Laser hair removal vs. electrolysis

I was going to electrolysis for over a year for a FEW dark course hairs on my chin. After getting frustrated with the time it was taking and not seeing a reduction in the hair, I went to a laser clinic. They did the treatment on my entire face as well as my neck (which never had unwanted hair before). Now it seems I have even more hair on my chin as well as dark hairs on my neck. I am back to electrolysis again but am not even seeing a reduction or even slowing of the growth of hair. Very frustrating! I'm interested to see if people have a more positive view of laser hair treatment today (I went over 5 years ago).

Please DO NOT EVER EVER laser especially your face. I worked at a laser clinic for a few years. The crook who owned it stole from her clients and to this day I feel so bad to know that those clients not only were stolen from, but they damaged their skin. I was the woman's ginney pig as she would tell me that laser is good for the skin. I was new I did not know any better till I studied it on my own.Well thank goodness I do not work there anymore as I have educated myself enough to know that there are NO UNBIASED STUDIES to even discuss laser. Doctors pay a few laser engineers to put together a machine, remember they want to make money and then the public is brain washed. They think a doctor created it so it must be good. No offense to a doctor but I take great offense for my face has been damaged without ever being able to repair the skin. The amount of heat projected into the skin is like you frying your face in the sun on a very hot day and then they cool the area, no kidding for they have to extract the heat from the skin as it truly is cooking in the dermis and subcutaneous layers of the skin. The crook I worked for was just north of Toronto in a tiny hole in the wall. Her plot was to be in a walk in clinic so she could call it a Medi Spa. Another tactic to fool people. Lasers have no true studies so please save your skin as once it is ruined you cannot EVER REPAIR IT. Find a reputable electrologist as there are few but if lady luck likes you and you find one, you will notice the hair growth slowing down after each session as there are 3 methods and most use the wrong one to gain repeat business the method that works, works very quickly. I wish you a great electrologist and no lasers. Good Luck

Hm. Wish I read you before I started lasering my face. I did my body and laser was OK on that, but on my face it stimulated hair growth and , as New Yorker above mentioned, caused a beard-like growth on my face. When I started, I just had a few dark hairs on my top lip. I am now poorer and uglier. And am looking for a proper solution. My dermatologist in NY said that Electrolysis was the ONLY way to get rid of hair forever and that lasers only slow hair growth. SUSANKNOWS - can you tell me what the 3 methods of electrolysis are and which one you suggest as being the right one to go for.

Yes it can!!! If the area is not fried enough it can stimulate hair growth especially if the settings are too low. Many people will notice more hair growth once they stop their sessions. Not to worry you are not going crazy it is the laser industry that is crazy.

How is it that the laser industry gets away with fleecing people - why has this not been uncovered as the biggest fraud ever. Is there ANYONE out there who has had successful hair removal from their face? ie: Permanently or semi permanently, without further hair growth or Hyperstimulation (I understand that is what the issue is called)

Hi my name is Rebeccaasmit, and I've had four sessions on the Soprano XL Blue for my Bikini Line. I have average brown skin but dark black hair, and I can honestly say that it is the most painless and comfortable treatment, I could barely feel anything. I am seeing a really good result, and the hair is definitely coming back alot slower and thinner. I had the treatment at a clinic called Onyx Clinic (their website is www.onyxlaserhairremoval.co.uk), they were very friendly and professional and surprisingly reasonable. '

I think you're a bit too sensitive to the comments on electrolysis. After all, none of the doctors appear to be saying it doesn't work. My read is that some recommend it for light hair removal. Right? They are also saying that electrolysis is slow, hair-by-hair process that's sub-par for large hair removal areas. I've done both, and both hurt big time. But electrolysis was more intensely painful. Don't hold it against me, but I prefer LHR over electrolysis!

Thank you all who have responded to my original question. I found it all very helpful. Jenny11, I agree most people may in theory prefer LHR or electrolysis, but I think you are missing my point a bit. The problem with the doctor's response is that they suspiciously highlight mostly the advantages of LHR versus the problems with eletrolysis, but not a major caveat---new hair growth from LHR. As someone who has no commerical interest in either, I think everyone should know that LHR has for many many people stimulated new and coarser hair growth, particularly problematic on the face. I only wish that the industry was more regulated. LHR professionals have a strong commerical interest not to tell you all the set backs (also, many of them just plain may not know). But then again, my electrolysist says she doesn't care bc most of her business is from former LHR clients. To me this means that these industries can't be self regulated. I have chosen to avoid LHR on my face because of all the anecdotes I have accumulated. It is in the best interest of the doctors as well to explore this part of the story, so as not to undermine the rest of their guidance. Afterall, I would like the perspective of medical experts I can trust as I pay thousands to zap either laser or electricity on my face. My interest in posting this was to help myself and others, so we can assess when and where to get either treatment. I recommend laser on large areas, like legs, but not neck up. But then again, I am not a medical expert. We ideally need objective experts.

You Got it sister. Yippie the truth is out!!!

Hi Arlena All I have to say is, I had Electrolisis done a few years ago on my bikini area, it was extremely painful but it worked very well, at the time I was a student so out of the 24 recomemded treatments I only got about 12, I did have some hair left, but not due to regrowth but because I didn't get enough treatments, I am now getting IPL and I am loving the resulets, I am getting under arms, brazilian and lower leg, I have to say it is way quicker than electrolisis, as I get all of that in about the same time it took to do only my bikini line, I am seeing good results after my 4th treatment, and its not as painful, BUT!! I do have to say, I hope it is permanent, as Electrolisis was very efective and permanent for me, so I would have to say that I like them both, and I am hoping that I made the right decision by chosing IPL this time around.

Sorry to add a comment but thermolysis is not the right method to use. In rare occasions you can use it for the finist and lightest hairs. Otherwise you will only be treating the hair with heat and not lye. please careful as you will be wasting your money if it is used on dark hairs.

HAHA susanknows,...where is the scientific proof on that? where is the logic,..? that is a bunch of bologna. I am 100% proof thermolysis works i had black man hairs on my face and body that is completely gone. Im not saying "your" ACID method dosnt work, its just takes 5 times as long. This day and age people want fast painless results and with the amazing updated technology we have, you will see that thermolysis is fast and works for any type of hair. I am booked months in advance.. why? people see results

Hi Susanknows and Arlena Parker, What are the three types of electrolysis? My electrolysist says she uses a "blended" method for my skin because she is worried about marking my skin. I am pretty sure she doesnt use lye, but I should ask her. She seems great and it is working, but I am moving place and am worried about finding another competent person. So I want to know what to look for.

Arlena
I just moved to UK from NY and my dermatologist in NY also confirmed that electrolysis is the only way to go for PERMANENT hair removal. After nightmares with laser on my face and hyperstimulation, I need a new solution. However, I am quite scared of scarring which I hear can be a side effect of laser. So I want to make sure I find the best electrologist with the best methods. Can you advise what qualities / qualifications/ methods I should be looking for in a great electrologist.
Thanks.

One Touch kit?! Sounds great. Do they still make those?