Skincare Series: Laser Hair Removal vs. IPL Treatments

Hair removal, yikes! It doesn’t *have* to be scary. With today’s advanced treatments, you can have your hair zapped away with a touch of the laser either in a clinic environment or in the comfort of your own home. And now with advancements in laser technology, there are multiple laser treatments that remove hair – so which one is right for you? Keep reading as I break down IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and laser hair treatments so you can choose the right fit for YOU!

When you think of light-based devices used in skincare treatments, you probably think that they are all lasers. However, that really isn’t true. There are also IPL treatment devices on today’s market. IPL stands for “Intense Pulsed Light.” Either type of treatment can be used to remove unwanted body hair, but that doesn’t meant that they are totally equal.
 
Exploring Your Home Hair Removal Options
Most people think that waxing or shaving are pretty much the only at-home hair removal options, but laser treatments and IPL can be done at home too. There are special kits you can buy in stores or online to perform the procedures on yourself. That being said, no kit you buy in a store produces results anywhere as good as those you can get from a clinical treatment. So, you will have to perform the procedures more frequently  and may not see the same level of accuracy.
 
If you do choose to use any of these at-home kits, you also need to be sure to follow the directions to the letter! Otherwise you probably won’t get the results you want. That’s why many people choose to go to a professional clinic and use devices for hair removal that are there instead. They tend to be far more accurate.
 
Clinical IPL and Laser Machine Procedures
If you decide to undergo IPL or laser treatment to remove body hair in a clinic, you should choose a device that best suits your needs. That means that you have to consider the color of your skin, how oily or dry it happens to be, any skin conditions you may be suffering from, and more. You should go in for a consultation appointment first to discuss which machine is right for you with your clinician.
 
IPL machines, whether they are clinical or at-home models, are usually less powerful than most laser devices. So, the clinician may suggest IPL if you only have a few stray hairs to remove. If, on the other hand, you are trying to get rid of particularly dark or thick hairs, laser treatment might be a better idea.
 
Laser Intensity Differences Should be Explored
If you do choose laser treatment over IPL, you should also look at lasers of varying intensity. Some machines can produce more heat than others, which may lead to blisters if you have oily skin. On the other hand, those extra intense lasers, such as YAG machines, can get rid of hairs easily for upwards of a couple weeks. So, if your skin is the right type to go through that kind of treatment, you might want to choose it.
 
No matter which treatment you choose, laser device or IPL machine, be sure to listen to the professionals. That goes for both before and after you have your treatment. For instance, they may want you to use a particular soothing lotion after the procedure, but they might also tell you not to use any lotions at all right before your appointment. They can interfere with the workings of the laser and light devices. Only by following those instructions very carefully can you maximize your chances of hair removal success.