Check out this article, scroll down for hair removal section:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourHealth/InvestInYourLooks.aspx
Thanks laserhater for posting this. I just have a few thoughts to share, or shall we call it, ‘picking apart the text’? Here goes.
“Electrolysis and laser hair removal are two options with varying costs and results”.
( Got that right!)
“Electrolysis offers permanent hair removal in which a needle is inserted into a hair follicle. It can be painful and time consuming. Laser hair removal, by contrast, offers hair reduction; some hair may grow back.”
(This is okay,too, however, there is no mention of the word ‘PAIN’ in regard to laser. There is no mention that laser can take a year to a year and a half to complete the treatments. If this were to be more accurate, it would have said that laser can be painful and time consuming, too. Time consuming for laser means less time per session and less sessions, but in reality, one still needs to go through HAIR GROWTH CYCLES the same as for electrolysis clients. No mention that laser may not reach the high expectations that the consumer has and may actually stimulate hair to grow on certain areas of the body, which will require even more treatments or a switch to electrolysis.)
“A typical laser treatment costs about $400, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, although more than one treatment may be needed and large areas can cost much more.”
(Depends on the area? This $400 remark might scare away some consumers who would have great results. Underarms are no where near this price.)
“Electrolysis costs vary widely but $100 an hour is fairly typical.”
(This is NOT a fairly typical price for electrolysis. Sixty to seventy dollars per hour is more like it. Most consumers don’t need an hour’s worth of electrolysis for 9-12 months on facial areas or other areas, FYI.)
“Both techniques typically require multiple sessions, with electrolysis usually involving far more visits that last longer. The costs for treating smaller areas ($400 to $800 for [color:“red”]clearing [/color] an upper lip, for example)”
(To be precise, it should say, for COMPLETING an upper lip.)
“… electrolysis is generally much more expensive than lasers for treating large areas. De-fuzzing a man’s back, for example, could take 100 hours with electrolysis and cost more than $10,000, while a laser treatment might cost half that.”
(Now, be it known, that if one wants a hairy back cleared, yes it could take 100 hours if one is using a slow, but effective electrolysis modality called galvanic. Ten-thousand dollars? This is based on $100 per hour and is not accurate. If you go to an electrologist that uses flash or microflash electrolysis, you would be surprised and pleased at the progress made for far less than $100 per hour. This time and price thing in these articles are always misleading and very inaccurate. One would come no where near $10,000 to get to the end. If one gets laser first and follows with electrolysis, then that would be okay for such a large area, but understand that going to a skilled electrologist with good equipment and decent speed will bring you to a happy end. Depending on some variables, it is very likely to reach that end under $5,000.)
“Since laser hair removal doesn’t promise permanent or complete results, some people combine the two methods, opting for lasers to remove the majority of hair and electrolysis to zap the stragglers. The larger the area, the more sense such an approach makes.”
(I’m always more than happy to recommend a laser option for a very hairy back, but I can handle that same back, too, with electrolysis. I’m always honest about the need to punch this aggressivly, meaning weekly and longer sessions. There is no hiding that it will take time for this area - more than 9-12 months to completely finish, but this all depends on the client’s motivation to actually show up. Giving honest information to the client about electrolysis and laser puts the decision in his hands on how he wants to tackle this.)
“Since laser hair removal doesn’t promise permanent or complete results, some people combine the two methods, opting for lasers to remove the majority of hair and electrolysis to zap the stragglers. The larger the area, the more sense such an approach makes.”
(I totally agree and I’m pleased with this statement. Electrolysis can handle any area, but the consumer can’t always find an electroloGIST in their area that can get one finished before the next century. Decent speed and tolerance can be achieved and up-to-date tools make this happen quicker. If you can’t find such a situation, then lasing the area would be very helpful.)
Consumer be aware and learn to investigate several sources before you plunk down that wad of money. These articles that pop up everywhere are not the final word. Un-turn those stones and then decide where you will spend your money.
Dee
Ditto Dee, those points you raised reflect how I thought it was written.
Mantaray
Let me just say that although people in places like New York might be paying $100 an hour as an average, $60 per hour is more accurate as a national average, and I know of places where $35 and $45 per hour are the norm. If you don’t believe me, just ask the horses, cows, sheep and goats who live in those areas <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
to give an idea about prices here, i’ve tried 4 places in LA and called about 10-12. All charged $55-65 per hour.
Let me just say that although people in places like New York might be paying $100 an hour as an average, $60 per hour is more accurate as a national average, and I know of places where $35 and $45 per hour are the norm. If you don’t believe me, just ask the horses, cows, sheep and goats who live in those areas <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
LOL! I’m in one of those areas and the going rate here is generally $80-85 per hour! I pay $90 but at least I know I’m getting top notch service, plus laser too when I need it. At one time I was paying $110 per hour, but rates came down my practitioner changed practices.
I have to say I am surprised by the huge variation in rates.
RJC2001
It can work either way, because you are in one of the “Nowherevilles” of the country, prices may be low because the practitioner figures that there are not enough people to support the practice, on the other hand, someone else in a similar place might charge more because, WHAT 'CHA GONNA DO? How far is it to the next closest practitioner Muaaaaaah! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Yeah, I think the latter applies. She has clients come in from neighboring states!
One of the local plastic surgeons wants to offer electrolysis. They tried to hire my practitioner but she was not interested in working for them. So they are going to send one of their employees, a guy, to electrology school. I wonder if he knows he will have to have a beautician’s license to practice electrolysis? Probably not yet. Some state laws here don’t make much sense.
RJC2001
He should count himself lucky, some states require an electrologist to get a Cosmetology AND Massage Course/license as well. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
I was very bothered that I had to learn massage in my ELECTROLYSIS TRAINING! Yes, I’m shouting guys! My state boards consisted of three written tests for the first day of testing: test number one was anatomy and physiology, test number two was electrolysis, and test number three was massage. I felt the massage part was a total waste of time and my resentment always showed. If I wanted to become a massage therapist, I would have signed up for massage school and licensure.
The time could have been better spent actually doing hands on electrolysis in the clinic. In short, I have never offered massage to clients because I barely have enough time to cover all those clients that seek electrolysis. If they wanted to impose something useful on students, they might have considered offering microdermabrasion. Now that coincides with electrolysis much better than massage.
What the heck goes through the minds of those that have control of a profession?
Dee
Selling books, and classes to the captives who have to get that piece of paper. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />