You were late for an event because hair removal took so long? You tried laser hair removal, but it is not permanent and you don't feel right about spending so much money again after a few years?
Have you finally decided to go for permanent hair removal because removing hair every other day seems so difficult? You made the right decision. But is there a method that can help you get rid of unwanted hair for life? That is electrolysis. You may have heard the name before and if it is new to you, you can learn more about it in this article.
In the following sections, we will explain what electrolysis is and how much it costs. If the cost does not fit into your budget, we will also suggest another inexpensive method for permanent hair removal at the end.
Table of contents:- Part 1: What is electrolysis and how does it work?
- Part 2: Factors that affect the cost of electrolysis hair removal
- Part 3: How much does electrolysis hair removal cost?
- Part 4: Electrolysis device for home
- Part 5: Does insurance cover the costs of electrolysis?
- Part 6: Is electrolysis worth it?
- Part 7: Another permanent and affordable hair removal method
- Part 8: Conclusion
What is electrolysis and how does it work?
Electrolysis is a hair removal treatment known for its permanent results. In this procedure, a skilled doctor uses a thin metal wire or a small probe that is inserted into the hair follicles. This probe uses an electrical current to damage the hair follicles responsible for hair growth. This procedure stops further hair growth and destroys the hair that has already grown in your body.
Electrolysis started with the removal of ingrown eyelash hairs and has now expanded to remove all other unwanted body hair. It is FDA approved. The procedure is somewhat painful and time-consuming.
Factors on which the cost of hair removal by electrolysis depends
As for the cost, it varies from person to person and place to place and depends on a few factors. Let's take a look at those factors.
Area to be treated
Just like laser hair removal, the cost of electrolysis also depends on the area being treated. The larger the area, the higher the cost. Upper lips, eyebrow hair, chin and armpits are relatively small areas compared to arms, legs, back and chest, so the latter are more expensive than the former.
Required sessions
Electrolysis requires an average of 8-12 sessions, but this can vary from person to person depending on hair type and treatment area. Coarser and darker hair will require more sessions, so the cost of electrolysis will vary.
During your consultation, you can ask the counselor to tell you how many sessions you will need so you can calculate your costs accordingly.
Location
Location has a big impact on the cost of a treatment. It's quite clear that more developed places cost more. So when we're talking about electrolysis specifically, cities are more expensive than suburbs, and larger cities like LA and New York are relatively more expensive than smaller cities.
Treating
Finally, the cost of electrolysis also depends on the doctor who is treating you. His experience, the instruments he uses and the equipment in the clinic also determine your costs.
If a doctor charges a lot of money, that doesn't mean you should blindly choose him or her. Do your research, find out about his or her skills, and then make a decision.
How much does electrolysis hair removal cost?
As mentioned above, the cost of electrolysis depends on the area being treated. Let us now discuss the average cost for all sessions for each area.
eyebrows
The cost of removing excess eyebrow hair is between €100 and €175. It can be done in just a few minutes.
Upper lips
The upper lips are a sensitive area of your body that requires more attention. The cost of upper lip hair removal can range from €150 to €600 depending on the clinic.
chin
Chin hair removal can cost on average between €150 and a maximum of €500.
Armpits
Similar to the upper lip, the armpits are a sensitive area that requires a more skilled practitioner. The area is larger than the facial areas, so it can cost between €500 and €4,000.
Belly
There is more hair in the stomach area, and the larger the area, the higher the cost. For hair removal in this area, you will have to pay between €2,500 and €9,000.
Breast
Hair removal on your stomach does not cover your chest area, so you will have to pay an additional €2,500 to €9,000 for it.
Back
Similar to the abdomen and chest, the costs for electrolysis of the back range between €2,500 and €10,000.
Bikini area
For electrolysis of your intimate area, you can expect average costs of €500 to €2,000.
Legs
The legs are the largest area that requires hair removal, so it takes the longest and costs the most compared to other areas. The price range for electrolysis on the legs is between €2,000 and €10,000.
Electrolysis device for home
If you don't dare to go for electrolysis, you can buy an electrolysis machine for home use. You can buy an electrolysis machine for €50 to €100, but for a safer and more effective treatment, it is better to buy a special machine that can cost €900 to €2,000.
Does insurance cover the costs of electrolysis?
There are two different types of surgeries: cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery. Insurance companies usually cover the costs of reconstructive surgeries, which are mainly performed to treat defects in your body parts that affect the normal functioning of your body.
Electrolysis hair removal is a cosmetic procedure, so your insurance won't cover the cost. Even if you need permanent hair removal for medical reasons, your insurance may refuse to cover the costs. However, in the case of vaginoplasty or phalloplasty, they will cover the costs.
To be on the safe side, you can ask your health insurance provider whether they will cover the costs of electrolysis if you have another medical condition.
Is electrolysis worth it?
Electrolysis is an expensive procedure, so no one will blindly trust and opt for it, right? That's why we should discuss some pros and cons of electrolysis to find out whether it is suitable for you or not.
Advantages:
Below are the benefits that electrolysis can offer you:
- As we all know, it is a permanent solution to get rid of all unwanted body hair.
- Electrolysis saves you time because you do not have to shave or wax again and again after electrolysis.
- It is a safe method of hair removal because it is the only FDA-approved technique for permanent hair removal.
- It is effective against all skin types and all types of hair, no matter how coarse. This means that even people with dark skin can get permanent hair removal.
- It is the ideal method for facial hair removal, including upper lip, eyebrows, cheeks and chin.
Disadvantages:
Here are the disadvantages of electrolysis:
- It is expensive compared to other hair removal methods.
- It's painful. When electricity passes through your hair follicles, it causes pain.
- Since each follicle has to be destroyed individually by hand, this is very time-consuming, especially for larger body parts.
- It can cause skin irritation, skin discoloration, and possibly scarring if the doctor is not skilled.
Another permanent and affordable method of hair removal
Electrolysis is safe and effective, but the pain and cost can put anyone off. That is why we have another suggestion for pain-free, permanent hair removal that is also less expensive. It is IPL hair removal. You can use the Ulike Sapphire Air 3 IPL device . We will see what makes it a better option for you.
Affordable
The cost of electrolysis is a little high, especially if you need a lot of sessions. Unlike electrolysis, the Ulike Sapphire Air 3 handheld device costs only $379. That's even less than half the price you would spend on electrolysis.
Pain-free
IPL hair removal is painless. You may feel a slight pricking sensation, but the Ulike IPL Sapphire Air 3 handheld device has a patented cooling system that means you won't even feel a slight tugging sensation.
Fast and user-friendly
Electrolysis only takes a few minutes to hours per session and you only need to apply the Ullike Sapphire Air 3 handheld hair removal device to the area to be treated for 7 minutes. You will see results in just 3 months.
The device fits comfortably in the hand and is easy to operate thanks to the thumbless auto-glide mode.
Practical
It is a convenient home treatment that saves you from having to go to different clinics, having strangers touch your body and traveling from place to place. In addition, you can use the device with the soft, power and body modes depending on your skin type and the area to be treated.
You can find out more about IPL hair removal at “ How does IPL hair removal work? ”
Conclusion
Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved permanent hair removal method to get rid of unwanted hair. The cost depends on the area to be treated, the number of sessions, the treating doctor and the location of the clinic. Depending on the area, the cost can range from €150 to €10,000 including all sessions.
It is painful and time-consuming, so if you want permanent hair removal at a lower cost and with minimal pain, you can also opt for IPL hair removal.
If you are still confused between electrolysis, laser hair removal and IPL, read the article “ Laser Hair Removal vs. Electrolysis ” which contains a detailed comparison of the three methods.
