When it comes to removing unwanted hair, there are two permanent methods: Laser Hair Removal Vs Electrolysis.
In electrolysis, a fine needle is inserted into individual hair follicles and a small electrical current is delivered to them. It damages and destroys the hair follicle, making it impossible for new growth to occur.
Cost
When it comes to permanent hair removal, laser and electrolysis are often the two most popular options. They’re both safe, effective treatments for permanent hair reduction.
Laser hair removal works with specific wavelengths of light that target the melanin in dark-colored hair follicles, converting it into heat energy and destroying it so that it cannot grow back.
Compared to other hair removal methods, such as waxing and tweezing, laser hair removal is generally more painless and less likely to cause side effects like pigmentation or scarring.
Lasers are also sterile, which is important for patients who have sensitive skin or are pregnant. Unlike electrolysis, which is typically performed by dermatologists, laser hair removal can be done in a variety of locations, including at home using small hand-held devices.
Pain
Laser hair removal and electrolysis are both FDA-approved permanent hair reduction procedures that effectively remove unwanted hair from all areas of the body. Which one is right for you depends on your pain tolerance, patience, and availability to undergo several sessions.
If you are considering electrolysis, it is a little more painful than laser treatment, as the electrologist inserts a thin probe through the skin to damage the root of each hair. This will cause a pinching sensation and heat throughout the procedure.
Taking a pain reliever an hour before and applying ice after the treatment can reduce this discomfort. It is also important to follow your doctor’s instructions for using antibacterial soap before and after treatment, to minimize the risk of folliculitis (a type of inflammation that may lead to small clustered pimples), says Dr. Husain.
Laser treatment is faster and more efficient than electrolysis, so it only takes a few sessions to achieve smooth results. However, it may require multiple maintenance treatments after you complete your initial series to keep hair from growing back in the treated area.
Time
Laser hair removal is a permanent solution to unwanted body hair. But it takes several sessions to get the results you want.
Your medical provider will create a treatment plan based on your skin tone, hair color and thickness. Your provider also needs to consider how quickly your body will produce new hairs after a session.
Each treatment session will last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. Your doctor may use a topical anesthetic or numbing gel before and after each treatment to reduce pain.
You can expect your first treatment to remove 25% of the hairs in the area. After that, your laser will target the remaining hairs.
Because hair grows at different rates and cycles, your electrologist needs to treat each hair at the right time to destroy it. Each treatment is usually followed by multiple more treatments to keep the hair from growing back.
Results
Laser hair removal and electrolysis are both safe and effective options for removing unwanted facial and body hair. Each is best for different skin and hair types, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Electrolysis is more efficient for small, stubborn hairs that won’t come out with shaving or waxing, but it can take longer to get results. It also requires more sessions to complete hair removal and the follicles are treated individually, so they may need multiple treatments before they’re completely gone.
With laser hair removal, each pulse of light destroys the hair follicle, stopping future growth. However, treatment doesn’t last as long as with electrolysis, and you need to return for follow-up treatments to capture the follicle in its anagen phase (when it’s growing) each time.
Both methods are safe and effective, but electrolysis is better for those who need to remove a single hair or a small area of skin. Laser hair removal is faster, more efficient, and more effective for larger areas.
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