IPL vs Laser - Common Misconceptions
"IPL does not penetrate as deep as laser so it is not as powerful"
It is easy to equate deeper as more powerful but this is not true. You have to remember that you are targeting a specific chromophore so you will only need to target a specific depth. For example, targeting the hair follicle will require the light to penetrate the skin shallower than if it was targeting water for ablative and non ablative tissue heating. This is why our IPL machine uses filters; it cuts the light off at the depth we need it to reach so it targets the necessary chromophore, yet is not putting unnecessary energy into the skin.
IPL differs from laser in that it can emit wavelengths from 400 nm – 1200nm and can be absorbed in all targets across that range. A laser, on the other hand, only emits a narrow range of wavelengths, so you must select the correct laser to be absorbed in the target chromophore.
It is also not always about the depth at which the laser or IPL is reaching, but the length of time the ‘flash’ lasts for. Some lasers work so quickly that the follicle simply goes into shock rather than being destroyed, but the flash of light and heat needs to last long enough to travel through the length of the hair and into the follicle to cause that destruction at the root of the hair. This is what gives more permanent results, and why with IPL we discuss how thicker or darker hairs need “cooking all the way through”. It is the milliseconds that are equally as important as the power setting, as these tailor the settings to the hair you are targeting to get the best results.
This is also the same reason at-home IPL or laser machines can only give short-term results and the hair comes back. When the flash is too shallow or quick the heat can cause telogen shock, which is when the follicle goes into shock and so stays in the resting phase for longer. This may give the appearance of faster results, but when the hair returns anywhere from six months to one year later, the results are clearly not as permanent.
"IPL can cause skin damage or burns as it also targets the skin – laser does not do this so it is not wasting energy like IPL."
Again, as cut-off filters are used for IPL, only the wavelengths needed are used. These wavelengths will be to target the specific chromophore, and so will not affect the skin if this chromophore is not also present in the skin. In the case of melanin which can be found in both the skin and hair; this is why darker skin tones need treating on slower and lower settings and with the ES filter – this blocks out more wavelengths and makes sure the settings are suitable for that skin tone so as to not target the melanin in the skin.
As lasers often have shorter and sharper flashes, this can feel more painful to the customer and also cause more erythema or reaction to their skin. It is not always the case of ‘no pain, no gain’ as feeling the ping of laser still does not guarantee results. Even though laser seems more focused in targeting the follicle and not the skin, this heat energy will still come in contact with the skin surrounding the follicle, which is why this ping or snap of an elastic band can still be felt with laser.
Lasers can also cause burns on the skin when used improperly, regardless of them targeting just the follicle. Improper use of laser can leave scarring, blistering, discolouration and burns. This is why the skin preparation is very important, and cooling the skin with the cryo handset before and after flashes (similar to how laser hair removal may use cooling gels) will remove excess heat from the skin.
This also can be due to the client not following aftercare instructions – going in the sun straight after having IPL or laser will cause burns and so it is their responsibility to read through the treatment care advice booklet and adhere to it. It will not be the IPL machine’s fault that the customer has burns or pigmentation in this scenario as the customer has directly gone against the treatment aftercare.
"IPL is slower and needs more sessions than laser."
This is a frequently mentioned criticism of IPL that is incorrect. IPL treatment spacing and treatment amounts are based around the hair growth cycle. Hair can only be treated when in the anagen phase of hair growth, so when the hair is still attached at the follicle. As only a small percentage of hairs are in this stage at one time, it may seem like it takes a while to complete these treatments but it is entirely because of biology and would be the same with laser.
This is why we advise to keep to the advised treatment spacing for the body area you are treating, and to sell in courses of 6 to 8 treatments with the possibility of top ups if needed. It is important to make sure all of the hairs are targeted and the hair loss is gradual, if results are seen too quickly it may be telogen shock so it may actually mean no long-term results have been achieved.
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