Laser vs Electrolysis – Which Hair Removal Biz Is Easier?

Starting a business in general is a pretty challenging goal, but the challenge also depends on the location and industry. For example, a laser hair removal clinic can be more profitable in a smaller area like Naperville, IL than in Chicago. Chicago is a huge city with lots of competition. The industry matters too — you will be faced with all sorts of problems, starting from finding clients to finding employees. If you are in the electrolysis hair removal industry, this type of treatment requires a license and a lot of experience. It’s a more sensitive treatment compared to laser hair removal.

Hiring long-term employees is one of the biggest challenges that electrolysis clinics face. The problem is that about 95% of employees work for about a year and then leave to start their own business. This is extremely hard for business owners because they spend a lot of time and money training them.

So, if compared to laser hair removal — which is a much easier procedure than electrolysis — electrolysis hair removal is harder to run as a business. For laser hair removal, it doesn’t take long to learn how it works. You just have to touch the surface of the skin with the laser, and it’s noninvasive. It’s easier to find employees, and if you find them, it won’t take forever to train them.

Equipment and Setup

Apart from the employee challenge, the equipment you use makes another huge difference between these two types of businesses. Laser hair removal equipment is a lot more expensive. Let’s take a look below:

• Laser Hair Removal Equipment–Laser machines are a big upfront investment. These machines can cost somewhere between $30,000 and $100,000, depending on the brand, features, and technology. Compared to electrolysis, these lasers are large and require a well-ventilated and clean space. The good part about them is that once they are calibrated and set up, you can perform treatments quickly and with minimal manual effort. This also allows you to service more clients in a shorter amount of time
• Electrolysis Equipment – Electrolysis equipment is a lot less expensive. The machines usually cost from $1,500 to $5,000. This makes it easier to get started as a business owner compared to laser hair removal. The downside is that these treatments take a lot more time than laser treatments. It’s invasive and requires precision, good hand-eye coordination, and steady focus.

Due to these huge differences, we can see a shift in these industries. More electrolysis businesses are trying to adopt laser hair removal as an additional service to electrolysis. In this way, they can leverage their efforts. A good example to look at would be Electrolysis 100% Permanent Hair Removal & Skin Care in Chicago. They added laser hair removal as an additional service a few years after they opened the electrolysis company. Furthermore, they have a separate business for laser called V&P Laser Hair Removal & Skin Care—both under the same roof.

Speed and Client Volume

Talking for business point of view, the efficiency is the number one thing we want to keep in mind. The big question here is how many clients we can server and the revenue we get. If we compare both industries, laser hair removal is definitely more efficient than electrolysis. Electrolysis is pretty much a customized treatment for each individual client.

• Laser Hair Removal – Laser hair removal is significantly faster than electrolysis. A single laser pulse can target multiple hair follicles at once, allowing technicians to treat large areas such as legs, backs, or full arms in 15 to 60 minutes. Smaller areas like the upper lip or underarms can take just 5 to 15 minutes. This efficiency means you can easily schedule back-to-back clients throughout the day, potentially serving 8 to 12 clients per technician, depending on treatment area and clinic hours.
• Electrolysis Hair Removal – Electrolysis, on the other hand, is a time-intensive procedure. Each hair follicle is treated individually, which can make even small areas take a long time—30 minutes to an hour for an upper lip, and several sessions over weeks or months for larger areas like legs or backs. Due to the manual nature of the work, a technician may only be able to handle 4 to 6 clients per day, especially if the sessions are long.

Conclusion

So, long story short, if we talk about business laser hair removal seems to be a lot more efficient than electrolysis. 

The answer hinges on what elements are taken into consideration when starting up your electrolysis or laser hair removal business, as well as which of the two fields is “easier” from a personal standpoint, business pace, and budget.

Compared to electrolysis, laser hair removal is less adaptable and less efficient. With the charges for equipment needed for laser hair removal, you will have to pay for the machinery upfront; however, later you will benefit from increased revenue because you can quickly serve large numbers of clients. Marketing becomes more cost-effective when there are more customers, and customers are easier to retain during promotional periods. Having a high-volume modern aesthetics clinic becomes easier with the implementation of laser treatments, since expansion is easier to carry out with such a business model.One great example is V&P Laser Hair Removal & Skin Care, a Chicago-based clinic that’s built a strong reputation for effective, no-fuss treatments. Their laser hair removal services in Chicago are especially popular among locals looking for fast results and a comfortable experience.

Even though electrolysis is tedious and slower, it can foster long-term loyal clients. Currently, it is the only FDA-approved method for permanent hair removal and works on all skin and hair types, including gray, blonde, or red hair that the laser cannot effectively treat. Because of this, it becomes indispensable for certain clients, such as those undergoing gender-affirming procedures or those seeking permanent facial hair removal. As the healthcare provider, if you are comfortable with offering a technical, hands-on service, electrolysis can be a rewarding and lower-cost way to enter the industry.

In summary:

• If seeking serviced and streamlined business models, laser hair removal is the most appealing.
• If willing to foster deep client relations along with having lower competition and lower startup costs, electrolysis is the better option.

Both routes can be undertaken with appropriate planning, securing the right certifications, and with the necessary dedication. Selection should be made in consideration of not what’s easiest to operate, but what resonates with personal values and aspirations.