IPL hair removal device vs Laser hair removal device, which one to choose? This is a very common question when you want to buy at-home hair removal device. Before you make a choice, you need to know the following things, not only the differences between IPL and Laser hair removal.
Is IPL the same as Laser Hair Removal?
No, though the look of the devices and method of treatment look pretty much identical – the difference is in the actual way they work.
Is IPL and Laser Hair Removal Safe for me to Use?
This seems like a long answer to a simple question but we want to make sure you are completely reassured that IPL and laser treatment have been officially proven to be perfectly safe if used responsibly. However, it’s important to understand that it’s not right for everyone as IPL and laser treatment is not effective for people with red, grey or light blonde hair and should not be used at all if you have black skin as it can actually cause skin damage.
What’s the difference between laser and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Hair Removal?
Yes, they maybe have a same look. Also have same working principle – both laser and intense pulsed light use light to heat the hair follicle and prevent regrowth. However, the difference is in the actual way they work.– with the key difference being the kind of light itself.
In short, lasers produce a very specific type of light consisting of one wavelength or colour of light all going in one direction, which creates a single beam like a laser pointer. IPL devices produce a wide range of wavelengths of light to produce a single white flash. This light is closer to natural light and can appear with an orange/red glow when the device is flashed against the skin, like a camera flash
How does IPL and Laser Hair Removal Work?
For the purposes of hair removal, both laser light and IPL light work by exactly the same mechanism:
- The light (laser or IPL) enters the skin and is absorbed by the melanin (pigment) in the hair shaft.
- The absorption of light causes the hair shaft and follicle to heat up.
- If the correct amount of light energy is used, the hair follicle cells are heated up to a critical temperature that results in an interruption of the hair growth cycle.
- Dependent on a number of factors, the effect can be permanent or temporary.
One of the primary objectives for light-based hair removal using either laser or IPL is to achieve this critical temperature in the hair follicle whilst at the same time not heating up the surrounding skin to a temperature that could cause damage such as a blister. This is achieved by careful control of the amount of light output.
Which is Better IPL or Laser Hair Removal?
This is quite a complicated question to answer but here’s the key points to remember.
- Both are highly effective methods of hair removal given the right conditions so you should be happy whichever you choose – just pick the one that best suits your needs and budget.
- Although this is very subjective and dependant on the circumstances people tend to claim the IPL method offers less discomfort during use (though most people say it feels like nothing more than a light flick from an elastic band or fingernail either way).
- IPL treatment sessions will take less time due to the larger heads on the devices whereas lasers take longer but should require less sessions.
- For the same reasons as above, IPL systems are probably a better choice for treating larger areas of the body whereas lasers would favour smaller treatment areas.
- If your skin is darker then laser treatment is more effective (be sure to check your skin is not too dark with a professional) whereas IPL can tend to provide better results on light hair and pale skin.
- Lasers were better at tackling very course hair due to the stronger light intensity but if you buy a quality IPL device they should be equally up to the task these days.
So, which one is better for me?
To summarise, IPL can give the same standard of results as laser-treatments, as long as you follow the prescribed treatment regime – and keep on top of top-up treatments! In return for your dedication to your regime, you can save time, money and endless trips to the salon, completing your treatments in the comfort of your own home. What’s not to love?