Wrong! We have come a long way from seashells and pumice stones for hair removal. Varying technologies make it hard to decide which type of permanent hair removal is best. Laser, IPL, Electrolysis… are just a few. We try to educate our clients so they can make the best decision for their own body. Here are the most popular permanent (and not so permanent) hair removal options.

Electrolysis is a method of removing individual hairs with chemical or heat energy. After, a very fine probe is inserted into the ​hair​ follicle, the hair is removed with tweezers. Imagine cleaning up the beach one cup of sand at a time. Depending on what areas you are treating, this can take multiple, time consuming visits. Not to mention because it involves inserting a fine probe into the hair follicle and passing an electric current through, pain is likely.

IPL or Intense Pulse Light, produces a wide spectrum of light, like a light bulb, that shallowly penetrates the skin. This wide spectrum is diffused and does not target any specific aspect of the hair. Only some of the energy generated during IPL affects the hairs, making it a less efficient method of hair removal than laser treatment. Occasionally, IPL is referred to as IPL Laser Treatment. IPLs are NOT, nor ever have been a laser. IPL is to Laser, what Easy Bake Oven is to a Microwave. IPL is hair reduction…not permanent removal. and because of this users will require regular treatments on a long-term basis. If the treatment is paused, the hair follicle will reactivate and hair will start to grow back.

Now we saved the best for last. Lasers! Laser technology is simply much more effective, and achieves substantially better results – 90% of patients have permanent hair loss after 3-5 sessions. A laser produces a single, concentrated wavelength of light that penetrates deeper into the skin to reach the base of the hair follicle. The wavelength used has been specifically selected to target the melanin in the hair follicle, unlike IPL, which uses a more scattered approach. Lasers are far more precise, and can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. Laser hair removal can be used to treat larger body areas. Each pulse takes a fraction of a second and can treat several hairs at a time. Laser settings can be adjusted to suit your specific skin tone and hair color.

The cost of a Laser treatment in comparison with IPL is higher. Ever hear, “You get what you pay for”. The fact of the matter is a laser machine is a much more expensive piece of equipment. IPLs are generally cheaper and provide multiple applications making them popular with small spas and salons. Quantity may be valued more than quality. So the next time you see a deal online about hair removal treatments, which sounds too good to be true, it probably is.