IPL Hair Removal Secrets

IPL hair removal has become a popular way of removing unwanted body hair in recent year, particularly when removing facial and eyebrow hair. It is one of the more expensive methods available, many times more expensive than other methods such as hair removal cream, and it does come with some side effects that cause many people to opt for laser removal instead. However, the newest form of IPL laser hair removal, VPL hair removal, can actually be more effective and have less of the unwanted side effects that IPL procedures have.

IPL stands for intense pulse light. In this procedure a technician will focus a high frequency ray of light directly on the hair follicle. This causes all the moisture in the follicle to dry up and it burns and dies as a result. But IPL doesn’t just eliminate the hair, it also shocks the area where the root grows and welds it shut stopping the blood flow to the hair follicle. Without any blood flow, the hair can no longer grow and permanent hair removal is achieved.

The follicle doesn’t always completely weld shut however, and it can take several treatments for the hair in the targeted area to be completely removed for good. While it make take several sessions for the process to be fully complete, most patients don’t report much, if any, pain during them.

Difference Between IPL and Laser Hair Removal

The difference between IPL and laser hair removal methods is that in laser hair removal a single wavelength of light is used, but in IPL procedures multiple wavelengths are used. Each has their pros and cons. IPL hair removal fully closes the hair follicle off, preventing future growth of any kind, resulting in permanent back hair removal.  On the other hand, laser procedures only burn it. The mere burning leaves open the possibility, although unlikely, that future hair growth is possible after the follicle has healed. With IPL permanent hair removal is possible.

However, IPL hair removal contains a bigger range of side effects because it is not as precise and exposes your skin to some unnecessary wavelengths of light. One way around this is by using VPL, or variable pulse light technology. This uses a few specially chosen wavelengths that are absorbed the best by the melanin in the hair follicle. IPL also doesn’t work as well with lighter hair colors because the light is not absorbed by the melanin in the skin as easily as it is with darker shades of hair.

Make sure to check with the hair removal clinic and ask questions when you’re trying to decide which therapy is best for you.