By Laura
Updated: July 3, 2024
6 minutes
Have you ever heard of crystal hair removal? It is a recently trending technique on the internet that is said to be quick, cheap, and very convenient. All you need to do is rub a crystal on your body for several minutes and the hair will be gone.
Sounds interesting, right? Is it better than IPL hair removal? Both hair removal methods aim to provide you with smooth and hair-free skin but they cater to different needs and preferences. So, here is a comparison between these two to find out the better option according to your requirements.
Table of Contents:
- Part 1: How Crystal Hair Remover Works?
- Part 2: How IPL Hair Removal Works?
- Part 3: A Comparison Between Crystal Hair Remover and IPL Device
How Crystal Hair Remover Works?
A crystal hair remover has a smooth top with a crystalline bottom surface. The microscopic glass particles are responsible for removing the hair from your body.
The device is held in hand and moved in gentle circular motions. The abrasive surface rubs against the body exfoliates dead cells, and removes hair. It sloughs off hair just at the follicle opening similar to shaving. There is no effect of crystal hair removers on the hair roots.
How IPL Hair Removal Works?
Unlike crystal hair erasers, IPL is a light-based therapy that destroys the hair from the roots. It works on the principle of selective photothermolysis.
An IPL device emits intense pulsed broad-wavelength light that targets the melanin pigment in your skin and hair follicles. It travels down to the roots of hair and converts into heat. It destroys hair follicles that are responsible for your body’s hair growth. As a result, the already-grown hair falls off and new growth is retarded for months to years.
A Comparison Between Crystal Hair Remover and IPL Device
Price
A crystal hair remover costs about $10-50 depending on its quality, durability, and comfort for the users. There is no limit to how long a single hair remover can work but most manufacturers state that these can be used for one to three years easily.
On the other hand, IPL hair removal at salons can cost between $75 to $500 per session depending upon the area targeted for hair removal and the location of the salon. As it requires multiple sessions, the total cost can go up to $1500-4000 easily.
Comparative to professional treatment sessions, at-home IPL hair removal devices cost less. A single durable device can also last for years. For instance, the Ulike Air 10 handset costs $279 ($120 off currently) and can easily work for several years.
Results
How long does it take for a crystal hair remover to show results? On average, you need to scrub it on your body for 10-15 minutes. The hair will eventually start coming off. So, the hair removal results are instant.
In contrast, IPL does not start showing results with only just one session. It works slowly and you may require 3-5 sessions in most cases for the treatment to work effectively. It may take 15 minutes to an hour for a single IPL session. The time taken and number of sessions depends upon body area, skin type, and hair type.
Suitability
The effectiveness of IPL hair removal depends upon melanin concentration. In light hair colors like blonde, ginger, or grey melanin concentration is little to none. Therefore IPL does not work for these hair colors.
Similarly, higher melanin concentration in darker skin can pose a risk of skin burns so the treatment is not safe for dark brown skin. Crystal hair removal is independent of hair or skin color so it works for almost everyone.
However, due to the exfoliating nature of the crystal device, it might be too harsh for sensitive skin.
Effectiveness
When we compare the long-term effectiveness of both these hair removal techniques, IPL certainly takes the lead. A crystal hair eraser removes hair at the level of your skin surface so they can easily grow back within a few days. So you will need continuous sessions to keep the body hair-free.
In IPL hair removal, hair follicles are destroyed, and the hair will not be visible on your skin for another 6 months to 2 years depending upon your hair growth rate. You will only need occasional touchup sessions every few weeks to keep the body hairless for a longer time.
Pain Level
Most people who use crystal hair removal mention that it is painless. Since the crystal has a rough surface that rubs against the skin, it can cause skin irritation which can be quite discomforting. Moreover, it can be painful to use on sensitive areas.
IPL hair removal is also neither too painful nor completely painless. You feel a slight tingling or a flicking sensation of a rubber band on your body. At-home IPL device like Ulike Air 10 has cooling mechanisms that can help make the session nearly painless.
Reliability
IPL hair removal is more reliable than crystal hair removal. For crystal hair removal to work effectively, you need to have the right crystal eraser, learn the right technique, use the right force, and properly prepare your skin before hair removal. Even after doing everything right, the treatment might not work especially if you have thick hair.
IPL hair removal works for most of the cases. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology stated that people who tried IPL observed an 83.3% reduction in hair growth after one month. However, keep in mind that it can be a bit time-consuming for some people.
Safety
Crystal hair erasers exfoliate the skin gently but using it continuously on a single area can irritate the skin and cause rashes. There are also chances that it might scrape the skin particularly if your skin is too sensitive or dry.
Additionally, if you do not clean it after use, the crystal can accumulate germs on it. Once used on the body, there are increased chances of acne or skin infections. IPL is a safer option as there are no chances of an IPL device abrading the skin.
Ulike Air 10 also has smart SkinSensor technology that automatically adjusts power according to your skin tone. It stops flashing if the treatment area is too dark thus protecting your skin from burns.
Side Effects
As mentioned above, crystal hair remover can cause redness, rashes, and irritation on the skin. The results might also be uneven thus giving your skin a patchy appearance. If your skin is very dry or sensitive, or the device is too rough or you are aggressive during the treatment, it can also cause bleeding and a burning sensation on the skin.
IPL hair removal can also cause temporary side effects like redness, inflammation, or mild itching. However, these side effects resolve within 1-2 days after the session. Burning of skin occurs in very rare cases.
Conclusion
Crystal hair removal has been recently a trend while IPL has been around for a few years. The former is cheaper, convenient, and serves as a quick fix for your hairy body. Comparatively, you need multiple IPL sessions to see results.
But it offers you long-lasting results making it ideal for those who are looking for nearly permanent hair removal options. Ultimately, the final choice depends on your needs, budget, and the desired outcomes.
