IPL Hair Removal Effectiveness

Question

I´m studying skin therapist in Stockholm and I´m working on a study about laser and IPL. And the question is : which technology is the best for hair removal? I´ll also buy a machine for my clinic in october 2008 and I´m searching for a machine that is effective, safe and works on a wide range of haircolors as possible. I´ve also read about diodlaser, a combination od radiofrequency and IPL, and that it´s the newest technology.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

The most effective hair removal occurs with lasers not IPL. In addition, IPL is least effective and has the most side effects for darker skin types because it does not have the correct wavelength range (1064 nm) to effectively treat this skin. The most effective types of lasers for permanent hair removal are:

	
		Diode and Alexandrite (light skinned patients)
	
		Long Pulsed Nd:Yg (dark skinned patients)


	If you are in Stockholm your best bet is going to be the Lumenis Lightsheer for safety, efficacy and durability. It is the gold standard for light skinned hair removal.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

IPL is not as effective as laser for hair removal.  IPL is often proven to be the least effective and least efficient technique to remove hair.  It can be used in conjunction with a laser to help patients who have resistant hairs who need another method to "trick" the remaining hairs present.

James Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSC · Answer

Hi there, I recently did a review of this topic and posted it about it in a blog I wrote. If you are interested in learning more about IPL's it may be usefull to check it out.  There are some studies that compare diode lasers to IPL and I mention them in the article. James P. Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSCJB Cosmetics and Facial Surgery Center of OttawaHead and Neck Surgerypracticing in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryAssistant Professor, University of OttawaOttawa, Ontario, Canada

Elyse Rafal, MD · Answer

Light, be it IPL or Lasers allow you to achieve hair removal because the hair follicle and hair shaft absorb light of certain wavelength's or colors and reflect the others. That is why objects look a certain color - because they reflect to your eye the colors they DO NOT absorb. In the case of hair, you want to deliver an intense pulse of light to the hair follicle and shaft of a color that will be absorbed by the tissue. This causes sudden heating of the tissue and its ultimate destruction. First it is important that you understand the difference between the two technologies -1. IPL - Intense pulsed light (also known as BBL - broadband light on the Sciton machines) - this is highly concentrated pulses of light of many different colors (wavelengths). It is effective against hair because some of the wavelengths of light delivered are absorbed by the tissue and result in follicular heating and destruction.2. Laser - This is light of only one wavelength or color. It is collimated which means all the rays of light are parallel and not scattered as with IPL. If the wavelength of the laser light beam matches what the target tissue (the hair follicle) will absorb, then you are using all your available light energy for the purpose desired and so it is more efficient. there are many different wavelengths of light used for hair removal, to name a few of the more common:Nd-Yag 1064, Alexandrite 755 and Diode 800 but there are many more types for different purposes. Some lasers are best for darker skinned patients to reduce the risk of pigmentation problems. Some lasers are faster for hair removal (ie diode) than others (Alexandrite). There is more to this than just picking a wavelength - you have to consider the delivery system - is the laser energy delivered evenly to reduce risk of burning the skin, how do you make adjustments to protect from burning the skin or getting post treatment pigmentation problems. I did many years of research on the technology before pulling the trigger and purchasing a system. Although there are several good systems around, I settled on the Palomar Vectus LASER system for a few reasons:1. It is a Diode laser which makes it useful for skin types I - VI.2. The delivery system has a broad treatment area making it quick and easy to obtain excellent results on even the most challenging of surfaces like a hair male patient's back.  In comparison tests with the Lumenis Duet system, also a very good system, it performed much more efficiently. 3. The energy dispersion is much more even than the Duet, so there is less risk of burns and undertreated areas.4. SAFETY - this is a big one for me - it has a "Skin-Tel" system which allows the operator of the laser to take measurements of the patients melanin content (pigment) in their skin and the computer in the laser makes automatic adjustments in the energy delivery so as not to over treat or burn a patient. My office has had this laser for almost two years and we are very happy with it as are our patients. I hope that this answers your questions.

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD · Answer

There are many good systems out there today. The 1064 laser is a good system for darker skin and dark hair. But to get lighter hair you will need the 755 or 810 diode. The diode with RF can be used on skin types from I-VI, but the hand piece is heavier and more cumbersome. There is no 1 perfect laser hair removal system. There are also combination systems with both 1064 and 755, which are individualized to the patient.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Without a doubt, laser is more effective for the treatment of excessive hair, or hypertrichosis. The laser can be modulated with pulse width, power, and treatment size to improve absorption by hair follicles.

	I have personally performed thousands of hair removal treatments with the laser systems in all skin types, including African American and Hispanic skin, with great efficacy.

Daniel Reichner, MD, FACS · Answer

Nancy,

	Most laser hair removal studies show that for permanent "Hair Reduction" 755nm or 810nm Lasers work the best. Dark hair responds the best and blond hair has the poorest response. Many treatments will cause the hairs to enter telogen, but don't offer good hair reduction when patients are followed long term.

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

IPL and lasers can both be used for laser hair removal. IPL is safer for darker skin types but it takes longer to achieve permanent results. Diode lasers are usually very effective and work best on light skin and dark hair. They also require less treatments.

Patricia Yugueros, MD · Answer

IPL is not the best choice for hair removal.  We recommend an Alexandrite and a Yag for Laser Hair removal.  The Yag is used for darker skin and Alexandrite for lighter skin.

Robert W. Sheffield, MD · Answer

Interesting inquiry! Although IPL treatmentcan be utilized to reduce the growth of area in specific parts of the body, itstill comes with some limitations even up to this date. Moreover, it can beselective in treating particular hair colors as well as skin types. In this light,laser is still the most effective and safer option when it comes to hairremoval. Laser treatment provides a variety of options such as wavelengths,device brand, etc. In addition, laser treatment is effective on every skin typeexisting, although some devices may work best for a specific skin type over theothers. For instance, Nd:Yg can be effectively used on any skin type, althoughit would serve best for patients with darker complexion. Diode laser, on theother hand, can also be used on any skin type, but this is the preferred devicefor patients with lighter skin color. Best of luck!

IPL Hair Removal Effectiveness

Answers (18)