Electrolysis and laser hair removal are two popular, effective forms of laser hair removal. While their results can be similar (permanent hair removal! 🎉) the treatment methods are different. Electrolysis uses a metal probe to deliver low-level electric pulses to individual hair follicles, while laser hair removal uses specialized lasers to target hair follicles. Electrolysis tends to be a better fit for small treatment areas like facial hair removal, while laser hair removal tends to be recommended for larger treatment areas.
Here’s a high-level side-by-side comparison of electrolysis vs laser hair removal:
|
Aspect |
Electrolysis |
Laser Hair Removal |
|
Method |
Uses a metal probe to target individual hair follicles with electrical currents. |
Uses a specialized laser device to target multiple follicles at once with concentrated beams of light. |
|
Effectiveness |
Very High – provides permanent hair removal under FDA guidance. Considered a more permanent hair removal solution than laser hair removal. |
High – provides permanent hair removal under FDA guidance |
|
Pain Level |
Very High – tends to be a bit more painful than laser hair removal |
High |
|
Time to Full results |
Up to 18 months |
Up to 12 months |
|
Touch-ups treatments required? |
Yes, 1x/year |
Yes, 1x/year |
|
Cost Per Treatment |
$100-700 per area |
$200-400 per area |
|
Total # of Treatments Needed |
10-14 |
6-12 |
|
Skin & Hair Suitability |
Works on all skin and hair types |
Contrast between skin and hair color helps efficacy – some lasers are not a fit for very dark skin or very light hair, though certain devices do claim to treat all skin types. |
|
Side Effects |
Common: tenderness, redness, swelling, blistering |
Common: mild pain, discomfort, redness, swelling, itchiness. Rare: hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, burning, eye damage. |
|
Best For |
Any skin/hair type, smaller treatment areas |
Light hair and dark skin; larger treatment areas |
Which method is more painful, electrolysis or laser?
We’re gonna level with you – both are pretty painful. But if you’re pitting the two against each other, electrolysis tends to be more so. Some people describe electrolysis as feeling like a bunch of tiny bee stings and laser hair removal feeling more like a bunch of tiny rubber band snaps.Â
For both treatment methods, pain levels can decrease in intensity over time – chances are, your first treatment will hurt more than your final treatment. Many clinics offer numbing creams to manage pain during treatment.Â
What’s cheaper, electrolysis or laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal tends to be cheaper than electrolysis, though cosst vary greatly depending on the size of the treatment area and other factors. (For example, the full treatment costs for electrolysis on a small area will likely be less than full treatment costs for laser hair removal on a large area.) Either way, a full treatment regimen of electrolysis or laser hair removal will likely cost you upwards of $2k per area.
Which method is more permanent?
Both qualify as permanent hair removal – as in, both provide a permanent reduction in body hair. That being said, electrolysis is widely considered to be even more permanent. Electrolysis can permanently destroy hair follicles, preventing future hair growth entirely. Laser hair removal provides a permanent reduction in body hair and may require more maintenance sessions than electrolysis might after initial treatment.
Can I do either method at home, or do I need to visit a professional?
Don’t try this at home, kids. Both electrolysis and laser hair removal should always be performed by a professional, ideally by a certified dermatologist.
At-home permanent hair removal does exist, though! If you’ve ever heard of at-home laser hair removal, chances are they were talking about IPL. IPL technology is similar to laser, only it uses broad-spectrum light pulses instead of lasers for treatment that’s faster, pain-free, and safe to DIY at home. At-home IPL devices like Lumi offer full permanent hair removal results in 6-12 weeks, for a one-time cost that’s less than just one electrolysis or laser hair removal sesh.
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What’s the recovery time or downtime after each procedure?
For both electrolysis and laser hair removal, recovery time typically takes around 48 hours, though mild symptoms such as redness and discomfort may persist for up to a week. Proper laser hair removal aftercare can help assist the recovery process.Â
Most providers recommend waiting anywhere from 4-6 weeks between each procedure.Â
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 ÂWhich is faster for treating large areas, like the legs or back?
Laser hair removal is typically a faster, better fit for larger treatment areas.Â
Which method is better for small, sensitive areas like the face or bikini line?
Electrolysis is typically a better fit for smaller areas since the procedure targets each hair individually. It’s an ideal method to remove facial hair permanently.
What happens if I stop treatments partway through?
It won’t be for nothing, but it’s not ideal. Both treatments work gradually, damaging individual hair follicles until eventually, none of them grow back. If you stop treatments before all of your body hair is gone, you’ll still likely see a partial reduction in body hair, but some hairs will still grow as usual.
Are there any long-term risks associated with either method?
Both electrolysis and laser hair removal present the risk of hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or burning that leads to scarring. But when practiced correctly, both procedures are deemed generally safe – visiting a licensed dermatologist can help minimize the risk of serious side effects.
Electrolysis vs Laser Hair Removal FAQs
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What is electrolysis?
Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal method that inserts a metal probe – usually a thin wire or a needle – directly into an individual hair follicle, then passing an electric current through it to destroy the hair root and prevent unwanted body hair from growing back.
What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is a permanent hair removal method that targets hair follicles with single-beam lasers to destroy the hair root and prevent unwanted body hair from growing back.
What’s the best way to permanently remove unwanted body hair?
When it comes to laser hair removal vs electrolysis, electrolysis is the most effective, permanent way to remove unwanted body hair. That being said, it’s also expensive, painful, and very slow – it can take up to 18 months to see full results. Our favorite permanent hair removal method is Lumi. It’s fast, inexpensive, pain-free, convenient, and DIY-friendly (like the non-permanent methods you might currently be using) while also yielding permanent results much faster than laser hair removal or electrolysis can. It offers full results in just 6-12 weeks.
