By now, you’ve probably heard of IPL or Intense Pulse Light Laser technology. You may understand generally what it is and get the gist of it: a way of removing unwanted body hair. But how exactly does it work? What’s the difference between IPL Hair Removal and Laser Hair Removal? And which one should you choose?
We take a look at the nitty gritty of IPL and bring you up to speed on all the technical details.
Rejuvenate your skin while removing unwanted hair – the best of both worlds.
How Does IPL Laser Hair Removal Work?
Basically, IPL involves a high intensity flash of filtered light which is designed to damage hair follicles and prevent the growth of unwanted hair.
This light is directed at specific areas of your skin and is absorbed by melanin. Melanin is the pigment which gives your hair its colour. This means that IPL works most effectively on hair that is dark; rather than white, grey or very fair. If your hair is particularly light, this process might not work as effectively as it could. People with dark hair and fair skin generally experience the best results.
Once this light is absorbed it spreads to the surrounding cells and is then converted into heat. The heat damages the cells in your hair follicles. This works to prevent or prohibit future hair growth.
To work effectively, this process needs to be repeated at each of the stages of the hair growth cycle and therefore approximately seven treatments are recommended.
How IPL Laser Hair Removal Different to Laser Hair Removal?
The difference between laser hair removal and IPL comes down to the type of light that is used to damage hair follicles. Laser hair removal involves only one single wavelength of light whereas IPL involves a flash of light containing hundreds of wavelengths.
The light emitted by lasers is more intense and is very specific. It delivers energy to a specific skin structure.
In this sense, IPL is considered more versatile. The intensity levels of IPL can be adjusted and the wavelengths can be filtered. This means that IPL is appropriate for a larger variety of hair types.
Which One Should You Choose?
It always comes down to a matter of personal preference, but at Isabel Almeida we strongly recommend IPL Laser Hair Removal
as an effective way of reducing unwanted hair growth for the long term. It works on a range of skin types as well as hair lengths and types and is much less painful than laser hair removal. The added benefit to using IPL is that skin in the treated area is rejuvenated, improving the appearance of skin as well as reducing lines and blemishes.
IPL is also considered to be much safer than laser hair removal and is safe to use on the face as well as your body’s delicate areas. This means that, in addition to the obvious areas like legs, IPL is safe and can be used to remove unwanted hair on your face, underarms and bikini area.
The risks of side effects and skin damage are greatly reduced due to IPL’s selective light frequency filtering. If you’d like more information on how IPL works, to find out whether it’s right for you or to make an appointment, give us a call today.