Electrolysis, IPL & Laser For Bikini Hair Removal

Traditionally, women who wanted to remove hair in the bikini area used shaving for temporary removal or waxing for several weeks of removal.

Now there are several other popular options available for an even longer term hair free period of time: Electrolysis, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and laser. If you’re considering electrolysis, IPL or laser for bikini hair removal, there are key differences between them, the processes involved and the costs that you’ll also want to know in advance.

The final results may be different too. Let’s take a closer look at each.

Electrolysis, IPL & Laser For Bikini Hair Removal

Electrolysis For Bikini Hair Removal

Electrolysis involves treating each hair one at a time with a needle that is inserted into the hair follicle, zapping it with an electrical current and then manually removing the hair with tweezers. It’s the “original” old school bikini hair removal method for women. A local anaesthetic may first be applied before treatment.

One electrolysis session may cost $30-$110 with the lower price being for a 15 minute session and a highest price being for 1 hour.

Electrolysis Pros

• The only permanent hair removal method recognized and approved by the Food & Drug Administration.
• Isn’t dependent on hair color, hair type or skin color for success. Anyone is potentially a candidate.
• Long history and track record of success in general and with bikini hair removal specifically.
• The bikini area is a relatively small area well-suited to electrolysis.
• Not really any aftercare per se. The area treated generally heals on its own after a few days.

Electrolysis Cons

• “Permanent hair removal” doesn’t mean “with only one treatment.” Multiple treatments are most likely required.
• Can be time-consuming and thus costly since each hair is treated one at a time.
• Can be painful especially in a sensitive area like the pubic region.
• Can’t do it yourself. You have to visit a trained professional for best results.
• In rare cases, can cause an infection or scarring ie. an unsterilized needle was used, lack of skill of practitioner.

Electrolysis Hair Removal Summary

Electrolysis remains a good choice for bikini hair removal even though it is less popular in general as a hair removal choice than laser at this point in time.

IPL For Bikini Hair Removal

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) became popular as a hair removal choice back in the mid 1990s. Initially used for vascular (arteries and veins) work, the benefits of hair removal became noticeable and it began being used as an alternative to laser. IPL was often marketed as a quicker, more effective and less painful option although at least two of those benefits are now debatable.

At the time, IPL used a larger wand (the handheld device used to deliver the pulse of light) than laser so it was able to treat a larger amount of hair for each pulse of light. But modern lasers now have larger and adjustable heads too and can easily cover larger or smaller body parts with very fast repetition rates.

One laser hair removal session for bikini hair removal may cost $150-$450. Brazilian-style hair removal may cost more.

IPL Pros

• Offers a relatively fast treatment time given its large wand that delivers the treatment.
• Some IPL research appears to suggest that long term permanent removal of hair is possible even though it shouldn’t be advertised this way.
• In my experience, the pain is bearable when conducted by a trained professional. NOTE: I had IPL treatment on my back/shoulders.

IPL Cons

• Anecdotally, it seems that IPL is waning in popularity in clinics in favor of newer, modern laser machines. Therefore IPL hair removal options might be harder to locate.
• Modern laser hair removal machines seem to be achieving more new features and benefits than IPL.
• Requires use of a cooling gel to protect against burning, which adds to treatment time.
• Difficult to find costs online since so few clinics seem to offer it these days for hair removal.
• Works best for people with dark hair and light skin. Doesn’t work with light, blonde, red or gray hair.

IPL Hair Removal Summary

At this point in time, I really see more Cons than Pros although this is based on my opinion, my personal experience with 16 IPL hair removal treatments on my back/shoulders and what I’m seeing in the market when compared to laser.

Laser For Bikini Hair Removal

Laser hair removal became extremely popular in the mid to late 1990s. The Food & Drug Administration started to approve laser hair removal products for hair removal purposes in 1996-97. Laser quickly became the popular, long-term-but-not-permanent-despite-what-you-may-have-read hair removal option for men and women.

In general laser is now known to realistically offer permanent hair reduction if you are willing to have multiple treatments over time on a schedule.

Laser Pros

• Offers long term and even permanent hair reduction with multiple treatments.
• Capable of treating both small and large body parts so it’s ideal for bikini area treatment.
• Widely available throughout the country in clinics, spas and doctors offices.
• Modern lasers can successfully treat a wide range of skin tones, something that was historically not possible with older lasers and IPL.
• Tends to be very successful with coarse hair and dark hair, which tends to grow back lighter and thinner with multiple treatments.

Laser Cons

• Costly over time and takes multiple treatments for long term success.
• Does cause pain especially in a sensitive area like the pubic region.
• Works best for people with dark hair. Doesn’t work with light, blonde, red or gray hair.
• Severe side effects may include burns, scarring and other problems in rare cases.

Laser Hair Removal Summary

Laser hair removal is a widely available and acceptable hair removal method and suitable for the bikini area for long term removal, possibly leading to permanent hair reduction in the area.

Is Electrolysis, IPL And Laser Hair Removal For Bikini Area Safe?

In general terms, yes. When performed by a trained professional, using sterile (in the case of electrolysis) equipment, the applications are each safe and reasonable for bikini hair removal.

It’s best to remember that you are treating a sensitive, private area of your body that will be visible when wearing a bikini. So you want to ensure that you’re aware of any possible side effects up front ie. risk of discoloration, scarring, etc.

Choosing a professional who is well-trained and skilled is key in all cases.

What Is Best For Bikini Hair Removal?

So which one is best for bikini hair removal?

While all three options are suitable, it’s really up to you depending on what your goals are.

You want permanent bikini hair removal: Electrolysis offers permanent hair removal with multiple treatments.

You want permanent bikini removal but would settle for permanent hair reduction: Laser might be a suitable choice given its widespread availability and cost and time effectiveness.

You want cost and time effective bikini hair removal: Laser might be the best choice given its widespread availability and cost and time effectiveness.

Conclusion

Electrolysis, IPL and laser bikini hair removal are all suitable choices in general terms but electrolysis and laser really stand out as the most viable options these days. Electrolysis and especially laser are widely available, have a long track record of bikini hair removal success and are fairly cost effective.

IPL seems harder to find these days for hair removal as the technology appears to be utilized more for skin rejuvenation services.

Electrolysis clinics are still widely found and bikini hair removal is a popular option.

Laser hair removal technologies are constantly being improved upon, moreso than electrolysis and IPL. Modern lasers have new features such as skin color-reading technology, cooling functions for safety and comfort and other benefits for a better overall experience.

Check with your local hair removal clinics to see what is offered and to ensure you are a suitable candidate for laser. If your hair type isn’t suitable for laser, electrolysis remains an option as it’s not reliant upon either hair color/type or skin color for success.