Laser Hair Removal vs Electrolysis Hair Removal

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow's electrologist take great pride in the precision work and the outstanding results we achieve for our clients.

Our sessions provide a solution to remove unwanted hair with minimum pain and discomfort.

Electrolysis or Laser...

How do you choose?

Many people confuse electrolysis with laser hair removal. There are several key differences when it comes to both of these methods and they differ significantly in their mechanisms and effectiveness.. The main difference is in the treatment itself.

Electrolysis involves the insertion of a tiny probe into each individual hair follicle, through which an electric current is delivered to destroy the follicle's ability to grow new hair by permanently killing the root, follicle and reproductive system of the hair. This method of hair removal is successful for everyone. However, electrolysis is particularly advantageous for individuals who are not viable candidates for laser hair removal such as people with light or fine hair, or those with darker skin tones, since it targets individual follicles regardless of hair color, thickness, or skin type. Additionally, electrolysis is considered the only permanent hair removal method, as it destroys the follicle completely, ensuring that treated hairs do not grow back.

Laser removal works by targeting and destroying the hair follicle with a high intensity beam that temporarily removes the hair from the surrounding tissue. Laser hair removal usually reduces the number of body hairs in the treated area, but some people may experience re-growth. This re-growth is called Paradoxical Hypertrichosis and is a common result found after treatment in a hormonal area. The laser’s heat source is attracted to pigment, like that found in darker hair. Blonde, light brown, red, white, or gray hair do not have enough pigment to attract the laser’s heat, making traditional laser hair removal for pale skin unreliable.

Problems with Laser Hair Removal

In an article written by abc News, they are urging darker-skinned people to take extra precautions as the laser hair removal industry booms. You can read the full article here.

Laser hair removal for dark/brown/black skin can be even more of a challenge than for those with pale skin. The problem with treating darker skin tones is that the laser has a hard time differentiating the skin from the hair, since the hair and skin color are often the same. Laser hair removal for black hair works best when the skin is a contrasting, lighter color. One of the major problems that occurs with laser hair removal for darker skin is discoloration. The laser beam can actually kill the surrounding skin tissue instead of the hair, causing permanent scarring and discoloration of the skin.

The Fitzpatrick Scale

One of the major concerns in laser treatment is the skin’s reaction to ultraviolet light. Developed by a Harvard-trained dermatologist, the Fitzpatrick Scale is a classification of skin types and their reactions to UV light. This helps clinicians determine the likelihood of burns and scarring during laser hair removal treatments. The scale measures as follows:

Skin Type 1: Light or Freckled: Never Tans/Always Burns
Skin Type 2: White: Sometimes Tans/Usually Burns
Skin Type 3:Olive: Always Tans/Sometimes Burns
Skin Type 4:Brown: Rarely Burns/Rarely Tans
Skin Type 5:Dark Brown: Very Rarely Burns/Very Rarely Tans

This scale is important in determining the success of laser hair removal. Brown and dark brown skin, such as the type that is found in Mediterranean, African American and Indian populations, have the potential to be permanently damaged and scarred.

Patients with white or light skin can also experience damage if the wrong laser is used. A low intensity laser can stimulate hair growth, while one with too high a setting can burn the skin.