IPL vs Laser Hair Removal: Which is Better for You?

Hair removal has always been part of our beauty regime and basic hygiene, regardless the gender.

However, with technological advancements, traditional hair removal methods like waxing and shaving, are now being replaced with more long-term, less painful solutions. 

Most commonly, two of these methods include IPL and laser hair removal. 

But how do you decide which one to opt for and which one is suitable for your skin and hair texture?

Well, don’t worry because we have got you covered in this blog post so you can make an informed decision about the best solution for you.

This blog explores all about IPL vs Laser hair removal, weighing in different aspects and factors to conclude which option is better for you.

So, without further ado, let’s dive in.

What is IPL Hair Removal?

IPL or Intense Pulsed Light removal is a process that reduces and removed hair by using mild light beams to target the hair follicle and roots.

This causes the hair to enter a “dormant”, or “resting” stage, leading to the shedding of existing hair, and helping in the process of long-term hair removal. 

Along with this, there is a significant reduction in the hair regrowth of those left behind. 

The mechanism of IPL hair removal lies behind the presence of a pigment called melanin in the skin. Just like dark or black surfaces tend to absorb light from the sun, the colored hair absorbs rays from the IPL hair removal device. The result is hair-free skin.

Ulike is one of the top brands when it comes to producing exemplary hair removal IPL devices. It mainly has two options which are given below.

• Ulike Sapphire Air+ Dark Green IPL Hair Removal Handset: Ulike Air+ is one of the pioneer products of Ulike. It is known to show results within 4 weeks, has 5 intensity levels, lowers the temperature of the body surface to 77 Ferneheite, and takes only 10 minutes for full body treatment.
• Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset: Ulike Air3 is the latest product of Ulike. It comes with 3 intensity levels, multiple treatment modes, comfort modes, and a temperature-reducing nearly painless technology. Also, it only takes 7 minutes for full body treatment and 3 weeks to show 90% results.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a non-invasive method of hair removal that involves flashing of low wavelength light rays to burn the hair follicles from every part of the body from head to toe.

The process of laser hair removal is using a thin beam of light to target a small section at one time. The hair in that section absorbs this laser beam. Then the energy is transformed from light to heat form destroying the structure of hair and hair-producing cells. 

Although laser hair removal is more of a salon procedure, a few brands including TRIA and Silk’n can be used to do laser hair removal at home. Also, remember that it is the monochromatic laser that these products use not the polychromatic IPL. So, you can use the following products to get laser hair removal while maintaining your privacy at home.

• TRIA Beauty Laser Hair Removal Device 4X: It is a handgun-shaped rechargeable laser device that comes with 5 intensity levels, a small round window, a digital display, and 90,000 pulses. It takes 3 months to show results.

IPL vs Laser Hair Removal: Which is Better?

In this section, we explore how IPL and Laser hair removal technology compare with each other so you can choose the best suitable option for your skin and hair type.

The Technique

As we have already seen, whether it is IPL or laser hair removal technology, both use the phenomenon of light that destroys and weakens hair follicles by getting absorbed into your skin’s melanin. 

Nearly painlessness

Both IPL vs Laser Hair removal is equipped with mechanisms to be less painful than traditional methods like waxing and be safer on your delicate skin. The Mechanism of nearly painlessness in the Laser is the use of anesthetics while IPL devices have built-in pain-reducing technologies.

Wavelength Used and Its Effects

The major difference between the two, IPL and Laser technology, is the use of different wavelengths of light that work on your hair follicles. 

Laser hair removal uses a single wavelength of light to weaken and shed the hair. In contrast, IPL uses a combination of multiple wavelengths to weaken hair follicles, shed hair, and reduce its growth in the long run. 

This means that laser hair removal technology can only focus on one thing at one time which is hair removal. Meanwhile, IPL hair removal has a broader spectrum that can be used to treat conditions like acne, spider veins, birthmarks, and melasma while reducing hair growth.

Effect on the Skin and Hair

Laser hair removal is more focused on unwanted hair because of its short spectrum of light. So, it leaves the skin intact as it targets unwanted hair. As a result, the effects of laser on unwanted hair are stronger.

Cost

However, laser hair removal is more expensive. Its single session is worth the price of a whole IPL device. It costs around $300 to $400 per session on average when done in a professional setting. On the other hand, the price of an IPL hair removal can range from $150 to $300 depending upon the brand you are using.

User Experience

Regarding pain, IPL is definitely nearly painless as compared to the laser because of the pain-relief mechanisms like ice-cooling technology. So, there is a need to use painkillers and anesthetic gels to soothe the pain caused by laser hair removal. The results and effectiveness of both treatments are not affected though.

Response by Professionals and Customers

Dermatologists and regular customers of Ulike love and recommend Ulike IPL devices as the best method to remove unwanted hair with similar results to laser without any discomfort. However, the experience with laser differs according to the clinic you get the hair removal. So, Below is what customers say about Ulike.

“My armpit hair is almost gone only a few hair roots left. And I don’t need to shave them every week.”

“I have had professional laser hair removal and this is a fantastic at-home alternative. Super effective and generally nearly painless.”

“I’ve only used it for 3 weeks and found a significant reduction in hair growth, so I don’t have to shave every next day.”

Time Taken to Show Results

Many customers notice a visible decrease in hair after 3-4 weeks. The full effect of the treatment becomes clearly noticeable after 12 weeks with a frequency of 2-3 sessions per week. Customers often state that there was a significant reduction in the density and thickness of hair growth after every session. However, Laser can take 3 to 6 months to show the same results.

Factors That Determine Final Decision

The final verdict in choosing any of the two methods can be affected by several factors with the most important being the suitability of any of the two. IPL hair removal is great to be used at home to treat unwanted hair and also rejuvenate the skin as well. However, the use of lasers is limited. 

So, consider your requirements, budget, and time while making a decision. Moreover, you can ask for professional advice as well.

Conclusion

If you have sensitive skin and methods like shaving, tweezing, or waxing don’t satisfy you when it comes to eliminating unwanted hair, IPL, and Laser hair removal could be a great solution for you. 

On comparison of IPL and laser hair removal, you can see that both are FDA-cleared methods for long-term results with reliable techniques. However, the results are not long-lasting.

Out of the two we prefer IPL devices like Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset because it allows you to maintain privacy and do your own hair removal at home with convenience.