How does laser hair removal differ from electrolysis? Is the treatment permanent?
The main difference between this technology and the traditional method known as electrolysis is that lasers can treat multiple hair follicles at one time. It is no longer required to identify and probe each individual hair follicle, as is done with electrolysis. Laser hair removal is a relatively new technology. The FDA has only recently provided clearance that indicates lasers can achieve a permanent reduction in hair growth based on clinical tests with patients who have hair reduction two years after treatment completion. As far as permanency goes, most people need an average of 5-7 treatments. Hair grows in cycles, and subsequent treatments are usually necessary to treat the follicles that are lying dormant below the surface of the skin. These dormant follicles contain little pigment, and therefore are often not affected by the first treatment.
