What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (2024)

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (1)

Written by Iza

With an IPL light hair removal, you can quickly and easily remove hair at home, but you have to maintain the result. Laser hair removal is more permanent, but this has other disadvantages. In this article, we explain all the differences between the 2 hair removal methods. That way, you'll know if laser hair removal or IPL hair removal is suitable for you.

  1. Comparison IPL and laser hair removal
  2. Technology
  3. Article list 2x
  4. User-friendliness
  5. Treatment time
  6. Sensation during treatment
  7. Conclusion

Comparison IPL and laser hair removal

IPL Laser
Result Long-term smooth result, not permanent Permanent smooth result
Suitable for skin type Light to medium brown skin, some IPL devices for darker skin types All skin types
User-friendliness Easily from home Treatment in a salon
Treatment time Treat large and small surfaces quickly Treat small surfaces less quickly
Sensation during treatment Pain-free treatment, intensity adjustable to your preference Can be experienced as painful, differs per person and body part

Technology

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (2)

IPL: short light pulses, temporary result

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. The device works with short light pulses that reach all the way to the hair follicles. The pigment in the hair absorbs the light and converts this to heat. The heat that's released makes the hair go into its resting phase. After a few weekly or biweekly treatments, you notice the hair becomes thinner and starts to fall out. Repeat the treatments every couple of months. That way, you can enjoy a smooth result for weeks or months, depending on your hair growth.

View all IPL hair removal devices

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (3)

Laser: laser beams, permanent result

Laser devices use laser beams to reach the hair follicles in the skin. Like with IPL hair removal, lasers also use light that's converted to heat via the pigment of the hairs. The skin doesn't damage, like with IPL. You generally need about 6 to 8 treatments, after which you're permanently hair free. We recommend you to do a maintenance treatment every year, just to maintain your smooth skin.

Skin type

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (4)

IPL: most suitable for light tot medium dark skin tones

Hair removal with IPL works best when there's a large contrast between the skin and hair color. That's why IPL hair removal often doesn't work on a darker or black skin tone. Most IPL devices don't work on white, gray, light-blonde, or red hairs either. The reason for this, is that these hairs don't have much pigment and they don't absorb enough light. In that case, an epilator is a good alternative.

  • When is an IPL device suitable for you?
  • View all epilators

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (5)

Laser: also suitable for darker skin tones

Laser hair removal is suitable for darker skin tones. The laser beams are more selective and focus more directly on the hair follicle instead of the surrounding skin. Due to the little pigment in white, gray, light-blonde, or red hairs, most lasers aren't very effective on these hair types. Salons with professional laser hair removal techniques are the exception.

User-friendliness

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (6)

IPL: easy hair removal at home

You can easily use an IPL light hair removal device at home. The devices are safe and you don't need specific knowledge or schooling to use an IPL device. You connect the IPL device to the smartphone app, which then guides you. In the app, you receive a treatment plan. So you always know when it's time for a treatment and you don't use it too often.

How do you choose the right IPL hair removal device?

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (7)

Laser: hair removal in the salon

If you want to laser your body hair, you have to go to a salon or clinic. You can't use a laser device at home, unlike the IPL device. The reason for this is that the lasers are more powerful than IPL and you need more knowledge and schooling to safely use the lasers.

Treatment time

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (8)

IPL: fast treatment thanks to large range

One pulse of light from an IPL device treats a relatively large surface when you don't use specific attachments. So you can treat areas like your arms and legs pretty fast. Do you want to treat a smaller area, like your face or bikini line? Use an attachment that reduces the range of the light pulse.

What's IPL hair removal and how does it work?

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (9)

Laser: less fast treatment due to small range

Laser hair removal works with a smaller, more selective beam that treats a small area. That's why a treatment with a laser normally takes longer than with an IPL device. You need less treatments in total before you see results than with an IPL.

Sensation during treatment

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (10)

IPL: pain-free treatment

IPL hair removal shouldn't be painful. The IPL device sends short light pulses to your skin, which feels like little taps. If you feel like the treatment hurts you, you can lower the intensity of the light beam.

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (11)

Laser: may be unpleasant or painful, depending on the person

Laser hair removal works with more powerful light pulses than IPL, which you feel more on your skin. Some experience the taps as burning or painful, but this really depends on the person and the body part. To soothe possible pain, many lasers and IPL devices cool the skin right after the pulse.

Conclusion

Do you want to remove your body hair quickly, easily, and painless? An IPL device is the right choice. You'll see results after a few weeks. The result is temporary and you maintain it with regular treatments. If you want a permanent result, you can choose laser hair removal. Even though the laser treatments take longer, you need less treatments in total. In addition, laser treatment is also suitable for the darkest skin types. The disadvantage is that you need to visit the salon for laser hair removal. You may experience the treatment as more painful than with IPL hair removal.

View all IPL hair removal devices

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What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (12)

Article by:

Iza IPL Hair Removal Expert.

What is IPL and how does it work?

How do you choose an IPL device?

Everything on IPL hair removal

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between IPL and laser hair removal? - Coolblue? ›

Just like laser hair removal, IPL also targets melanin to destroy hair follicles. However, unlike laser treatments that use a single wavelength, IPL utilises multiple light wavelengths to emit diffused energy, ensuring minimal to zero skin damage.

Which is better IPL or laser hair removal? ›

Both IPL and lasers are effective in hair removal. IPL often requires more treatments and may not achieve the same final hair reduction as a laser can. Due to this, hair removal using a laser usually produces faster results. IPL is effective in not only hair removal, but also treating rosacea and facial flushing.

Which hurts more IPL or laser hair removal? ›

No, IPL hair removal is typically less painful than professional laser treatments in-clinic because it uses lower-intensity light.

Does IPL really remove hair permanently? ›

IPL isn't going to make every single hair on your legs (or bikini line, or wherever) permanently vanish, but both in-office treatments and many quality at-home IPL devices are FDA-approved for permanent hair reduction. You may need a few sessions to see results, though, and IPL treatments aren't for everyone.

Is IPL worth the money? ›

Some scientific studies have shown that IPL can effectively reduce redness associated with rosacea. Other studies have confirmed that IPL can significantly improve facial skin with fine wrinkles, uneven texture, and dark spots.

What are the advantages of IPL over laser? ›

Pros of IPL

IPL can treat a wider range of skin conditions than lasers. IPL handpieces have a larger surface area than most lasers, making it more efficient to treat a broader area of skin. IPL treatments tend to be less expensive than laser treatments. IPL recovery is typically faster than laser treatments.

Can you use IPL on pubic hair? ›

IPL hair removal is a progressive treatment that offers full body hair removal - but you can use IPL to treat separate areas, such as your arms, legs, or pubic area, depending on your individual needs. When using IPL, you'll hold a flashgun device that delivers a spectrum of light to the skin.

Does IPL work on GREY hair? ›

Have you wondered will laser hair removal work on grey hair? Unfortunately the answer is no when it comes to grey/white hair and laser hair removal.

Does IPL destroy the hair follicle? ›

How does IPL remove hair? The Intense Light penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the melanin in the hair. This absorption treats the hair, with the heat being transported to the nourishment structure of the hair (follicle). This is heated to 70°C for a millisecond thus destroying the follicle.

What happens if you use IPL too often? ›

You can overuse at-home IPL. If you use your device too often, you won't speed up your hair removal treatments and could set yourself up for side effects. Like nearly everything in life, IPL works best when following the recommended treatment plans. That's typically twice a week over 8 weeks, for starters.

Does IPL remove peach fuzz? ›

Both IPL and laser hair removal offer various benefits for women, helping to control peach fuzz, maintain smooth skin and hormonal hair growth. For men, these technologies offer solutions to reducing ingrown hairs from shaving.

Why is my hair growing back after IPL? ›

The number one factor that may trigger new hair growth is hormones. It could be hormones due to pregnancy, menopause or a hormonal condition. We must make clients aware that this is a possibility after their treatment, as no hair removal can be classed as 'permanent'. IPL is semi-permanent and does need maintenance.

Does IPL tighten your skin? ›

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and is a popular form of skin rejuvenation therapy that can help tackle the majority of skin-related concerns, including tightening lax skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Which laser is best for permanent hair removal? ›

ALEXANDRITE LASER – EFFECTIVE AND HIGH CONSCIOUS

The laser processes the hair roots with a wavelength of 755nm to permanently destroy them so that no hair can regrow.

Does IPL work on hormonal hair? ›

Skin Chemistry may recommend IPL/Laser treatments on particular areas of hair growth. However, we have found that IPL/Laser on hormonal areas such as chin, under chin, sides of face, neck and breasts can cause a rebound effect on hair growth. Initial treatments will reduce hair growth.

What is the most effective form of laser hair removal? ›

For laser hair removal, the most popular devices are those using Diode, Alexandrite, Nd:YAG and IPL technology. These provide the safest and most effective results for permanent hair reduction.

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