Electrolysis and laser hair removal | Comparison and which is better

*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Laser and electrolysis are two techniques that are used to remove unwanted hairs and get a lasting result.

Electrolysis – features, types, advantages and disadvantages of the procedure

Electrolysis is a 100% reliable way to eliminate hair in any area of ​​the body in a beauty salon, cosmetology clinic. The result is preserved throughout life. This method of dealing with excess hairs was invented by an eye doctor more than 150 years ago, when he was in search of an effective and quick treatment for ingrown eyelashes. Over time, the technique was improved, it began to be used in the beauty industry, where it became incredibly popular. The technique has successfully held a leading position in the ranking of methods for the final hair removal for more than a decade, there is no alternative to it yet.

The technique of electrolysis is based on the fact that an electric current, even of low voltage, can irreversibly destroy, kill living cells of the body. In this case, the hair follicles are subject to destruction, in which the bulbs (roots) are located and from which the hair shafts grow. Due to short-term treatment with current discharges, irreversible necrotic processes begin in the sacs, the hairs fall out and simply do not begin to grow back.

Есть два основных вида электроэпиляции, отличия между которыми заключаются в типе задействованных в процедуре электродов. Первый вид – пинцетная электроэпиляция, во время которой используется крошечный раздвоенный электрод, захватывающий каждый волосок как пинцет. Ток, исходящий из пинцета, проходит по волосяному стержню, достигает фолликула и в буквальном смысле испаряет его, необратимо разрушая корень. На этом месте растительности больше не будет.

The second type is needle electrolysis through the hair canal. The effect of it is the same as that of the technique described above, but the technology differs in the way the electrical impulse is delivered to its destination. In this case, a special very small needle made of a medical or other safe alloy is inserted into the area where the hair root is located. The thickness of its base is 0,8-1,25 mm, the thickness of the point is 0,055-0,15 mm, the resistance and conductivity depend on the characteristics of the specific needles used by the specialist. The follicle receives an electric shock and is destroyed. There is one more small difference – needle electrolysis takes less time than tweezers. It takes from 2 to 60 seconds to kill the root of one hair, as opposed to 2 minutes in the case of the tweezing method.

Within the framework of the technique of needle electrolysis, there are four separate methods for its implementation:

1. Thermolysis is a rather old method that cosmetology clinics and beauty salons are trying to refuse. This is an alternating current method that runs along the entire length of the needle, reaches the follicle and destroys it. The impact is short, lasting only a few seconds, but powerful and painful for the client. In addition, in this case, there is a chance of getting a skin burn if the master does not have enough experience or skills.

2. Flash is an improved version of thermolysis. The principle is the same, the difference lies in the fact that the current does not pass along the entire length of the needle, affecting the epidermal tissues surrounding the needle, but comes only from its tip, acting exclusively on the hair root. Accordingly, the degree of pain of the electrolysis procedure is significantly reduced.

3. Electrolysis is a technique that involves a longer treatment of follicles with direct current, which has a lower voltage than in thermolysis. The impact on each unwanted element takes 10-60 seconds, but the sensations are not as unpleasant as in the methods listed above.

Also in cosmetology, different needle techniques are often combined. Due to this, the duration of exposure is reduced to 10 seconds, and the degree of pain and discomfort is significantly reduced. Whichever method the beautician uses, they may suggest local anesthesia to reduce tissue sensitivity.

Electrolysis will not get rid of all unwanted hair in one session. The fact is that both tweezers and a needle can be used to destroy only those bulbs that are in the anagen state, that is, in the active growth phase. To detect the follicle, the cosmetologist focuses on that part of the hair that protrudes above the surface of the skin, is clearly visible, and has a sufficient length. If the root is in the telogen phase, that is, resting, the hair shaft does not grow, the follicle and the root located in it cannot be detected and necrotic. This phase can last up to 2 months. As soon as the “resting” roots wake up, become active, and new hairs grow, electrolysis must be repeated. Also in the layers of the skin are spare hair follicles, from which hair, in principle, does not grow as long as the main vegetation exists. These elements are activated when the body understands that the active hair roots are destroyed, and it is necessary to somehow compensate for the loss. Therefore, it may be necessary to carry out a total of 2 to 10 sessions of electrolysis in order to get rid of unwanted hairs permanently and in full. The number of procedures depends on many factors: the physiological characteristics of a person, the area of ​​​​influence, the characteristics of the hair (density, density and growth rate), the hormonal background, etc.

Before you sign up for electrolysis, you need to “grow” unwanted hairs to be removed by at least 3-5 millimeters. If they are shorter, it will be difficult for the master to find follicles, if they are longer than 10 mm, they will interfere with the master.

There are a number of contraindications for electrolysis of any kind:

1. Diseases, violations of the integrity of the skin in the area of ​​hair removal.

2. Severe chronic diseases or infectious and inflammatory diseases in the acute phase.

3. Заболевания ЦНС, психические отклонения.

4. Malignant neoplasms of any localization.

5. Everything related to the menstrual cycle in women – critical days (pain threshold decreases), pregnancy, breastfeeding period (undesirable stress for the body).

Advantages of electrolysis:

1. Electrolysis makes it possible, after spending only 6-12 months and visiting a beautician 10-15 times, to get absolutely smooth skin on almost any part of the body.

2. The technique is simple and universal, it can be used for clients of any gender and age (from adulthood), with any skin color and hair characteristics.

3. Electrolysis can be carried out almost painlessly using local anesthetics or the flash tweezing technique.

Cons of electrolysis:

1. Each hair shaft and its root must be treated separately, it takes a lot of time. The duration of the session, the final cost of the procedures and / or the number of visits to the cosmetologist increases.

2. If electrolysis is performed by an inexperienced or unskilled master, the client may get tissue burns.

3. After electrolysis, side effects may occur – wounds, pustules, ingrown hairs, etc.

Despite the versatility of the method, it is not recommended to use it to remove hair in those parts of the body where there are lymph nodes located close to the skin. Also, the technique is not used to eliminate hair in the nostrils and auricles.

Long rehabilitation period after each session of electrolysis. Skin recovery can take 7-10 days.

Laser hair removal – features, pros and cons of the technique

As the name implies, laser hair removal is a method of removing unwanted hair on any part of the body using a special laser unit. This method is based on the fact that melanin, the pigment that gives hair a particular color, can absorb laser pulses. As a result of such irradiation, melanin converts the impulse into heat, which destroys the hair shaft. But since there is no melanin in the follicle itself (it is produced there and enters the cortex of the rod), the bulb is not damaged so much that hair growth stops forever. Therefore, laser hair removal allows you to get rid of excess vegetation for an average of 4-6 years. However, those hairs that eventually grow back are very weak, thin and brittle, and it is not difficult to remove them again.

Features of laser hair removal and the equipment used in the procedure:

1. If the technique is modern, the laser can remove vegetation on any part of the skin, the color and thickness, the type of hair shafts do not matter. However, not all clinics are equipped with innovative devices, therefore, in some cases, a client may be denied laser hair removal if his skin is too dark (it will absorb laser radiation) or the hairs that need to be removed are gray, too light (not enough melanin to absorb the pulse).

2. Laser hair removal allows you to treat large areas of skin covered with unwanted vegetation in one session. The flash diameter also makes it possible to remove individual hairs, that is, to carry out targeted epilation.

3. Laser systems have a cooling system, so the client practically does not feel anything during the exposure to the beam. Cryogenic cooling also protects the skin from burns.

4. The number of sessions that need to be done to get rid of excess hair is calculated individually. You will have to carry out at least 2-3 procedures, since first the hairs that are in the growth phase are removed, then the elements that come out of the sleep phase.

The process of preparing for laser hair removal is more time-consuming. A few weeks before the cosmetic procedure, you need to start protecting the skin in the area of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbfuture treatment from exposure to ultraviolet rays. That is, you can not sunbathe, including visiting the solarium. In the same period of time, it is necessary to refuse to carry out any procedures during which the hair is pulled out of the follicles with roots. That is, you can’t do home hair removal with an epilator, tweezers, you can’t do shugaring and waxing. At the same time, the hair can be shaved and cut. Three days before the procedure, you need to shave the area of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe future treatment, so that by the time the laser hair removal is performed, the hairs have grown a few millimeters and can absorb the laser radiation. At the same time, you need to avoid applying any cosmetics that contain alcohol to the skin. Just before you go for laser hair removal, you need to take a shower, but after it you should not apply any cosmetics to the body.

Contraindications to laser hair removal duplicate contraindications to electrolysis.

Pros:

1. The second most effective technique that allows you to quickly and efficiently eliminate unwanted vegetation.

2. When working with modern equipment, there are no restrictions on the area of ​​influence, the shade of the client’s skin, the color of his hair.

3. Painless due to cryo-cooling. For clients with hypersensitivity of the skin and / or a low pain threshold, anesthesia is performed.

4. The chance of side effects is very low.

5. The laser, upon contact with the skin, disinfects it, has an anti-inflammatory effect.

6. Due to the fact that there is no need to process each hair separately, the duration of the session is reduced, the cost of the services of the master is reduced. Therefore, laser hair removal is a cheaper method of removing unwanted vegetation than electrolysis.

Cons:

1. Laser hair removal does not contribute to the complete and final removal of unwanted hairs. After 4-6 years, their growth may resume, even if only partially.

2. During laser hair removal, the elements that are in the sleep phase are not removed. Therefore, the client will have to visit the beautician several times.

Comparison of laser and electrolysis

Electrolysis allows you to get rid of unwanted hair forever, but it is time consuming, expensive, and the procedures can be quite painful. Laser hair removal will get rid of excess vegetation not forever, but for up to 6 years, but it is carried out quickly and painlessly, it costs less.

Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.