Hair Reduction vs. Removal—You Might Be Surprised Which is Best

Hair Reduction vs. Removal—You Might Be Surprised | Dr. Shaun Parson

Hair Reduction vs. Removal—You Might Be Surprised Which is Best

When it comes to unwanted hair, which is better: removal or reduction? If you think it’s automatically “best” to have it removed, you also have to consider what that entails! At Parson Skin Center, we exclusively offer laser hair reduction because it is the quickest, most comfortable, and most affordable option. There is no laser that fully and permanently removes all dark, unwanted hairs. That is only achievable through electrolysis, but there is a reason this procedure has fallen out of favor. Let’s take a look.

Electrolysis is an effective means of permanently getting rid of dark hairs by electrocuting the hair follicle. However, this process is not comfortable, quick, or cost-effective. You can only electrocute the follicles that are actively growing, which means that due to hair’s natural cycle, it can take several months to actually zap away every hair from a single follicle (as many of us grow multiple hairs from one follicle). Additionally, the strength of the electric current can make a big difference. Typically, these currents are conservative in order to minimize pain. However, if they are too conservative, the treatment simply doesn’t work. The only way to tell is if the hair grows back or not—which can take a long time to gauge.

Electrolysis is also much more expensive than laser hair reduction. Most providers charge per 15-minute increments. It is not unusual to spend thousands of dollars to effectively treat a relatively small area, such as the face. Electrolysis is still available today, but most medical day spas do not offer it because it is simply not the best choice for most clients. Instead, laser hair reduction is the gold standard in treatment for those who want to drastically reduce unwanted dark hairs.

How Laser Hair Reduction Works

Although sometimes called laser hair removal, using lasers to minimize unwanted hair is actually a hair reduction. However, many clients find that the reduction is so dramatic that they can stop shaving entirely. Just like with electrolysis, lasers work best on dark hairs. Blond/e, silver, and white hairs along with peach fuzz cannot be removed by anything beyond temporary solutions such as shaving or Dermaplaning. There are various lasers on the market for laser hair reduction, but at Parson Skin Center we exclusively use the Candela GentleMax Pro laser. It is the best laser available for hair reduction because it can be used just about anywhere, including small and large areas like the back, face, and bikini area.

The Candela GentleMax Pro has two options built into it so that it can treat all skin tones and types. Many lasers are not suitable for melanin-rich skin, but we want to make sure that all of our clients have access to treatments they need and desire. A lot of lasers can cause hypopigmentation (unwanted skin lightening) on darker skin tones, but that is not the case with the Candela GentleMax Pro with its 755nm for skin types I–III and 1064nm for skin types IV–VI.

Get Your Life Back

Men and women both spend over one entire month of their lives getting rid of unwanted hair. That’s 24/7 off shaving, waxing, threading, sugaring, and undergoing other temporary methods that only work for a day or two at best. You will need multiple sessions, typically up to six, for optimal laser hair reduction results but that is far less than you will spend on a day-to-day basis keeping this hair removed and groomed. The results from laser hair reduction can last for several years, and you can of course opt for additional sessions in the future. Similar to electrolysis, laser hair reduction is not a one-and-done treatment because our hairs are always in various stages of growth. The targeted hairs need to be visible in order for the lasers to zap them.

Laser hair reduction can give you back your life. It can drastically shorten your daily routine and help you achieve skin that is smoother than you can manage with shaving. If you want to save time and enjoy smoother skin than ever before, laser hair reduction might be for you. Start your sessions now and you’ll start seeing results before the end of summer. To find out more or schedule a consultation, contact Parson Skin Center by completing the online contact form or calling the office today.