- Laser hair removal reduces hair by directing a laser beam at hair follicles on a certain area of the body, which heats the follicles and destroys some of them. According to the Mayo Clinic, in most cases, laser hair removal simply inhibits hair regrowth--which can vary between several months to years. On the other hand, electrolysis addresses each hair individually. A skilled electrologist slips a slim probe through the skin to the hair follicle and delivers a small jolt of electricity to kill the root. Hair is removed permanently.
- Laser hair removal can take a few minutes if hair reduction is desired on a small area of the body, such as the upper lip. Larger areas of the body can take a few hours. Electrolysis can take up to an hour to remove hair on the upper lip, but if large areas of the body such as the legs require treatment, this can take more than 100 hours.
- Laser hair removal and electrolysis are both costly ways to reduce or remove hair. The average national cost of one laser treatment as of August 2009 was $376.75, according to Hair Removal Journal, but this cost varies by region and time of year. According to the Mayo Clinic, between six and eight treatments spaced six to eight weeks apart are required for good results. Electrolysis, charged by the hour, can cost between $45 and $125.
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Success using laser hair removal depends on whether you're a good candidate for the procedure. The Mayo Clinic states that ideal candidates have fair skin and dark hair. People with darker skin and dark hair also note good results. However, laser hair removal doesn't work on white, blond or light brown hair. If you get desired results with laser hair removal, you'll still have to undergo maintenance treatments--usually once a year--to take care of regrowth. Sometimes even those who are perfect candidates for laser hair removal don't note hair reduction.
Electrolysis is considered the only permanent form of hair removal, regardless of your skin tone and hair color. As with laser hair removal, some regrowth will be noted--which must be addressed in subsequent treatment sessions. But once hair is removed, your treatments are finished. - If you have fair skin and dark hair and don't want to invest an inordinate amount of time and money, leg hair is best treated using laser hair removal. However, if you aren't a good candidate for laser hair removal or you want hair gone permanently, electrolysis might be the better option. To see a cost comparison chart between these two procedures, see the Resources link below.
