If you’re not bothered by your body hair, great; But if you’re tired of constantly shaving, waxing, or even trying all those DIY homemade hacks from Instagram or YouTube to remove your hair permanently, you’re not alone.

But if you are here, chances are quite high that none of the above methods have worked for you. To deal with excessive body hair, many women turn to laser hair removal, a treatment that was once marketed as a permanent solution.

However, laser hair removal is not actually permanent. An old method called electrolysis is making a comeback thanks to social media for a more permanent solution.

Electrolysis, which various dermatologists are now recommending on social media, is touted as a permanent hair removal method. But if you are wondering whether it is suitable for Indians and whether it is available in India, then don’t worry, we are ready for you!

Let’s start with the basics.

What exactly is electrolysis?

@Your_Hairy_Godmother aka Jackie on her social media, is a 37-year-old woman who has been sharing her experience with hair removal treatments online, especially on YouTube. She has PCOS and suffers from hirsutism, a condition that causes excessive hair growth, and her videos get thousands of views.

In one of her videos, she explains how she tried almost every method before turning to electrolysis, which worked for her. According to Jackie, the laser treatment actually damaged her hair growth.

“I was 33 when I discovered electrolysis as a permanent solution, especially for facial hair,” she explains. Her treatment took about three years, but she believes it was worth it. Was worth it, because now he has had minimal regrowth and most of his hair has been permanently removed. She specifically targeted his chin, where most of his abnormal hair grew.

Jackie is not alone. In India, one in five women has PCOS, a symptom of which is excessive hair growth due to increased androgens or male hormones. For women with PCOS or thinning hair, laser hair removal often doesn’t work well.

This is where electrolysis comes in.

Dr Syed Azara T Hamid, consultant dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon at The Eternal Clinic in Powai, Maharashtra, explains India Today Electrolysis works by permanently removing hair at the follicle level.

• During the procedure, a fine probe is inserted into each hair follicle, and a low-level electrical current is applied.
• This current destroys the hair growth center, the dermal papilla, ensuring that it does not grow back.

Dr Siham Afrin, consultant dermatologist at Kosmoderma in Bengaluru, agrees and says that electrolysis can be done on any area of ​​the body with hair, but it is especially effective for sensitive areas like the face and bikini line .

Dr Azara further adds that during electrolysis, each strand of hair is individually targeted and destroyed at the growth center of each follicle. When the electric current reaches the follicle, it damages the cells that are essential for hair growth. Because hair grows in cycles, multiple sessions are usually required to treat each follicle during the active growth phase, ensuring that all follicles are effectively destroyed over time.

laser vs electrolysis

We asked various experts and according to them, even though laser is a less painful and less expensive method, it is not a permanent solution to your hair problems. Dr. Azara lists the differences:

the way it works

• Laser hair removal works by targeting melanin, a pigment found in the hair roots. The laser heats the melanin, which in turn heats the follicles, specifically affecting the stem cells responsible for hair growth. This process gradually weakens the follicle, causing it to shrink over time, ultimately leading to reduced hair growth.

• In contrast, electrolysis is ‘colour-blind’, says Dr Azara. It does not rely on pigment and can effectively treat any color and type of hair, making it suitable even for thin or gray hair that may be missed by laser technology.

Durability

• While laser hair removal can significantly reduce hair growth, it usually requires ongoing maintenance sessions.
• However, electrolysis produces permanent results by completely destroying each follicle, preventing future hair growth completely.

time commitment

• Because of its targeted approach, electrolysis is a slower process that treats one follicle at a time, making it better suited for smaller areas and fewer hair follicles, says Dr. Azara.
• Laser hair removal, on the other hand, covers larger areas in each session, so it is often preferred for larger treatment areas, such as the legs or back.
• However, laser treatment may take several months to show noticeable results due to the gradual weakening of the follicles.

adaptability

• Electrolysis works on all hair types and colors, while laser hair removal is generally most effective for individuals with darker hair and lighter skin.
• Laser treatment may be less effective or even ineffective on gray or light-colored hair.

possible side effects

Although experts say that electrolysis does not have many side effects, it does not mean that it has no side effects. In fact, New Delhi-based dermatologist Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj says that since electrolysis is a very time-consuming process, it is not suitable to be done on the entire body; Rather, it should only be done in specific areas such as the chin, side locks or underarms.

She says the side effects of electrolysis are that it is much more painful (than laser), and it can leave burns, pigmentation, or even scars.

Moreover, electrolysis may take much more sessions than laser, which in turn may prove to be quite a costly affair. For example, in India, a session costs around Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 and just for your chin, you may need 8-12 sessions!

final session

Laser hair reduction works well, but it is not a permanent solution and requires touch-ups from time to time. Electrolysis, on the other hand, can give permanent results, but it requires patience, a little budget, and a high pain tolerance. Therefore, it is best to choose based on what suits your needs after doing your own research and talking to an expert.