Do you have unwanted hair in places it shouldn’t be? Maybe you are tired of tweezing, plucking, waxing, or shaving every other day and you want a permanent solution to save you time. Or simply you may just want your unwanted hair gone, like yesterday. Also, if you are experiencing skin conditions such as folliculitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and acne keloidalis nuchae these treatments may improve your condition. There are two possible solutions for your problem and they are either electrolysis or laser hair removal. Both treatment options can be pricey. I realize it is not feasible for many to invest the amount of money required. I am going to discuss these two effective hair removal solutions, so you can determine if electrolysis or laser hair removal is right for you.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is technically the only method of hair removal that can permanently remove hair. A fine electric needle is used to individually treat the hair follicles. The goal is to destroy the follicle itself. Given that the electrologist is treating individual hair follicles this method is best for small surface areas. It will require multiple sessions depending on the thickness and coarseness of your hair. Electrolysis is safe on all skin types if used correctly and can remove all types of hair including light-colored hair. It can be painful, especially if not treated with a topical numbing cream prior to the procedure. There is a small risk of scarring or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal isn’t a definitive treatment for unwanted hair but it can last a long time, especially with regular maintenance treatments. It works best for dark or coarse hair. Lighter hair may temporarily go away but has a higher likelihood of growing back. Similarly to electrolysis, it normally requires multiple treatments, typically anywhere from 6 to 10 treatments in this case. One perk of laser hair removal is that there is less downtime following the treatment. It can also treat larger body surface areas and there is less risk of scarring or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation than with electrolysis.
Excessive hair growth can indicate an underlying condition
Hair growth is possible just about anywhere on the body. Since we are mammals and covered in hair, it is generally considered normal. However, excessive hair growth in certain areas especially in women is called hirsutism, and it can be a sign of an underlying disease such as polycystic ovary syndrome. If you are a woman and have excessive facial hair growth or hair growth on your chest I recommend you talk to your primary care provider or gynecologist. If you choose to pursue either of these methods of hair removal make sure it is by experienced hands. I advise you not to do electrolysis, especially on the face if you are planning to be out in the sun for extended periods after, as you can experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. For that reason, wintertime is always the safest option.
Have you had success with either electrolysis or laser hair removal? Let me know below in the comments which method you have tried!
*Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer. Information on this website is for education and entertainment purposes only. Content is my opinion. It is not substituted for your own doctor’s medical care or advice. One should not make any health or medical-related decisions based in whole or in part on any content on this site. Content is not intended to replace the services of a licensed, trained health professional. Content may not apply to you as an individual. Although I will update my website with current information, this website is not a definitive guide to dermatology.
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