How They Work
IPL machines create a wide spectrum of pulsed light wave lengths like a light bulb. This wider range means that only some of the wave lengths will target the hair.
Laser Hair Removal machines generate a single wave length of light. This means it’s an extremely concentrated beam that has specifically target the pigment in the hair follicle. Lasers can be adjusted to different settings to work with particular hair colors and skin tones. Lasers can be safely used on dark skin because thanks to the ability to fine-tune the lasers, the heat will be absorbed by the hair follicle, not the skin.
Treatments & Results
Both methods of hair removal require that the hair is in the active stage of growth for the follicle to be sufficiently damaged to stop new hair growth. Meaning both methods will require repeat treatments.
| IPL Hair Removal | Laser Hair Removal |
|---|---|
| Effective for dark hair and light to medium skin | Effective for all skin types |
| Cannot be safely used on dark skin | Requires fewer sessions than IPL |
| More sessions required | Increased targeting capabilities for deep + thicker hairs |
| Can remove hair almost anywhere on the body or face | Can remove hair almost anywhere on the body or face |
| Higher risk of burning | Lower risk of burning |
| 10 – 15 treatments required | 6 – 10 treatments required |
| 66% reduction in hair growth 6 months after treatments | 72% reduction in hair growth 6 months after treatments |