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There is much confusion over the differences between Class 4 Lasers and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) systems and which lasers are better for which skin type, for successful hair removal.

All Lasers and IPL’s work in the same way, though some are more powerful than others.  The light source heats up the pigment in the hair shaft and transfers the heat down the hair shaft, to the follicle, where it damages or destroys the area of the hair responsible for growth.  Ideally the hair should be cut or shaved short, (not waxed, plucked or threaded) so the heat from the laser can travel the shortest distance to the hair follicle.  Laser or IPL will only work on dark coarse hair.  There is currently no laser, in the world, that will permanently reduce white, blond or red hair, despite what many laser hair removal clinics will tell you.  Similarly, the hair must be coarse enough to transfer the heat to the follicle and results will be less impressive if the hair is fine and poor if the hair is vellus. The coarser and darker the hair and the paler the skin, the better the result will be.

Successful results will depend on the type of hair to be treated, the quality of the laser machine being used and the experience of the laser operator.  Usually between 6 and 12 sessions is needed for maximum reduction, though if the hair is facial, it is common to need to top up treatments each year.  It is not possible to promise complete ‘removal of hair’, as often hairs can lay dormant for years and may not be active at time of treatment.  Also, laser technology has only been used to remove hair for approximately 10 years and no one knows if the follicle can in fact, over time repair itself.