Electrolysis Vs. Laser Hair Removal: Which Is Better For Dark Skin?

If you're looking for hair removal and are tired of shaving, dilapidating, and waxing, you might check out laser hair removal or electrolysis. Electrolysis is the only truly permanent form of hair removal, while laser hair removal reduces your hair growth significantly, requiring occasional touchups (via Healthline). Laser hair removal is more common than electrolysis, but both have increased in popularity over the past decade. They can each be used nearly anywhere on the body, but you have to avoid your eye area with laser hair removal, which means it doesn't work for eyebrows.

Each method removes unwanted hair by targeting hair follicles under your skin. Only electrolysis is approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a permanent hair removal solution. According to Precision Hair Removal, some hair removal methods might be more challenging if you have dark skin. If this is you, and you're trying to decide which one you want to try, read on to find out the details.

According to Precision Hair Removal, electrolysis works well for all hair colors, types, and skin colors. Healthline reported that electrolysis works by using shortwave radio frequencies to damage follicles in your skin, causing existing hair to fall out and preventing new hair from growing. However, it takes a few treatments to get your desired results. Electrolysis works well on darker hair because, unlike laser hair removal, which relies on the hair being significantly darker than the skin, this type of removal involves looking for the opening where hair emerges from your skin (via Precision Hair Removal). That factor makes it more successful than laser hair removal on all skin and hair types. 

One caveat is that electrolysis may cause temporary dark spots where the hair is removed, which tend to fade over time. Do not use bleaching cream in an attempt to lighten these spots (via Precision Hair Removal). Simply let them disappear as they heal. It's also important to tell your dermatologist if you are prone to keloid scarring, because she might need to adjust your treatment plan. If you speak with somebody who doesn't specialize in electrolysis for dark skin, ask for a referral to somebody who does.