Laser Hair Removal Overview
Laser Hair Removal Benefits
Silky smooth skin
No more shaving, waxing, IPL or VPL
Reduce ingrown hairs
No more shaving rash
Fast results
Affordable
Fast treatment time
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Laser Hair Removal vs IPL
Laser and IPL are both methods of reducing hair growth through techniques that disable the hair follicles. Both approaches use heat and light energy to disrupt and destroy the follicle under the skin. However, their methods are different and Laser Hair Removal is widely accepted to be the more effective approach. In order to understand why Laser Hair Removal is more effective than IPL (Intense Pulsed Light therapy) it is important to understand how each technique works.
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IPL Treatment
IPL produces a wide-spectrum of light that shallowly penetrates the skin. This wide spectrum is diffused, and does not target any specific aspect of the hair. Wavelengths of the light are absorbed by the hair, resulting in heating and disruption of the follicle.
IPL IS WIDE-SPECTRUM LIGHT AND DOES NOT INVOLVE LASERS
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Laser Treatment
A laser produces a single, concentrated wavelength of light that penetrates deeper into the skin to reach the base of the hair follicle.
The wavelength used in laser treatment has been specifically selected to target the melanin in the hair follicle unlike IPL, which uses a more scattered approach where only some of the light is absorbed by the follicle.
The narrow beam used in laser treatment is targeted, precise, and effective – all of the energy used in the treatment is being utilised for the intended purpose of hair growth reduction / elimination.
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Which Is Better, IPL Or Laser?
As you can see above, Laser Hair Removal offers a more targeted and direct approach. It also offers more permanent results, whereas IPL will require ongoing, regular top-up treatments. Laser Hair Removal also works on hairs that IPL is ineffective at treating, particularly coarse or thick hairs.
This is because the targeted beam reaches the follicle, while IPL light cannot effectively penetrate through these types of hairs to generate enough heat.
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The Equipment We Use
At MeCHE Salon & Spa we use the Cynosure Elite+ Laser, a top of the line medical grade laser with gold-standard wavelengths that guarantees the safest, most effective and permanent hair removal. We also have a cooling system that ensures your treatment is as comfortable as possible.
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Scientific Research
Various scientific studies have been conducted into the efficacy of both Laser Hair Removal and IPL treatments. These studies use a variety of sample sizes, which highlight some key findings that are consistent and significant. An evidence-based review of laser hair removal and light sources in 2006 found that:
“The hair density for the subjects are reduced significantly compared with hair density before treatment.”
A study looking into the effectiveness of a diode laser removal system in 2014 stated that:
“The diode laser hair removal device can reduce hair density effective to achieve the result of hair removal.”
In a 2015 study published in the International Journal of Medical Physics, Clinical Engineering and Radiation Oncology, researchers found that, after three treatments, hair density was decreased by 58% following use of diode lasers, and by 49% after using IPL.
A 2011 study by Sochir et al. tested Laser Hair Removal versus IPL, using each method in different areas of each participant’s legs. After the first treatment, hair reduction was 49.9% for Laser and 39.1% for IPL.
The British Journal of Dermatology published a 2012 study in which Klein et al. conducted a similar study. Hair reduction was assessed 12 months after the final treatment, with 69.2% reduction following Laser Hair Removal and 52.7% following IPL.
Dr Heatley says:
“Patients reported very little discomfort during treatments, the ability to adjust the comfort level dependent on the sensitivity of the treatment are greatly enhanced this. Post treatment patients saw little oedema (redness / swelling) to the treatment area.”
Dr. Jonathan P. Heatley MRCGP DPD (Practical Dermatology) MA DCH DGM.
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