Choosing the right hair removal treatment can make a big difference to the outcome of your treatment.

Lasers and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) have been used for permanent hair removal for many years – both are light-based technologies but there are distinct differences between the two. If you are looking for safe and effective hair removal, knowing these differences can help you make an informed choice on which treatment to choose.

IPL Hair Removal (IPL)
IPL is a pulsed light (i.e. flashes) of a broad beam that targets everything in its path – it successfully removes hair but it also hits the surrounding skin and blood vessels. It is not recommended for skin types darker than Mediterranean as there is a risk of darkening the skin due to the amount of energy absorbed during treatment. Hitting multiple targets means hair removal is slower, and generally a higher number of treatments are needed compared with Laser treatment. IPL’s shorter beam is unable to reach and destroy the roots of deeper hairs.

Home Hair Removal (HPL)
HPL devices suggest you can achieve similar results to professional IPL at home. Research suggests that whilst initial results may be pleasing, the hairs re-grow quickly as the home device cannot deliver sufficient energy to reach the root. These devices may be useful in keeping on top of or slowing down hair growth.

Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal uses a beam of light that can be filtered to hit specific targets at differing depths in the skin. Filtered for hair removal it targets just the hair, leaving skin and blood vessels intact. Laser has replaced electrolysis for many patients as it offers a less painful and quicker solution, especially when treating large areas of hair. As with all treatments Laser has limitations – white/grey and certain types of red hair do not respond to it. Using a powerful and technically advanced laser a customized treatment program, taking all factors into account, can offer a safe and permanent solution for unwanted hair growth on all skin types.

A colleague best described the difference between IPL and Laser  “IPL is like throwing a grenade at a target while Laser is like a sniper.”

Whichever treatment you choose, it is important to know that only hairs that are present during treatment and that are in an active growth phase will be permanently removed. (How the growth cycle affects successful treatment is complex and will be covered in a later article). New hairs will develop after treatment and you will need ‘top-up’ treatments from time to time to clear them.

When you are considering having hair removal treatment the following check list can help you achieve safe, effective and long-lasting results:

  • What quality and type of equipment will be used for my treatment?
  • How qualified and experienced are the practitioners at analyzing my skin/hair type, and in performing the treatment?
  • Have I had the risks involved explained to me and is post treatment care and advice available?
  • Have I had a patch test prior to treatment? Full treatment should not be undertaken for at least a week after a patch test, providing there are no reactions to the tested area.

At Discover Laser we are dedicated to offering the safest and most effective treatments available. We use two laser hair removal systems – Lumenis Lightsheer Desire and Lumenis Lightsheer Diode. Our trained and experienced practitioners can safely treat all skin types, with minimal risk of damage to skin pigmentation and blood vessels, even while destroying the deepest-rooted hairs (which occur commonly on the back and groin). A course of laser treatments is required, but fewer are needed than previously required with IPL.

If you have concerns about excess hair or are dissatisfied with your current method of hair removal then laser hair removal treatment could be for you. Call Discover Laser on 01282 420886 to arrange your free, no obligation consultation with with one of our clinical team. For further information visit www.discoverlaser.co.uk