What is the difference between Electrolysis vs IPL Hair Removal? If you are in search for permanent hair removal services, you may have come across these two methods.
Differences in treatment areas.
Electrolysis can be used on any hair colour, type, and area, including close to the eyes. For example, back in the day, women used it as a method for permanently shaping brows. Today, electrolysis is used primarily for random white chin hairs, the upper lip, and other small areas.
IPL Hair Removal is a popular choice for larger areas such as legs, arms, back, chest, full face, or bikini. However, hair colour plays an important role when setting expectations for IPL treatment outcomes.
What about treatment costs?
Treatment costs differ between these two treatments. IPL treatments are charged per service. In contrast, electrolysis treatments are often charged as a sitting fee.
Longevity
With electrolysis, once a hair bulb is treated, it’s gone! You only need one treatment per hair bulb. Electrolysis injects energy directly into the hair bulb via a needle or electrical charge. As a result, it can boast permanent removal. On the down side, electrolysis is a slow progression because you are working on small areas at a time. Therefore, it is not ideal for legs or other large areas.
LASER and IPL Hair Removal are ideal for intimate areas.
IPL Hair Removal requires multiple sessions to achieve similar results. This is due to the different hair growth stages at any given time. With IPL, the root bulb has to be big enough and have enough melanin to yield results. IPL or LASER hair removal can offer a permanent 98% reduction rate.
Which is best for you?
Now that you know a little more about electrolysis vs IPL hair removal, you can make an informed decision when selecting a treatment course. Dérmica offers IPL Hair Removal as a treatment for permanent hair removal/reduction.
Hair Removal Methods Explained | What are your options?
Hair removal methods have been around since the days of Cleopatra, it has since evolved to include a vast selection of products, tools, gadgets, and highly sophisticated equipment. With all these options now available, how do you choose which one is most appropriate for your personal needs?
Well, there are a few questions to consider:
When are you expecting your results?
What is your budget?
How much maintenance are you able to commit to?
What will the effects be?
In order to make this process a little easier for you, we’ve researched the pros, cons, and facts to consider when making your selection.
1. Epilation (ep-i-la-tion)
Process: The hair is dissolved or cut flush with skin. The root of the hair remains intact below the surface of the skin. There is no effect to the growth rate, texture, or density of growth.
Common forms of depilation are razor shaving, electric shaver, epilation cream such as Nair ™.
Longevity: 24hrs – 72hrs.
Pricing: $
Frequency: As often as needed.
Pros:
Convenient.
Suitable for all hair types.
No wait periods.
Low cost.
Cons:
Hair has sharp tips when growing back.
Risk of cuts in hard to reach or contoured areas.
Chemical burns can occur if skin is not properly assessed prior to treating with creams.
Can cause ingrown hairs, razor burn, and/or skin irritation.
Depilation (dep-i-la-tion)
Depilation refers to the process of physically pulling the hair and root from the hair follicle in the skin. The process removes hair growth that is visible at the surface of the skin. Depilation can have a mild effect on the regrowth depending on the stage in which the hair is removed. The most positive effect is seen on active hair growth.
Professional Methods of Depilation
2. Waxing
Process: Warm wax solution is applied in sections over the hair/skin. The wax and adhered hair is then swiftly pulled from the skin.
Longevity 2-3 weeks.
Price: $$
Frequency: 4-6 weeks or until hair is ¼ inch.
Pros:
Suitable for all hair types.
Immediate results.
Softer hair growth.
Minimize occurrence of ingrown hairs.
Cons:
Must wait for the hair to grow back to the appropriate length.
Can be painful in sensitive areas.
Down-time 24hrs: no swimming, sweating, fragranced products, sun exposure.
Some sensitivity and mild swelling may occur following the treatment. Can take up to 48hrs to completely calm.
3. Threading
Process: A specialized thread is wound up and passed over the skin entwining the hair and pulling it from the hair follicle.
Longevity: 2-3 weeks.
Price: $
Frequency: 3-4 weeks. The hair must be visible at the surface.
Pros:
Price point.
Express service.
No risk of allergic reaction to product.
Cons:
Risk of cross contamination if thread is being anchored in the technician’s mouth.
Friction burns can occur in sensitive areas.
Hair may not be completely removed from its follicle and therefore grows back sooner than expected.
4. Sugaring
Process: A warm honey-like paste is maneuvered over the treatment area, adhering itself to the hair. After placement it is lifted away from the skin, taking along with it the unwanted hair.
Longevity: 3-4 weeks.
Price: $$
Frequency: 4-6 weeks. Sugaring only requires 1/8 inch of hair growth and can be done as soon as 2 weeks post service.
Pros:
Less length required for removal.
Organic formulation.
Suitable for all skin types.
Cons:
Uncommon service, difficult to source a professional technician.
Process: Hair is reduced by destroying the root of the hair using a light energy. There are slight variances in IPL vs Laser, but both deliver permanent reduction in hair growth rate, density, and thickness.
Longevity: 5+ years
Price: $$$
Frequency: 4-8 weeks. Until desired results (average 10-12 for max. results).
Pros:
Permanent reduction.
Quick service.
Eliminates ingrown hairs.
Smooths texture and pigmentation in areas with dark-coarse growth.
Cons:
Downtime 24-72 hours with strict guidelines.
Results may regress with hormonal fluctuation.
Not suitable for deep skin tones or light hair types.
Risk of burns.
6. Electrolysis/ Thermolysis
Process: The root of the hair is destroyed by delivering an electric current to the bulb. This can be done with electrically charged tweezers, or by insertion of a charged needled into the follicular region.
