Both laser hair removal and IPL are light treatments used to give long-lasting results of hair reduction. Both of these methods are great alternatives for people looking to get rid of their unwanted hair without having to shave, wax or use hair removal cream on a regular basis to keep the skin looking smooth. Below we will look into the differences between these two treatments and which one is most effective for you and your hair.
What is Laser Hair Removal and IPL?
As the name suggests, laser hair removal is a treatment that uses a laser to target your hair follicles. With this treatment, a monochromatic coherent light source is used to specifically target hair to the root and minimise the laser contact with skin. This works by damaging the hair follicle, preventing it from forming cells, and as a result, you will find that less hair is present. Multiple treatments are needed regularly to achieve your wanted results of substantial hair reduction.
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and is a more broadened light source; and it also targets the root of the hair with a light beam that is absorbed by the pigment and will end in the loss of your unwanted hair. This treatment will also require regular appointments to achieve results.
What are the differences?
It is important to note that both treatments will offer similar results with your unwanted hair being diminished. But what are the differences between these two treatments?
The main difference you will find between IPL and laser hair removal is the type of light used for these treatments. Where IPL uses a broader spectrum of light, laser hair removal uses specific light to target the hair follicles. IPL is not able to treat all hair and skin types- darker skin or red hair are currently untreatable with this method. However, professional laser hair removal treatments can treat a much more comprehensive range of skin tones and hair colours due to being fitted with cooling systems, which also allows hair removal treatments to be a lot more bearable on the pain threshold.
Both hair removal methods will take roughly 6-8 treatments to get your desired results; however, this depends more on your skin tone and hair colour than the actual treatment itself. Fair skin and dark hair will generally see the fastest results, whereas lighter hair colours and darker skin tones may need more patience and persistence.
What to consider when getting laser hair removal
When looking at your hair removal options, you should always have a consultation with your beautician beforehand. Here any medical conditions you may have will be taken into consideration, and a patch test should always be carried out ahead of time, with your first treatment being no less than 24 hours after. Both IPL and laser hair removal treatments can appear quite costly. Still, when considering a lifetime’s supply of razors, waxing strips or removal cream, all the hassle of daily solutions and the time it takes to get rid of your hair- you may find yourself thinking about an easy way out.
Laser hair removal definitely appears to be the safer and more available option for your permanent hair removal solution than IPL treatments, which are more commonly suited to treat various skin conditions over its limited use on hair.
At The Dorchester Clinic, we use the latest Soprano ICE Platinum Laser to give you your smooth skin and hair removal solutions. Find out more about laser hair removal treatments and what they can do for you by booking your free consultation with one of our trusted beauticians to get your smooth skin journey started.
https://thedorchesterclinic.co.uk/consultations/
