Unwanted Hair - Laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis

Unwanted body or facial hair is a problem which has permeated our society for hundreds of years. There are several known methods of hair removal, I will discuss only electrolysis and laser hair removal.

Electrolysis was invented over 100 years ago. Initially it was to remove irritating, in-grown eyelash hairs. In the past two decades however, electrolysis has become very popular. In spite of this, there is still little medical and scientific literature about it. Thousands of people both male and female are experimenting with hair removal because they are suffering from excessive facial and/or body hair. This hair growth can be caused by menopause, hirsutism, or other hormonal changes as well as heredity. People are more concerned than ever about their appearance, and the sight of unwanted hair can be very stressful for a person.

With electrolysis, a technician basically inserts a needle right into the hair follicle and tries to reach the hair root with it. Then he or she will trigger an electrical charge that disables the hair root. The hair is then pulled out with tweezers after it has been "electrocuted."

There are three types of electrolysis that can be used: Galvanic method, Thermolysis method, or the Blend method. *The Galvanic method is direct current electrolysis. This means that a direct electrical current is passed down the needle into the hair follicle where it creates a chemical reaction. This reaction converts the tissue saline into sodium hydroxide, a caustic agent, that then destroys the hair bulb. This procedure can take up to a minute or two for each single hair.
*The Thermolysis method uses a high frequency alternating current that is passed down the needle to the hair follicle. This high frequency causes a vibration in the cells of the hair follicle which produces enough heat to cauterize the hair bulb.

*The Blend method combines the Galvanic and Thermolysis procedures. With any of these methods, a person will need multiple treatments to achieve the desired results, but the actual total number of treatments will vary from person to person. The effectiveness of each procedure depends on the skills of the technician. All electrologists have some training, but states vary widely as to whether they actually need certification. States that do require certification also vary as to what is required to obtain it. You might want to ask about the actual training and experience of the electrologist you choose.

Electrolysis claims it is indeed permanent hair removal but cautions that since there is only one stage of the hair growth cycle in which the procedure takes effect, you cannot be sure of how often you would need to repeat the treatment until you find each and every hair you want removed in the exact "active" growth stage that is necessary for permanent removal. Some people cannot endure multiple treatments because they find the procedure painful. The amount of pain experienced is basically dependent upon each individuals personal pain threshold and the coarseness of the hair being removed. There are topical anaesthetic creams that can be applied about an hour before the procedure and this can often help to reduce the discomfort. After the procedure there can be a reddening and possible swelling of the skin or even slight bleeding where the needle had been inserted. People who should avoid electrolysis are those with a pacemaker because it can interrupt the electronics and may cause potentially harmful heart rhythms.

The cost of electrolysis varies from area to area. Basically, most electrologists charge between $45.00 to $125.00 per hour for their services. So, the average final cost of bikini line hair treatment could be between $900.00 and $2,200.00. You would have to call clinics in your specific area to get exact details on your cost.

Now there is also a procedure known as laser hair removal available. This procedure is supposed to be less painful and faster than electrolysis. The laser works by sending highly concentrated light pulses to the hair follicle which then destroys it. The pulses provide just enough power to destroy the root but not harm the surrounding skin. As with electrolysis though, the hair is only destroyed if it is in the "active" growth phase.

This laser treatment works much better if the hair that is to be removed is darker than the surrounding skin, so tanning should be avoided before and after the procedure. Dark skin can absorb too much of the lasers energy and the treatment may not work. Also, you should not have laser hair removal treatment done if you have been using medications such as Accutane within the past year. Or, if you are currently on aspirin or iron therapy or have a history of dysplastic nevi or melanoma, you would also want to avoid laser treatment.

Most laser treatment centers cannot guarantee permanent hair removal and you should be cautious of any clinic that does. They can claim "permanent reduction" but not "permanent removal." This is because laser treatments can reduce the total number of body hairs, but it will not result in a permanent removal of all hairs. Permanent "reduction" does not imply the elimination of all hairs in a treatment area being gone forever, whereas permanent "removal" does.

The amount of pain you experience depends on the sensitivity of your skin, the exact area being treated, and the amount of melanin in your skin. You will feel what has been referred to as a "snapping sensation" during the procedure. The area may stay red and bumpy for a few hours afterwards also.

The cost of laser hair removal seems to differ greatly depending on the geographical location of the clinic, the type of clinic it is, the body area being treated, the person doing the treatment, and the amount of the investment the clinic itself actually has into the laser. It will also depend on the number of treatments required for desired results and this may depend on how well your hair responds to the treatment. The average cost for one single treatment can range between $200.00 to $500.00. So, the average total cost of the bikini line would be between $1,000.00 and $2,000.00.

The determining factors in which of these procedures would be more right for you seems to depend on the amount of time you are willing to invest into hair removal, and your personal tolerance for pain. The laser is usually less painful and quicker, but it might not guarantee the results you desire, and it is usually a bit pricier. Electrolysis can be time consuming and for some too painful. Even today in our high-tech advanced world there is still no quick, inexpensive, pain-free, completely permanent way to get rid of that unwanted hair. At least there are ways to maintain it.