For decades, electrolysis was the gold standard in permanent hair removal, offering a solution that targeted each individual hair follicle with precision. However, as light-based hair removal technologies such as IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and laser gained popularity in the early 2000s, electrolysis was largely overshadowed. The industry pivoted towards faster, high-tech solutions, with the promise of ‘permanent hair reduction’ capturing the attention of both professionals and consumers alike.
Yet, as we move into 2025, electrolysis is making a strong comeback. Why? Because we now have a clearer understanding of the limitations of light-based hair removal – particularly its inability to treat all hair types and its failure to deliver true permanence in many cases. For those with white, grey, red, and stubborn hairs that remain untreated by laser and IPL, electrolysis is stepping back into the limelight as the definitive solution.
The Rise and Fall of Electrolysis in the Hair Removal Industry
Electrolysis dates back to the late 19th century when it was developed as a method to treat ingrown eyelashes. By the mid-20th century, it had become widely recognised as the only method for permanent hair removal, using a fine probe to deliver an electrical current directly into each follicle, effectively destroying its ability to regrow hair.
However, the early 2000s saw a significant shift. The rise of laser and IPL technology promised a faster, less labour-intensive alternative, and electrolysis was left behind. Salons and clinics adopted light-based devices en masse, drawn in by the appeal of treating large areas quickly and generating higher revenue with minimal manual labour.
Clients, too, embraced the convenience of laser and IPL treatments, often lured by marketing that suggested ‘permanent hair removal.’ However, this claim was misleading. While these treatments do significantly reduce hair growth, they do not eliminate it entirely. Many individuals have experienced regrowth years later, and others have found that their light-coloured or finer hairs were never effectively treated in the first place.
Why Electrolysis is Reclaiming Its Position in 2025
The industry is now more informed about the nuances of hair removal. While laser and IPL remain valuable tools for reducing hair growth on larger areas, they come with notable limitations:
They do not treat all hair colours – White, grey, and red hairs lack the melanin needed for light-based treatments to be effective.
Stubborn hairs persist – Many people find that, despite multiple sessions, certain hairs simply refuse to respond to laser or IPL treatments.
Regrowth is common – Even on successfully treated areas, new hairs can emerge over time due to hormonal changes, genetics, or incomplete follicle destruction.
This is where electrolysis re-enters the picture. As the only FDA-approved method for true permanent hair removal, electrolysis is experiencing a resurgence, particularly in the professional beauty and aesthetics industry. Clinics are increasingly integrating it into their service menus, offering it as a complementary treatment to laser and IPL for the hairs that those technologies cannot address.
With a growing number of consumers seeking complete and lasting hair removal solutions, electrolysis is no longer an outdated or forgotten practice. Instead, it is being repositioned as the essential finishing touch – a necessary final step for those who have undergone laser or IPL and are left with residual hair growth.
For professionals, this presents an opportunity to reintroduce a tried-and-true service into their offering. Training in electrolysis is becoming more sought after, and modern advancements in equipment are making treatments more comfortable and efficient than ever before.
Karen Geiszler of KG Beauty & Modality says that 'electrolysis was a core part of Beauty Therapy Training and when IPL and Laser hair removal hit the market, but therapist opted to learn IPL and Laser instead. Many training colleges stopped offering Electrolysis as an elective unit, as the demand was not there.' On the resurgence of electrolysis, Karen says now 'moving into 2025, we have a skill shortage of Electrologists. With clients looking for clinics that offer permanent hair removal solutions, skilled therapist that offered this are in high demand.' On training requests, Karen's seen the boom first hand; "In 2024 and 2025 I have had a significant increase in inquiries for therapist looking for Electrolysis’ training, along with qualified therapists that would like to refresh their skills they learnt 15 years ago.".
For those looking to up skill and add electrolysis to their professional toolkit, Sydney Electrolysis (sydneyelectrolysis.com.au) and KG Beauty & Modality Training (kgbeautyandmodalitytraining.com.au) are two tried-and-tested training providers offering comprehensive courses in this specialised field.
In 2025, electrolysis is no longer playing seconds to light-based hair removal. Instead, it is reclaiming its rightful place as a vital, in-demand service.
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