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Email UpdatesLaser Hair Removal or Electrolysis?
There are many options available today when it comes to hair removal. Thanks to current technology, there are now new and less painful ways to get rid of unwanted hair. However, choosing which method to go with can be an important and difficult decision. Whether you go for laser hair removal or electrolysis depends on a few factors such as: cost, pain, time, risks and benefits, expected outcome. To determine which method would be best for you, let’s take a look at both procedures: ”
Laser Hair Removal
The procedure
During laser hair removal, laser light goes through the epidermis and creates heat in a hair follicle, disabling it and making the hair fall out. Lasers work best on dark hair because the laser targets melanin, which is found in greater concentrations in dark hair. Unlike electrolysis, which uses an electrical current to destroy each hair root individually, laser hair removal treats many hair follicles at once. Areas can typically be treated using laser hair removal in a fraction of the time needed for electrolysis. There have been recent advances in laser hair removal technology that may make it effective on light hair as well. However, it is still not clear how well this most recent technology works.
The pain factor
If discomfort level is the biggest factor for you when choosing the best method, then laser would be the most appropriate choice. Some patients report a tickling or prickling feeling, similar to what you might feel when rolling in dry grass. In more sensitive areas, there might be a light stinging sensation. Sensitive skin might become red for several hours following laser hair removal, but this is normal and will go away on its own. Laser hair treatment centers will provide a mild anesthetic cream to reduce the sensations to help reduce pain.
The results
Generally, patients experience long-lasting, beautiful results with laser hair removal. They enjoy a reduction in unwanted hair and smooth, soft skin after treatment. While results can in some instances slowly fade and necessitate touch-up laser treatment sessions, these follow-ups are typically necessary only once a year or less. You can expect an 80% reduction in hair growth in laser hair removal, but this can vary from person to person. The downside is, laser hair removal can only reduce it instead of completely removing it.
Electrolysis
The procedure
The aesthetician inserts a sterile needle into every hair follicle. A low-level electrical current then kills the follicle. Because electrolysis focuses on one hair at a time, it can be a tedious process, which makes it ideal for small areas like the brows, upper lip and chin. Electrolysis works on both dark and light hair. Unlike laser and pulsed lights, electrolysis kills every follicle that is treated.
The pain factor
Although they both somehow go under the skin to attack the follicle, electrolysis can be more invasive and painful than lasers. The pain from electrolysis may feel like 20 pricks to your one sting for laser hair removal. While electrolysis hair removal does offer permanent results, it is a slow, arduous process that often requires multiple sessions to completely destroy the hair follicles.
The results
After receiving electrolysis, you have to carefully take care of your skin. Studies have shown that extensive skin injury can result if specific preventative treatment is not given to the skin. As of today, electrolysis is the only proven method for permanent and effective hair removal. If your main goal is for complete and lasting hair removal, then this is the method that you should most consider.
AmericanLaser @ October 11, 2009
I haven’t tried both but I think laser hair removal doesn’t scare me as much as the other procedure. It seems faster and painless.
I usually get unwanted hair waxed off. I love it but I can’t seem to make all the waxing sessions fit in my sched anymore.. I’ve been looking for a “quick-fix” for unwanted hair lately and this article helps me the most– giving me more permanent hair removal solutions and the pros and cons between the two. Thanks for this!
I would definitely go for the hair laser than the Electroysis because
I really have a low threshold. I can’t bear too much pain. Besides hair laser is less painful than the latter. Besides, I can be live on my life with my hair slowly reducing. Slowly but surely.
If this is a survey, I would choose electroysis. This is bacause it’s ok to pay much when there are permanent results. Money is hard to earn and as much as possible, get what is the best solution despite the pain. I guess you’d feel the pain for about a day or a week but it will be definitely worth it for sure.