IS IPL THE SAME AS LASER THERAPY?
No, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology isn’t actually a laser. An IPL device emits a pulse of broad-spectrum light energy that is delivered to below the skin’s surface. IPL is often confused with Laser therapy though as they both use similar looking devices that use a light beam- so make sure you know a bit about the machine your therapist is going to use.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN IPL & LASER THERAPY
Because IPL is non-invasive, it allows spa technicians to make cosmetic improvements quickly, conveniently, and with very little risk or discomfort. Laser treatments, on the other hand, are used to deal with more serious skin problems, such as deep wrinkles, serious sun damage, and severe acne scarring.
Because laser therapy is more invasive, it involves a longer recovery period than the IPL (which has no downtime) as well as a greater risk of complications.
Due to the way the technologies themselves work, laser and IPL treatments vary in terms of:
Treatment Time: Because the beam of light used in laser treatments is very concentrated, laser devices have a very small treatment window. Thanks to the broader flash of light used in IPL, IPL devices feature a bigger treatment window and so can cover a much larger area at once, meaning a much faster treatment time in comparison to laser.
Pain Rating: The single, more pointed beam of light used during laser treatment is often reported to be more painful than IPL treatment.
Cost: Laser light is expensive to generate, and so, in salons especially, laser treatment comes with a hefty price tag whereas IPL is often much more affordable.
Longevity of Results: As a trade-off for the increased price tag and pain level, the results from laser treatment can mean fewer top-ups are required between sessions. But, as with any kind of light-based hair reduction, you’ll always need to continue with top-up treatments to stop hairs from growing back.
Safety: Laser light is very powerful and can even be dangerous. Because of this, at-home laser hair removal devices use significantly reduced power, especially in comparison to their expensive salon equivalent. The bonus of IPL treatment is that it’s much safer to use as the light is less concentrated, and so can be used at-home risk-free for long-lasting results.
IPL
o Non-invasive
o Less Painful Sessions
o Faster Treatment Time
o No Downtime Required
o Larger Treatment Areas
LASER THERAPY
o Costlier
o Longer Recovery Period
o Targets Smaller Areas
o Fewer Top-ups Required between Sessions
o Greater Risks of Complications
We hope this clarifies the main differences between both treatments for you.