Long-term hair removal; laser versus IPL

With the arrival of bikini season, the thought of slipping into shorts and summer dresses can be somewhat daunting.

And, while it’s easy to neglect hair removal when you’re covered in layers during winter, it’s not so easy when you’re lounging on the beach enjoying the sunshine.

Both laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) are long-term options for hair removal and, although similar, there are distinct differences between the two.

Laser

Laser hair removal uses laser light at a specific wavelength to heat and destroy hair follicles. The laser releases monochromatic light (a single wavelength) to target both the hair’s pigment and follicle without damaging the surrounding tissue. Laser light is best absorbed by dark material in the skin and, because of this, is most effective on brown or black hair. There are a variety of laser types on the market and your practitioner should advise you one which is best for your skin and hair type.

Laser is generally more expensive than IPL, though it can be argued that fewer laser treatments are needed to achieve optimum results.

IPL

IPL emits polychromatic light (a multitude of wavelengths) and can reach a larger area at one time compared to laser. Although IPL uses intense pulsed light instead of laser rays, it also works by generating heat to destroy the hair follicles at the root.

Unlike laser, it is possible to perform IPL in the comfort of your own home. These devices usually use Square Pulsed Light (SPL), which is the third generation of IPL technology, and are said to be more efficient and reliable than traditional IPL devices. While SPL uses the same light frequencies as both IPL and laser, it is said to penetrate the skin more effectively for faster results. It has also been toted as a method of treating lighter hair shades.

The at-home devices can usually be used on the whole body, with common treatment areas including the face, bikini lines, legs, armpits and back. For maximum results, it is recommended to perform 10 to 12 sessions, six to eight weeks apart. Following this, only one or two touch-up treatments per year should be sufficient to maintain smooth, hair free skin.