2011- Susan Hersh demystifies the differences between electrolysis and laser hair removal

Electrolysis VS Laser
Major differences

ELECTROLYSIS
  • Technology has been around for over 135 years and has excellent track record
 
  • Is the ONLY method FDA approved for complete permanent hair removal
 
  • Targets one hair at a time, ensures accuracy and high kill rate
 
  • Electrolysis can treat ALL hair types on ALL skin types
 
  • Can be done anywhere on the body(except inside nose and ears)
 
  • No stimulation of more hair production
 
  • Electrolysis permanent hair removal works in all hair cycles, requires destruction of "the bulge" where germinative cells rest.
 
  • Permanent scarring from repetitive under or over treatment of follicles and skin can happen and is localized to actual mistreated follicles.
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  • Some insurance companies will cover electrolysis for medical/psychological reasons​
​LASER/IPL
  • Technology has been around for about 25 years and is a completely unregulated field in Canada
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  • Only approved by the FDA for Permanent Reduction (most common results 40% to 80%)
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  • Targets melanin(pigment colour in the skin) and BEST results are on dark hair and light skin
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  • Not effective in treating blond, grey, red or hairs that are dark but thin. Also not safe on tanned skin or dark pigmented skin (with the exception of ND YAG laser)
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  • Hairs treated take from 3-21 day to falls out
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  • Can induce hair growth in areas where hair is not dark enough
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  • Requires anagen hair(growing hair) to be present for hair destruction
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  • Permanent scarring from burns can be wide spread on treated area and permanent hyperpigmentation can occur.
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  • No insurance companies will cover laser hair removal for medical or cosmetic reasons.
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Visit Electrolysis vs Laser blog post for more details


Consumers Be Aware! Message from Canadian Organization for Professional Electrologists (COPE)

There is much misleading information regarding laser treatments for hair removal. Many clinics use devious tactics in advertising and make statements against electrolysis as painful and shocking. Beware of laser companies offering lifetime guarantees for permanent hair removal and misleading claims of the number of treatments required for permanent hair reduction. Typically  6 to 12 or more laser treatments are required for noticeable hair reduction. 

Electrolysis remains the only complete permanent hair removal technique.

CTV-W5 investigated laser hair removal in the Toronto area. A must reAD to understand the risks that are involved with the technique.

2012- Answer from the Canadian Dermatology association
​(in response to W5 investigation)
  2016 - Alberta woman scarred by laser hair removal calls for regulation 
2016- Going Undercover for Laser Hair Removal