Laser versus IPL for hair removal

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’re 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’s 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 is 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 customised 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”

It’s important to know, that only hairs that are present during treatment and in an active growth phase will be permanently removed. This applies whichever treatment you choose.

New hairs will develop after treatment and you will need ‘top-up’ treatments from time to time to clear them.

A course of laser treatments is required, but fewer are needed than with IPL.

When you’re 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 analysing 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 before treatment? Full treatment should not be undertaken for 2- 7 days 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.

Our medical-grade Splendor X laser is different to less-effective devices used in salons.

The combined Nd:YAG & Alexandrite lasers effectively target the root to protect surrounding skin. And can be fine-tuned to safely treat your skin and hair type.

Our trained and experienced practitioners can safely treat all skin types, with minimal pigmentation and blood vessel damage – even while destroying the deepest-rooted hairs.

Get full details on our Laser Hair Removal service here