Electrolysis versus Laser -Which Is Best For You
I’m not sure if electrolysis vs laser is the best way to approach this topic. These are 2 different technologies with 2 different purposes. The misinformation out there makes it impossible to get a clear answer on which method of hair removal is best and why. Both laser and electrolysis techs have maligned the other with half-true statements. Saying laser isn’t really permanent is somewhat true. However, arguing that electrolysis is old-fashioned and unsuitable for large areas is 100% false. Both methods have their strengths and there is room for both electrolysis and laser in modern hair removal.
Unfortunately, there are legions of unqualified people providing both electrolysis and laser hair removal. While a bad electrolysis treatment doesn’t cause any lasting damage, a bad laser treatment can significantly increase hair growth in the treated area . A number of my clients saw increased hair growth and hypo pigmentation after shoddy laser treatment.
It’s not electrolysis VERSUS laser because the 2 technologies complement each other in several ways
Laser works best on dense, coarse hair growth. On a bikini line or underarms, laser can be a way of reducing the hair growth relatively quickly. Electrolysis can finish the area if you desire a silky smooth finish, rather than a reduction. The truth about laser is that it is permanent hair reduction. This means that unless you finish the area with electrolysis you need to return for never-ending laser touch-ups. A client of mine went for 4 years for laser treatments on her bikini line. In fact, my client achieved peak reduction after the first few treatments. Laser does what its going to do in 6-8 sessions.
Laser and electrolysis are opposites in that way. With electrolysis, it takes time to see that the result is truly permanent. Electrologists work hair by hair and gradually remove all the undesired growth. With laser, you clear a fairly large area in one treatment and the hair falls out almost immediately. When you see regrowth after your prescribed treatment time you’ve achieved the limit of what laser can do for you.
Can Electrolysis And Laser Work Together To Help You Achieve Permanent Hair Removal?
There are some areas where laser can actually induce hair growth. Specifically it’s women’s faces, and the backs, upper arms and shoulders of everyone. Many people however, have success on bikini lines, underarms, legs and lower arms.
Thinking of permanent hair removal in terms of electrolysis vs laser is helpful when you consider the limits of laser. Laser is not successful on all skin types and hair textures. Laser works best when you have coarse, dark hair and light skin. If you don’t have this hair and skin combination you may not have successful laser treatments.
Laser has its limits when it comes to the finer aspects of hair removal.
Electrolysis can refine an area where hair reduction, rather than total hair removal, is the goal. You may have hairy lower arms, but your upper arms might not need any hair removal. With electrolysis it is possible to achieve a very natural effect on sideburns as well. There isn’t a noticeable demarcation line between the areas where you’ve had treatment and areas where you haven’t. Since electrolysis targets individual hairs an electrologist can thin an area creating a natural progression from hairless to fine hair.
This is the main reason that electrolysis is the preferred method for treating a woman’s face. It sounds odd but you simply need a little bit of hair on your face if you want to look natural.
In conclusion, laser is a technology that, when it works, can reduce the hair growth in large areas on the body. However, laser cannot compete with the precision achieved by electrolysis.
Indian Women More Susceptible To Paradoxical Laser Induced Hair Growth