Most people don’t know, but there are two different ways of removing facial hair for good. Both methods have their advantages, so it depends on what you need the most. In this article, we will compare laser hair removal vs electrolysis and tell you all about the differences between them, so that you can make the right decision.
Laser hair removal is a safe and convenient method for permanently reducing unwanted hair from the face, bikini area, underarms, legs, and other parts of the body. Over the years, technology has evolved and there are now more effective laser hair removal treatments than ever before. There are different methods of laser hair removal based on one’s skin type and individual preferences.
Read on to learn more about Is Laser Hair Removal Better Than Electrolysis
Is Laser Hair Removal Better Than Electrolysis
Laser hair removal uses a laser to damage hair follicles sufficiently to reduce hair growth.
It will permanently diminish hair growth, but does not eliminate unwanted hair forever — eventually, the hair will grow back.
What does the procedure involve?
Before the procedure, the technician performing the laser surgery will trim the hair that is being treated close to the skin.
The technician will then adjust the laser’s settings based on the color and thickness of the hair being removed, as well as the area being treated. Preparations will likely also take into account the color of the person’s skin.
The technician will then apply a cold gel to the skin to protect it. Some people may be given a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort. Anyone having their hair removed with a laser will need to wear eye protection during the treatment.
Aftercare
After the procedure, it may be necessary to apply ice packs to alleviate discomfort. For severe pain, a doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers or a steroid cream.
Most people will require up to 8 follow-up treatments to get the best results, which can be scheduled 4 to 6 weeks apart. Once hair growth has been sufficiently restrained, a person may require a once-or twice-yearly maintenance session.
Advantages of laser hair removal
Some of the benefits of laser hair removal include:
- Precision: The lasers quickly target coarse, dark hairs.
- Speed: Laser pulses take just milliseconds, and can treat several hairs at once, which means that small areas can be treated in just minutes.
- Lighter growth and color: New hair growth tends to be less dense than before, and the new hair is often a few shades lighter than the original hair.
- Efficacy: Many people see long-term results after 3 to 8 sessions.
Disadvantages of laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is not suitable for everyone, and there are some risks involved. Its main disadvantages include:
- Not suitable for all coloring: The laser works best on people with light skin and dark hair because the laser targets dark colors.
- Risk of adverse reactions: Some of the more undesirable side effects of laser hair removal can include discolored skin, swelling, skin redness, blisters, and scarring. However, some of these resolve within hours of the treatment.
- Photosensitivity: Lasers can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity); so direct exposure to the sun must be avoided immediately after the procedure. People having laser treatment should avoid sunlight for 6 weeks before treatment to prevent discoloration of the tanned skin.
- Dangers of numbing products: According to the FDATrusted Source, the use of skin-numbing products in laser hair removal has led to reports of serious and life-threatening side effects that occurred after individuals applied a numbing agent to large areas of the body.
People should use a fully trained, certified laser technician working under the direction of a board-certified healthcare provider to reduce the risk of severe and long-lasting side effects following laser hair removal.
Costs
Insurance companies consider laser hair removal to be a cosmetic procedure, and so they do not cover it.
Costs vary according to the area of the body being treated and the number of sessions required but can cost $200 to $400 per visit. Prices also vary depending on the geographic location of the laser treatment center.
It is also necessary to factor in the price of the yearly maintenance procedures when calculating the total cost of this treatment.
At-home therapies or salon treatments, although significantly cheaper, carry more significant risks.
What is electrolysis?
Electrolysis involves passing an electrical current through a hair follicle, which damages the follicle and prevents new hair growth.
Electrolysis is the only method of permanent hair removal available. To ensure efficacy and safety, a licensed, board-certified dermatologist or electrologist should carry out the procedure.
What does the procedure involve?
Before the procedure, a person will typically have a consultation with an electrologist to discuss their health and medical history.
The procedure itself involves the technician placing an ultra-thin needle into the targeted hair follicle. An electric current passes through the probe, killing the hair root.
Aftercare
Very little aftercare is necessary. Although the skin may feel irritated and appear slightly red, these symptoms tend to resolve within a few hours.
For permanent hair removal, a person will need several treatments. This is because the skin has multiple follicles for each hair, so dormant follicles may begin to grow hair between sessions. Follow-up sessions treat these newly active follicles.
The majority of people will require follow-up sessions every week or every other week for several weeks to eliminate hair on the target area.
Advantages of electrolysis
Electrolysis has the following advantages:
- Permanent: Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal.
- Versatility: According to the American Electrology Association, electrolysis is effective for people with any skin type, skin color, hair type, and hair color. Electrolysis is suitable for any area of the body — including the eyebrows.
- No recovery time: People can resume their daily activities immediately after the procedure.
- Maintenance-free: There is no need to schedule an annual electrolysis session — once the hair has been removed no more treatments are necessary.
- No harsh chemicals: Unlike with laser hair removal or hair bleaching, electrolysis does not require the use of chemicals on the skin.
Disadvantages of electrolysis
Although there are many benefits to electrolysis, there are some risks and drawbacks to consider:
- Several sessions: If larger areas are being treated with electrolysis, such as the legs or back, it can take several long sessions to achieve permanent results. Also, removing coarse hair, such as from around the bikini line, requires more sessions. Some people may require up to 30 treatments.
- Discomfort: People undergoing electrolysis hair removal may experience some pain and discomfort. It may help to take a pain reliever before treatment and to apply ice following the session.
- Potential for adverse effects: These include scarring in rare cases or infection from unsterilized needles. These risks highlight the importance of only using a board-certified dermatologist.
How long does it take for hair to grow back after electrolysis
Electrolysis hair removal is the only method of hair removal that can claim to have permanent results according to the FDA. As we all know, electrolysis is a lengthy process, and a certain amount of regrowth is part of that process.
Regrowth after electrolysis explained
To understand the process of regrowth and the ideal time interval between clearing sessions of electrolysis hair removal we first have to understand the basics of hair growth.
If we take a look at a random 10 hairs in the face about 4 out of 10 hairs are in the Resting phase, called Telogen. 6 out of 10 hairs are in the Growing phase, called Anagen.
5 days prior to facial electrolysis and 10 days prior to genital electrolysis, you need to stop shaving. Only the hairs in the growing stage will grow adn will be visible at the surface. Hence the name growing phase. Notice in the example above that the 1st hair early in the Growing phase still has not reached the surface of the skin.
This means 5 on 10 hairs are not visible at the time of the first clearing electrolysis session. So they are not treated as the electrologist can only treat the hair that is visible. This is called “FALSE” regrowth. Let’s say in a 6th hair the shot of the electrologist failed to kill the hair. This is called “TRUE” regrowth.This means you will have a TOTAL “regrowth” of 6 out of 10 hairs after the first session. Only one of them in this example is true “regrowth”.
Side effects of electrolysis hair removal treatment
1. Skin damage:
Skin damage is one among the most common side effects, you can suffer due to electrolysis hair removal treatment. Skin damage can happen after electrolysis hair removal treatment was performed by an unexperienced technician. It can also happen if you do it at home. The only way to prevent skin damage is you should invest some time to find a good skin expert who will carry the process keeping all the risk and effects in mind.
2. Blisters:
Another popular side effect, which people have observed, is blisters on the skin or treated area. Blisters, basically look like acne, is quite common after you undergo the surgery. These blisters may typically appear on the skin for 24-48 hours and will eventually fade away. However, you should avoid scratching or scrubbing your face for a few days. Consult the doctor in any case.
3. Swelling on the face:
If you have electrolysis hair removal treatment done on the face, then, there are high chances that you will observe swelling on the face. If you get a very large area treated at once, then, there are chances that you may experience swelling and inflammation on the face. You can treat the slight inflammation on the skin by applying ice on the face. Swelling may fade away after 36 hours of the treatment.
4. Acne:
Yes, acne is one among the most common problems that a person may suffer from, after electrolysis hair removal treatment. If your skin is prone to breakouts, you should consider using mild lotions, cleansers or toners to keep your skin healthy. It is important to avoid using those products which may make the condition worse. Acne or breakouts on the skin may be quite frequent for 5-10 days after the treatment. It all depends on your skin.
5. Burning sensation:
Undergoing pain or burning sensation is another side effect that you may observe after electrolysis hair removal treatment. Burning sensation or pain may be highly probable, if the procedure is done by an inexperienced technician or if it is done incorrectly. If you happen to experience pain after the first session, you should speak to your expert about this. If needed, you can discontinue the process and find another good and certified expert for this treatment.
6. Discoloration of skin:
Another common side effect of electrolysis hair removal treatment is discoloration of the skin. You may suffer from this problem especially if you have sensitive skin. Discoloration of the skin may be in the form of dark or brown spots on the face, which can be treated using a skin lightening cream. Discoloration of skin is quite common and you don’t need to panic about this.
7. Formation of ingrown hair:
Unfortunately, undergoing the electrolysis hair removal treatment can lead to formation of ingrown hair. Ingrown hair forms when the hair follicle is damaged instead of getting destroyed completely. Ingrown hair may lead to irritation or itching, but ingrown hairs should be easy to remove by using a good exfoliator