Is IPL or Laser Best for Facial Hair Removal?

Question

I've been researching for three days now on how to remove little light hair on my face. The center for IPL claims the method to be more effective, using a machine called "Cutera", but the center for laser told me that only laser treatments can remover hair from the face, except that little light hair, which won't go away! I also found out that IPL treatments are half the price of laser.
Any honest and professional answers regarding the matter? Thank you.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Lena, the honest answer is that the fine light hair on your face will probably not go away with either method as "peach fuzz" as it is commonly referred to is not a good candidate for laser hair removal because of the lack of color. If the hair has some color and coarseness, we would suggest laser treatments as IPL machines are less precise and less powerful than lasers for hair removal.

Michael H. Gold, MD · Answer

Lasers work for unwanted hair and IPLs work for unwanted hair – it is most important to go somewhere that knows what they are doing – a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who can evaluate your skin, evaluate your hair, and come up with a treatment strategy the makes sense and one that will work the best. If you are a center that believes in IPLs they will always work the best; if you are a laser center, the lasers will always work better.It’s the provider, it's how your hair looks, and what your expectations are.

Daniel Shapiro, MD · Answer

A wide variety of medical lasers and light systems are used to remove unwanted hair, however most lasers are not effective for all skin types and hair colors. The laser I recommend and use is the Elos laser hair removal system, which is designed for permanent hair reduction by combining both optical and radiofrequency energy to deliver satisfying, longer lasting results with less discomfort than previous laser systems. All skin and all hair colors including gray and blonde hair are effectively treated. Faces, backs, arms, legs, faces, and bikini lines can be treated including those individuals with darkly pigmented skin. Treatments are administered every 4 weeks and generally 3 to 5 treatments are sufficient.

Patricia Farris, MD · Answer

Save your money. Laser and IPL will not help light peach fuzz type hair. Try waxing and then use the prescription Vaniqua cream afterwards to slow hair growth down. This combination will be more effective than any type of laser treatment for your type of hair growth.

Jordana S. Gilman, MD · Answer

Unfortunately all light based devices only treat pigmented hairs.  The mechanism behind laser hair removal targets the pigment in the hair, so if there is no pigment then there is no target for treatment.  In addition, if the hair color is close to the skin color, the treatment will not be very effective and there is a risk that there could be a loss of color in the skin.  
Both laser and intense pulsed light work to reduce hair, but I have seen better results with laser.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I usually combine IPL with different lasers under different treatment times to try to treat most hair growth. Obviously, the fine villous light-colored hair is difficult to impossible to treat with the systems available today. 
I just find that if I use solely one type, I don't get the same results as using both.

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