You’ve decided you’re done with monthly waxes and daily shaves. You want a long term hair removal option. Do you get Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or Laser Hair Removal? The short response is Laser Hair Removal, but let’s uncover exactly why.
Focused Treatment on the Targeted Area
Laser Hair Removal treatment is a focused, single beam of light that can pinpoint a target area with great accuracy. IPL is an entry level light therapy system and is not a laser at all.
To understand the difference, imagine shining a focused laser pointer (like the one used for presentations) and a torch (like the one you use at home) on the same area.
Laser Hair Removal treatment can accurately hit a specific, defined target whereas an IPL cannot.
*View Laser Hair Removal video here.
Cost and Time
A Laser will have more ‘hits’ at each treatment than IPL, because it can be set to target the specific area and depth every time, at the right strength.
This has a significant cost implication because you would need twice as many IPL treatments to get the same effect as would be expected from Laser treatment.
Laser Hair Removal results in fewer treatments and a lower total cost.
Effect on Dark Skin
Dark skinned patients can be treated safely with a Laser, whereas IPL has a much higher risk.
Melanin gives skin and hair its color, so the Laser targets the germ cell in the hair follicle, leaving the skin intact. IPL does not have this functionality, firing hair removal settings at a dark skin will result in both the skin and hair reacting, causing burns and discolouration on the skin.
Dark complexions can be treated with a Laser, but not with an IPL.
High Standard of Equipment
Not all Laser Hair Removal treatments and machines are the same and there are those that can be used by normal beauty salons and those that can only be used by trained and qualified healthcare professionals. For your own safety, ask which equipment is being used and who is operating it, to ensure that you get the best available treatment such as Long Pulsed Nd: YAG - Cutera CoolGlide.
Ensure that your choice of treatment is of a high standard and guarantees good results.
Keep in Mind
Blonde hairs are the most difficult to remove and may require more treatments, more maintenance, and thus more modest results should be expected. Grey hair cannot be treated with Laser Hair Removal and other options such as electrolysis are recommended.
For the most effective results, Laser Hair Removal is the best option when considering deforestation of the hairy bits!