A laser-vs-IPL comparison will reveal only a few differences between the two devices. However, numerous similarities are shared by these two photo-epilation devices that work with selective photo-thermolysis to damage hair follicles.
No other light source is anything like a laser light beam.
The huge number of similarities that become apparent with a laser-vs-IPL comparison are really astounding.
The photo is of my IPL's handpiece. It delivers a spot size of 11mm x 44mm.
This is done from the yellow rectangle on the handpiece that looks like glass at the bottom of the photo.
Although the specific characteristics of the laser beam are unique, the laser is used in much the same way an intense pulsed light (IPL) device is used for hair removal purposes.
The fact that a laser beam can be tuned to produce an extremely small or large spot size are not applied to its full extent for hair removal purposes.
These unique laser features are mostly put to good use in the surgical field (eg ophthalmology, urology, dentistry etc).
Differences : Laser-vs-IPL
Laser
Coherent: related in phase over long distances
Monochromatic: can tune out unwanted colors
Collimated: beam spreads very little
Power source: intensified energy from stimulated emission
Every type works on a different wavelength
Don't use filters to block out wavelengths
Can safely treat skin types I-VI
Expensive, slow, smaller spot size
Handpiece is never in contact with skin
Handpiece is quite small, therefore easy to use in small areas
Intense Pulsed Light
Non-coherent: phases cross each other
Polychromatic: broad spectrum visible light
Divergent: beam spreads a lot
Xenon flash lamp is power source
All IPL's work on 500-1200nm wavelengths
Use cutout filters to get various wavelengths
Limited to treat skin types I-IV
Less expensive, faster, larger spot size
Probe is in direct contact with the skin
Bigger handpiece can be difficult to handle in confined spaces
Similarities: Laser-vs-IPL
Hair removal results achieved are roughly the same for both devices.
Skin chromophores water, melanin and haemoglobin are targetted.
Unwanted hair mustn't be long, but just visible above the skin's surface.
Sadly, the answer is no. One client might get good results from a laser, but not from an IPL. Another client might experience the exact opposite. When you compare laser-vs-IPL, luckily most clients get very good results with both these methods.
But only if there is a big difference between the skin and hair colour. The bigger the difference, the better the results of the treatments will be.
Visit a forum whose members consists of those damaged by cosmetic medical devices such as laser and light devices (IPL, VBeam, Fractional, Co2).
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