Electrolysis is considered a more permanent solution than laser hair removal (it stops hair growth completely while laser hair removal slows and reduces hair growth), but it requires more individual sessions (closer to 14), and the sessions can take longer.
Expect to go through around eight to twelve sessions for a permanent result. That may seem like a lot. However, it's important to remember – the results last forever. Indeed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) consider electrolysis the only permanent hair removal method.
You do not want to have both electrolysis and laser done on the same area of your body at the same time; however, some people start their hair removal process with laser, wait a few months to see what growth remains, and finish the process with electrolysis.
Electrolysis Cons
It's a time-consuming procedure requiring multiple sessions. Skin discoloration is a possibility. The electricity in the device can actually destroy the capillaries in the surrounding areas. It can be very painful.
Electrolysis is not as popular as laser hair removal for a few reasons: Longer Treatment Time: As mentioned, treating each hair follicle individually makes electrolysis take much longer. Laser hair removal often takes 10 minutes or less for smaller areas.
It's good for sensitive areas of the body, like the face or bikini line. The main disadvantage to electrolysis is the length of time needed to achieve permanent hair removal.
At What Age Can Teens Get Electrolysis? Many clients ask us what is the earliest age a teen can get electrolysis treatments. Girls and boys as young as 12 years old are acceptable candidates for electrolysis treatments. The most important factor is whether or not their body or facial hair is done growing in.
Unfortunately, electrolysis is typically more painful than laser hair removal. It's very concentrated energy and it can create a stinging sensation, even if you've been treated with numbing cream beforehand. Most people don't find laser hair removal to be particularly painful, but rather uncomfortable.
Electrolysis Cost
For a full body treatment, you're looking at roughly $35 to $100 per hour. Because each hair is treated one at a time, it takes many sessions. You might spend 15 to 30 hours in total. This means the full cost could be anywhere from $525 to $3,000.
It is therefore very important that electrolysis is performed upon the detection of re-growth. Left untreated, hair will reconstitute itself to its original diameter and depth. Once a treatment program begins, it is important that appointments are kept to the predetermined schedule set at the beginning of your program.
Moreover, it offers a more efficient solution than electrolysis, which targets individual hairs and can be time-consuming. For celebrities seeking quick, effective, and long-lasting hair removal, laser technology is the clear choice.
For most people, laser hair removal is better than electrolysis because it's faster, cheaper, less painful, and requires less downtime.
MtF genital electrolysis is a pubic hair removal process and is the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal.
After all, it is common knowledge that, in order to remove a beard, you start with laser. After laser kills off all of the dark hairs, you then turn to electrolysis.
About 93% of electrolysis procedures yield permanent success, an excellent number for hair removal procedures. Remember, electrolysis does not work for everyone, and the chance for regrowth is still there, though very slight. Fortunately, this myth is true!
Electrolysis. Electrolysis, which zaps hair follicles with electric current, is the only hair removal method the FDA calls permanent. It suits all hair types and ethnicities. Many transgender people choose it for its effective, lasting results.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments: If you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, electrolysis is not recommended. These treatments weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infection. Pregnant women: Electrolysis is not recommended during pregnancy.
The most common side effects after an electrolysis session are slight redness, tenderness, and swelling. These are all temporary side effects. Don't apply anything to your skin unless specifically instructed to do so.
To target the actively growing hair follicles, sessions may be planned closer together, such as once a week or every two weeks. Sessions may be spaced further apart as the treatment proceeds and hair growth slows. The average electrolysis treatment lasts 30 minutes.
Much Slower Than Laser Therapy
A common reason people don't prefer electrolysis is that the process takes a lot more time.
Weak electrolytes are electrolytes that do not fully dissociate into ions in solution and only partially ionize in solution (roughly 1-10%).
Some hairs will grow back after electrolysis. However, as you undergo more and more sessions, the number of hairs that grow back each time decreases. If the hair doesn't regrow after more than three months, it will never come back again.