IPL vs. Laser Hair Removal What’s the Difference?

Are you sick of constantly waxing or shaving away your unwanted hair and are looking for a more permanent option, but are stuck between laser hair removal and IPL? There is a lot of information online about both treatments which can make it confusing when it comes to making the right decision for you! Both forms of permanent hair removal target the melanin within the hair follicle and require multiple sessions.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment:

IPL treatments work by utilising highly controlled flashes of light that are absorbed by hair-filled follicles lying below the surface of the skin, this in turn damages or destroys the regrowth potential of the follicle – without damaging the surrounding tissue. The process is cheaper than many other hair removal options, less painful (it requires no local anaesthesia) and better for the environment as it produces less waste than disposable razors and wax strips. IPL can remove hair almost anywhere on the body and face and requires less time between sessions because the light beam is less invasive, however, it works best on highly contrasted hair and skin types (fair-medium skin tones and dark hair).

Laser Hair Removal:

Laser hair removal works by using highly controlled lasers to blast hair follicles with light energy to heat the hairs and damage the follicles, lasers can be used on small areas and can travel large distances without spreading the light therefore targeting individual hairs. Due to the invasive nature of laser hair removal it requires less sessions however you need to wait longer between sessions to prevent damage. Laser can remove hair almost anywhere on the body and face but particularly works well on deeper and thicker hairs due to its concentrated nature. Laser can work on a wider variety of hair and skin tones as it generates a single wave length of concentrated light into the follicle.

At the end of the day, choosing which treatment is right for you is a personal decision that needs to be made with regards to your skin and hair colours, skin sensitivity and time frame. Book in a consultation at La Peau to discuss if our IPL treatment would be the right option for you!

For additional information and enquiries, contact La Peau Skin Rejuvenation on 07 3207 4100.