Both use light to reduce hair, but they are not the same treatment. Laser uses one precise wavelength set for your hair and skin. IPL (intense pulsed light) uses a broad flash of many wavelengths. We use a diode laser, not IPL.
How they work
Laser produces a single, focused wavelength. Because it is precise, the energy can be aimed at the pigment in the hair follicle and adjusted for the depth of the hair and the tone of the skin.
IPL produces a flash across a range of wavelengths, filtered to reduce some of them. It spreads energy more widely, which makes it less targeted.
How they compare
| Diode laser | IPL | |
|---|---|---|
| Light | One precise wavelength (ours combines three in one handpiece) | Broad spectrum flash |
| Darker skin | Suitable for a wide range of skin tones with the right settings | More limited on darker and tanned skin |
| Sessions | Usually 6 to 8 per area | Often more |
| Comfort | Cooling tip on our device | Depends on the machine |
What about home IPL devices?
Home IPL devices are lower powered so they are safe to use without training. They can reduce regrowth for some people with maintenance, but they are not a substitute for a professional laser course, especially on darker skin, coarse hair or larger areas.
Which should you choose?
If your hair is dark and you want the fewest sessions, a professional diode laser is usually the better choice. If your hair is grey, white, red or very fine and blonde, neither laser nor IPL will do much, and The Smooth System is the option we offer. See The Smooth System.
Ask any clinic whether they use laser or IPL before you book. Ours is the Alma Soprano Ice Platinum diode laser. How our laser treatment works.