Laser, photo or electrolysis: which method is more effective?

The principle of photoepilation

Photoepilation is a method of hair removal by exposing light waves to areas of the skin where hair needs to be removed. Photoepilation is carried out using crinoline lamps with filters that cut off light waves dangerous to the skin (ultraviolet). Light waves of different lengths affect the pigment contained in the hair and heat it. Some time after the procedure, the hairs fall off. To completely get rid of them, three or more procedures may be required.

Photoepilation is more effective on hairs with a large amount of pigment!

Electrolysis

This method is based on hair removal using small current discharges directed directly into the hair follicle. The electrical charge creates such a high temperature that the hair follicle simply melts.

Advantages of electrolysis:

Hair removal of any thickness and color (including gray, red, blond), the main thing is that it is visible, and skin color does not matter at all.
After the procedure, the hair follicle cannot be restored under any circumstances.
The result is visible immediately, there is no need to wait for the hair to grow and fall off, it is removed immediately at the time of the procedure.

The disadvantages of electrolysis are alarming, so few people choose it:

The procedure is very painful compared to previous ones.
A long rehabilitation period is required: you should not visit the sauna, bathhouse, gym or swimming pool for several weeks, do not sunbathe or apply cosmetics, including self-tanners, for two to three weeks, you must treat the skin every day during the entire healing period ( at least two weeks).
If the skin is sensitive and predisposed to slow tissue regeneration, then this method will not work - there is a risk of scarring.

Rating of the method according to consumer reviews on the iRecommend website: 4.4.

Expert opinion

— Electrolysis is the only officially recognized method of permanent hair removal. The procedure is effective for absolutely any hair type.

It is important to find a qualified craftsman, who must have a medical education, in order to properly handle the instruments and skin, correctly insert the needle into the hair follicle, and, if necessary, give an anesthetic injection. Also check if he has a certificate of training on the machine used for hair removal, since when inserting a needle you need to be able to control the flow of current to avoid burns.

To make the procedure less sensitive, you can pre-apply an anesthetic cream. And be sure to follow the rules for treating the skin after the procedure, then it will heal quickly and no marks will remain.

Anastasia Tarasova, certified specialist in electrolysis

How laser hair removal works

Laser hair removal works on the same principle as photo hair removal, but its effect is more local and selective. During laser hair removal, the target areas of the skin are affected under the influence of a narrow spectrum of radiation, and thus the laser affects the selected type of hair, even if its color matches the skin. The type of laser is selected individually and depends on the characteristics of the hairs and their color. This allows you to get rid of more hair in one session.

Advantages and disadvantages of photoepilation

Why is photoepilation better than other methods, and does it have any disadvantages? First, look at the benefits:

after you have done photoepilation, hair does not grow for almost 5 months;
the skin becomes absolutely smooth, and photoepilation is carried out on any part of the body;
minor pain may be present during the procedure, but it is quite tolerable;
photoepilation takes very little time - from 10 to 20 minutes.

But the procedure also has its drawbacks. To get rid of hairs forever, you need to carry out 5 to 10 procedures. In addition, pulsed light does not work on some types of hair, primarily gray and very light hair.

If the procedure is performed by a bad specialist, you may get burns or not achieve the desired effect. People with naturally dark and tanned skin should be especially careful. It is better to spend time looking for a professional cosmetologist with an excellent reputation than to subsequently suffer from skin damage. It is not recommended to do hair removal with light during pregnancy and taking medications that increase the skin's photosensitivity, as increased pigmentation may occur.

Fundamental differences between photoepilation and diode laser hair removal

The main difference between laser hair removal is that it can completely get rid of unwanted body hair in 1-2 procedures, while photoepilation sessions require 3-4, and sometimes more. This is due to the difference in the area of exposure and the type of light radiation that is used during the procedure. A laser hair removal session lasts longer than a photo hair removal session because the laser action covers a smaller area.

Laser hair removal is more intense than photo hair removal, so many people choose it. This is especially true for those whose hair color cannot be treated qualitatively during photoepilation. The advantage of photoepilation is its lower price, but if you consider that to the salon for photoepilation several times, this difference will pay off if you decide to have laser hair removal.

Features of photoepilation

Photoepilation cannot be done at home. To carry it out, you definitely need to go to a beauty salon and look for good specialists. The cost of the procedure depends on the area of the treated area. The larger the area, the more flashes will be required. For example, the price for treating the upper lip is about 1000 rubles. From time to time, salons offer discounts, so you can purchase the service at a lower price.

The hairs die and fall off due to the fact that they are exposed to high-pulse light. The pigment in the hair absorbs light, the hair root heats up and dies. Photoepilation is not used on gray and blond hair. The lighter the hair, the worse the effect of the procedure.

Price for laser hair removal

Epilation zone	Time (min)	Cost, rub)
Armpits	30	1920
Upper lip	15	1440
Between the eyebrows	15	1440
Chin	15	1600
Cheeks	15	1840
Neck	15	1840
Forehead	15	1440
Whiskers	15	1440
Full face	30	4000
Breast	30	2000
halos	15	1000
Stomach	30	2960
Linea alba	15	1440
Back lower third	15	2400
Full back	30	4800
Fingers/Toes	15	1400
Hands/leg lifts	15	1400
Hands up to the elbow	30	3200
Full hands	40	4480
Inner thighs	30	2800
Entire thighs	40	5200
Knees	15	1600
Shins with knees	40	4000
Full legs	60	6640
Bikini classic	30	2400
Deep bikini	30	3360
Buttocks	30	2160

Home laser hair removal, home photoepilation or electrolysis in the salon - what to choose?

Home laser hair removal, IPL photoepilation and electrolysis - what is it and what is the difference between them? What is a home laser epilator? What is a home IPL photoepilator? How do they differ from the more famous salon electric epilator? The Prolab-Beauty.ru online store has prepared for you answers to these frequently repeated questions called “Choosing between epilators.” Below we will briefly look at what they are and what the difference is between them. These days, hair removal and hair removal devices are the new thing: gone are the days when being “hairy” was all the rage. However, even though you can always find new technologies for painless and long-lasting hair removal on the shelves, if not offline, then at least in online stores, many do not purchase devices for home laser and photo hair removal because they do not have sufficient information about their action. Not everyone interested in a good result is yet able to understand the intricacies of the operation of these specific devices, because there is simply no one to advise them! Now you can find some brands of photoepilators in large chain stores, but can you get complete information about such a specific product there? Who is it suitable for, how to use it correctly? Of course not, they will only tell you how to pay for the order. The most common methods of hardware hair removal are laser hair removal, photoepilation or electrolysis. The very first method that was launched into widespread use was home laser hair removal, so most people have an idea of how it works and this is the basis for understanding how the second two methods work. At the same time, we note a small well-known fact: although the very first method of hair removal was laser, the very first technology was electrolysis. All three hardware methods of hair removal are in fierce competition with each other. At the same time, there are a lot of points that confuse potential consumers, so we decided to create a table that will help you choose exactly the option that suits you best.

Home laser epilator	Home photoepilator IPL	Electric epilator
Principle of operation	A laser epilator works thanks to pulsed laser radiation, which, penetrating under the skin, damages (destroys) the hair follicle at its very base. The laser epilator has high power that focuses on a small area.	The photoepilator works by emitting intense pulsed light that passes through the skin and heats the hair follicle, burning the hair at its base. The power is lower than that of a laser epilator and acts on a wider surface.	The thinnest electrode of an electric epilator is inserted into the hair follicle, a current discharge follows - and the hair shaft is destroyed along with the root.
Invasiveness of the device	Laser hair removal is only slightly invasive, as it is carried out through a small light emission that is used to pierce the hair follicle through the layers of the skin.	Photoepilation is also only slightly invasive, because... Its operating principle is similar to laser hair removal.	Electrolysis, unlike laser or photo hair removal, is an intensively invasive procedure, because... is carried out through a thin needle that pierces each hair follicle to send the required electrical current. With this method, the qualifications of a specialist are very important, since the procedure sometimes causes complications in the form of scars and skin inflammation. All manipulations must be carried out with disposable needles or thoroughly sterilized instruments.
How many procedures will it take to achieve results?	A home laser hair removal machine requires about two treatments to show minimal results. It takes about 8-10 minutes to treat one part of the body, or a little more if the surface area is larger (legs or forearm). To achieve good results, you will need 6 procedures with intervals of 1 month between them.	Home photoepilation requires 5-6 procedures to show good results, but in this case this indicator is individual. More powerful devices will significantly reduce the intensity of hair growth after 2-4 procedures.	Electrolysis requires approximately 20-30 procedures to show good results. It may take 5-10 hours for one part of the body (if the surface area is larger - these are the legs or forearm, then it will take more time).
Is it painful to do this type of hair removal?	Home laser hair removal is a completely painless procedure.	Home photoepilation is similar to laser hair removal; most procedures are painless; there may be a slight sensation of warmth at the site of skin treatment.	Electrolysis, unlike these first two methods, is especially painful. This can be tolerated, but the fact that each hair receives an electrical discharge speaks for itself.
How long does the effect of the procedures last?	Laser hair removal is a huge leap in hair removal technology, it can remove up to 90% of hair and this effect can last for up to a year, and complete hair loss is also common.	Photoepilation is similar to laser hair removal in that it has a temporary effect - it can remove approximately 80-90% of hair for a period of 6 months to a year. Further maintenance procedures will be required (1-2 times a month depending on the device used).	Electrolysis is the only truly long-term hair removal technology available today. Although the process is expensive, time-consuming, extremely painful and laborious, it is the only way to get rid of most hair.
Who is the method suitable for?	Laser is suitable for those with fair skin and dark hair.	Photoepilation can be used with almost all skin and hair types, the main thing is to choose the right photoepilator. The method works best with fair skin and dark hair.	Electrolysis can also be used for any skin type, the only thing is that this procedure is not recommended for pregnant women.

We hope that we were able to give you general information about the main three methods of hardware hair removal, their pros and cons, and this will help you make the right decision when purchasing.

For additional information, you can always contact our consultants. Call 8 800 100 91 80 - it's free.

Comparison of methods

Having studied the features of the methods, you can compare which one will be more effective and affordable for you - sugaring or photoepilation. Comparison of methods for removing unwanted hair:

Photoepilation is prohibited during pregnancy

Duration of effect. Sugaring – 14-21 days, photoepilation – from 3 months to 2 years.
Soreness. With sugar hair removal it occurs in 50% of girls, with hardware removal - it depends on the professionalism of the specialist and the installed power.
Hair type. With the help of a caramel composition, all types of hair are removed; with photoepilation, only hard and dark ones are removed.
Hair length. Sugaring – 2-4 mm, photoepilation – 3-5 mm.

Sugaring can be carried out in a beauty salon and at home. Photoepilation only in specialized institutions. The cost of services is quite high.

[Total: 3 Average: 2.7/5]

Rina Klim