Thermolysis destroys the hair by the same process as laser does.
Thermolysis is nowadays commonly referred to as electrolysis and there is a difference.
It generates heat which destroys the hair follicle. Unlike laser, the heat in thermolysis is generated through a probe which is manually inserted into each hair follicle. The skin may be more irritated by this procedure and may become swollen for a short time and exhibit some temporary, minimal discolouration. A laser treatment is hundreds of times faster than thermolysis. Since the introduction of laser hair removal, the use of electrolysis is usually used only in the following situations:
- White, blonde or red hair
- Fine hair
- Hair located in orifices or crevices
- Eyebrow shaping
- Skin which is too dark for laser
- When there are only a few hairs. If you can easily count them, then it would be cheaper to do electrolysis. If there are a lot, then it’s generally more economical to go with laser.
Is electrolysis more “permanent” than laser?