!! I never, ever recommend laser removal on a female face! I have seen laser actually stimulate the hair and make it grow even more. I have had client after client tell me they tried laser only to waste a lot of money and time and now it's worse than before. So please do not try laser on your face, only your body.
When making your decision, electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal method. At the moment, it’s the only path to take, if you want hair gone for a life time. Laser hair removal is a long-term hair reduction method that lasts for about 2 years on average. Up to 90% hair growth reduction can be expected. But also as low as 45% growth reduction. This is the main aspect that matters when talking about electrolysis vs laser hair removal. Even so, there’s more to know about these two amazing methods.
How Electrolysis Works
A metal probe is inserted into the skin until it reaches the follicle. Through this metal probe that looks like a tiny tiny needle, electricity is sent into the follicle in order to permanently destroy it.
The electricity makes the follicle incapable of producing any more hairs. And that’s why electrolysis is the only permanent method.
But I’m sure that you’ve already guessed that it’s also a really slow process. Some patients have sessions for years.
It’s a demanding procedure because each follicle must be treated individually. There is only one metal probe and electricity must be sent through it on individual follicles.
It can take between 9 months up to 18 months to treat a single area. First of all it depends on the surface of the treated are. Secondly, the difference is also made by fine hair growth or heavy growth. If you’re treating your legs then it’s definitely going to take almost two years. But after that, you’re going to have a lifetime of silky smooth skin.
Each session lasts between 15 minutes up to an hour. In the beginning, the sessions might be weekly, gradually advancing to monthly sessions.
But once these sessions are done, that’s it. There’s no more need for shaving, waxing, laser hair removal, epilation or hair removal creams. Nothing but smooth skin.
Another really important thing to mention is that everyone can benefit from the awesome results that this method brings. It doesn’t matter what color your skin or your hairs are. Not the same can be said about laser hair removal.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
First of all, this method only works on people with light skin and dark hair. The darker the hair the better. If you don’t fit into this category, don’t do it. Serious burns can be caused to your skin by the laser light.
It’s quite simple to describe how it works. Basically, the name says it all: pulses of laser light are sent to the follicle, which should permanently destroy it.
However, the follicle is not permanently destroyed and that’s the main difference in the electrolysis vs laser hair removal battle. The follicle is only stopped from producing hairs for a certain amount of time, the average period being 2 years.
The sessions last a lot less because multiple hairs at a time are attacked by the laser light every time a pulse/flash is sent. The average time is up to 30 minutes per leg, 10 minutes for the underarms and around 8 minutes for the bikini area.
However, you might have the impression that only between 3 and 6 sessions are needed for reducing hair growth for 2 years but that’s not always the case.
You can be lucky and only end up needing 6 sessions or you can end up doing 10 sessions or even 20. It depends. Also, you should do a maintenance session once every 6 months or a year.
Electrolysis vs Laser Hair Removal: Which Method Hurts
When taking the pain factor into consideration in the electrolysis vs laser hair removal comparison, electrolysis wins!
Laser is known to cause pain. For some patients, the pain can be quite bad. Others describe the sensation as pinches or as rubber band snaps. So, obviously, it depends from person to person.
Electrolysis is widely described as having a discomfort that feels like a warming, slight stinging sensation. The level of discomfort is different in everyone - I've even had some people fall asleep!