Before you try laser and IPL hair removal at home, it is imperative that you first understand how both of these processes work, the equipment required, and how to work them. A most common question I get is:
What Are The Differences Between IPL And Laser Hair Removal?
Well, essentially, laser and IPL hair removal at home has a number of differences. For starters, both treatments will disrupt the growth cycles of your hair follicles. They will, in this manner, reduce the growth of hair on your body without actively damaging surrounding tissue and organs. However, this is pretty much where the similarity between IPL and laser hair removal ends.
The difference between these two hair removal processes lies in the technologies they employ and the type of light they use. Additionally, laser hair removal is more expensive and uses comparatively more energy. Therefore expect to pay more for a laser hair removal machine than a IPL one. So, let’s elaborate a little on the differences between the two so you understand better.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal technology produces a single light wavelength with a specific target and highly concentrated beam. Usually, the target is the melanin found in hair follicles. To tune the settings on your machine, you need to determine the colour and type of your skin and hair. Tuning will emit the exact wavelength that is required to remove the hair.
Since laser machines create more heat and direct it towards the hair follicles, they are often thought to be more effective. You can, therefore, achieve better results with this machines compared to their IPL counterparts.
Similarly, the heat produced by the laser machine will be absorbed directly into the follicle (and not on the skin). This means that there a reduced risk of getting burned when you use laser machines. It also makes laser much safer for individuals with darker skin.
IPL Hair Removal
IPL, which is a common abbreviation for Intense Pulsed Light, is used to perform skin treatments for therapeutic and aesthetic purposes. This technology, therefore, is important when it comes to the treatment of the skin – such us in dealing with fine blood vessels and superficial pigmentation. For hair removal at home, however, the treatment is slower than laser machines.
For starters, IPL machines do not use laser light. Instead, they produce broader spectrums of light wavelengths which cannot be focused into a concentrated beam. Since the machines disperse different wavelengths to various depths, only a couple of them will reduce hair on the body.
The penetration is also shallower, meaning that thicker hairs digging deep into the skin surface will not be treated effectively. Additionally, the light is sometimes absorbed into the skin, leading to heating of skin pigments. For people with darker skin, therefore, IPL machines pose the risk of skin burns.
So How Do You Choose Between Laser and IPL Hair Removal?
Laser treatments are, however, more expensive than IPL. The machines cost more and the efficacy of the treatment is much more faster. With IPL machines, and more people won’t understand it, is you need to be patient and use it constantly.
So, your choice in finding the best home hair removal machine will be determined by your skin and hair type, by how much money you can afford to put into the machine and how fast you’ll want to see the results.
For example, because of my sensitive skin, I decided to go for something similar as IPL, it’s a device called Silk’n Flash&Go Hair Removal Device.I wanted to start a light treatment on my skin and invest more time to get the results and not to hurry. Silk’n Flash&Go uses a patented Home Pulsed Light (HPL) technology that emits gentle light pulses and target hair follicles. That type pf technology worked for me very well for a while, but it took time. See the full review about the product here. Then I had the chance to try another at home laser hair removal device, which surprisingly, had better results on my hair and skin. These, so far, in the list below, are my favourite, each device worked differently with different lasting results.
( if you have any experience with IPL or Laser hair removal machines please contact me or leave me a comment, I would love to hear your feedback or to help you in choosing the right device for your skin type)
Best 2016 IPL & Laser Hair Removal Machines
Bellow is a small list of the best IPL & Laser hair removal devices. I’ve tried them all three, and also my husband, who tried the Tria 4x laser. Remember that all three are safe to use, we both had no reaction or burn on the skin.( you can check each review individually for every product). I honestly can say, it was our best investment so far in beauty products for permanent hair removal at home.
Top 3 rated IPL & Laser Hair Removal
Rated nr.1, Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X 
Nr. 2 – Remington Ipl6000f I-light Pro Plus Face & Body Hair Removal Device
This is my HG product for permanent home hair removal. I was so happy when I got it and i got happier once I sow what this device can do for me and for my sensitive skin. I, personally would rank it nr. 1 but I guess IPL is not for everyone because of the hair and skin type and also because it takes longer to achieve results. See my experience with this product here.
Nr.3 – Silk’n Flash&Go Hair Removal Device
This was my first experience with a IPL hair removal device. I was so impressed by this ‘little guy ‘ and by the power it has to reduce the hair, that I used all its pulses in a few months. I had very good results with this one as well, but when I finished all its pulses I decided not to buy replacement cartridge but to go for a new product, the Remington one. I did that not because I was disappointed in the Silk’n Flash&Go but I wanted a device that could cover larger area. Also, you must know it’s quite cheap, so give it a try if you don’t want to spend to much money but still get the experience with a IPL device.
Most important is for you to know that there isn’t a product that works for everyone. We all have different skin and hair, so it’s imperative for you to check my top 3 laser hair removal machines where you can find all my reviews on the products and see if you are a suitable candidate for any of these devices. In every review of mine, you’ll find a skin tone guide and hair chart, where you can make sure if you can try these devices or not. To achieve the permanent hairless skin that we all want, you must choose the right device for your skin and hair type. Also, are these machines safe to use? I believe as long as you go for the ones who are FDA approved, as I talked more below, you should not worry.
Are At Home Laser And IPL Hair Removal Machines Safe?
Both laser and IPL hair removal at home is safe. It is actually better to buy your own laser or IPL machine and use it from the comfort and safety of your own home. So long as the power settings are not regulated, the machines will enable you get rid of all that unsightly growth.
To further boost the safety of the home treatment, you need to buy machines that have FDA – approval. Most of the machines that have been approved for home use rely on radio-frequency and can be used on all skin tones. Of course, you might come across machines that are specifically designed to be used on certain body parts. However, you can still invest in an IPL or a laser hair removal machine that is ergonomically designed to treat hair around the bikini line and under the arms.
On our website we will discuss only about FDA – approved machines and only about the best laser and IPL hair removal machines used at home.
Most of the products you will find in the market use the same diode – technology found in a hair-treatment and removal clinic. Still, they are tweaked to ensure that the intensity is much reduced to further lower the risk of burning or harming yourself. Of course, in the end you need to be responsible with your own safety by following the instructions of the hair removal device that you buy. Also, for your own safety, you need to buy some additionally products specifically designed for laser hair removal. This includes glasses for laser hair removal
Are These Products Suitable For Both Women And Men?
Laser and IPL hair removal products are suitable for both women and men. In most cases, the same device can be used on both men and women. However, you would find unique machines designed for either gender. In such a case, if you want, you can buy the machine that goes with your sex. Personally, me and my husband used the same machine, to be more accurate I used his Tria Laser Hair Removal 4X without his full approval 🙂 and we both had amazing results, especially him. Check the Tria 4x review here.
Final Thoughts
If you are always on the go and need to look hairless, sleek and pristine at all times, consider getting your own laser or IPL machine for permanent hair reduction the next time you feel like your hair is getting in the way of your personal well being, career, or outlook. We hope you can find enough information to help you find the right hair removal system for you. Also, if you like helping the community, you can share your own experience with permanent laser hair removal at home by contacting us or leaving us a comment. And if you need any help do not hesitate to write me and I’ll be more than happy to guide you in buying your own device.
Hope you find your right laser hair removal machine and live a happy hairless life!
Andy
This article is very useful to me.Thanks for this post
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