Is IPL the best hair removal treatment?

A lot of people have unwanted body hair. It’s extremely common on the legs, feet, toes, fingers, back, upper lip, chin, neck and cheeks. Fortunately, many hair removal options are available to men and women looking to get rid of unsightly hair on the body. They’re all effective, to some degree, but certain methods of removing hair offer advantages. IPL laser hair removal at home is one such method.

Hair Removal Options

Shaving, trimming, tweezing and plucking are the go-to methods for most people with undesirable body hair. Epilators and depilatory creams are commonly used too, as well as waxing. The problem with the above? They’re not permanent and can cause discomfort. Pain, red bumps, ingrown hairs, infections, torn skin. Most women and many men know the drill. Conventional hair removal can also be messy.

Threading, bleaching, electrolysis and lasering are other methods for removing hair and making hair less noticeable. Professional treatments at clinics and salons tend to be costly and inconvenient, particularly those that offer permanent or longer-lasting treatments. For these reasons, people are increasingly opting for IPL hair removal, an affordable at-home laser solution.

How the Options Compare

Method Lasts Pain Level Ongoing Cost Convenience
Shaving 1-3 days Low Ongoing (razors) High, but frequent
Waxing 3-6 weeks High Ongoing (per session) Low, needs booking
Depilatory creams Days Low, but can irritate Ongoing (tubes) Medium
Electrolysis Long-term/permanent High High, many sessions needed Low, in-clinic only
Laser (clinic) Long-term Medium to high High, per session, per area Low, needs booking
IPL at home Long-term Low One-off device cost High, do it anytime

IPL Hair Removal at Home

IPL at home has grown in popularity in recent years. This is because IPL (intense pulsed light) does away with many of the issues that make hair removal unpleasant. Laser hair removal, in general, is as effective as IPL, and in some cases, e.g. for dark skinned people or people with certain hair colours, it is more effective. A 2009 study found second-generation IPL hair removal was effective in achieving 75% hair reduction after 4 months, and up to 80% after 8 months. For more on how the technology has evolved, see the full history of IPL hair removal.

However, regular trips to the clinic at a time that suits you can get expensive and become burdensome, or you have to work your schedule around them. Moreover, professional treatments don’t provide the privacy some people require.

With intense pulsed light hair removal at home, you can use an IPL hair removal device to remove body hair in complete privacy and comfort at your own leisurely pace. You save time and money (on laser treatment sessions, bookings, driving, petrol, etc.), and you can get the same or even better results at home with no pain while performing other activities.

Who IPL Suits Best

IPL is the right call if you:

  • Have light to medium skin with dark hair, since this gives the best contrast for results
  • Want a long-term solution without repeat clinic bills
  • Prefer doing treatments in private, on your own schedule
  • Are prepared to commit to a full 8-10 week course rather than a single quick fix

Laser hair removal in-clinic may suit you better if you have very dark skin or hair colours IPL struggles with (red, grey, light blonde), since a trained operator can adjust professional-grade equipment more precisely for those cases. Before starting, check whether IPL is safe for your skin tone and hair colour.

Bottom line, IPL hair removal offers a number of significant advantages over professional treatments and other at-home hair removal procedures. It is widely considered the best at-home laser hair removal method. Get your own IPL Hair Removal Handset device from Redefining Beauty today and see why for yourself.

Learn more about our home IPL hair removal device today!