While laser promoters compare laser to electrology it is actually not a permanent form of hair removal. Only a few laser devices have been cleared to claim a permanent reduction in hair by the FDA. Intense Pulsed Light (IPG) though often called laser, is NOT a true laser and not approved by the FDA to claim any efficacy. Electrology is cleared for permanent removal of hair. All laser assisted hair removal is considered a temporary or long lasting method of hair removal. Additionally, laser hair removal has not been evaluated for long-term safety of the patient's skin and health--new research is showing prolonged exposure to laser is capable of changing skin cells at the genetic level. For more information on questions regarding the safety of laser hair removal Click Here. To access the FDA Laser Fact Page Click Here.
Essentially, laser targets the pigmented cells in hairs. It also takes a series of treatments (generally 6+ spaced out every 6 weeks or so) as all hair is not present at one time. On some body parts it takes up to a year to see a complete growth cycle--think about the hair on your head, if it all fell out and re-grew as fast as most people think, you'd have really, really short hair all the time! Clients shave prior to treatment, the laser is applied to the skin and heats the pigmented cells charring the moisture out of the hairs. The hairs slough/fall out on their own over the next few days or weeks. Skin looks sunburned after treatment and must be protected from the sun. The best results are very dark hair and very, very light skin. Darker skin tones or tanned skin must be treated with extreme caution as laser is attracted to pigment and may require bleaching and sun avoidance for 6 weeks prior to and following treatment if it can be treated at all. White, grey, and some red hairs are unaffected by laser. Laser does have potential to work with electrolysis. One could argue laser would be well used to initially clear large areas like legs and then follow up with electrolysis as the hair grows back in following a series of laser treatments.
Do make sure your laser technician is a doctor (MD) and has appropriate training. There is no regulation for laser training. Yes, you read that right. A Dr. can take anyone of you and "train you" in her/his office without any program requirements. You too could take a weekend course and be a certified laser technician (CLT) and use the Allied Health Association "Rent a Medical Director" program and not have a doctor on site at all. Each state varies, some don't even require a medical director--not even one in name only! Treatments are only as good as your technician/operator in any hair removal method, but for safety reasons, especially important here given the larger expense of treatments and potential for tissue damage.

Waxing, Sugaring, Nads, Epilady or Threading vs. Electrology:

Waxing, Sugaring, Nads, and threading will remove all of the visible hair by ripping it out by the root. Except in the case of threading, the outer layer of skin is often removed when the hair is removed. It can result in skin problems including ingrown hair, scarring, pigment changes, and bruising. To keep your skin clear, (and contrary to advertising claims) all of these methods must be done frequently forever. You must also wait until hair is at least 1/4" to 1/2" (about 3 weeks of growth) long for the wax/sugar/Nads "glue" to adhere to the removal strip.
Research has shown that any method that rips hair out by the root such as waxing, sugaring, and Nads type products can actually increase hair growth in hormonally dependent areas such as the upper lip, chin, breasts, and abdomen! This is not such an issue on areas like eyebrows and legs wax away if you must and your skin can tolerate it.

Tweezing is easy to do, and inexpensive too. However hair can become coarser from the repeated tweezing and skin problems including ingrown hair, pigment changes, and scaring can result. Obviously it is not a permanent solution to unwanted hair. NEVER tweeze the upper/lower lip, chin, breasts, or abdomen! You are stimulating growth in these areas. The hair will become thicker and darker. NEVER tweeze out ingrown hairs. You will make the situation worse. The hair will distort further and you will have a bigger lesion the next time it grows in, really, trust us. Stop performing self-surgery, I mean it.

Shaving is inexpensive and easy. However, the hair does grow back quickly and feels coarse as it is cut off leaving a blunt tip. Shaving DOES NOT increase hair growth in any way. Seriously, this is the biggest myth in hair removal. Hair is dead above the skin surface. Anything you do at this level does not affect hair growth. Shaving is a safe temporary method of removal for basically anywhere.

Depilatories are essentially a chemical shave. It will remove the hair by dissolving it with a chemical. This can result in a chemical burning of the skin if you are not careful about patch testing and respecting timing.

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