Todd Minars, MD
Miami Dermatologist
Recent answer posted by Todd Minars, MD
Q: IPL vs other lasers for permanent hair removal?
I would strongly disagree with what you were told (that IPL is better than laser for hair removal). IPL stands for "intense pulsed light". A laser is one wavelength of light, while IPL is a spectrum of wavelengths usually cut off at a specific wavelength with a filter. What does that mean to you as a patient? Probably nothing.
IPL and lasers both treat hair using the same principle of selective photothermolysis (where the light selects a certain target, in this case hair, and leave the surrounding skin unaffected). One could argue that IPL is less "selective" because there is more than one wavelength of light, and therefore more potential for collateral damage.
As someone who has both an IPL and several lasers, I only use the lasers for hair removal (I use the IPL for other things). I find that the lasers are more effective than IPL for hair removal (not the other way around).
| Board certification | |
| Education | Undergraduate: B.S. in Biology, University of Michigan, Summa cum laude, 1994 Medical School: M.D., NYU School of Medisine, AOA, 1998 |
| Post-medical school training | Residency: Dermatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Chief Resident |
| Aesthetic medicine experience | 7 years (post-medical training) |
| Professional memberships | American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Fellow, American Academy of Dermatology (FAAD) American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) |
| Hospital affiliations | Memorial Regional Hospital |
| Medical or professional license | FL |
| Requesting an appointment with Todd Minars, MD using RealSelf.com is free & confidential. A consultation fee may apply | |
| Location | Minars Dermatology 4020 Sheridan St Hollywood, FL View map |