Facial Hair Removal Laser vs. Electrolysis: Which is Better?

Unwanted hair on the body can be covered with a piece of clothing, allowing women to schedule their temporary hair removal sessions according to their weekly outfits. This cannot be the case with facial hair, which becomes apparent within a few days and lowers confidence. 

Therefore, women save for months or even years to get semi-permanent or so-called permanent hair removal. With expensive hair removal methods like laser hair removal and electrolysis, it becomes difficult to choose one.

If you are also a woman wondering where to invest in obtaining flawless facial skin, you have come to the right place. 

Let us discuss facial hair removal laser vs. electrolysis: which is better in this article. 

Table of Contents:

• Part 1: Facial Hair Removal: Laser
• Part 2: Facial Hair Removal: Electrolysis
• Part 3: Facial Hair Removal Laser vs. Electrolysis
• Part 4: Economical and Nearly Pain-Free Alternative to Laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis

Facial Hair Removal: Laser

Laser hair removal has been women’s dream method for decades. Salons claim lasers are permanent. However, with more education and awareness, ladies know that lasers are only long-lasting and not permanent.

This has caused the popularity of lasers to decline slightly, but they are still one of the most sought-after hair removal methods. 

The Procedure

Laser, as the name shows, is a form of light energy. The laser used for hair removal comprises a mono-spectrum and coherent beam of light. This beam is selectively absorbed into the pigment of the hair leaving the skin intact.

Once it goes deep down to the hair follicles, it is converted into high-intensity heat energy which is used to burn the hair follicle. After a few sessions, hair follicles lose the ability to make new hair leading to results lasting for many months to a few years. 

Pros 

The benefits of laser hair removal are given as,

• Precise hair removal that selectively targets the hair without any absorption into the skin
• Only 24 to 48 hours of downtime allowing you to continue your normal routine without any concerns 
• Noticeable results within a few sessions
• Hair grows back slowly and becomes finer with each session

Cons 

Here are some drawbacks of laser hair removal that you must know before going for this procedure,

• Laser hair removal is not a painless procedure as the salons claim
• The basic laser technology is not suitable for light hair and dark skin
• The full treatment can take a year or more to complete
• There is a risk of skin burning and hyperpigmentation with laser 
• It is expensive

Precautions and Safety Considerations 

Here are some precautions and safety considerations for laser hair removal,

• It is essential to check your skin tone and hair color compatibility beforehand
• You must stop using active ingredients like retinol, AHA, and BHA about 1 to 2 weeks before your treatment
• Laser is done on clean skin. Therefore, you must not apply any makeup or skincare products before the treatment 
• Be prepared for pain or an uncomfortable sensation during your session
• Laser can cause redness, skin irritation, and inflammation 

Aftercare and Followups 

As laser hair removal is a multi-session producer, you need to schedule your treatments every 4 to 6 weeks apart. These treatments are mandatory as skipping any session might cause the hair follicles to regenerate and you will have to start the treatment from scratch.

Doctors often prescribe anesthetic gel and antibiotic ointments after the sessions to reduce the risk of infections and pain in the aftercare of laser hair removal. Additionally, cold compresses help with inflammation and sunscreen allows you to avoid damage caused by sun.

Facial Hair Removal: Electrolysis

The word electrolysis means “breakdown with the electric current”. In the case of electrolysis used for hair removal, a microcurrent kills the hair follicles. 

The history of electrolysis begins as a medical treatment for people with too many eyelashes that irritate their eyes. However, over the years, it has gained popularity as the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal. 

As electrolysis is a time-consuming treatment, it is especially suitable for small areas like the face. 

The Procedure

In electrolysis, a thin metal wire is passed into the skin pores, from where it is directed towards the hair follicles. After that, a microcurrent or short radiofrequency waves are applied. These destroy the hair follicles. 

Although hair follicles are destroyed in both methods, a particular thing about electrolysis is that hair does not regenerate hair. Consequently, the results last forever. 

Pros 

The benefits of electrolysis are given as,

• It is the only permanent method of hair removal as cleared by the FDA
• There is no restriction on a specific hair color and skin tone in electrolysis
• It can also be done around a sensitive area like the eyes 
• Electrolysis allows you to customize the areas you want to remove the hair from precisely 

Cons 

The reasons people are still not that thrilled by electrolysis are given as, 

• Since its initial days, there has been little to no advancement in the technology of electrolysis 
• Electrolysis treats individual hair follicles which takes a lot of time
• It is a painful and scary procedure
• It is not suitable for people having any kind of implanted devices 
• The number of sessions required to complete electrolysis is double that of laser 

Precautions and Safety Considerations 

Here are some precautions and safety considerations for electrolysis,

• Electrolysis might not be compatible with skin prone to scarring 
• You should prepare yourself for the pain as electrolysis can be one of the most painful hair removal methods out there
• Electrolysis can cause hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation in people with dark skin
• Some ingrown hair might appear after the first session of electrolysis 

Aftercare and Followups 

Depending upon the surface area, 1 electrolysis session can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour. Ulike laser hair removal, its sessions are spaced at an interval of one to two weeks. 

Furthermore, people with sensitive skin need a thorough aftercare routine to prevent scarring. Aftercare includes keeping the treatment area clean and dry, avoiding alcohol and other skin-drying ingredients, keeping the area well-hydrated, and resisting the urge to scratch the skin. 

Facial Hair Removal Laser vs. Electrolysis

Let us now compare laser hair removal vs. electrolysis side by side. 

Time Taken in the Treatment: Winner – Laser Hair Removal

The time taken for the treatment differs depending on the treatment area. As we are talking about facial hair removal, in this case, laser hair removal on the face takes 10 to 15 minutes.

However, electrolysis on the face takes around 30 minutes, and it can even extend up to 60 minutes. 

Number of Sessions Required: Winner – Laser Hair Removal 

Laser hair removal on the face takes 6 to 9 sessions until you experience more than 90% hair regrowth reduction. On the other hand, electrolysis can take 15 to 30 sessions, depending upon your skin type and hair density. 

Timeline of Results: Winner – Electrolysis 

Laser hair removal might remove up to 90% of the unwanted hair. But it cannot be permanent. Therefore, you will need follow-up sessions once or twice every year.

In contrast, electrolysis might be time-consuming initially, but once you are done with your treatment, you won’t need follow-ups. 

Pain and Comfort During the Treatment: Winner – Laser Hair Removal 

It won’t be wrong to say that both of these treatments are painful and uncomfortable. However, the intensity of pain in electrolysis is much more than that of laser hair removal.

Additionally, the session lasts longer, and you stay uncomfortable. 

Cost: Winner – Laser Hair Removal 

The cost of any hair removal procedure depends mainly on number of sessions. Electrolysis experts charge per hour, while laser experts charge per session. The price of both is almost the same.

However, the number of electrolysis sessions is more than that of laser hair removal. Therefore, you spend almost twice the amount on electrolysis than laser. 

Economical and Nearly Pain-Free Alternative to Laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis 

Despite electrolysis being a permanent solution to pesky unwanted hair, laser hair removal is superior in all other aspects. However, it is not painless or inexpensive either.

Therefore, we bring you a technology that is closely related to laser but nearly painless and economical. It is Ulike Air 10 IPL Device, which is laser, but better.

It costs the same amount as a single session of laser hair removal but can be used for countless years. It can also be used on the body in addition to the face. 

Conclusion

Your preferences will determine which method is better for you. For example, if you want permanent results at any cost and have enough money to spend, electrolysis will undoubtedly work more efficiently for you.

However, if you would prefer relatively comfortable and quick treatments for a few years of hairlessness, laser hair removal or IPL devices are worth a try.