The second is, know who you are asking for treatment. Minnesota does not regulate electrolysis, so training and professional certifications are important.

Her third bit of advice: “Don’t wait too long.” Flitter has offered laser treatments for hair removal and reduction for eight years. It’s faster, more efficient and less painful for most people.

Unfortunately for many, it doesn’t work on gray hair. Flitter says the hair needs to be darker for the laser to be effective.

Laser treatments are done with a small instrument that is moved over the skin and emits small pulses of laser light beams when activated. The light penetrates the skin and heats the dark hair follicles beneath it.

The heat weakens the hair follicle much like electrolysis. Sandra Oachs of Mankato is a firm believer in laser treatments. She found out about electrolysis and laser treatments in a conversation with Flitter’s sister.

She decided it was something she wanted to do for both cosmetic and convenience purposes. Oachs opted for laser treatments under her arms.

“It’s wonderful not having to worry about that shadowy appearance anymore,” she said.

Oachs is one of the few who talk about laser and electrolysis to her family and friends. She has convinced another woman to give it a try, she says.

“It’s wonderful. I tell everybody about it,” she said.

Oachs admits she was “terrified” when she first went to learn about the treatments, not knowing what to expect and not having friends to ask about it. She describes the sensation of laser as feeling a little hot, “but not painful.”

Oachs also tells people they should not be embarrassed.

“It’s more prevalent than people think,” she said.