IPL Therapy: A Painless Hair Removal Treatment Procedure

IPL Therapy: A Painless Hair Removal Treatment Procedure

Unwanted hairs had been one of the very first beauty problems that dermatologists tried to resolve, and thus, we have IPL today. If you are you one of those people asking whether IPL hair removal is painful, here is a straightforward answer for you. No. But honestly speaking, why does this question seem to be a trend? Many are often confused about the difference between laser therapy and IPL when it comes to hair removal treatments. Plus, many are also debating which one of the two is more effective and more painful. Thus, here are some facts.

The Difference between IPL and Laser Treatment

By definition, IPL is an acronym for intense pulsed light. It started way back in 1994 as a medical device to treat several conditions such as hypertrichosis, vascular lesions, and uneven pigmentation. Today, the method is still used in the medical field, but they are now mainly used to remove sun-damaged skin, wrinkles, rosacea, freckles, age spots, birthmarks, varicose veins, stretch marks, and unwanted hair.

Some of us are aware that laser treatments only have one particular wavelength. While on the other hand, IPL systems are broadband flash lamps that provide multiple wavelengths between 500 to 1,200 nanometers. To simply put it, IPL works just like how black clothes absorb more heat while the white clothes bounce off the light. The light energy transforms into heat when absorbed and thus, causes damage to the hair follicles.

On the other hand, laser treatment uses light energy to blast and damage the follicles directly. Since it is more controlled, lasers produce beams that reach longer distance and yet focuses on one particular area. This means that laser can go far more rooted in the skin targeting the follicle even more.

Which is more Painful?

Many people who have undergone laser treatment described the pain as “being flicked with a hot, elastic band.” While on the other hand, people who tried getting IPL treatment described the feeling as uncomfortable rather than painful. With the help of cooling gels and anesthetic creams the feeling can be relieved, and after a day or two, the discomfort should entirely be gone. But of course, the feeling of pain still varies from each one of us. From the skin types and up to pain tolerance, you will be the one to decide if it is too painful or not.

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