The Difference Between IPL and Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal and intense pulse light (IPL) has been the ‘go-to’ method for long-term hair removal for many years. Health Centre states: "In the 1990s, it was proven that intense pulsed light was an effective method of hair removal, and IPL machines were developed and marketed for this purpose." Since then, with advanced technology,…

By Mary Basiadima, 12 January 2023

Laser hair removal and intense pulse light (IPL) has been the ‘go-to’ method for long-term hair removal for many years. Health Centre states: "In the 1990s, it was proven that intense pulsed light was an effective method of hair removal, and IPL machines were developed and marketed for this purpose." Since then, with advanced technology, it has been much easier to achieve long-lasting results with laser and IPL than with any other treatments. According to new studies, the average woman spends around £23,000 during their lifetime for hair removal. While unwanted excess hair is such a problem, many of us are looking for long-term solutions.

When it comes to choosing the right treatment, the most common questions are:

Is IPL and laser hair removal the same?

Many people confuse laser hair removal and IPL. IPL is not a laser. They both use light but that is where the similarities end. Not many people know there is any difference between laser vs IPL removal technologies. If you are trying to decide between treatments, we’ve prepared a comparison guide for you to help you make your decision.

Laser hair removal is selective photothermolysis (SPTL). The crucial element in laser hair removal is matching specific wavelengths of light and pulse duration to the hair target. The hair target is the melanin found in the hair follicle. Melanin is a naturally occurring pigment in our skin and hair is associated with determining colour. Importantly for safety and comfort, the laser energy is focused and absorbed only into the follicle, thus avoiding the surrounding skin tissue area.

The process works by destroying the hair root. This prevents blood flow to the follicle, disabling the hair growth long-term.

IPL technology, also known as intense pulsed light technology, is not a laser treatment. Compared to laser hair removal, it uses a broad spectrum of light with multiple wavelengths. This means it has more unfocused energy around the hair and skin area. The light is like the flash from a camera which spreads over a large area, which is vastly different from a focused beam of light from a laser. 

That’s why at London Premier Laser Clinics, we do not use IPL technology for hair removal treatments, as it is not as efficient or effective as laser hair removal techniques. 

What is the difference between IPL and Laser Hair Removal?

Both laser and https://Www.purepeptidelabs.fit) IPL use light to successfully remove unwanted hair. However, several key differences mean IPL often doesn’t produce final results as impressive as a laser can. These include the wavelengths of light, the technology used, capable precision, the number of sessions needed to see results, and more. Let’s explore the laser and IPL comparison in greater detail:

As mentioned, the main difference between laser and IPL is the type of light.