Laser Vs. Electro- Can I get a definitive asnwer?

[FinallyMe84]

Hi, I'm trying to decide which method is best for me. I have dark hair and light skin which is good for laser, but obviously I want something permanent. I am not a money tree, so that is a big concern right now. I can get laser at a high quality skin treatment center for $800 for a face/neck package, which is the first place I want to start on. Electrolysis will end up costing quite a bit more. That is not going to stop me in the long run from doing what I need to do. If I get laser first (it comes with a 3 year guarantee), can I still do electrolysis afterwards and need less sessions since there won't be as much hair to remove? I'm still unsure about that. I had a consultation with the laser place, and I'm going in Friday to the electrologist to have a consultation with them. I also have my next dr. appointment on friday when we're going to up the dosage of E and AA It's now been a month and a half! Thanks for any asnwers/advice you can give!

Jessica

[suzifrommd]

I did laser first and now I'm doing electro. (Electro is a must for me. At 52, I have a lot of gray/white hairs.) It set me back a year, but I'm now at the point that I can go out without face makeup and not be read. As for permanence, that seems to be an issue that's hard to resolve. Laser people say it's permanent. Electro people say laser isn't. Even if some of the dark hairs come back, some say laser is cost effective because it kills more in the end than electro.

[FinallyMe84]

Thanks Suzi. I have definitely heard opposing viewpoints and don't know what to think, lol, although laser does seem like the more popular method on Susan's. I'm glad that it's worked for you I'll just have to decide based on what I know, I'm thinking I'll probably start with laser.

[Jenna Marie]

Laser is permanent in what it does remove. I can dig up the FDA link again, but basically it says that laser places cannot guarantee that they will remove ALL individual hairs (which electro can), but that those hair follicles which are killed do stay dead.

I did six months of laser and went from full facial hair to about half a dozen hairs (which I can pluck), and I'm another with light skin/dark hair. It was a hell of a lot cheaper and faster than electro, and I'm confident that the hair which was removed will stay gone.

(Of course, the caveat - with *either* method - is that apparently brand-new hair follicles can always "wake up"; it happens to cis women sometimes, too, where suddenly they grow a few male-type facial hairs. I don't think it's common, though.)

[Antonia J]

I do both just like Suzi. Make sure the laser you use is not IPL. A lot of places sell IPL as laser, and it is not. Laser is good for the areas it covers, and it is a lot less expensive. Electrolysis can get very targeted areas much better. I started to see shadow reduction on my third laser session, and then switched to electrolysis for my upper lip and chin. I am told up to 10 laser sessions will be needed to get most of my face and neck at about $175 - $250 per session. Electrolysis to remove the gray is $40/hour and it took three hours to do a spot the size of silver dollar on my chin.

[Katie]

Seven laser treatments got rid of the hair in my beard area. I ended up buying my own electro machine and did the hairs around my mouth and a line on my neck. The problem with laser is there is no guarantee and it certainly didn't get rid of the hair around my mouth.

[lilacwoman]

Laser got some hairs but not others so I'd say save the laser money and go for electrolysis right from the start and concentrate on the upper lip and lower corners of chin which is what most people will see mostly.

[Thylacin]

Laser got some hairs but not others so I'd say save the laser money and go for electrolysis right from the start and concentrate on the upper lip and lower corners of chin which is what most people will see mostly.

Considering how much cheaper laser is, why not do laser first, then whatever is left with electrolysis.
Probably cheaper overall. Doing electrolysis on everything would take a lot longer and cost a lot more, wouldn't it?

[Antonia J]

Considering how much cheaper laser is, why not do laser first, then whatever is left with electrolysis.
Probably cheaper overall. Doing electrolysis on everything would take a lot longer and cost a lot more, wouldn't it?

Unless you are completely blonde or gray,  I agree that laser is s good start.

[JLT1]

I was talking with the woman who has been doing electrolysis on me yesterday about this very topic.  Her opinion as for very light skinned people with very dark hair, laser first followed by electrolysis for cleanup is a viable option.  However, she stated that the darker the skin, the poorer the effectiveness of laser and the lighter the hair, the poorer the performance. 

A good electrolysis technician should take between 50 and 150 hours to fully remove all facial hair.  At $60/hour, the total cost would be $3000-$9000.  If your beard is on the thin side and laser could get rid on 1/3 your facial hair, you would be slightly ahead money wise.

You sound like laser first with electrolysis for cleanup is a good option.

Hugs,

Jen

[lilacwoman]

I had three types of laser and all the latest machines and I still get plenty of dark hairs so I am sure that if I had done electrloysis from the start I would be smooth now but right now I have quite a few black hairs in places that have had multiple laserings and electrolysising and I'm hoping the clinic is open tomorrow for another session at $60.

[FinallyMe84]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I decided to go with electro from the start and had my first session yesterday. It hurt like he'll but I will get more and more used to it. My electrologist was able to get a pretty big chunk done in only a half hour. We'll see how it goes for now.

[FinallyMe84]

And I have my next session tomorrow for an hour. Happy New year everyone!! I'm looking forward to a wonderful 2014!

[Lana P]

From what I know laser works well on dark hair but it will take a bunch of sessions.  Electrolysis is great for blonde and very light hairs. However with electrolysis it kills the hair the first time because they go in zap it then remove with tweezers but it hurts like hell and it can leave scarring. And its time consuming. Have fun FinallyMe84 eeeek I hate it it hurts

[helen2010]

Recommend laser first then after several treatments hit the remaining hairs with galvanic.   If you have any red, blond or white hairs or if your skin is relatively dark laser will be less effective than for black hairs and white skin

[FinallyMe84]

Thank you everyone for all your input! It has been a lil while since I've commented on this, but I have had several sessions of electrolysis, most of them at 1.5-2 hours. It hurts so f'ing much, costs an arm and a leg and takes forever, but I think I'm doing the right thing by getting rid of the hair the first time. We've already done a pretty big portion, but I know it will take a really long time to fully clear my face. I'm satisfied with how it's going for now. It hurts so much though!!

[LizMarie]

There are salons that are dedicated to handling MTF clients for electrolysis. For example, right now I am sitting in Dallas, Texas after my second full facial clear from E3000. Each clearing is 6-8 weeks apart. My first session was 10 hours between two technicians. Today was 8 hours between two technicians. The only pain I experience is from the lidocaine injections.

You may wish to search around and see if you can find a salon like E3000 that does full facial clears with numbing agents. I'm much happier thus far with my E3000 experience than my prior 1-2 hours per week at a local electrologist without numbing agents.

[FinallyMe84]

Thanks Liz Marie, I'll have to check that out!

[helen2010]

Another option may be Dr Z in Chicago.  Had 4 sessions with a team of 2 therapists and 8 hours per session.  Injections were uncomfortable but the treatment was effective.
Aisla

[Missy~rmdlm]

The correct answer is both unless you are not a candidate for laser. The laser is very efficient time and cost wise. Electrolysis is very inefficient but required anyhow since laser just isn't 100% effective regardless of who a person is.