There is a big variance between the methods used for these two techniques. Electrolysis hair removal is an invasive procedure in which a needle penetrates the skin into the hair follicle. In contrast the laser hair removal treatment procedure is a non-invasive procedure using no needle to be placed in the body. The only thing passing through the skin is the laser beam. In electrolysis, the electric current flowing through the needle can produce an electric jolt but laser hair removal treatment cannot produce such dangers.
Electrolysis Versus Laser Costs
The cost structure offered by cosmetic clinics is a feature of both procedures depending upon: - Area to be treated - Session length - Number of sessions - Cost of each session
The pricing of each session can be less for electrolysis versus laser but electrolysis treatment is a fairly long process with longer session lengths and a larger number of sessions. This adds to the overall cost of the region you are having treated and therefore inflicts a heavy burden of costs on the customer compared to laser hair removal treatment. In the long run the removal of hair by laser is the less expensive option in the terms of effectiveness per dollar having lower overall costs and often a flexible pricing structure.
Is it Risk-free?
After receiving electrolysis one has to take care of the skin in a certain way. Research has shown that long lasting skin harm can ensue if specific care is not given to the skin. The other danger of being an invasive procedure is the skin infections. With laser hair removal side effects are extremely rare, and much less after treatment care is required. Darkening of skin, redness or scarring are transient effects which very quickly return to normal.
Efficiency
One vital area of comparison is the question of efficiency. Electrolysis being an old procedure has had many years to show what it can do in terms of efficiency. Electrolysis, in spite of 120 years of usage, cannot guarantee permanent hair reduction. Reduction of hair with laser conversely has shown at least 30-40% permanent hair reduction of hairs after completion of treatment. Another advantage of laser hair removal treatment is that it can be used efficiently for the treatment of big areas such as the back, chest and legs.
Treatment Period
The time required to fully complete the process of depilation in electrolysis is much longer, in order to get satisfactory results, as we've already covered. The major problem is in fact the large number of sessions required to have full treatment. As an electrologist says "Electrolysis demands a series of sessions over a length of time. It's not just a one-, two- or three-time thing." Reduction of hair with laser needs about 3 to 4 sessions for the full treatment. So electrolysis treatment is a fairly lengthy and tedious process.
Will it Hurt?
As laser hair removal treatment is a non-invasive procedure, there is no directly invasive stimulus. Electrolysis hair removal being a skin penetrating procedure initiates a uncomfortable stimulus with each hair that is treated due to the presence of sensory nerve endings in the skin. Reduction of hair with laser can be sore either in the case of sensitive skin or if you encounter a poorly trained laser practitioner. The good news is, any slight pain can be effectively minimized with laser hair removal treatment pain control. With electrolysis treatment conversely, soreness is an unavoidable feature of the procedure.
Making Your Decision
As we have seen, the current data provides an overview of electrolysis versus laser hair removal but more wide-ranging study and research is required to confirm the efficiency of one procedure over the other. As we have seen, there are a large number of factors that need to be taken into consideration to confirm whether one procedure is superior to the other.
Some of the other more traditional methods of hair removal include waxing, shaving, tweezing and electrolysis. Each has its own disadvantages and a few benefits.
Shaving: This is perhaps one of the most commonly known methods of getting rid of hair. Unfortunately, it is also the method with the most downsides. While razors are cheap, they run the risk of causing nicks which can become infected. Also, when the hair is sliced off flat, it grows back appearing thicker and darker and giving the opposite effect desired. Shaving sensitive areas, such as the face and bikini area, frequently results in ingrown hairs, which can be both painful and unsightly.
Waxing: This method can be painful, as it actually yanks hair out by the roots. However, it lasts quite a bit longer than shaving, runs fewer risks and is relatively easy to do at home. The downside is that you have to let the hair grow out quite a bit before waxing is effective.
Sugaring: Using sugar instead of wax, this is supposedly a more natural method of hair removal, but it still carries the disadvantages of waxing and adds a bit of stickiness to the whole situation. Some people claim it isn't as effective, too.
Tweezing: Impractical for large areas of hair removal, tweezing is ideal for smaller areas such as eyebrows or the chin. It can be rather time consuming to pull each individual hair out by the root, though and they sometimes break off.
Threading: Similar to tweezing, threading pulls hair out by the roots, but it uses thread that is twisted to catch the unwanted hairs and then pull them out. It can be quite painful and requires skill to use this method.
Depilatory Creams: These are full of harsh chemicals that burn out the hair. They offer longer regrowth periods than methods like shaving, but are not as effective as waxing. The chemicals can irritate sensitive skin, as well.
Electrolysis: This is a more popular method of hair removal that involves zapping the root of the hair with small electric charges to kill it. While you will need several sessions, this can be a good way to eventually reach permanent hair removal.
Laser hair removal is a great alternative to all of the above methods. While these methods (apart from electrolysis) are all temporary and need to be repeated frequently over a lifetime, laser hair removal uses focused light to target dark hairs and requires up to 8 treatments for full removal. A few people need touchups afterwards, but in general, the procedure is permanent.
Lasers target the dark hair, so those with blonde hair will find it ineffective. However, for anyone with brown or black body hair, it can be a good way to eliminate the unwanted hair. Thanks to the ability to work quickly, laser hair removal is ideal for larger areas, not just eyebrows and chin. It can be used to remove hair on the stomach, legs and pubic area, as well, and is most effective where the hair is darkest and thickest. The light beam is actually fairly large, making it easier and faster to work with than other options such as electrolysis, which focuses on one hair at a time.
Laser hair removal is effective, painless and permanent, making it a more popular method of hair removal for those who aren't interested in slaving over their bodies with hot wax and razors.
Both Ingrid Preube & Amy Nutt are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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