Electrolysis vs Laser Hair Removal: Which One Is Right For You

Electrolysis vs Laser Hair Removal: Which One Is Right For You

Let’s be honest. Finding the right permanent right hair removal treatment for you can be confusing and stressful. There are so many different types of devices and treatments promoted on the web and making sense of everything can be really frustrating. So you go on Google and maybe even Reddit. “What’s the difference between laser hair removal and electrolysis?”, “How much does laser hair removal cost?Can you get a laser hair removal if you have dark skin?”, “How many electrolysis sessions do you need?”, “Does electrolysis hurt?”.

Are Laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis the same thing?

Electrolysis and laser hair removal are the most common forms of permanent hair removal. For many decades, electrolysis was the most popular solution and one of very few options for consumers. However, in the mid 1990’s as laser technology advanced and gained clearance from the FDA, these treatments have became much more widely accessible and popular.

Though both of these technologies can bring you to a similar clinical endpoint, they are not the same. Laser hair removal uses concentrated beams of light to remove unwanted hair, and electrolysis removes individual hairs using an electrical current. Most find laser hair removal to be faster, more affordable, and significantly less painful than electrolysis. Let’s double click on why.

What is Electrolysis ?

During electrolysis treatments, technicians insert extremely fine needles into hair follicles without puncturing the skin and use electrical currents to destroy the follicle. Unlike laser, this process is repeated for each individual hair follicle, making sessions quite time consuming and expensive. With the rise of laser hair removal, electrolysis is becoming a “lost art” of sorts. However, in some cases electrolysis can provide advantage of laser. Individuals who want to remove very light blonde or gray hair are usually not great candidates for laser hair removal because their hair is too light for the laser to safely target.

What is Laser Hair Removal ?

Instead of needles and electrical currents, laser hair removal involves the use of specialized beams of light to destroy hair follicles underneath the skin. These devices can target large groups of follicles at time, significantly speeding up treatment time relative to electrolysis. While ideal for those with dark hair, advancements in technology allow many people with varying skin tones and hair colors (even some blondes and redheads!) to benefit. Next gen devices like the Candela Gentlemax Pro + have made these treatments significantly more comfortable than electrolysis.

Which is Better: Laser Hair Removal or Electrolysis ?

For the overwhelming majority of people, laser hair removal will offer a much better solution than electrolysis because it’s less expensive, faster, more comfortable, and requires less downtime. However, there are edge cases and it’s best to book a consultation with a trusted provider in advance of purchasing a package of treatments.

Schedule a Free Laser Hair Removal Consultation in Minneapolis with CLEO

If you’re on the search for laser hair removal in Minneapolis, Minnesota and not sure what direction to go in, our providers at CLEO Skin + Laser are here to help. Our providers in Maple Grove and Edina have decades of experience in the business and can point you in the right direction on what’s right for you. Schedule A Free Consultation Today to make an informed decision.

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