Affordable Hair Removal – Electrolysis vs Laser Hair Removal

There are all sorts of reasons why people want to eliminate unwanted hair. It could be a question of looks, of self esteem or of tradition (religious or cultural). It may simply be a question of wanting a change; after all unless you apply a permanent Hair Removal method, it will grow back.

Whatever the reason may be, there are different methods available and before choosing one, or combo, it is always a good idea to know what methods are available, how they work and the type of results you may expect.

In general terms there are two types of hair removal processes, and various alternatives or hair removal methods that fit into this classification.

The two “general” methods are:

1. Hair removal above the skin. (Depilation)
2. Hair removal below the skin. (Epilation)

The major difference between these two is how long the hair takes to grow back visibly. Hair that has been removed above the skin (shaving), will grow back quicker than hair removed from below the skin (waxing).

Each of these processes has different methods with different benefits.

Depilatory Methods:

1. Shaving. Any type of shaving method – electrical or razors. There are different brands with slight differences. Typical usage is for facial hair, legs, under arms, and even pubic hair.
2. Depilatory creams. These are creams with chemicals that will affect the hair and dissolve it. You can also find various brands and types. It is recommended you apply a small amount of the cream in a small area just so that you can measure your skins reaction. You must also be very careful on tender areas such as near the eyes or face.

Epilatory Methods:

1. Plucking. Probably the oldest known method of hair removal. Imagine a cave woman removing a roving hair from her face – it would have been plucked. Today you would use a pair of tweezers. Typically used around the face for those individually annoying hairs
2. Waxing. You apply wax (warm or cold) over the area you want to remove hair from and with a porous strip. it is a more sophisticated way of plucking and most often used on legs and under the arms.
3. Sugaring. Very similar to waxing, but instead has a “sugar” based recipe.
4. Threading. This is also an old form of hair removal that is believed was used by the ancient Egyptians (as was sugaring). Basically longer hairs were caught in a piece of thread as it was rolled against the skin. A brief but firm pull was made and the hairs caught in the thread were pulled out.

All of these methods described above, both depilatory and epilatory, are temporary methods. Hair will come back according to its growth cycle. Hair that was removed from above the skin will reappear more quickly, while hair that was removed from below the skin will take longer.

But there are two other methods (with their variations) that attack and destroy the hair below the skin that could be classified as permanent or nearly permanent. These are:

1. Electrolysis. This is the only method that can be classified as truly permanent. A very thin type needle is introduced into the hair follicle and an electric current is let loose. The hair is then destroyed. It sound worse than it is but as it focuses on a hair by hair basis, it requires long sessions.
2. Laser. This is a newer method than electrolysis, but has become very popular and there are now various types of laser technology being applied. In simple terms a beam of light is targeted at the melanin (a substance in the skin and hair that gives it its color) it heats and thereby eliminates the hair follicle without affecting the surrounding skin. This method has now become very popular with a wide range of clinics offering their service. In many cases the result is permanent. As of now it is classified as a permanent hair “reduction” method.