IPL vs Laser: What Are The Different Types Of Laser Home Removal Solutions

Body hair can be super annoying to deal with. Shaving can be a temporary solution to a permanent problem. However, shaving your hair never seems to last quite as long as you want it to. But here’s the good news is that there are plenty of other options for you when it comes to hair removal techniques. 

There are so many different ways to remove hair and prevent it from regrowing out there that it can be hard to choose. This includes laser hair removal and IPL. If you are considering getting either of these, you should know the differences and similarities between them.  

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

If you aren’t sure what laser is exactly, don’t worry, we can explain. It’s not as scary as it sounds. 

Laser hair removal is a treatment that involves a laser beam that directs pulses of energy onto your body hair. This is usually used on the chest, back, upper lip, bikini line, chin, underarms, and legs. 

The light that the laser produces is only one wavelength and goes in one direction. This is what creates the laser beam, which goes into the skin and is absorbed by the melanin in the hair shaft. The energy produced from this is turned into heat, which can damage the hair follicles responsible for hair production. 

This damage is what stops hair from growing back in the future. But it’s not usually completely permanent. Laser hair removal requires multiple sessions to completely remove the hair and must be maintained. 

There are some risks associated with laser hair removal. Sometimes the skin can become irritated, and your pigment could even change slightly due to the laser. The skin can sometimes lighten or darken, depending on the person. Some of the other more rare side effects are blistering, scarring, or other changes in skin texture. 

You should make sure that when you get your hair removed with a laser treatment that the doctor is well trained for this procedure. Make sure you pick a doctor who is certified in dermatology and has prior experience with your type of skin. Everyone’s skin is different, which means that there could be different side effects of laser hair removal. 

Some Facts About Laser Hair Removal

Here are some of the things you might want to know before getting laser hair removal. 

• You can’t go to the gym or take a hot shower for at least 24 hours afterward. This is because the heat of the laser remains after the treatment, and heat from other activities can cause bacteria to grow on your skin. 
• Laser hair removal can sometimes cause your hair to grow even more than usual. This is why it is important to see a doctor who knows about your skin type. 
• You should also avoid using retinol and glycolic acid for at least two days before and after laser hair removal. 
• Don’t try to wax or pluck the area that has been treated!
• It may take up to two or three weeks to see the results of your treatment, and you will have to go back multiple times for the full effect. 

What Is IPL?

So now that we covered laser hair removal, let’s talk about IPL. What does it mean, and how is it different from laser hair removal? Well, it stands for intense pulsed light therapy. The difference comes from the kind of light energy and wavelength used to target the hair. 

IPL devices send out multiple wavelengths of light onto your skin to prevent hair growth. These wavelengths of light are absorbed by the melanin in the hair shaft. IPL is not the same as laser hair removal because laser hair removal is not something that’s offered at home. It is a professional-level treatment that can only be performed by people who are licensed to do it. 

IPL devices can cover larger areas and generally are known to hurt less than laser treatment. The amount of energy needed to remove your hair can depend on your skin tone too. IPL devices will usually feel warm on your skin and can sting a little bit, but are generally painless after that. 

The KENZZI IPL Hair Removal Handset can be used at home for all your body hair removal needs. It can do so in as little as three to four treatments too. This can be a much more cost-effective way to get rid of unwanted hair and doesn’t require you to make an appointment. It also means you don’t have to be almost naked in front of a stranger (always a bonus). 

If you want to get rid of your hair yourself, you should make sure that you start with cleaning the area. Then you’ll want to shave the area and then let it dry. You can then pick the energy level on your KENZZI to fit your specific needs. 

Use the device at a 90-degree angle on your skin and move in a circular motion. Do this once every two weeks, and you should start to see lasting results. 

Is IPL Safe?

Yes, IPL is safe to use. There are minimal side effects of using IPL devices. Some people can experience swelling in the area that was treated afterward. You can always use a cold compress to help with the swelling or some over-the-counter pain relievers. 

Like laser hair removal, though, people sometimes experience changes in their skin pigmentation. It can become darker or lighter, depending on what your skin looks like to start with. However, these side effects are usually not permanent. 

There has not been any evidence linking IPL to cancer. Harmful ultraviolet radiation is usually filtered by blocking wavelengths below 500 nm. This means the harmful rays are not involved in the process, so you don’t have to worry about growing a third arm or anything. 

Factors To Consider For Laser Hair Removal

If you are considering getting laser hair removal, you should think about a few things first. One of the most important things to consider is how effective the treatment will be on your hair. Laser hair removal works best on dark and coarse hair. So if you have lighter hair, you might want to reconsider. If you have blonde or white hair, you may want to look into other options for hair removal. 

You should also rethink this treatment if you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant. There is not any evidence to conclude that this could be harmful, but you should be cautious anyway. 

If you have very sensitive skin and low pain tolerance, then you should think about getting IPL instead of laser hair removal. IPL is a lot more gentle and can be a good option for people who could not tolerate the pain of laser hair removal treatments. If you want the most painless experience, you should buy a quality IPL device like the KENZZI IPL Handset. This device is gentle for all types of skin and can help avoid side effects from cheap products. 

The Stages Of Hair Growth

The stages that your hair grows in can affect laser hair removal. There are three stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen. 

The anagen stage is when the hair is actively growing and is visible to the naked eye. This is the best phase for laser hair removal because the hair is still attached to something called the papilla. Your hair can be in this stage for up to four months at a time. 

The next stage is the catagen phase. This is not great for hair removal because the hair is shedding and is between growing and resting periods. The laser can only reach the outer part of the hair and not the follicle. This means the hair will still grow back. 

The telogen phase is the resting stage and is also not ideal for laser hair removal. Since the hair is not growing or being developed, it cannot be targeted with the laser. This stage can last between a few days to a few months. 

The phase that your hair is in can have an impact on how many sessions of hair removal you have to do. This is why the results from this procedure will not be immediate. 

In Summary

There are many solutions to hair removal at home. You can opt for waxing or shaving, but that will require an endless cycle of upkeep. If you want a more long term solution to your body hair, then you should look into buying an IPL device like the one from KENZZI. 

Before you purchase one, make sure that it is quality and check the reviews on the device to see what people are saying. This is the best way to know if it works. 

Sources:

1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5653718/

2.https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/science-hair#1

3.https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/a14414109/laser-hair-removal-facts/