Laser & Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment.

What's the difference?

Laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) are usually seen together, and laser is often used as a general term for both treatments. But, they are not the same. Laser uses a single, focused wavelength of light, IPL uses a broad-spectrum of light, usually over a larger area.

What do we use?

We use a medical IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) System to reduce or remove unwanted hair. These treatments are carried out by a fully qualified practitioner who holds the highest qualification currently available for Laser and IPL Hair Removal.

According to the British College of Aesthetic Medicine, there is currently no set training standard for using laser or IPL machines. Anyone can purchase a light device and offer treatments. This is a serious concern at the clinic as laser / IPL machines can be dangerous and cause permanent skin damage if used incorrectly. We always recommend that you thoroughly investigate any practitioner's qualifications and experience before undergoing treatment. You can learn more about our practitioner's qualifications and experience here.

Prior to commencing any IPL treatment, a patch test must be carried out on the area to be treated. This will determine your skin’s response and suitability. For further information and individual pricing, please get in touch.

How does it work?

In Laser or IPL treatment, light is absorbed by your hair, which creates heat and destroys the hair root without causing damage to the skin. This light is quickly passed over the treatment area, treating many hairs with one pulse.

Lasers produce pulses of coherent light at a specific wavelength that passes through the skin and is absorbed and converted into heat at the hair follicle. Intense pulsed light (IPL) systems are not lasers but have similar indications that produce a pulse of high intensity broadband light that passes through the skin, heating the hair follicle. Applying heat to hair follicles in this way stops further re-growth of the hair. Because it relies on contrast, the process is most effective on people with light skin tones and darker hair.

Areas treated with laser / IPL will often have no remaining hair or visibly reduced amounts of hair long-term. Sometimes hair will never regrow in these areas, but laser / IPL is considered long-term or semi-permanent hair removal because hairs can eventually grow back. When hairs do grow back, they'll be lighter, finer, and fewer in number. The only medically approved method method of fully permanent hair removal is electrolysis.