When it comes to getting rid of body hair, there are only a couple of ways to dispose of the razor for good. Laser hair removal and electrolysis both offer long-term hair reduction, and the latter can eliminate hair growth entirely. However, both types of treatments use very different methods of tackling hair growth. When choosing between laser hair removal and electrolysis, it might boil down to how much money and time you're willing to spend--and if you're a good candidate for the service.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is a method of reducing hair growth density so that the number of hair follicles that regrow remains stable over a long period of time. This method of treatment involves using a laser beam to heat up the dark substance in the hair follicle (melanin), which in turn destroys the follicle without harming the outer layer of the skin. It can take numerous sessions for you to get to the desired level of hair reduction. According to the physicians at the Hair Loss Journal, if you're a good candidate for laser hair removal, you may experience up to 80 percent reduction in hair growth after four to seven sessions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that laser hair removal does not eliminate hair. In most cases, it slows down hair growth.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis removes hair follicles one at a time rather than in large clusters, like laser hair removal. A very fine probe is slipped under the skin to the root of the hair follicle. An electric current is delivered through the electrolysis device that kills the root. The hair is then removed with a pair of tweezers. The FDA states that electrolysis is a form of permanent hair removal, although in some cases the hair may grow back and require additional treatments.
Who They Work For
Perhaps the biggest difference between laser hair removal and electrolysis is that the former method of treatment is ineffective on people with fair, light red or unpigmented hair. The Mayo Clinic indicates that people who see the best reduction in hair growth using laser treatments are those with pale skin and dark hair. Electrolysis can be used on just about anyone. According to Andrea James, who maintains the consumer website "Hair Facts," only between 7 and 10 percent of consumers who opted for electrolysis weren't satisfied with their treatment. The majority experienced permanent hair removal.
Time and Cost Factors
Secondary to effectiveness, the prospective consumer must look into how much time and money they have to spend on a hair removal treatment. Small areas of the skin, such as the upper lip, can take less than an hour using electrolysis; however, it may take more than 100 hours to treat a large part of the body, such as the back. Laser hair removal sessions are much shorter, taking around an hour to treat a large body part, such as the legs. Electrolysis is charged by the hour, while laser hair removal is charged by the session. If addressing a small amount of hair, electrolysis may be more cost-efficient in the long run. However, laser hair removal may ultimately be more cost-effective for those who have a lot of hair that needs to be removed.
Choosing Your Treatment Provider
Electrolysis should be performed by a highly skilled electrologist (James notes that some states require electrologists to be certified to perform this treatment) to reduce the risk of unpleasant side-effects, such as bleeding, scabbing and scarring. Similarly, to receive optimal results from laser hair removal, the services of a qualified medical practitioner rather than a spa technician should be sought.
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