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.
Much Slower Than Laser Therapy
A common reason people don't prefer electrolysis is that the process takes a lot more time.
Profitability is much higher with laser and it's less work. It's also cheaper, more convenient and faster for the customer. It's one of those rare win-win situations. Let the laser clear as much as possible and go for electro on what's left.
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.
many celebrities lead an active schedule. Luckily, an electrolysis session clocks in at an hour, or less, depending on the area being treated. After the session, patients are able to go about their daily business with next to no discomfort or other side effects.
Electrolysis capacity is growing from a low base and requires a significant acceleration to get on track with the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) Scenario, which requires installed electrolysis capacity to reach 560 GW by 2030.
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.
Speed and Efficiency: Laser hair removal covers larger areas more quickly than electrolysis. A laser session for legs or back, for instance, takes significantly less time than the same area treated with electrolysis, which targets one hair at a time.
Weak electrolytes are electrolytes that do not fully dissociate into ions in solution and only partially ionize in solution (roughly 1-10%).
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.
MtF genital electrolysis is a pubic hair removal process and is the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal.
To further prevent lip lines, don't get electrolysis. I see many patients years after they have had electrolysis developing pitted scars and wrinkles on their upper lip. It is a nonspecific heat probe, so as it's killing the hair, it can inadvertently kill some collagen too. It's rare, but it does happen.
For most people, laser hair removal is better than electrolysis because it's faster, cheaper, less painful, and requires less downtime.
Because electrolysis permanently destroys the growth cells in the hair follicles, the hair will not grow back.
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!
Skin damage
Going to an inexperienced electrolysis technician can cause permanent skin damage. Because electrolysis involves permanently damaging the hair follicle, it can damage other parts of the skin if the probe is placed incorrectly. Sadly, it's one of the most common side effects of electrolysis.
Yes, it is. Electrolysis stands alone as the permanent alternative to lifetime maintenance. No other hair-removal solution can claim the universal acceptability and success offered by electrolysis treatments.
Electrolysis tends to cause more discomfort than laser hair removal. It involves inserting a tiny needle into each hair follicle. This can be more painful and time-consuming. Laser treatments cover larger areas more quickly, often resulting in a more tolerable experience for many people.
Most side effects of electrolysis are mild but may include redness, swelling, blisters, scabs, dryness, and ingrown hairs. The commonest complication of the electrolysis is the skin edema. After treatment, your skin may be red, swollen (inflamed), and tender. These are temporary side effects.
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.
Electrolysis and laser are both effective, but you need to pick the right procedure for your hair and skin color. Both procedures are done in a series of treatments and there are no shortcuts.
High in Cost
Electrolysis hair removal treatment can be economically exhausting, as it targets each follicle, in larger body areas and several sittings have to be undertaken especially for legs, arms, and back.
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.
Electrolysis has been approved by the FDA and has a proven track record of being a safe and effective procedure for permanent hair removal. However, electrolysis carried out by inexperienced individuals and using uncertified equipment is unsafe and carries risks of permanent skin damage, including scarring.