Comparing lazer hair removal & electrolysis

Lazer and electrolysis treatments are both considered permanent hair removal options. So how do these 2 types of treatment compare against each other?

Lazer hair removal systems were indeed amazing when they were first introduced to the public. It became popular and attracted a lot of people to try and remove their unwanted body hair. This treatment is particularly effective for large parts of the body such as the chest, back and legs, as it is a relatively speedy procedure.

However, there are factors to consider if a patient feels like running through the lazer hair removal process. The most commonly considered problem above all is the price that a single treatment will cost a patient. It is the most expensive way to remove body hairs so, to some people, the treatment may not even be an option. To make matters worse, lazer hair removal treatments often require more than one session, which will cost the patient even more and this may not be realistically affordable to some people.

Electrolysis, on the other hand, is a time consuming operation and this can make it as equally expensive for treating large areas of the body. This is because the process requires concentration on the hair follicle one by one. This causes the electrolysis treatment to take a long time to complete. It too, usually requires several sessions for permanent results. However, for smaller areas of the body, electrolysis is a lower cost and much more affordable treatment than lazer.

In deciding whether to try lazer or electrolysis for hair removal, the duration that the treatment will take may be important and they do have big differences. The chart below gives figures for the durations:

Another downside to lazer hair removal is that some methods used for the treatment work for some skin types while they do not work with the others. It is particularly effective on dark hair with light skin, but not so great for either dark skin people or those with light hair. There is also a risk of complications after such treatment.

Electrolysis however, can be used on any hair colours and skin types, and has a long and proven track record of success. This is because each hair follicle must be treated individually and in the same way.

Both procedures can be painful for patients. Electrolysis requires an electrical charge in the skin from a probe, and a lazer can cause heat and burn damage.

So ultimately, the choice between taking a course of lazer or electrolysis sessions may come down to the individual's funds, the amount of time they are prepared to spend under treatment, the area of the body they wish to treat, and their hair colour and skin type.