ELECTROLYSIS  VS.  LASER – THE FACTS


         ELECTROLYSIS                                                                   LASER

PERMANENCE

Only electrolysis is approved by the FDA as “permanent hair removal.”

Not FDA approved as permanent hair removal. Don’t confuse laser “reduction” with permanent hair removal.

 

 

PRACTITIONER EDUCATION

Electrologists are considered “healthcare practitioners.” They  must  graduate from a state approved school of electrology, complete 175 hours of actual treatment, and pass a final exam before being certified to practice. During this time they focus only on electrolysis.

Laser hair removal is completely unregulated and no education is required to perform these treatments (WA State Dept of Licensing and WA State Dept of Health,  March 2005). Laser technicians often receive only brief on-the-job training covering several types of laser treatments.

 

 

 

 

SAFETY

Electrolysis has been practiced  since 1875.  It  is proven safe and has no long-term  side  effects (WebMD). “No studies to date have shown that electrolysis is unsafe. Studies have repeatedly shown that electrolysis does not put you at risk for any kind of cancer” (Rosenthal p 59).

          

                                 

Practiced  since 1995, the long-term side effects of laser  treatment on the skin are still unknown (Rosenthal p50). There have been many cases of burns, scarring, and skin discoloration. Laser  “involves the use of radiation, that has  been shown to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Worse,  if clients have undiagnosed skin cancers visible through lesions, laser hair removal may remove a lesion that is important for diagnosis” (Rosenthal p65). Some insurance companies refuse to insure laser practitioners due to numerous lawsuits (Grove, Hair Tell).

 

EFFECTIVENESS

Electrolysis is effective on all skin types and colors as well as  all hair types and colors.

Laser hair removal isn’t effective  on dark skin or light hair. It works better on light- skinned, dark-haired individuals.

 

TIME

COMMITMENT

Usually less than or equal to laser. Can treat two days apart if desired due to quick recovery time and lack of tissue damage. Time commitment varies depending on location and amount of hair, and length and frequency of visits.

The client must wait seven to thirteen weeks between treatments.   A minimum of five treatments is required, therefore the minimum time commitment is seven months.

 

COST

Usually less expensive,  clients pay per  visit, as needed.  Given its permanence, it is affordable for  middle income individuals (Rosenthal p 50).

“Not just expensive, but cost-prohibitive for many. Cost and unfulfilled claims raise serious ethical questions about its marketing and use. Buyer beware is applicable here” (Rosenthal p 66).  Clients are often committed  to expensive “package deals.”

 

REFERENCES

 

Electrolysis.  WebMD.com  Cleveland Clinic Dept. of Dermatology.  http://my.webmd.com/content/article/79/96303.html   (12/03).

 

Hair Removal.  FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health Consumer Education.  www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/laserfacts.html (5/02).

 

Grove, Harvey.  “Lasers Cause Melanomas.”  Hair Tell.  http://www.hairtell.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/163...  (7/03).

 

Rosenthal, Sara M.  Women and Unwanted Hair.  Your Health Press and Trafford Publishing, 2001.

 

WA State Department of Health. March, 2005.

 

WA State Department of Licensing. March, 2005.