IPL vs Laser Hair Removal: What’s The Difference?

Unwanted hair can be a buzzkill. Whether you’re a woman wanting smoother legs, underarms and bikini line or a man looking to tidy up your back, chest or body hair. Choose between laser hair removal or IPL (intense pulsed light) technologies to achieve a permanent hair removal solution that works for you.

What’s the difference between IPL vs laser hair removal? With the average woman spending around £23,000 on hair removal in her lifetime, it’s high-time we got some answers about the best hair removal treatment for you.

What is laser hair removal and how does it work?

Laser hair removal generates a single beam of a powerful, concentrated light wavelength to absorb melanin within the hair follicle. Over multiple treatment sessions, this laser energy generates heat—which progressively weakens and permanently disables the hair follicle, resulting in long-term hair reduction.

How does IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal work?

Just like laser hair removal, IPL also targets melanin to destroy hair follicles. However, unlike laser treatments that use a single wavelength, IPL utilises multiple light wavelengths to emit diffused energy, ensuring minimal to zero skin damage.

These wavelengths are delivered in continuous, consecutive pulses—resembling the effect of a camera flash. This is the technology that can be most commonly found in home use hair removal devices use for achieving long-term hair removal. While effective, IPL does not give the same lasting results that laser provides.

IPL versus laser hair removal for the face

Both IPL and laser hair removal offer various benefits for women, helping to control peach fuzz, maintain smooth skin and hormonal hair growth. For men, these technologies offer solutions to reducing ingrown hairs from shaving.

Laser is effective for black or dark brown hair, along with a broader range of skin tones with contrasting hair colours. IPL works best for light to medium skin types with dark hair, as well as targeting light brown hair. Neither method is suitable for blonde, grey, red or white hair.

Although laser devices and IPL technology both use light energy, laser hair removal machines are proven to be more powerful. Laser is also the clinic choice for professional hair removal. IPL produces a broader spectrum beam of diffused light energy, making it less effective at targeting each hair follicle with power and precision.

Is IPL more painful than laser hair removal?

No, IPL hair removal is typically less painful than professional laser treatments in-clinic because it uses lower-intensity light. However, both technologies feel the same when used in a portable, home use device engineered with advanced cooling air systems and UV sensors to minimise discomfort.

We recommend to prioritise eye protection by wearing the goggles often provided. Many at home devices use skin safety sensors. Built-in sensors optimise the amount of light waves for your skin tone, while sophisticated Bi-Layer 360° technology reduces skin surface temperature to a comfortable 50/59°F for a pain free experience.

While both laser and IPL may lead to temporary side effects like minor redness and minimal swelling, IPL and laser hair removal are suitable for sensitive skin types.