Laser Vs IPL

Most people ask the question, what is the difference between IPL and Laser? IPL and Laser are very different treatments and you the consumer, needs to know exactly what you are paying for. It is important to ensure you know what machine is being used for your treatments and to research the pros and cons of these machines. You will find that many companies throughout Melbourne and Australia claim to use “IPL Laser Hair Removal”. This is not genuine Laser Hair Removal and should not be treated or charged as such.

What is IPL?

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is available in many different versions including IPL, SPL, VPL, or CPL. The majority of people do not realise that there are significant differences between IPL and Laser and that there are inherent risks and side effects associated with IPL hair removal.

How does IPL work?

An Intense Pulsed Light machine uses a broad spectrum of light, sending out a variety of wavelengths of energy to destroy the hair follicle. This can result in the body receiving unneeded wavelengths of energy that can affect and damage multiple structures below the dermis. IPL cannot effectively isolate the specific wavelength that is only needed to destroy the hair and thus leaves a greater margin for error. IPL machines do not have the ability to use “selective photothermolysis”, which is the rapid heating of a select structure and not the surrounding areas. If not used by a highly skilled technician, IPL can cause burning and scarring of the skin. It is also unknown what the long term effects may result from IPL on the body due to the higher levels of exposure of radiation.

So how does Laser work compared to IPL?

The laser used at Bare Body is the Light Sheer Duet. It is an FDA approved Diode laser and a proven leader in the hair removal industry.

The laser operates by producing a single wavelength that is specifically relative to the hair follicle. By doing this, it can precisely and consistently attack the exact region that it is targeting, the hair follicle.
How does this laser get to the follicle to destroy it?

  • The laser uses a beam of light which penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the pigment colour in the hair where it is converted to heat.
  • This heat travels down the hair shaft to the hair root and destroys it so that further hair cannot grow.
  • Because hair has different growth phases and the treatment only works in the active growth phase, several treatments are necessary to achieve a lasting result.
  • The number of treatments required will depend upon the hair density, colour, skin type and treatment area, together with ethnic background and hormones.
  • Typically 6 to 8 treatments are required for light skin and possibly 8 to 10 treatments with darker skin.
  • Many traditional lasers used for laser hair removal cannot be used on darker skin types as they burn the skin, however the LightSheer Duet, works on darker skin types as well.

As these are single frequency wavelength lasers, never at any stage does the laser penetrate the dermis or second layer of skin, making this completely safe and accurate. The body is also not exposed to any other wavelengths that are not needed for the hair removal process.

It is estimated that approximately 80-90% permanent hair reduction will be achieved from a course of 6-8 treatments.

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(03) 9386 3636