• 1. How Electrolysis Works
• 2. How Laser Hair Removal Works
• 3. Electrolysis vs Laser Hair Removal
• 4. Side Effects and Risks
• 5. Bottom Line: Which Should You Choose?

How Electrolysis Works

Electrolysis uses the power of electricity to destroy the hair follicle. It’s done with a fine needle that’s attached to a device that emits an electric current. The needle is inserted via the hair follicle down into the bulb where the root of the hair is located. Then, the needle zaps the root of the hair with electricity. This process damages the hair follicle and prevents regrowth over time.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

Laser hair removal relies on the power of light to help reduce unwanted hair. Laser devices emit a very powerful and targeted beam of light at a specific wavelength that penetrates to a specific depth. When powered up, the laser’s beam penetrates past the skin, where it’s absorbed into the hair follicle. Once it reaches the root of the hair, the light is converted into heat that damages the follicle’s ability to regrow hair.

Electrolysis vs Laser Hair Removal: Similarities & Differences

To understand whether you should pick laser hair removal or electrolysis, here’s an analysis of the main decision factors.

 Effectiveness
Both laser hair removal and electrolysis are effective methods for long-term hair removal. Electrolysis is often touted as more likely to have permanent results, while laser is usually associated with a greater risk of regrowth.

  For this reason, many prefer electrolysis in areas where regrowth is more common, like on the face. That said, laser hair removal is still effective enough that it’s worth pursuing, for the reasons we’ll outline throughout the rest of this comparison.

 Treatment Time
Laser hair removal treatments are significantly faster than electrolysis. For small areas like the upper lip, laser hair removal only takes a few minutes, while electrolysis will take 15 to 30 minutes. For larger areas, an hour is more than enough with a laser while electrolysis can take several hours.

  This means that while electrolysis can be feasible for small areas like the chin, upper lip, or between the brows, it’s far too time-consuming for large areas like the legs or arms.

 Time to Results
Laser hair removal and electrolysis actually take a similar amount of time to show results, with the exact amount of time varying widely from patient to patient.

  In general, most practitioners recommend undergoing at least 6 laser hair removal treatments, with many patients requiring up to 12 treatments. Since the treatments must be spaced at least one month apart, this means you can expect to see optimal results within 5 to 11 months.

  Electrolysis requires more sessions spaced less time apart, so it ends up taking a similar amount of time to see results. You may see results in as little as 8 sessions, but some patients have to go up to 30. Some providers recommend coming in every week or two, while others suggest waiting for longer between appointments.

 Pain and Discomfort
Pain can be highly subjective, but for the most part, the majority of patients find electrolysis to be a lot more painful than laser hair removal. With a laser, the zaps of light feel like a small sting hitting several hair follicles at once.

  With electrolysis, you have to experience both the needle’s insertion into the hair follicle as well as the zap of electricity. Additionally, because electrolysis takes so much longer, you have to endure the experience for a longer period of time.

 Costs
In the long run, laser hair removal is usually the more affordable option compared to electrolysis.

  Electrolysis is usually priced by the hour, with an appointment costing $150 per hour on average, with small areas like the upper lip requiring 15 to 30 minutes to treat. By comparison, treating the same area with a laser will only take a few minutes, and will usually cost between $20 and $50.

  Electrolysis also requires more treatments, which means that the costs will also be significantly higher to achieve similar results. It’s also worth mentioning the option of using home IPL hair removal devices, which work similarly to lasers. A device like the Evertone Eversmooth is a one-time cost of $138, and it can be used over and over again to address unwanted hair anywhere on the body.

 Ideal Candidates
Laser hair removal is a little more restrictive than electrolysis.

  The ideal candidate for laser hair removal has lighter skin and darker hair. The difference in color between skin and hair is how the laser is able to pinpoint the hair follicle. Additionally, laser hair removal tends to work best on areas that are less sensitive to hormonal fluctuations, such as the legs or arms. Other areas, like the face or bikini area, are slightly more likely to have regrowth after laser.

   Electrolysis, on the other hand, can be done on almost anyone, regardless of skin tone or hair color. That said, electrolysis is such a slow, painstaking process that it’s not ideal for large areas like the legs, arms, or even underarms.

Side Effects of Electrolysis

Electrolysis and laser hair removal are both considered fairly safe, with similar side effects.

• Immediately after the treatment, your skin might be a little red or irritated.
• You may experience some ingrown hairs around 10 days following treatment.
• Minor risk of burning or scarring, especially if treatment is carried out by an inexperienced provider.
• Very minor risk of infection.