IPL vs. Laser Hair Removal

Sick of shadowy stubble the day after shaving or terrible ingrown hairs after waxing? Right now is the perfect time of year to come in for a complimentary consultation for hair removal procedures to get your body summer ready!

The showdown
There are two methods of hair removal: IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and lasers. The key difference between the two treatments is that IPL uses a broad spectrum of high-intensity light, which is emitted at multiple wavelengths, whereas lasers emit a single, focused, and precise wavelength which is optimized to destroy hair follicles at the root.

As Gina Gagliano, director at Clinique K, confirms: “Laser hair removal results in greater levels of permanent hair reduction per treatment when compared to IPL. Usually just 6-8 sessions are required for our laser, but we cannot predict the number of treatments for IPL sessions.”

 The verdict: lasers win!
Because lasers emit a single, concentrated wavelength, they are able to target the germ cell at the root of each hair follicle, and destroy its ability to grow back. Several treatments are required in order to catch different hairs at different growth stages.

The perfect candidate for laser hair removal is someone with fair skin and dark hair: they will have the best results. The Cutera dual laser system we use provides us with the option of using two different lasers: the Alexandrite laser, and the ND:Yag laser. The Alexandrite is used for those “ideal” candidates with fair skin and dark hair, while the ND:Yag is used for darker skin and hair.

The Cutera platform also incorporates a “cooling system” to counteract the heat and reduce any risks associated with hypo or hyper pigmentation and burns in patients with darker skin. This results in a significantly more comfortable treatment than alternative IPL machines offered elsewhere.

Parting advice
It’s extremely important to be wary of inexpensive online deals! If it seems too good to be true, it probably shouldn’t be trusted, because something that is too cheap reflects on the quality of the machine and the training of the operator.

You can rely on our experts to get not only a complimentary consultation, but to discuss our competitive pricing packages, which we tailor to your skin type and your needs!