Both IPL and laser treatments work extremely effectively to reduce hair growth, no matter your skin tone. Both options will effectively curb hair regrowth*.
IPL utilizes a wide array of light wavelengths, unlike laser which only emits one specific colour or wavelength that works on all skin tones.
What is IPL?
IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy uses broad spectrum lights to target pigmented or vascular lesions and hair growth. The light is absorbed by any dark pigmentation present, heating it up before breaking it down to destroy it, while damaging cells responsible for hair follicle growth thereby preventing further hair follicle development.
Results from IPL may be both instantaneous and permanent; however, multiple treatments may be necessary before reaching your desired result. You will experience some discomfort during an IPL treatment session; however, most people find it less painful than laser due to IPL using multiple wavelengths of light such as those found in flashlight bulbs.
Therefore, it is vital that you work with a provider with extensive experience in IPL hair removal. They will know exactly how to adjust the intensity of light so it will be safe for your skin type – which is particularly important if pregnant or breastfeeding mothers require treatment.
After your treatment, you will likely experience redness and swelling immediately following. This usually lasts 4-8 hours and can be reduced with cool compresses or moisturizing lotion. Some individuals may also feel a stinging sensation similar to a mild sunburn which will usually appear on their faces, hands or chest.
While IPL can be effective on many different types of hair, its success with fine or light colored locks may be less assured, due to light being absorbed by other cells within the body and leading to hyperpigmentation reactions.
Prior to undergoing IPL treatments, it is advisable to avoid tanning or sunbathing as this could result in permanent skin damage such as hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation – both serious issues that should be taken seriously.
What is alexandrite?
Laser Hair Removal is a non-invasive technique that uses light energy to permanently eliminate unwanted hair. Light penetrates the skin and is absorbed by dark pigments known as melanin present in hair follicles. When used on lighter skin tones, laser beams used by Laser Hair Removal machines can detect and destroy melanin-containing follicles; in contrast if these same laser beams were applied directly on darker skin tones they could potentially cause serious harm to surrounding tissues and structures.
Laser Hair Removal differs significantly from electrolysis in that each laser pulse treats multiple hairs at once, making removal much faster. To maximize effectiveness of treatment it is vital that treatment be conducted by a licensed Medical Professional trained in laser hair removal – 6-8 sessions scheduled 4-6 weeks apart should provide permanent hair reduction.
Alexandrite and Diode lasers are two popular choices used in Laser Hair Removal. Both have proven effective at treating hair loss; according to one 2004 study published in Dermatologic Surgery comparing these two laser types after four sessions; its findings concluded that alexandrite and diode lasers had equal effectiveness for hair removal.
However, the study revealed that alexandrite laser treatment caused less discomfort than diode laser, likely due to its built-in dynamic cooling device which sprays cold gel before each laser pulse. Furthermore, its larger spot size and more powerful laser capabilities make for more comfortable results overall.
Before opting for laser hair removal, it is vital to limit sun exposure as light from an alexandrite laser cannot penetrate thickly tanned skin and could instead heat its surface, potentially leading to burns.
How do IPL and alexandrite work?
IPL and alexandrite treatments use pulses of light energy that penetrate below the skin surface to absorb pigment in hair follicles, where they turn into heat that destroys them causing hair follicles to stop producing new hair growth and eventually fall out, without impacting skin surface or downtime effects. Most individuals require multiple sessions for significant hair reduction results.
IPL hair removal devices employ multiple wavelengths of light to target different parts of the visible light spectrum, making them suitable for treating different skin types. Unfortunately, though, they may be less effective than laser treatments due to missing some melanin that needs to be targeted when targeting hair growth; lasers on the other hand use one specific wavelength that targets melanin more precisely for more predictable and precise results.
One key difference between IPL and laser treatments is their speed of application. While IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light sources that take longer to deliver energy to melanin-filled hair follicles to shut them down, lasers offer much faster wavelengths that quickly reach melanin deposits in hair follicles to disable them.
Both IPL and laser treatments are generally safe, though some preparation is necessary to ensure their success. Prior to an IPL session, it’s essential that any hair removal methods such as shaving, waxing or tweezing be avoided in the days prior. Also avoid intense sun exposure as laser could burn the skin and stop light reaching follicles.
If you have questions or would like help choosing between IPL and laser hair removal treatments, or are unsure which will best meet your individual needs, feel free to book an appointment with our team. Our experts would be more than happy to provide answers as well as guide you towards finding a treatment tailored specifically for you – with both IPL and laser options available at each clinic location.
How do IPL and alexandrite work together?
Laser and IPL both work in different ways to remove unwanted hair, but both methods can be effective at doing so. IPL stands for intense pulsed light and uses flash lamps to produce a broad band of wavelengths of light which target melanin in the skin, while lasers use only one wavelength that is very specific to targeting each individual hair follicle. Both treatments have proven successful at reducing unwanted hair; however, laser has proven more successful at producing longer periods between hair-free intervals as well as larger reductions with fewer side effects over time than IPL ever could do so.
Alexandrite lasers are an increasingly popular solution for hair removal on individuals with light to olive skin tones, using shorter wavelengths (i.e. 755nm) that better target melanin in hair follicles for those with lighter complexions. Diode lasers may also work, though diode treatments must be administered by trained laser experts or they may cause serious skin irritation or burns during treatment.
Both IPL and alexandrite can be highly effective when coupled with the appropriate device. The key to their effectiveness lies in selecting a machine which integrates multiple technologies within one system with various filters to deliver personalized treatments based on your skin tone and hair color. For instance, an Nd:YAG laser combined with an Alexandrite laser could be synched to fire at different proportions during one treatment session to deliver safe light energy directly into hair follicles without damaging nearby tissue.
Cooling system devices help make treatments more comfortable for clients. Although people do experience some discomfort from laser hair removal treatments, this method is significantly less painful than shaving or waxing for coarse and dark hair removal. Plus, its quick treatment time makes it an easy fit into busy schedules! Thrive Skin + Wellness has various laser and IPL technologies available so you can find one tailored specifically to your skin type and desired results.
