Laser hair removal
You have probably heard of laser hair removal, which has become very popular in the last few years. But do you know what laser hair removal is, and how it compares to our main service, electrolysis? We will discuss what laser is, how it compares to other hair removal methods, and what we choose to offer our clients.
Laser is a procedure where light/laser is pulsed over a certain area of skin. That laser attacks certain cells in your body, which depends on the settings chosen. Your technician sets the laser is set to attack dark pigment. As a result, your dark hair is damaged when the laser is pulsed, while your skin is not affected (so long as you have light enough skin).
The FDA classifies laser as “permanent hair reduction.” At this time, the FDA does not call it permanent hair removal, because laser cannot target all types of hair, and may not completely kill all the hair that is targeted.
Electrolysis vs laser hair removal
Are you wondering how electrolysis compares to laser hair removal? We are happy to explain the difference between the two, and why someone might choose one vs the other.
Electrolysis
Pros:
- Electrolysis, when done properly, is truly permanent
- Electrolysis is backed by the FDA as the only permanent hair removal method
- Most patients recover from electrolysis fast
- Electrolysis can be done on any body part
- You can receive treatment, no matter what your hair or skin type
- May be covered by insurance
- More commonly accepted by surgeons for bottom surgery prep
Cons
- You won’t be able to treat as large an area at a time as with laser
- You may find it more painful than laser, but it depends on the person
- Completely clearing an area can take a long time, which can be frustrating
Laser hair removal
Pros:
- Cover large areas of hair more quickly
- Laser is much less maintenance than shaving or waxing
- Recovery is fast
- Some people say that it’s less painful
Cons
- After laser, hair may grow back, meaning laser cannot be considered permanent
- Laser only works on dark hair, while lighter colored hair will not be treated
- Dark skin is not compatible with laser, as it would cause skin damage
- Laser can cause discoloration or hyper-pigmentation of the skin
- You cannot get laser on some body parts (e.g. around the eyes)
- You have to wear eye protection during laser. You are required because exposure to the eyes can cause eye damage
While there are many forms of hair removal that exist, we personally choose to only offer electrolysis. We choose to do this because we want our work to be truly permanent when a client wants that, and we don’t want clients with different skin or hair colors to be excluded from getting good results.
You can read more about what electrolysis is here on our site. Are you ready to book a session? You can look at our schedule and book a session on our Book Now page!