The Major Differences
ELECTROLYSIS |
LASER/IPL |
| Technology has been around for over 135 years and has excellent track record | Technology has been around for about 25 years and is a completely unregulated field in Canada |
| Is the ONLY method FDA approved for complete permanent hair removal | Only approved by the FDA for Permanent Reduction (most common results 40% to 80%) |
| Targets one hair at a time, ensures accuracy and high kill rate | Targets melanin(pigment colour in the skin) and BEST results are on dark hair and light skin |
| Electrolysis can treat ALL hair types on ALL skin types | Not effective in treating blond, grey, red or hairs that are dark but thin. Also not safe on tanned skin or dark pigmented skin (with the exception of ND YAG laser) |
| Can be done anywhere on the body(except inside nose and ears) | Hairs treated take from 3-21 day to falls out |
| No stimulation of more hair production | Can induce hair growth in areas where hair is not dark enough |
| Electrolysis permanent hair removal works in all hair cycles, requires destruction of “the bulge” where germinative cells rest. | Requires anagen hair(growing hair) to be present for hair destruction |
| Permanent scarring from repetitive under or over treatment of follicles and skin can happen and is localized to actual mistreated follicles. | Permanent scarring from burns can be wide spread on treated area and permanent hyperpigmentation can occur. |
| Some insurance companies will cover electrolysis for medical/psychological reasons | No insurance companies will cover laser hair removal for medical or cosmetic reasons. |
2011- Susan Hersh demystifies the differences between electrolysis and laser hair removal LINK: https://youtu.be/m9XgGcHSVA4
CTV-W5 Investigated Laser Hair Removal (and lasers used for other cosmetic purposes) in the Toronto area. A must see to understand the risks that are involved with the technique.
2012- W5 Investigation: The painful side to laser skin treatments
LINK: http://www.ctvnews.ca/w5-investigation-the-painful-side-to-laser-skin-treatments-1.759779
2012- Answer from the Canadian Dermatology association (in response to W5 investigation) LINK: http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/laser-training-requires-more-than-an-afternoon-session-canadian-dermatology association-509509891.html
2016 – Alberta woman scarred by laser hair removal calls for regulation LINK: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-woman-scarred-by-laser-hair-removal-calls-for-regulation-1.3137237
2016- Going Undercover for Laser Hair Removal
LINK: http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=984456