What is Electrolysis Hair Removal?

Electrolysis hair removal is one of the oldest permanent methods of removing unwanted hair today. However, it has recently found a rival in the laser beam. Laser hair removal is rapidly becoming the method of choice for permanent hair removal. However, there are reasons not to render electrolysis obsolete just yet.

An electrolysis hair removal system utilizes an electrically charged needle to permanently eliminate unwanted hair. A weak electrical current passes directly through the needle killing the hair follicle and ultimately destroying the hair shaft itself. Electrolysis is an intricate method of hair removal that can be very time consuming since only one hair can be destroyed at a time. Large areas of removal can literally take hundreds of hours. Electrolysis is often used for removing unwanted facial hair as opposed to hair on the legs, back or bikini area.

Laser treatments are slowly exceeding electrolysis hair removal systems in popularity. This is mainly because laser hair removal treatments can cover larger areas quickly. These treatments use a directed laser beam that impairs the hair follicle. The process is much faster because the beam can be directed over an entire patch of hair. However, the effectiveness of the laser depends on the pigment of the skin. People with lighter hair colors such as blonde, white or gray are generally not the best candidates for laser hair removal. Vellous hair, also known as “peach fuzz” cannot be removed with a laser. Darker skinned candidates for laser treatment have found limited results. This is primarily because the laser heats up skin with darker pigments much faster than those with lighter ones do.

Electrolysis vs. laser hair removal is an interesting rivalry. Though the two techniques both work by destroying the hair follicle, they can both be used with good results. Electrolysis uses a handheld needle that is inserted directly into the hair follicle. Whereas, the laser can be passed over the general area of follicle with similar results. Definitive results depend largely on the individual undergoing the treatment. Unlike electrolysis, laser treatments are semi-permanent and require more than one treatment to permanently remove unwanted hair. Both processes come with some degree of discomfort or pain. However, electrolysis has been reported to be the more painful of the two. The best overall results depend on several factors including cost and time.

Electrolysis hair removal costs are much cheaper than laser treatments. Laser costs average $429 per treatment session. Usually four to eight treatments are required for the best results. The cost of an electrolysis hair removal session is approximately $60 and it can take up to fifteen sessions over a small area before results can been seen. Careful consideration along with research and professional consultations may necessary before deciding on a permanent hair removal treatment system. However, electrolysis can be performed by a trained professional, laser hair removal treatments require that a medically trained professional who is usually a doctor perform this invasive operation.

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