Hair removal is a time consuming and repetitive routine practiced by billions of people around the world. No wonder that many are looking for longer lasting solutions to this problem. Currently, two procedures enjoy great popularity so it is not simple to make the right decision. That is why we have decided to compare laser hair removal vs. electrolysis and help you pick the best long-term hair removal method for yourself.
To make everything clear, both of these techniques deliver on their promise to provide long-term and potentially permanent hair removal.
However, there are some differences between electrolysis and laser hair removal so let’s take a closer look.
What is the difference between electrolysis and laser hair removal?
The main difference between electrolysis and laser is in how they “destroy” the hair follicle.
Laser hair removal delivers laser light under the skin to break up the hair follicle. Electrolysis involves inserting a probe and sending an electric current through to the follicle to remove the hair and stop its growth.
That’s the main difference between electrolysis and laser. However, we still don’t know the answer to a more important question – Laser Hair Removal vs Electrolysis : Which is better?
To answer this, we need to consider all the advantages and potential disadvantages of both procedures.
Laser Hair Removal
The purpose of the laser light is to damage the hair follicle using heat and slow down the regrowth of hair. When new hair appears, it is always thinner, weaker and lighter. So, the break between two laser treatments becomes longer with time.
Laser hair removal is available at dermatology clinics and professional beauty salons. However, DIY laser hair removal has become increasingly popular in the last few years. We recommend you try Tria Beauty Laser Hair Removal x 4 that will revolutionise your hygiene routine completely.
Advantages of Laser Hair Removal vs Electrolysis
- Laser hair Removal can treat multiple hair follicles with one zap and thus cover a much larger area of the body in a single session. Speed of treatment is one of the most important advantages of laser hair removal vs. electrolysis.
- When it comes to recovery time, it is unnecessary to compare electrolysis vs. laser. With laser hair removal, there is virtually no downtime. You are free to resume your activities immediately after treatment.
- The cost of laser hair removal vs. electrolysis can be lower, the same, or higher depending on the number of sessions. On the other hand, you can save a lot of money with an at home laser hair removal device.
Disadvantages of Laser Hair Removal
- Laser hair removal can achieve hair growth reduction , but not permanent hair removal. This means that some hair will eventually grow back and you will need a few “touch up” treatments to maintain the results.
- Laser hair removal works in all parts of the body. It does well on the arms, legs, bikini area face, etc. The area around the eyes is the only one you should avoid. Not because the laser would not work there, but because it can damage your eyesight.
- Side effects of laser hair removal are rare. Some redness and skin irritation can appear immediately after the procedure. These will usually go away in a few hours.
- Laser works best on lighter skin and darker hair as it relies on the contrast between skin colour pigmentation and hair colour.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis uses electric current to permanently destroy the hair follicle so it can never grow hair again. Originally, only certified dermatologists performed electrolysis in a professional setting.
With the advance of technology, many quality electrolysis machines for home use are now available on the market. If you want to give DIY hair electrolysis a go, we suggest you try V2R Deluxe Professional Electrolysis Hair Removal Machine.
Advantages of Electrolysis Hair Removal vs Laser
- Electrolysis is the only method backed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to permanently remove hair. Unlike laser that generates heat to only disable the hair follicles, electrolysis uses electricity to kill them completely.
- Electrolysis can be used anywhere on the body, including the eye area and can even treat men’s beard.
- Electrolysis is a better option for anyone looking to get rid of body hair permanently, regardless of skin or hair colour. Since there is no light involved, electrolysis is suitable for all skin tones and hair colours, including red, blonde and white hair.
Disadvantages of Electrolysis
- Electrolysis is time consuming as it only treats one hair follicle at a time.
- Electrolysis causes minor trauma while inserting the needle into the skin to reach the hair follicles. That is why electrolysis is more painful than laser and requires some recovery time post-treatment.
- Side effects such as minor skin irritation and redness are considered normal after the procedure. The main risk is the use of unsterile needles which can cause infections and scars. However, this is very rare.
- Electrolysis vs laser hair removal cost can be higher. You will need a significant number of electrolysis treatments to achieve best results.
The Bottom Line: What is better laser hair removal or electrolysis?
Both electrolysis and laser hair removal provide an effective and long lasting solution to unwanted hair growth.
However, if permanent results is what you are going for, electrolysis is probably the better option. Electrolysis is the only method for permanent hair removal endorsed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Despite being slower, this method does not depend on hair or skin pigments and typically causes fewer adverse reactions.
If you want to reduce hair growth quicker, laser hair removal can cover larger areas of the body in a single treatment. Laser devices are perfect for self-care and are currently the more popular option in the United States ( according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery).
Also, starting with one procedure and changing to the other is not recommended as it can be detrimental to your results. You may need to wait a few months if you plan to switch between the two hair removal methods.
