I quickly read through the responses and didn't see an answer to this one. In my opinion, dermatologists recommend laser because they provide it, or their friend provides it. They also seem to know very little about electrolysis, since clients don't disclose successful treatments to anyone.

I would say most dermatologists don't know anything about laser or IPL and I wish they just didn't say anything at all when asked instead of spreading misinformation.

As someone who has performed electrolysis in multiple dermatologists' offices, I have observed...the older the dermatologist, the more likely he/she will refer to electrolysis over laser. The older docs know what is tried and true. The younger ones go for the newest gadget on the block, whether it works or not.

I have written bullit point style one page letters to family doctors and dermatologists when I get whiff of their ignorance on laser or electrolysis issues. Doctors can't be expected to know everything after all. I get feedback from my clients that they were guided to laser because their doctor told them that it's better than electrolysis because they are reading this in their journals or are being bombarded by the laser industry. They find out that is not always the case, eventually. It's a real problem and that's why I keep hanging around hairtell trying to keep things real, but this hype stuff is really hard to combat.

Thanks for your input Barbara and Choice.

Ah, it reminds me of an old saying, "It is hard to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on him misunderstanding it."

Electrolysis has no Ex-Price-Is-Right Models traveling the country wining and dinning doctors and promising bonuses for 25 or more referrals in the next 30 days and I don't know of any doctors servicing a $3,000 a month debt payment for their electrolysis room in their practice.

I prefer word-of-mouth testimony. Non-internet and first-hand only. That is as closest to the truth as you will get without doing it yourself. But I know that is hard to come by, you don't usually talk about removing your mustache over lunch with friends. The internet is a great place for research, but also a great place for people to attempt to mislead you, or provide you with misinformation.

I've used both methods of hair removal. And I can personally attest that laser does work. I can also personally attest I have talked to other people face-to-face who have received laser and they have had successful results. It seems to depend on skin type, hair color, type of machine, and the training of the operator. If you match all of those things, you are absolutely nuts to pay an electrologist to remove those hairs when you could get it done for far cheaper.

Electrolysis has it's place don't get me wrong. Laser didn't do anything for my light hairs, nor did my laser operator claim that it would.

When I visit this site and I see the electrologists who monopolize the forums, discrediting laser using generalized statements; it makes this site less credible.

hollym:

I think you will have a better understanding of why dermatologists tend to recommend laser hair reduction over electrolysis after reading this thread. There is a lot of credible, heartfelt expertise here.

Be assured that electrolysis is medically safe and the 130 year record of results proves that. Laser and electrolysis are the only two methods for permanent hair reduction/permanent hair removal available today. Electrolysis can remove any structure of hair (thick or thin) on any color of skin for any color of hair. Laser does better for coarse, dark hair on lighter skin. It cannot "see" finer, lighter hairs.

I'm sorry this turned into a long-winded adult debate that crushed your very simple questions. Good luck sweetie, with whatever decision you and your Mother make.

Dee

Hi!
So very sorry for the delay in response, I was out of town for awhile. Thank you so much for all your helpful answers and advice. I have pale skin and am looking to remove dark hair on the upper lip and chin. Right now I do a combination of waxing and bleaching, but my hair is really stubborn and grows back really fast and I probably spend about 4 hours a week maintaining it, and am looking for some way to avoid doing all this stuff in college. Some of the hair is more thin, but the parts I usually wax could probably now be considered coarse. I also have pretty sensitive skin, because it often scars and scabs after waxing but then quickly goes away. I'm not sure if the hair may be due to some hormonal imbalance, because I have this problem in other areas too, but from what I've read it seems that if done right electrolysis can still work in this case. I did a little research on electrologists in my area and got a recommendation on this site on someone good who is relatively nearby, who I will probably call if my Mom and I decide I want to go that direction. Again, thank you so much for the help, I really, really appreciate it.

You are very welcome.

I hope you and your Mom make the best decision, so you can get this behind you.


You stated that you hope electrolysis can still work in your case. ELectrolysis will work in ANY case, when performed properly by a skilled professional electrologist. That is a fact, not an opinion. Now that you have offered specifics about your chin and upper lip being your areas of concern, I would highly recommend electrolysis for you - not laser. It will take about 9-12 months, but you will look finished after your first one or two? appointments, but you must keep going as those hair growth cycles click in. No need to wait for or hope for shedding to occur, as needed with laser, as each hair is treated and then lifted out immediately.

I will stress once again that you need to find someone who is skilled that can do this speedily well. Most of my teens need between 8-15 appointments spread out over 9-12 months. Each session lasts 15-20 minutes. Cost ends up being under $500 spread out over a year. That is specific information as relates to my practice, but I think this may match what many professional electrologists do for their clients as well. I'm saying this without benefit of seeing a picture of your problem. I am relying on your verbal description and knowing what the hair patterns of teenage girls look like. People like specifics and that as close as I can come to being cautiously specific.

Come back if you need any help.

Dee

Thanks for all the help-we scheduled my first electrolysis appointment for this Tuesday, with an electrologist recommended from someone on this site. I usually use Proactiv (acne face wash) on my face and wanted to make sure it was okay to keep using it as I do electroylsis. Also, I'll want to keep bleaching in between sessions and I think I've read that this is okay? I'll probably ask the electrologist on Tuesday, but wanted to see if anyone had any opinions on this, because you have all been so helpful. Thanks! I'll post how the first treatment goes on Tuesday.