Electrolysis or Laser Treatment?

I am currently looking into electrolysis as I heard that it was the only thing that is permanent. I have a full beard with the exception of the middle of my lower chin and it is spreading rapidly! If I pluck one hair on the side of my face, 10 more show up at it's funeral. Plus, the area where the hair was and is is so dark. I hate the darkness more than I do the hair really because I can take the hair off but the darkness lets you know that there was hair there. I've been to a dermatologist who prescribed Vaniqa which didn't work for me and a topical antibacterial lotion that is supposed to get rid of the darkness along with a prescribed bleaching cream because she says the darkness is really acne...but it's been 3 months, and I don't see a difference. My question is what is the difference between Electrolysis and Laser treatments? Which one works the best, etc? Costs more? I have to do something because I literally feel depressed because of this. Thanks....

Lazer is not painful (some discomfort). electrolysis is extremely painful and takes a lot longer. I have the same issue as you, it is dark where I shave, almost like 5 oclock shadow, and I hate it... I used to wish horrible things would happen to make the hair go away. I am 44 and it started when I was 18 years old and just worse. I have to shave every part of my body, back even, arms.. I cannot stand the hair.. my arms made me look like a dude! So one day I shaved it.. Wish the hair on my face was as fine as it is on my arms..

Depending on your complexion and hair color, laser treatment can produce various levels of results. I had the laser treatment at one time. I paid for a three year package (I think it was $1700), showed up for 3 or 4 treatments, then never went back. It hurt so bad I had tears in my eyes for almost the whole hour. I have hair on my face like you described, and then some. For me, it was hell not only because of the amount of hair present, but because of its dark color on my pale skin. The light is attracted to the melatonin in skin and hair, which is why it gives great results on lighter skin/darker hair combos. Thats well and good, if you dont have PCOS to make it slap into every single pore all at once like a trainwreck. That laser light seemed to chase my hair follicle straight down to my vertebrae. I have to say though, that the hair was SO much better I couldn't believe it. It didnt come back that fast either, as long as I kept going every 6-7 weeks. I still had to shave at first, but it dwindled down. This eliminated that dark undertone you (and I) hate so badly. But boy-oh-boy it was all I could do to drag my butt in to those horrible appointments. The best I could describe it would be that it felt like getting the largest rubber band you could find (like the ones they use for physical therapy), stretching it as far back as possible, and snapping it on your cheek over and over. If I were you, I would do more research for dark skin results, to make sure it wont do any damage to your skin. If they've improved it in the last few years, you might be in luck. I hope they have, because you'd be absolutely amazed with the results. Go in there prepared to pee your pants though. At least you'd have that as another option to electrolysis. I dont know much about electrolysis. I did have a friend who did this about 10 years ago. She said it took a year or so to finally be "cured". Good luck!!

Thanks to the both of you for your opinions. They are greatly respected.

I did YEARS of electrolysys and saw little improvement, then I did 4 laser treatments and loved it, worked great... till I had my daughter.... now i am back to square one. she is 9 months old and I think I need to completly redo the laser treatments... But WAY faster and WAY les painful then the electrolysys was.

Danielle I have the same issues as you. Im basically the same complection as you are and I have tried electrolysis and laser dont waste your money on electrolysis I was going to get treatments twice a week for one year and it was painful. Laser treatments are uncomfortable but it is worth it . 10 days after the inital treatment you see a big difference. Try doing a patch test first.

Hi Danielle, I am fair-skinned and had dark hair on my face and chin, which I've been shaving and plucking for years. I started laser removal about a year ago (have had about 6 treatments) and I LOVE IT I bought a package deal, where I paid for 6 treatments at once which entitles me to a lifetime of treatments (important for us PCOS'ers). It's important to understand how your hair grows and the cycle of follicles. This takes time and is briefly painful (the sting lasts mere seconds) and can be aleviated by a topical anesthetic and a ice pack prior to getting zapped. I do not regret it for one moment...I still have a few treatments to go before I'm completely free but I can roll out of bed and go to the store if I want to - with NO fear of anyone knowing I ever had a "beard". That's worth a few seconds of pain! Best of Luck