I have very dark, coarse and dense facial hair. I’m currently getting IPL hair removal done but I’m wondering if electrolysis isn’t more effective and safer.
Is it really permanent?
Apparently laser and IPL only result in hair reduction by destroying hair follicles. Hair regrowth can result from new follicles being generated. Doesn’t electrolysis have the same problem i.e. the treated hair permanently removed, but nothing can be done about new follicles?
My hair extremely dense (male beard type). I’d like to treat my upper lip and chin. is this feasible at all or would it just take too long? How many hairs are removed per session? How long do I have to wait between sessions? How long does the hair have to be? Finally, can I bleach the hair ebtween sessions?
What the risks and side effects?
I know, lots of questions. Many Thanks for answering.
Are you a female? If so, you shouldn’t do the laser on your face, as many of the professionals on this forum have said that laser stimulates new hair follicles, and hence causing growth of extra hair. Electrolysis would be best for your face. Electrolysis is permanent if performed by a competent and skilled electrologist. Yes, you are right lasers ONLY result in hair REDUCTION, whereas electrolysis is PERMANENT. When a hair is permanently gone by electrolysis, it will be gone for good. However, new hair will come depending on you, if you have hormonal imbalances, etc… but shouldn’t be much so you can go for touch ups once or twice a year. Oh and for the other questions, I’m just going to let the professionals answer that : )
“1. Is it really permanent?
Apparently laser and IPL only result in hair reduction by destroying hair follicles. Hair regrowth can result from new follicles being generated. Doesn’t electrolysis have the same problem i.e. the treated hair permanently removed, but nothing can be done about new follicles?”
Yes. Electrolysis is really permanent. Laser induced hair growth doesn’t generate new follicles, but it does stimulate hair growth in follicles that would have never turned on to grow hair. Some female clients with a genetic, hormonal or some other propensity to grow hair can grow hair throughout their life no matter what kind of hair removal they do. If a woman has have an excess of a certain enzyme in their skin, then Vaniqa can help prevent future hair growth - but it does not stop current growth.
“2. My hair extremely dense (male beard type). I’d like to treat my upper lip and chin. is this feasible at all or would it just take too long? How many hairs are removed per session? How long do I have to wait between sessions? How long does the hair have to be? Finally, can I bleach the hair between sessions?”
Yes, this is feasible. The average electrolysis treatment should remove around 100 hairs in 15 minutes. Most women with upper lip and chin growth as you describe will have anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour 1/2 sessions - you will choose the length of treatment with the help of your electrology provider. If you are tweezing, your treatments will be weekly. (You must stop any tweezing.) If you are shaving or bleaching - bi-weekly. (You can shave or bleach between treatments.) The hair needs to be long enough for the electrologist to see the direction it’s growing from and to grasp with forceps/tweezers - I like 1/4 of an inch, if possible.
“3. What the risks and side effects?”
The risks stem from practitioner selection to your own hygiene and skin condition. Electrologists with poor skills will not give you the results you are seeking. If the electrologist is plucking hair without proper current application, then ingrowns can result. Poor insertions can result in painful treatments and unnecessary skin irritation and over-treatment can result in skin damage. I would hope that ALL electrologists now have sterile instruments and proper aftercare instructions. The side effects include temporary redness and puffiness at the site of each follicle with treatment of contiguous hairs resulting in swelling. Pin-point scabs can occur and should not be messed with. Good after-care is very important. Don’t touch the treated area and no tweezing are essential…
Audrey, both laser AND electrolysis destroy hair permanently. Laser just doesn’t affect fine hair. All “reduction” means is that there will be finer growth left afterwards since laser can only kill coarse hair.
I don’t need 100% reduction. I’d be happy to be left with fine, light coloured or vellous hair that could be managed using bleaching. So seeing that IPL/laser is quicker, maybe it is more suitable. The only real advantage that electrolysis has FOR ME then is that I don’t have the risk of stimulated hair growth.
Phew, tough decision…I wish there was one perfect choice.
By the way is there a board for bleaching? Was wondering about long term side effects of that. It doesn’t seem very healthy.
