Laser and electrolysis are two types of long term hair removal techniques. Each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and making a choice ultimately depends upon an individual's personal needs. There are four primary differences between laser and electrolysis treatments. These include the pricing, the time involved in the process, the pain level, and the permanence of the treatment.
One of the main differences between the two procedures is the amount of money that each requires. The cost of laser and electrolysis treatment is essentially dependent upon the size of the area needing hair removal. In general, going with laser treatment is better for large areas such as the back or legs. On the other hand, electrolysis is usually better for small areas such as an upper lip.
The next factor that distinguishes these two treatments is the length of time that it takes to complete the process. Electrolysis takes significantly longer to complete than a laser treatment does. This is mainly because electrolysis focuses on one hair follicle at a time. Laser treatments can be completed much more quickly. That's because they use a laser light that can focus on a much larger area of the skin.
Laser and electrolysis treatments also differ in the pain level involved with each procedure. Electrolysis is definitely the more painful option because it requires a needle to be inserted into each individual hair follicle. Once the root of the hair follicle is dead, it's removed with a pair of tweezers. As a result, electrolysis is not a good choice for individuals with a low pain tolerance.
Using a laser is less painful because it never actually penetrates any hair follicles. Instead, the treatment uses a laser light to eliminate numerous hairs at one time. There is, however, a mild level of pain involved with a laser which could be described as a slight stinging feeling.
Additionally, there is a different degree of permanence with each option. The majority of people who undergo electrolysis experience no hair regrowth after the procedure has been completed. If the individual never wants hair to regrow in a certain area, then electrolysis is usually the best choice. Going with a laser treatment is different because there is likely to be at least some level of hair regrowth in the future. Although the amount of hair is significantly reduced, it's likely that some hair will regrow in time.