Laser or IPL: Which permanent hair removal treatment should you choose?

By permanently removing body or facial hair that is too dark and coarse, or is in the wrong place, one can save a lot of money and time on waxing, plucking, or other impermanent hair removal methods. Read on to find out more about some of the most popular permanent hair removal techniques to consider:

1. Laser hair removal

Laser hair removal takes more than one treatment to allow for permanent results. Every five or so weeks a new treatment must be booked. Roughly seven laser hair removal sessions are needed to achieve a positive result; which is soft and hairless skin for long periods of time.

Laser treatment removes hair by pulsating an intense beam of laser light at hair follicles. The laser light acts as a single wavelength of light that is absorbed by the hair follicle, which dies as a result of this exposure. For large areas of the body, such as the legs, the treatment could take up to an hour per session. However, for smaller areas of hair, such as the armpits, bikini line or upper lip, a laser session can be completed in just ten minutes. 

Laser hair removal has many benefits that go beyond its long-lasting results. This treatment is also known for being extremely precise, speedy, and perfect for darker skin tones.

2. IPL hair removal

IPL hair removal is similar to laser therapy in that it also uses light wavelengths to kill the follicles of hair cells. However, IPL differs in that it makes use of a broad-spectrum light that emits multiple wavelengths, rather than a single focused wavelength, as is the case in laser treatments.

IPL is known to be cheaper than laser hair removal but can require more individual sessions to achieve good results because it makes use of less intense light wavelengths than laser therapy.

Choose IPL treatment if you would like an option that is more affordable than laser and are interested in a hair removal treatment that can reduce acne, which IPL has been known to do.