What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal?
Comparison IPL and laser hair removal
| IPL | Laser | |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Long-term smooth result, not permanent | Permanent smooth result |
| Suitable for skin type | Light to medium brown skin, some IPL devices for darker skin types | All skin types |
| User-friendliness | Easily from home | Treatment in a salon |
| Treatment time | Treat large and small surfaces quickly | Treat small surfaces less quickly |
| Sensation during treatment | Pain-free treatment, intensity adjustable to your preference | Can be experienced as painful, differs per person and body part |
Technology
IPL: short light pulses, temporary result
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. The device works with short light pulses that reach all the way to the hair follicles. The pigment in the hair absorbs the light and converts this into heat. The heat that's released makes the hair go into its resting phase. After a few weekly or biweekly treatments, you'll notice the hair becomes thinner and starts to fall out. Repeat the treatments every couple of months. That way, you can enjoy a smooth result for weeks or months, depending on your hair growth.
Laser: laser beams, permanent result
Laser devices use laser beams to reach the hair follicles in the skin. Like with IPL hair removal, lasers also use light that's converted to heat via the pigment of the hairs. The skin doesn't damage, like with IPL. You generally need about 6 to 8 treatments, after which you're permanently hair free. We recommend you to do a maintenance treatment every year, just to maintain your smooth skin.
Skin type
IPL: most suitable for light to medium dark skin tones
Hair removal with IPL works best when there's a large contrast between the skin tone and hair color. That's why IPL hair removal often doesn't work on a darker or black skin tone. Most IPL devices don't work on white, gray, light-blonde, or red hairs either. The reason for this, is that these hairs don't have much pigment and they don't absorb enough light. In that case, an epilator is a good alternative.
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Laser: also suitable for darker skin tones
Laser hair removal is suitable for darker skin tones. The laser beams are more selective and focus more directly on the hair follicle instead of the surrounding skin. Due to the little pigment in white, gray, light-blonde, or red hairs, most lasers aren't very effective on these hair types. Salons with professional laser hair removal technologies are the exception.
User-friendliness
IPL: easy hair removal at home
You can easily use an IPL hair removal device at home. The devices are safe and you don't need specific knowledge or schooling to use an IPL device. You can connect the IPL device to the smartphone app, which then guides you. In the app, you receive a treatment plan. This way, you always know when it's time for a treatment and you won't use it too often.
Laser: hair removal in the salon
If you want to laser your body hair, you have to go to a salon or clinic. You can't use a laser device at home, unlike the IPL device. The reason for this is that the lasers are more powerful than IPL and you need more knowledge and schooling to safely use the lasers.
Treatment time
IPL: fast treatment thanks to large range
A single pulse of light from an IPL device treats a relatively large surface when you don't use specific attachments. So you can treat areas like your arms and legs pretty fast. Do you want to treat a smaller area, like your face or bikini line? Use an attachment that reduces the range of the light pulse.
Laser: less fast treatment due to small range
Laser hair removal works with a smaller, more selective beam that treats a small area. That's why a treatment with a laser normally takes longer than with an IPL device. You need less treatments in total before you see results than with an IPL.
Sensation during treatment
IPL: pain-free treatment
IPL hair removal shouldn't be painful. The IPL device sends short light pulses to your skin, which feels like little taps. If you feel like the treatment hurts you, you can lower the intensity of the light beam.
Laser: may be unpleasant or painful, depending on the person
Laser hair removal works with more powerful light pulses than IPL, which you feel more on your skin. Some experience the taps as burning or painful, but this really depends on the person and the body part. To soothe possible pain, many lasers and IPL devices cool the skin right after the pulse.
Conclusion
Do you want to remove your body hair quickly, easily, and painlessly? An IPL device is the right choice. You'll see results after a few weeks. The result is temporary and you have to maintain it with regular treatments. If you want a permanent result, you can choose laser hair removal. Even though the laser treatments take longer, you need less treatments in total. In addition, laser treatment is also suitable for the darkest skin types. The disadvantage is that you need to visit the salon for laser hair removal. You may experience the treatment as more painful than IPL hair removal.
