Laser Hair Removal Vs. Electrolysis - Which is Best?

Both laser hair removal and electrolysis can be effective treatments.  Some important considerations are:
-LASER hair is much faster than electrolysis.  Laser hair removal of the back can take as little as 15 minutes.  Electrolysis will take at least 4 hours for this area
-Laser hair is much cheaper than electrolysis since it is much more efficient
-Electrolysis can treat blonde and white hair, laser hair removal can not
-Laser hair can only target hair in anagen phase, while electrolysis targets all hairs regardless of phase

Electrolysis is still the Gold Standard in treating hair with no dark melanin such as gray, white, blonde, red and light brown. It is a great treatment for those small areas with light hair such as upper lip, chin, face and men's ears. Laser Hair Removal for dark hair is fast and efficient in reducing and removing that unwanted hair. 

Laser hair removal has been the gold standard for the past 10 years. Laser hair removal is more efficient and permanent.

Laser hair removal and Electrolysis are the two technologies that offer you lasting reduction in hair growth. Electrolysis uses electrical energy to create a thermal and chemical  injury to mature hair follicles. When done professionally, this can result in lasting hair growth reduction. The problem is that only mature (larger) hair follicles can be treated, the process is tedious and there is some potential for damage to the skin surface that may cause scarring. This is often impractical for anything other than small areas. You can count on many sessions (>10) to see a worthwhile impact on commonly treated areas. For very small zones, light colored hair,  sparsely located coarse hairs on delicate areas or hairs associated with moles that are not going to be removed, electrolysis is still a primary strategy.

Laser hair removal (LHR) can effectively disable hair with follicles (hair shafts) of many different sizes. Less damage to the skin surface occurs newer technologies and very careful technique. LHR can also treat small or larger areas very efficiently with most patients achieving lasting reduction after 5-6 sessions. The limitation of LHR is that light colored (blond, grey and red) hair does not respond well. If you think the options through, going to a reputable clinic with current technology is the safest, most efficient and most economical solution for unwanted hair growth.

Dr. Mosher

Laser hair removal and electrolysis are both effective and permanent -- when performed correctly. For thick, dark hair -- on any skin type -- lasers will be faster and less costly because many hairs are treated simultaneously. For fine, blond, red or gray hair, lasers will not be effective and electrolysis is a good option.

As long as the hair is dark, laser hair removal is your best option. For gray, blonde, or red hair lasers don't work. In this case electrolysis can help to reduce the hair permanently. In general electrolysis takes longer than laser to work because targets each hair individually. The risk for scarring or pigmentation on the skin is higher with electrolysis as well.

Laser tends to be faster (multiple targets at once), some say less discomfort and can provide permanent results in fewer treatments. That being said laser treatment is most effective for darker hair on fairer skin. I hope this helps!

Laser hair removal is clinically indicated for permanent hair removal or permanent hair reduction. This cannot be said for electrolysis, which provides a temporary reduction in hair follicle growth.
Second, unlike electrolysis, laser hair removal targets many hair follicles at once, thus expediting treatment time in individuals. Electrolysis works one by one on hair follicles.

Electrolysis can work on all skin and hair tones, including blond and gray hair, which laser can not treat. When it comes to permanent results, electrolysis can achieve this and is more affordable than laser hair removal. The laser needs fewer sessions to show results because it cannot treat all the folicules simultaneously as electrolysis does. Also, the laser is chosen over electrolysis to treat larger areas. These two treatments are the most recommended for hair removal, but choosing one that can work better for you will be based on the area you want to treat and your skin and hair conditions.

Laser hair is very effective and  has the ability to treat  a broader area than electrolysis and is much less time consuming.  For tiny areas like the eyebrow area I would recommend electrolysis. There is minimal re-growth with laser hair removal and is much less painful. The times that I recommend electrolysis is when there are specific hairs in a small area of the face such as the eyebrows or hair lines that patients want removed.  Please consult an expert in laser hair removal for the best cosmetic results. Best, Dr. Green