Millions and millions of people around the world, male and female, remove unwanted and excessive hair from their faces and body everyday. There are many options and methods to consider.

Hair removal tends to fall into two main categories; non-permanent hair removal (shaving and depilatory creams to mention a few) and permanent hair removal (electrolysis and laser hair removal). As lifestyles change and become more demanding, and as technology develops, permanent methods have become more and more popular, especially laser hair removal, which was the most desired cosmetic treatment in a 2010 survey.

Laser hair removal and electrolysis are similar in that both methods destroy the hair at the root - the hair follicle. What differ between the two methods is the technology and procedures involved and also the time it takes to become permanently hair free.

Electrolysis can be very time consuming and painful. The procedure used during electrolysis treatments usually concentrates on one hair follicle at a time. The procedure consists of a metal probe being inserted into the hair follicle. Once the metal probe has been inserted into the hair follicle, it releases an electronic current or charge. This damages the hair follicle which is then unable to produce hair. Due to the invasive procedure of inserting a metal probe into the follicle, electrolysis is usually painful and uncomfortable. The procedure cannot be carried out very quickly and therefore appointments can be long and tiresome. Providing treatments are carried out following the treatment plan, the average timescale for becoming hair free on one area using electrolysis is 10-12 months.

Soprano XL LHR is a non-invasive and pain free, permanent treatment. This treatment can be safely carried out on any area of the face and body, including the sensitive and hard to reach areas. Laser hair removal using the Soprano XL uses light energy that passes safely through the skin and is absorbed by the hair follicle as heat. The heat affects the hair follicle in such a way that results in the follicle being unable to produce hair again.

Unlike electrolysis, which concentrates on one hair follicle at a time, laser hair removal simultaneously concentrates on a great number of follicles at one time making the procedure quick and easy. Treatments do not take a long time, in fact treatments to the top lip and chin area can be completed in 5 minutes, the underarms 10 minutes, bikini area 20 minutes and so on. Results can be noticed after one treatment and providing the treatments are carried out following the treatment plan, the timescale for becoming hair free can be as quickly as 5-6 months. Due to the noticeable difference in appointment times and hair free timescales, the popularity of laser hair removal has increased greatly and has become an option which can fit into everybody’s lifestyle whilst also giving them the results they desire.

A summary of a study published in 'Dermatologic Surgery' in 2000 showed the differences found between twelve patients using both treatments in twenty four areas of the body. It stated that while LHR may be more expensive than electrolysis, it is sixty times faster and less painful in comparison to electrolysis and more patients experienced more favourable results with laser hair removal and now with the soprano XL it is completely pain-free.