The Ultimate Guide to Hair Removal: Electrolysis vs. Laser, Plucking, Threading, Waxing, and More

Electrolysis vs. Laser, Plucking, Threading, Shaving, Depilatory Creams, Waxing & Sugaring

What Electrolysis is

Electrolysis is a permanent solution for removing excess body hair. In this process, a probe is inserted along the hair shaft and then an electric pulse is sent to the root (papilla) which destroys the germinative cells. This makes the hair release from the follicle, which is then removed.

But... Does Electrolysis Work?

Yes! First used in 1875, electrolysis is still, to this day, the only medically proven method of permanent hair removal and is the only method of hair removal classified as "permanent hair removal" by the FDA.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser is effective for reducing excess hair. Laser targets the hair by using mild radiation that is attracted to dark-coloured hair (melanin) with the help of high-heat lasers. This is why your skin needs to be light and your hair needs to be dark and coarse.

Laser's Destruction Rate

Laser can remove existing visible hair, but only permanently destroys 1 in 6 hairs at each treatment. These poor results from Laser are because the bulge and its stem cells are relatively transparent and therefore immune to heating by laser light. That means the follicle can produce another hair. It might be finer, it might be lighter, but it can still grow back. This is why it's classified as permanent hair reduction.

With laser hair removal, the laser beam connects with pigments (melanin), meaning dark skin can be burned by absorbing too much light. Additionally, it only works on dark hair - not white, grey, red or blonde.

Paradoxical Hypertrichosis

Additionally, in up to 10% of laser clients, laser can actually stimulate hair growth (anecdotally, that number is significantly higher, since there is no reporting/tracking method). This is called Paradoxical Hypertrichosis.

FDA Position on Hair Removal

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through its Center for Devices & Radiological Health regulates electrolysis equipment, lasers & other medical equipment. Amid the growing popularity of laser hair removal & the extravagant claims of manufacturers & clinics, the FDA reiterated its position that only electrolysis can permanently remove hair & warned laser clinics against making such claims.

The FDA Consumer Health Information Bulletin of 27 June 2007 states:

"The US. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes electrology as providing permanent hair removal. The FDA identification in Title 21, CFR, Sec. 878.5350 for needle-type epilators is: "a device intended to remove the hair by destroying the dermal papilla of a hair" As no other device for hair removal has the unique identification of "destroying the dermal papilla of a hair" only electrologists are allowed to claim permanent hair removal in their advertising"

Other Hair Removal Methods

Plucking, Tweezing, Threading

Plucking/tweezing/threading is a way of hiding hair during early stages. It is an easy fix. However, plucking from the follicle may lead to the distortion of the follicle, which may cause hair to thicken and turn darker. These methods can, and often do, cause ingrown hairs because sometimes hairs break off just below the skin when they're plucked. It's not a permanent solution. Excessive plucking can also lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation (discolouration)

Shaving

Shaving is an easy fix. However, if you have to do it daily, you can have issues like razor burns, irritation, redness, ingrown hairs and 5 o'clock shadow (grey patches on shaved area). Not to mention, it's d..a..i..l..y… for the rest of your life - a real time sink in a busy schedule. It's not a permanent solution.

Depilatory Creams

Depilatory cream is another way of removing excess hair due to hirsutism. They remove excess hair by the use of a chemical that dissolves the hair. Depilatory creams are made of a long list of chemicals, not good for the environment and not good for you. It's not a permanent solution.

Waxing

Waxing is also effective for temporarily removing excessive hair. In waxing, warm wax is spread over the affected areas; cooled slightly and, while holding skin taunt, pulled off. Waxing can, and often does, cause ingrown hairs because sometimes hairs break off just below the skin when they're waxed. It's not a permanent solution.

Sugaring

Sugaring (similar to waxing) is also effective for temporarily removing excessive hair. In sugaring, sugaring mixture is spread over the affected areas; a strip of cloth is placed over area. After holding the skin tight, the cloth is pulled off. Sugaring can, and often does, cause ingrown hairs because sometimes hairs break off just below the skin when they're sugared. It's not a permanent solution