Many clients come to Revive Laser after receiving less-than-desirable results from previous laser hair removal treatments at other clinics. After talking with them about their treatment history, we sometimes discover that they weren’t treated with a true laser device at all. Instead, their treatments were performed using IPL.
Although laser and IPL are both light-based technologies, they are not the same. Understanding the difference can help you make a more informed decision when choosing a hair removal treatment.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal uses a specific wavelength of light to target pigment in the hair. The laser energy is absorbed by the pigment and converted to heat, damaging the structures responsible for hair growth.
Several types of lasers are used for hair removal, including Alexandrite, Diode, and Nd:YAG lasers. Each operates at a different wavelength, which means certain lasers may be better suited to particular skin types and hair characteristics.
This ability to select an appropriate laser wavelength is an important part of providing safe and effective treatments for a wide range of clients.
How Is IPL Different From Laser Hair Removal?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. Despite sometimes being used for hair removal, IPL is not a laser.
Rather than producing the specific wavelength of light generated by a laser, an IPL device uses a flashlamp that emits a broad spectrum of wavelengths. Filters are then used to narrow that range for the intended treatment.
This means laser and IPL both use light energy, but they deliver that energy to the skin differently.
IPL and Darker Skin Tones
The difference between these technologies becomes especially important when treating darker skin tones.
Because IPL uses a broader spectrum of filtered light, it can create more surface heating in skin containing higher levels of melanin. Using IPL for hair removal on darker skin tones can therefore increase the risk of skin damage, including burns and changes in pigmentation.
Darker skin types require carefully selected laser technology for safe and effective hair removal. Long-pulsed lasers such as the Nd:YAG can be used because their wavelength allows treatment to be better suited to skin with more melanin.
Choosing the appropriate technology and treatment settings for an individual’s skin type is essential.
Does IPL Provide the Same Hair Removal Results as Laser?
IPL can be used for hair reduction on lighter skin tones. However, Revive Laser has chosen not to use IPL technology for hair removal.
In our experience and based on the technology we have selected for our clinic, laser provides the level of precision, safety, and long-term results we expect from our hair removal treatments.
While IPL may temporarily reduce hair growth, Revive Laser uses true laser technology for clients seeking long-term hair reduction.
Does That Mean Revive Laser Doesn’t Use IPL?
Not at all. IPL technology has other applications in aesthetic treatments.
Revive Laser offers IPL photofacial treatments for appropriate skin concerns. The important distinction is that we use technologies according to the purpose for which we believe they are best suited.
For hair removal, our clinic uses professional laser systems rather than IPL.
Why the Right Laser Matters
At Revive Laser, we have advanced professional laser systems with multiple wavelengths available. This allows our technicians to choose the wavelength and treatment settings best suited to each client’s skin type and hair characteristics.
Safety, comfort, and long-term results are priorities at our clinic. For those reasons, IPL hair removal technology does not meet the standards we have established for our laser hair removal services.
Contact Revive Laser in Calgary
If you’re considering laser hair removal in Calgary, schedule a consultation with Revive Laser. Our technicians can assess your skin and hair characteristics, answer your questions about laser technology, and help determine an appropriate treatment plan for your needs.