Power Comparison:  Standard laser epilators produce CW or Pulsed output power around 1-20 Watts.  An IPL typically produces 300-600 Watts.  This allows for a much larger treatment diameter, which equates to far greater speed and efficiency for the technician.

One of the greatest benefits of the IPL, over that of the laser, is the difference in cost.  The typical 'price per watt' of a standard laser is  $1,000-$2,000 whereas the price per watt of an IPL is roughly  $100-$200.

Average life expectancy of the flash tube is over one million pulses.  This equates to 3-5 years of reliable service, nearly the same as a Long Pulse Diode.  The flash tube is easily serviceable when it comes time for replacement and costs around $300-$500 (depending on unit).   

The Benefits of IPL over Laser:  Larger areas can be treated at one time.  A typical man's back would require about 60-90 minutes with a Long Pulse Diode.  The IPL600 would do the same job in about 10 minutes.

IPL works on persons who are outside of the acceptable limit for the Fitzpatrick skin pigment grading scale.  A type 6 could be treated safely (with skin bleaching).

No hair is vaporized so there is much lower risk of pitting around the hair follicle itself (from intense heat).

IPL gives added benefits as a result of the hair removal treatment.  Improved tone, texture, and vitality of the skin is commonly noted.

Benefits of Laser over IPL:  As fantastic as IPL is, it cannot be used for actual 'laser shaving'.  This is a procedure in which a laser is used to vaporize hair above the skin for immediate cosmetic improvement, but gradual (or progressive) permanency. 

The reason is very simple.  The IPL energy emission exit port (Ruby, Glass or Sapphire optic) is in direct contact with the skin during the treatment.  The reaction that occurs when the radiation strikes a hair is very intense heat (about one million degrees).  It would cause pits and burns in the optic as well as potentially burn the patient's skin which is in direct contact with the vaporizing hair.

IPL must be used on shaved (or waxed) skin.  The tissue being targeted is about 1/8 to 1/4 inch below the skin (the follicle and papilla).  Although laser shaving looks impressive at the time of the treatment, overall the results are less than that of a deep tissue penetrating treatment such as IPL. 

Many technicians prefer to have both types of machines (laser and IPL) at their disposal for client who prefer laser shaving. 

How many treatments will I need?  Like laser epilation, IPL is a progressively permanent procedure.  This means that improvement will be noted over a series of treatments.  Due to hair growth cycles and a variety of other factors, an investment of 6-10 treatments over 90 days is normal.

Discomfort and Client Reaction:  Remarkably, the sensation felt with an IPL treatment is no more intense than that of a laser (although much more total energy is being delivered to the tissue).  The first two pulses from the IPL generally are not felt by the client.  The third (if the technician chooses to deliver that many) begins to feel like a snap of a rubber band (as the tissue absorbs and retains the energy). Five or more pulses in less than one second may be uncomfortable for some clients.  The use of a topical desensitizing spray or pre-treatment cold pack will alleviate most sensation. 

It is generally not necessary to deliver more than 3 pulses to a single cm2 of skin for effective hair removal treatment.

Client Pre-Qualifications:  Like laser, the best candidate for IPL hair removal has fair skin with dark terminal hairs. Skin typing for exposure to ultraviolet light can be categorized by the Fitzpatrick classification, developed by Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick of Harvard Medical School.

Skin Type I:  Never tans, always burns (extremely fair skin, blonde hair, blue/green eyes)
Skin Type II:  Occasionally tans, usually burns (fair skin, sandy to brown hair, green/brown eyes)
Skin Type III:  Often tans, sometimes burns (medium skin, brown hair, brown eyes)
Skin Type IV:  Always tan, never burns (olive skin, brown/black hair, dark brown/black eyes)
Skin Type V:  Never burns (dark brown skin, black hair, black eyes)
Skin Type VI:  (black skin, black hair, black eyes)  

Types 1 through 4 are outstanding candidates. Type 5 will have excellent results as well but care must be taken to assure that the IPL will not burn the skin.

IPL Treatment: Deep Tissue Thermolysis With Follicle Extraction and Carbon Dye:  The treatment protocol for IPL hair removal is remarkably similar to deep tissue (long pulse) laser epilation.  Before applying treatment, remove all hair from the area by tweezing or waxing. IPL hair removal is most effective when applied to an empty follicle shaft.  Most human hair does not normally have enough pigment to allow for sufficient heat exchange to cauterize, desiccate and necrotize the cells which produce hair. To compensate for this lack of quantitative and qualitative photon targets, it will be necessary to place a high-density carbon dye inside the follicle prior to treatment.

Using a cotton-tipped applicator, completely cover the treatment area with the special dye included in your kit. Massage the dye into the follicle pore with a firm downward circular motion. Repeat 2-3 times to saturate the follicle pore. Use an ethyl alcohol based wipe (isopropyl alcohol will not dissolve the dye) to lightly clean the excess from the surface of the skin. At this point you will have all desired follicles visibly highlighted with a dark spot (as seen above) and are ready to power up your IPL for treatment.

Place the IPL head on the skin. Activate on single pulse setting (the unit will deliver one photon burst when the trigger is pressed). Move the IPL and repeat. You should give no more than 3 pulses per area on the first treatment to determine the patient’s reaction.