Laser Hair Removal Techniques Compared

Shaving vs. Laser Hair Removal

Shaving unwanted hair is the most widely used method of hair removal because it is inexpensive and can be done in the comfort of your home. It has the disadvantage of being one of the most temporary methods of hair removal, as a person needs to shave almost daily to maintain smooth soft skin. It also can cause embarrassing stubble, painful cuts, irritation and ingrown hairs.

With laser hair removal, hair can be removed from many areas, especially those that are difficult to shave. With laser hair removal you can alleviate the hassle of daily shaving and get rid of unwanted hair more permanently.

Tweezing vs. Laser Hair Removal

Tweezing is a good hair removal method for grooming eye brows and removing stray hairs, but it is not ideal for large areas. Laser hair removal is a quick and effective way to treat large body areas, but it is not used for the removal of individual stray hairs, and it is not recommended for eyebrow shaping. However, laser hair removal can be performed on any other areas on the face, including the forehead, between the brows, cheeks, upper lip and on the chin area.

Waxing vs. Laser Hair Removal

Waxing is often used for removing hair on legs, the bikini area, and on men's backs and chests. Waxing is a very painful method of hair removal, as it pulls hair out by the roots but does not affect the hair's ability to grow back. After waxing the hair needs to be waxed again and again, with people usually undergoing waxing treatments every 4-6 weeks.

Also, a good length of hair is required for the wax to adhere to the hair, so those who wax will have to live with stubble for weeks while their new hair grows back in. Laser hair removal will result in permanent hair reduction, without the pain of waxing. Additionally, waxing may be comparable in cost over a lifetime depending on the size of the hair area being treated.

Depilation vs. Laser Hair Removal

Depilatory creams, gels, lotions, and roll-ons remove hair by dissolving it, and are an inexpensive and fast way to remove hair, but they come with the risk of chemical burn or skin irritation in some users. One major complaint about the use of depilatory creams is the smell from the chemicals, which can remain on the skin for days. Also, depilation needs to be performed every one to three days for skin to remain smooth. With laser hair removal you get permanent results without all the potentially harmful chemicals on your body.

Electrolysis vs. Laser Hair Removal

Electrolysis was the only permanent option for hair removal before laser hair removal was approved for use in the 1990's. It can be effective when performed by a skilled technician, but treatments can be painful and time-consuming. Electrolysis is not recommended for large body areas because it only treats one hair follicle at a time.

During electrolysis, a thin needle is inserted into each individual hair follicle and a pulse of electricity is fired to kill off the hair follicle, which is then plucked out. When performed correctly it is a safe and permanent method of hair removal. If performed incorrectly, it can result in skin damage and is partial to full hair re-growth, and infection.

Both electrolysis and laser hair removal cost more at the beginning of treatment than any of the temporary hair removal methods, however choosing a permanent hair removal method is more cost-efficient and time-efficient in the long run. Electrolysis can be more time-consuming and costly for large body areas than laser hair removal. A large area like the legs could take 100 hours with electrolysis but only 8 hours with laser treatment.

If you desire permanent hair reduction, especially for large areas, laser hair removal is the better option. Laser hair removal treatments are not as painful or time-consuming as electrolysis, and the overall treatment cost can be less expensive.

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