Laser Hair Removal

Laser Hair Removal Services in Riverside California

At Electrolysis by Dana, we get a lot of questions about laser hair removal services, and we’re hoping that this article can help educate people who are wanting a permanent hair removal solution about why we aren’t a fan of laser hair removal, why we do not intend to provide laser hair removal services to our clients in the future, and about why electrolysis is often the better option for most people in Riverside California who are looking for Laser Hair Removal Services.

How does laser hair removal work? 

Laser hair removal delivers heat radiation to the skin through specialized lasers. The laser emits light that’s absorbed by the pigment in the hair, which in turn converts the light energy to heat. This heat damages the hair follicles and causes a slow down in hair regrowth.
Lasers can quickly target coarse, dark hairs and are able to treat multiple hairs simultaneously.  This is the single positive of laser hair removal treatment. Small areas can be treated relatively quickly. The critical thing to remember is that when it comes to permanence, laser hair removal does not last. Laser hair removal can permanently slow down and diminish hair growth, but it will not eliminate unwanted hair forever.  Hairs will eventually still grow back in, but when they do, they’ll come in as finer and lighter colored than before.

Is it effective on types of hair and skin?

Simply put, No… it is not. Laser hair removal is best reserved for people with fair skin and dark-colored hairs. Lasers perform best when there are high contrast conditions. They can more effectively target dark pigment colors and if the hair is the only thing that has dark pigment, it’s going to be the tissue that absorbs the brunt of the laser’s energy output. Still, even after treatment on ideal patients, the hair will regrow. Patients’ new hair growth tends to be less dense than before, and the new hair is typically a few shades lighter than the original hair.

What are the side effects of laser hair removal treatment?

Laser hair removal poses more risk of adverse potential side effects than electrolysis hair removal. The typical side effects and symptoms include inflammation, blisters, swelling, redness, and irritation. In some more severe cases skin pigmentation changes can occur, some of which may be permanent. Using lasers on your skin can lead to burns and pigmentation changes, especially if you have darker skin colors.

Laser treatment and sunlight exposure can create problems. Many people are surprised to learn how much lead-up preparation time is required. Patients having laser hair removal treatment should plan to avoid sunlight for 6 weeks prior to treatment to prevent discoloration of the tanned skin. Also, after treatment, a patient’s skin is at significant risk of increased sensitivity to sunlight, they are strongly encouraged to avoid sun exposure following their procedure.

Our conclusions on Laser vs. Electrolysis

Here are some key points to help you make the decision.

Electrolysis stops hair growth completely. Laser slows hair growth down – and thins hair out – over the long run.

Electrolysis is effective on any hair or skin type. Laser hair removal works best for people with light skin and dark hair and is substantially less effective on individuals with light hair and dark skin.

Electrolysis poses virtually no risk and minimal short term side effects. Laser treatments could permanently damage skin pigments, and cause lasting or even permanent discoloration.

If your goal is to get rid of unwanted hair and do it safely, we think the choice is pretty clear. Schedule your electrolysis hair removal appointment with Electrolysis by Dana today.