Electrolysis VS. Laser Hair Removal
Unwanted hair seems to pop up at the worst times. Thinking about trying a permanent hair removal treatment? It’s easy to see why these treatments are rising in popularity: The thought of ditching your razors for good is oh-so-tempting.
You have two options: Laser hair removal or electrolysis.
Note: You really need to pick one method or the other; combining treatments won’t be nearly as effective.
Naturally, if you’re going to try one, you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. We’re going to see how each method measures up in terms of cost, effectiveness, and potential side effects. Let’s get into it:
Process
You know that both electrolysis and laser hair removal can get rid of unwanted hair growth for good. But they do so in two different ways:
With laser hair removal, hair follicles are destroyed using light energy. The laser targets the melanin in the hair follicle (which is why it works better on dark hair). The light energy then damages the follicle and prevents new hair growth.
Laser removal causes hair to grow back slower and thinner than before. With enough treatments, it can stop hair growth altogether.
Electrolysis uses electrical currents to eliminate hair follicles. The device targets one follicle at a time for unrivalled precision. The efficacy of your treatment will not be affected by your hair colour or skin tone.
At Spotless Laser Medical Aesthetics, we offer two types of electrolysis hair removal:
With thermolysis, hair follicles are destroyed using electrocoagulation. Your esthetician will insert the needle tip into the hair follicle, where the high-frequency energy heats the cells until they break down.
On the other hand, the blend method combines the thermolysis technique with chemical decomposition. It’s more effective and more efficient than thermolysis alone. However, it takes slightly longer.
Effectiveness
No matter which treatment you choose, the end result will be the same: Permanent hair removal. But depending on your skin tone, budget, and the area you’re treating, one method may offer faster or more affordable results.
Some clinics only offer laser hair removal to clients with light skin and dark hair. At Spotless Laser Medical Aesthetics, we use three types of lasers to ensure we can treat all skin tones and hair types.
Safety
Is it really safe to stop hair growth for good? The answer is yes. At our clinic, we have the qualifications and experience to offer these treatments.
Laser hair removal can be harmful if it’s performed by an unqualified esthetician (or if you try doing it yourself). We always recommend seeing a professional for laser hair removal. If you try a DIY kit, you run the risk of burning your skin with the laser. The risk is greater for those with darker skin tones.
We take all the necessary safety measures during your treatment, including protective eyewear.
Electrolysis is also very safe. We always use sterile needles during our treatments. There are no permanent side effects associated with electrolysis.
Treatment Times
Both electrolysis and laser hair removal require repeat treatments to permanently eliminate hair. There’s no one-and-done way to stop hair growth.
The cost of your electrolysis treatment varies on the duration. As such, large surface areas will be more expensive to treat. The device only targets one hair follicle at a time, so it takes longer than laser hair removal.
Your session may range from 10-60 minutes. As your treatment nears completion, each session will be shorter (since fewer hairs will remain) and, therefore, less expensive.
On average, it takes fewer laser hair removal treatments to eliminate hair growth than electrolysis treatments. Results are faster, but individual treatments are more expensive.
So, which one costs more? It depends on the size of the area you’re treating. If you want to get rid of hair on a large area (chest, forearm, or leg), laser hair removal will be a great pick. But for smaller areas, like the upper lip or cheeks, consider electrolysis.
Pain
What will each treatment feel like?
The discomfort caused by laser treatment is mild. Electrolysis is more painful than laser removal, but still, the pain is not severe. If you want to use numbing cream, be sure to let us know before your appointment.
If you have a low pain tolerance, you might consider laser over electrolysis. At our clinic, we do our best to ensure our clients are as comfortable as possible. With the GentleYag Pro, a high-powered Nd:YAG laser, the device emits cool blasts of cryogen to keep the skin comfortable.
Before Your Appointment
With laser removal, we recommend shaving the treatment area at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Electrolysis is a bit different. Try not to shave for 3-5 days before your session; this helps the needle easily remove the hair and target the follicle.
After Care
Once your treatment is complete, what kinds of side effects might you experience? If you have sensitive skin, you may notice mild redness, swelling, or irritation with either treatment.
At our clinic, we customize your laser treatment based on your hair and skin tone; this ensures your treatment is safe and effective.
Following an electrolysis session, you can soothe your skin by applying cortisone cream, aloe vera, or candela/tea tree oil.
With both treatments, make sure to avoid sun exposure before and after your treatment. UV rays are damaging to your skin. In addition, cleanse your skin before your appointment.
Electrolysis VS. Laser Hair Removal: Which Is Right for You?
Not sure which method to go with? We can help with that.
Schedule a consultation at Spotless Laser Medical Aesthetics. One of our estheticians will meet with you to assess your hair removal goals. Then, we can recommend a treatment plan that’s best suited for your skin and hair type.
Eliminate hair for good with our professional treatments. Contact Spotless Laser Medical Aesthetics today!