Permanent hair removal is an option that most men approach not out of necessity, be it due to lack of effectiveness from other hair removal methods, or due to their genes, or other personal reasons. There are many reasons, and they are up to you to decide. But permanent hair removal is important to be sure of due to the risks involved. In this article, I will explain the pros and cons of the different types of hair removal. Not every form of hair removal can be seen as completely permanent. Most options cannot fully destroy the hair follicles ability to regenerate hair. This is coupled with the fact that everybody will respond differently to these treatments. Let's take a look at the 2 best options for your permanent hair removal in depth, electrolysis and laser hair removal.
Hair removal with electrolysis
Electrolysis, perhaps the most commonly known method for permanent hair removal that men choose, was first used in 1857 as a method for treating the removal of ingrown eyelashes. By the late 1910's, electrolysis was a very common hair removal procedure. There are three types of electrolysis, galvanic, thermolysis, and blend electrolysis. Galvanic electrolysis sends a DC electric charge through an inserted needle to the affected hair's follicle. This is the original methods of electrolysis, and is generally suited for coarser hair. Thermolysis electrolysis is where an AC current is delivered. The resulting vibration while the current is passing through heats up the moisture around the hair follicle, impairing the hair follicle. This method can be faster than the galvanic method and sometimes less uncomfortable, but unfortunately is not as reliable. Blend electrolysis is a hybrid of both methods. AC and DC currents are run through the needle together. As a result, it is faster and of course more effective, and is the standard for removing facial hair specifically.
Electrolysis is an effective permanent hair removal option that is popular among men. However the larger area of hair growth you are attempting to remove, the longer and more expensive treatments can be. The typical rate is $50-60 for a 30 minute session, and must be focused on a small area. Each hair follicle has to be treated individually. It also cannot be done at home. There are home electrolysis kits, but they are known as 'quackery' (items of unproven or fraudulent medical practice), and rightfully so. It is also a time consuming process, especially if you are trying to remove a large area of growth. Anywhere from fifteen to thirty sessions may be necessary for each area as well. Improper techniques can result in scarring, hair re-growth, or infection due to unsterilized equipment, and hair follicles that are 'bent', usually due to bad waxing techniques or improper tweezing can make the process more difficult or impossible. Above all else, it can be anywhere from slightly uncomfortable to rather painful, depending on your pain threshold. Some people consider electrolysis to be a 'stinging' sensation. Every follicle has to be treated In order to be effective.
There are positives to electrolysis that can outweigh these negatives for you. Electrolysis is most likely the only option that can truly claim to remove hair permanently, with a very good track record over a long amount of time. It is also very effective and useful for smaller hair growth areas, such as the underarms, upper lip, chin, stomach, or bikini line. I am of the mindset that it should be isolated and used for these areas due to the proven effectiveness. One more positive aspect is that it is not just limited to lighter hair types or skin types, where people with more coarse skin can benefit from it. Above all else, it is the option that provides the best treatment for removing hair permanently. Ultimately, this choice has much to do with your budget versus the effect you wish to achieve.
Permanent hair removal with laser
The other prominent option for permanent hair removal that men tend to pick is laser hair removal. This method first became popular in the 1990s as an alternative for the time consuming and expensive alternative of electrolysis. Laser hair removal technology makes use of an invisible light beam and the consistent heat generated by it to penetrate the skin and remove the hair follicle from its root without harming the skin. The laser beam sources the hair follicle by detecting the melanin (the dark pigment in the hair), then destroys it at the root. This can be irritating to the skin, and an attendant will apply a gel or spray to the skin throughout the process, which prevents the laser from causing distress on the skin.
The four types of lasers used in laser hair removal are ruby lasers, alexandrite lasers, diode lasers, and ND/LP ND Yag lasers. Ruby lasers are used in EpiTouch and EpiLaser removal systems. It uses an infared laser, a shorter wavelength form of ray and is the oldest of all the laser technology. As a result, it cannot be used on darker or tanned skins and functions best with fine hair and fair skin. Its generally seen as the least effective. Alexandrite lasers are used by Candela GentleLase Plus. It is the fastest of all laser methods, and uses a slightly longer wavelength than the ruby, which helps it to be effective on a larger body area. People with lighter to olive complexions have reported positive results with this laser.
Diode, used in the Coherent Light Sheer system, has a wavelength that is much longer than both alexandrite and ruby laser systems, and is able to penetrate much deeper. Diode laser removal systems are considered to be much more effective for people with darker skin tones, but can be less effective when it comes to finer or lighter hair. It can treat larger areas at a fast speed. NP and LP ND Yag systems such as the Candela GentleYag and Altus Cool Glide systems can be used safely with all different skin types. This system is also used for pigmented lesion treatment as well as tattoo removal. Large areas can be covered at fast speeds. Unlike the former two types, it's not as effective in treating lighter or finer hair as other lasers. It can also be more uncomfortable for the patient.
Due to this relatively new technology, you must know all the risks in using laser hair removal and must be approached with less emphasis of a 'pro vs con' outlook. As I stated, people with darker or tanned skin are less suitable for laser hair removal, and if that is you, you may want to consider electrolysis instead. Blond or red haired people generally have less favorable results as well since the laser is only attracted to the hairs pigment. Newer laser technology such as ND Yag lasers can mitigate this however. Frequency and energy levels of the lasers can differ greatly based on your skin type. Longer pulse lasers will be safer, because you allow more time between the light pulses for both your follicle and skin to cool down, which makes the experience less unpleasant. It has also been noted that laser hair removal is effective mainly on follicles that are relatively active, a phase that experts call the 'anagen phase'. During that phase, ~85% of our hair is active at any point and is easier to remove comparatively.
You must also keep in mind the skill of the technician overseeing the treatment. Even though the laser is doing the work, success rates are dependent on the person in control of the laser. The better skilled the technician is, the greater the likelihood of good results. Be it as it may that there are laser hair removal clinics that may offer lower rates, it's important to do your research to ensure their expertise to ensure both your safety as well as the value. The size of your treatment zone will also impact the penetration and speed level of the laser, and the technician will be able to work deeper into the follicles roots with a larger treatment area, so keep this in mind as well in making your decision to approach laser hair removal.
Lastly, like electrolysis, laser hair removal is not a single treatment procedure. You will require at least a few sessions which will cost several hundred dollars. There are typically three different pricing levels, a flat fee, which can usually run you about $300 per session for removing unwanted facial hair, regardless of the amount of hair or for certain growth patterns. Some clinics can charge a series of treatments for a flat fee. Clinics also charge in 15 minute blocks. How fast the technician can accomplish the task on the amount of hair will in turn affect the price. The third pricing breakdown is 'charge by pulse'. This is a more complicated method that is based on each time the laser is activated. Each pulse can take away about a hundred strands of hair and lasts one second. The area of each pulse is dependent on the laser's spot size. The advantage to this method is you will see that your cost for each progressive treatment will be gradually less since the hair to be removed is less as well.
The value from permanent hair removal options for men is a result of time saved as well as purchasing products that you would use on waxing and shaving, as well as your own happiness that comes from a new outlook of your self-image. Ultimately you must take a look at the possible value versus the potential cost before opting for laser treatment over electrolysis. However, for some men who are naturally hairier than others, both of these options can prove to be very beneficial over time in relation to your own preferences of removing hair. Whichever option you choose, please continue to research and see which will benefit you the most. As always, if you have any information you'd like to add to future articles, feel free to email me at hairremovalformen (AT) gmail (DOT) com.