I looked into it and read a lot about electrolysis versus laser.  Apparently laser is not permanent hair removal, but electrolysis is.  Just that it takes a few sessions because 90% of the area that is treated each time will grow back.  So it can take many sessions in the same area to finally stop hair growth completely.  I’ve heard that laser can delay hair growth, but it doesn’t disable the follicle in the same way, and that hair can start to grow again many months later.

You can use emla or similar cream before a session of electolysis and it helps to cut down the discomfort apparently.  You could need 5-10 sessions on one particular area for it to respond and that means breaks inbetween to allow the hair to grow back and see which doesn’t of a week or so.   In the meantime some people bleach the hair--but that can look gross on dark haired people.  

I do my upper lip only--waxing and my eyebrows.  (Bikini--no way!  I can’t rememebr the last time I wore one!)  I don’t worry about my legs as I seldom wear skirts anyways.  If I am going out and wearing a dress or skirt I shave them then.  (I know my poor husband!  has to put up with the hairy stuff inbetween times--lol--TOUGH!) Sometimes in summer I use the depilatory creams.

I looked at electrolysis because my lip hair annoys me.  I am not even dark haired, but my eyebrows and facial hair seem to have different ideas about color than the hair on my head and body!  Once you start of course---it always get’s thicker and darker--so it isn’t a case of stopping, and I then looked at the electrolysis as a permanent fix in the last few months.  if i try it I’ll be sure to comment!