Laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis Compared

There are two technologies for permanent hair removal:

At Away with Hair, we use either (or a combination of both) as appropriate for your hair color and unique needs.

Laser Hair Removal

  • Works best on dark hair
  • Best for removing larger areas of hair at one time
  • 6–8 sessions needed

The Lumenis Light Sheer laser is the highest quality and works well many types of skin, and has a cool tip for client comfort.

Laser hair removal is the process of hair removal by means of exposure to pulses of laser light that destroy the hair follicle.

Laser hair removal causes damage to the hair by selectively heating dark molecules in hair (melanin); thereby damaging the basal stem cells in the follicle which cause hair growth.

Laser hair removal works best with black and brown hair, which contain a lot of melanin, but not on white, light blonde or strawberry blonde hair because of the lack of melanin in those paler shades of hair.

Melanin is the chemical in our hair and skin which gives it a darker color. The more melanin hair or skin contains, the darker the color.

Hair grows in several phases and a laser can only affect the currently active growing hair follicles. That is why several sessions are needed – so the laser can damage hair follicles in all phases of growth.

Laser hair removal has been approved for “permanent hair reduction” (but not permanent hair removal) in the United States by the FDA.

Electrolysis

  • Treats every hair color, including blonde, red and white.
  • Each hair must be targeted individually, so it’s more time-consuming and thus more expensive than laser hair removal.
  • Electric current destroys the root of the hair completely,
  • Approved by FDA for permanent hair removal.

How does electrolysis work? Your electrologist inserts a fine, thin needle into the hair follicle under the surface of the skin. An electric current moves through the needle to the bottom of the follicle, destroying the hair root.

Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved method for permanent hair removal – whereas Laser Hair Removal is approved by the FDA only for permanent hair reduction.