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What's the Best Hair Removal Treatment?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by David Shafer, MD
Question viewed 22,323 times
Tags: best, comparison

laser hair removal or electrolysis or ipl?

15 answers to What's the Best Hair Removal Treatment?

+3

For large portions of the body, laser is the way to go...

For large portions of the body, laser is the way to go – it is efficient and does a great job of hair reduction. I use a Candela device that has a freezing device that chills the skin, making it more comfortable for the patients. Electrolysis is ok for small areas and for hair that is fair. IPL is getting better for hair reduction but most devices are not powerful enough to really do the job.
Kenneth Beer, MD

Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
+2

Best Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Laser hair removal has come a long way since the first laser for hair removal received FDA clearance in the mid 1990’s. Older generation lasers were slow, very painful and worked only on individuals with very dark hair and very light skin. Today, lasers can work on all skin colors and some lasers are even safe for treating tanned skinned. Lasers for hair removal can be performed on any (yes, any) area of the body. When considering a hair removal laser treatment, consumers should... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

+2

Laser hair removal - generally your best choice

Laser Hair Removal (LHR) is generally the most effective, efficient, safest, and ultimately cheapest option for unwanted hair. Hair needs to have some color (pigmented) for LHR to be effective. Blonde, Grey, peach fuzz, and even most Red hair will not respond to LHR. For these types of hair, electrolysis may be best. While IPL's can be effective in lighter skin types, they generally are not as effective as our best lasers, have a higher potential side effect profile, and can not be used... more
Jeffrey C. Poole, MD

Metairie Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Laser Hair Removal

In my experience the Cynosure Elite laser hair removal machine is the most effective. It is the Cadillac of Laser Hair Machines. I have personally been treated with our machine and the results are fantastic. As with all machines, it will take several treatments to maximize results, but even after one treatment, I see in myself and our patients significant results. Good Luck.
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser Excellent Modality for Hair Removal

Laser hair removal (LHR) is safe (when performed by a trained physician or in doctor's office), effective, and more efficient and cost-effective in the long run. There are several lasers which can be used for LHR and it is important that the correct laser be used for the skin type being treated. The Alexandrite (755nm) and NdYag (1064nm) are generally considered the best lasers for LHR, but the NdYag is safer on darker skin types as the Alexandrite attracts pigment. As long as the hairs... more
Channing R. Barnett, MD

New York Dermatologist
+1

What's the best hair removal treatment

After using several types of Intense Pulsed Light machines, including the Isolaz, I have decided that the Alexandrite Laser (755 nanometer wave length) is the best for skin types I to IV Fitzpatrick. (Very fair skin to moderately dark skin) and the YAG Laser is best for very dark skin types, (AS LONG AS THE HAIR FOLLICLE IS DARKER THAN THESKIN). There is always some pain with these precedures, therefore we apply a anumbing cream 30 minutes before the hair removal. Blond, white... more
Eugene Mandrea, MD

Chicago Dermatologist

www.lakeviewderm.com

+1

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal has been the gold standard for the past 10 years. Laser hair removal is more efficient and permanent.
Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

San Francisco Dermatologic Surgeon

www.elitemdspa.com

+1

Laser Hair Removal for everything, Electrolysis for gray hair only

Laser Hair Removal generally works really well for pigmented hair. Electrolysis is only recommended for hair that does not respond to laser such as blonde or gray hair. I am not a fan of IPL lasers as the number of required treatments are significantly higher and the specific energy level is not readily obtained. As for the laser hair removal, the two best lasers are the ones using Alexandrite laser and Diode lasers, most well known of them are the Gentlelase system and Lightsheer system... more
Peyman Ghasri, MD

Los Angeles Dermatologist
+1

Laser Hair Removal

Laser and light based technologies can reduce hair safely and effectively. You need to have the right laser for your skin and hair type combination so that the right amount of energy can reach the hair follicle and reduce the hairs. After meeting with your dermatologist, they can usually help you to pick the best laser for your needs. I have found that the long pulsed Nd Yag and IPL devices such as BBL are highly effective and the discomfort is usually minimal with these devices. Topical... more
Shawn Allen, MD

Boulder Dermatologist
+1

The best hair removal system is IPL

In my opinion, this comes down to light based hair removal systems as opposed to electrolysis. I must say, electrolysis is very effective, but it is also time consuming, expensive, and painful. Laser Hair Removal may be more powerful than IPL (intense pulsed light) methods is some hands, but again, the discomfort that goes along with it is substantial. The reason I bought my particular machine is that it is without question THE MOST COMFORTABLE AND PAIN FREE HAIR REMOVAL SYSTEM I COULD FIND... more
Thomas P. Sterry, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lasers first, then Electrolysis

If you are a good laser hair removal candidate with some color and coarseness to the hair you want to remove, we would recommend either diode or alexandrite lasers for light skin types (up to and including some Asians and Hispanics especially for the Diode laser) and the long pulsed Nd:Yg laser for darker skin types. We do not recommend IPL at all as it has a higher incidence of side effects and in general is less specific (to just hair as a target) and less powerful than a laser. We... more
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

All of these methods are good for some people, so it all depends

While I love laser hair removal, it can't be done on some folks with white or blonde hair, so electrolysis or waxing still play a role. The same goes for 'peach fuzz', which is best addressed by waxing. Additionally, Vaniqa plays a vital role in extending laser hair removal and other treatments. As for laser hair removal vs IPL, we do both and I was involved in the initial trials that led to the approval of the first IPL device for hair removal, so I do see that it works well and have over... more
Joel Schlessinger, MD

Omaha Dermatologist
+1

Laser for hair reduction

Hair reduction lasers are available almost anywhere. Most effective are in the class IV lasers: Alexandrite, Diode,or Yag. The darker the hair the lighter the skin the better the laser works. People with blonde,grey,and even some red hair have a difficult time getting the results wanted. IPL Laser is not as effective as a hair reduction laser. Electrolysis is better for fine fair hair,but does take several treatments for differences.
William J. Hedden, MD

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser is most effective for hair removal

Laser will give you the most long-term benefit. It is most effective for fair-skinned people with dark hairs. It can be effective in olive-toned skin, it just usually requires more treatments. If hairs are white or light blonde, lasers are ineffective. IPL, electrolysis, and Vaniqa cream are the options for white or light blonde hairs.
Anne Marie McNeill, MD

Newport Beach Dermatologist
+1

Lasers will give you best permanent hair removal

Laser is the most advanced and effective technology to remove hair. It works for all body areas as long as the hair is dark in color. IPL is not an effective device for permanent hair removal, but it still offers some reduction and is safer for darker skin types. Electrolysis has been around for many years and it's mostly done for gray or blonde hair.
Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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