Introduction
Hair removal a few years ago was a method which could be done only temporarily using ease like razors, waxing, threading and other methods but now hair has been removed almost permanently and some of the recent techniques which are available in the market are laser procedures for hair removal and another one is electrolysis. When it comes to obtaining lasting or permanent hair removal, clients are left with two quite complicated options in order to make the right decision. Laser and electrolysis treatments share a claim to the hair removal process, but they differ in methods, efficiency, time inefficiency, and the kinds of skin and hair type they are appropriate for.
This article seeks to compare and contrast the two procedures to find out how the two operate, and whether one is more enduring than the other. By reading this article, you will be able to decide on the right hair removal technique that suits you most.
How does Laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis Work?
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is defined as the process whereby light energy is used to act on a pigment substance known as melanin found in the follicles. The laser produces a light beam that is absorbed by the pigment found in the hair tips thus producing heat that will destroy the follicle preventing regrowth. Although laser hair removal procedure reduces the growth of hair tremendously, the process is not permanent. However, most individuals can get long-lasting positive effects accompanied by occasional maintenance therapies.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis has recently been approved by the FDA in the United States as one of the permanent ways of removing hair. It is a method in which the hair follicle is made incapable of growing by passing the current of electricity through a long needle-like tool. Compared with laser therapies, electrolysis is suitable for all skin types and hair shades because it doesn’t target melanin.
Permanent Results
Laser Hair Removal
Laser treatment for hair removal is relatively effective, some clients reported a reduction from 70 per cent to 90 per cent of the target hair in the initial phase of the treatment. However, it is not permanent, in fact it remains for some time in the specific domain only. Frequency treatments are usually used in order to maintain skin signs. Laser treatment has been found to provide long-term hair removal solution but the follicles are not fully destroyed.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the only hair removal system which can actually remove hair right down to the follicle. When the follicle left under the skin is subjected to this treatment, the hair cannot grow again. It may take several sittings most especially for large surface areas but the results are long-lasting, it is suitable for people who are in search of long lasting solutions.
Skin and Hair Type Considerations
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal works best for those people whose skin is not very dark and whose hair are thick and black. The contrast between the colour of your skin and that of your hair makes it easy for the laser to lock on to the melanin in the hair follicle. Advances in laser technology have developed laser hair removal safer and effective for the people shaded with the black skin, but these lasers are least effective for the hair color which is white, gray, or red in color since these color lacks melanin.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis doesn’t depend on melanin and hence it can be done on all skin type and hair color including light hair, grey hair, red hair. It can be used on all types of hair including, coarse hair texture as well as the fine hair texture. Individuals with dark complexion or light coloured hair who do not make good candidate for laser hair removing can easily benefit from electrolysis.
Treatment Areas
Laser Hair Removal:
Laser hair removal is ideal on larger areas of the body like the legs, arms back, chest, and other big regions of the skin. It is also used on the face, around the bikini area and the armpits. Due to the fact that laser treatments, involve the treatment of large areas of the skin in one sitting, it is therefore a time-saving process especially for large areas of the body.
Electrolysis:
Electrolysis can be conducted on any area of the body without exception, some of the sensitive skin areas that can be treated include the face, the bikini line and armpits. However, because it works at the individual follicle level, electrolysis may take a good amount of time in depilating the hair, especially when it’s large areas like the legs or the back. It is generally preferred whenever it is used in small areas or when one is confronted with very hard core hair which has not been cut by the other methods.
Pain and Discomfort
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal utilizes laser light on the skin which results in producing a snapping sound on skin or a snapping feeling. Normal lasers typically come with some cooling method that reduces its discomfort and many of the clinics use an anesthetic cream that reduces pain. Often laser pains are mild, and this depends on the tolerance level of that person, the site to be irradiated and the type of laser.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is comparatively rather painful than laser hair removal since in this procedure an electrode should be inserted into each follicle and then an electric current is passed through the hair. The sensation may range from the mild tingling and stinging or prickling to numbness or skin tingling. As with laser therapies, topical anaesthesia can be utilised to reduce pain. However, in large areas the repeatedly nature of the treatment results in higher level of pain and discomfort.
Number of Sessions And Duration of The Treatment
Laser Hair Removal
It has been conducted that laser hair removal generally last for 6-8 sessions, of which the sessions are held in 4-6 weeks interval for effective hair reduction. The number of sessions which are required for a particular area depends upon the area, the hair color and skin tone of the person. Once the persons undergo the initial set of sessions, follow-up treatment may be required every once a year or so.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis treatments take a longer time than other treatments because the hair follicle area is treated one hair at a time. The general duration of the electrolysis may take between 15 to 30 sessions so as to see permanent effects of this process. Appointments can be individual one or multiple times a week or once in two weeks and the entire therapy course can take several months to more than a year.
Safety and Side Effects
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal, in general, is safe if done by a professional with the help of a laser. Some of the possible and normal occurrences are erythematous reaction, oedema and slight rash. There are rare side effects such as burn, darkening or lightening of the skin especially for people with darker skin tone.
Electrolysis
There are also positive sides with the help of which electrolysis is considered as a secure method when it undergoes in the hands of a specialized specialist. Possible side effects include erythema, edema and formation of scab in the treated area; which are usually transient and last for 1-24 hours. Consequently, infection or scarring will manifest itself in case proper after care was not observed.
Cost Comparison
Laser Hair Removal:
The price of the laser hair removal depends on the size of the area where the treatment is done and the location; and the price per session is averagely between five thousand to ten thousand rupees for the ones that are smaller such as face or underarms and twelve to twenty thousand rupees for the larger areas such as legs, or back among others. Even though it is slightly costly than the electrolysis, it may be more economical when used to treat a large surface since fewer treatments are needed than with electrolysis.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis can either be charged per session and the charges can be between seven to fifteen thousand rupees for a small area. Because it may take several sessions for the hair to grow back and not be visible, the total price becomes expensive especially if a big area is to be treated. Although electrolysis may cost more to undertake on large areas, it should be noted that the method provides a permanent solution to the problem while the other methods may entail frequent application and costs more in the long run.
FAQs
It becomes challenging to remove hair through laser treatment with light hair colour, grey or red hair since these lack enough pigment that can absorb the light energy used in the treatment. The electrolysis is a better way of managing these hair colors.
The FDA recognises electrolysis as the only method permanent hair removal while laser hair removal can provide long term hair elimination.
Laser hair removal remains undeniably more convenient than electrolysis, as the latter takes 15 to 30 sessions of electrolysis in most of the cases to eliminate the entire hair and in Laser hair removal 6 to 8 sessions are enough for lifetime.
Everyone endures pain differently, however laser hair removal is said to be less painful as compared to electrolysis. For both treatments, anaesthetic creams may also be used to minimise pain.
The process of electrolysis is ideal for every skin type. Laser hair removal can be effective for darker skin tones when using certain lasers but electrolysis is a safer bet to ensure that one will get a result that is totally positive.
These two methods can be applied on any part of the body including the sensitive areas. But, electrolysis takes longer for the large areas especially when compared to laser hair removal technique which takes a shorter time when covering large areas of the skin.
Laser hair removal is quite effective in reducing hair growth and it is actually permanent but it is not an eternal permanent one. This may consist of follow up sessions usually meant to ensure the area that has been treated does not grow back hair.
Conclusion
The primary goal is to determine the differences in skin and hair, the choice of the area, the price of the procedures, and the results. Laser hair removal is most effective on large areas of the body and gives long lasting results but cannot be used on people with fair hair or dark skin. The second one is electrolysis which is better and more effective though a time taking method suitable for all skin and hair types.
It is best to discuss with a licensed individual to get to know as to what procedure or program of hair removal suits the individual best. Regardless of your goals and objective to have silky and smooth skin through permanent hair removal or permanent hair reduction both laser and electrolysis technique produces the same result.
