When it comes to hair removal, every year millions of people are turning to alternative methods to leave behind time-consuming hair removal techniques like waxing or shaving. IPL is one of the most commonly offered and widely known professional hair removal treatments, but it is not in fact an actual laser hair removal treatment. While many people may consider these two technologies (IPL vs Nd:YAG) to be the same, they are not interchangeable.
Laser hair removal is one of the most effective long-lasting hair removal solutions, and one of the best technologies available for laser hair removal today is Nd:YAG. There are several key differences between the two hair removal methods, which we’ll explore below so you can choose which treatment is right for you!
IPL devices emit a broad spectrum of high-intensity light, making it different from traditional laser treatments that use a single wavelength of light. IPL works by emitting bursts of light that are absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicles. The energy is converted into heat, which damages the hair follicles and their ability to grow new hair. IPL is a non-invasive treatment that doesn’t require any downtime, making it a popular choice for hair removal.
IPL works best on people who have a high degree of contrast between their hair and skin colour, such as people with fair skin and dark hair. It is not effective on people with darker skin tones as they do not have enough contrast with their hair colour. IPL is typically done in several sessions spaced a few weeks apart. Most people need 6-8 sessions to start, with maintenance sessions needed later on. While IPL is a great longer-lasting hair removal solution, the results are not permanent. You will continually need maintenance sessions to maintain the hair reduction over time.
ND:YAG is a type of laser technology commonly used for laser hair removal. It works by emitting intense laser light which is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. This is then turned to heat energy which destroys the hair follicle and prevents the follicle from producing new hair. The laser wavelength used is a single concentrated wavelength of light which makes it highly effective for hair removal. Nd:YAG laser hair removal treatments are non-invasive and require no downtime afterwards.
The best part about Nd:YAG technology is that it can be used to treat people of all skin tones. While many traditional laser hair removal methods work best on people with fair skin and dark hair, Nd:YAG can be used on clients with darker skin tones who don’t have high contrast between their skin and hair colour. This makes the treatment extremely versatile and able to treat a wider range of clients.
Most people require several sessions to start, spaced a few weeks apart. This is because laser hair removal can only treat the percentage of hair follicles that are in the growth stage. Each hair follicle cycles through the growth phases at a different rate, so spacing the treatments out allows you to effectively target each follicle over time. While Nd:YAG laser hair removal doesn’t always lead to complete and permanent hair removal, it significantly reduces hair growth, making the hair much finer and more sparse. Maintenance sessions are generally needed to keep the results over time.
Both IPL and Nd:YAG hair removal treatments have their own pros and cons. Many people may appreciate that there are convenient IPL devices that can be used in the comfort of your own home. However, the drawback with IPL treatments is that they are too surface level for effectivepermanent hair removal. Many people are disappointed when they don’t get the results they want with IPL. While IPL can be used as a solution for hair reduction, it does not actually produce permanent hair removal.
Nd:YAG on the other hand is not available to be done on your own at home, but leads to much longer-lasting results. You also get the benefit of having an experienced professional performing the treatment, ensuring top-quality results and expert service delivery. For people with darker skin tones, this is a much more effective treatment and can provide results that IPL is not capable of delivering.
If you’re looking for an effective, long-lasting hair removal treatment, You Derma offers laser hair removal treatments using Nd:YAG technology. Our team of experienced professionals uses top-of-the-line equipment to deliver the best results for our clients. If you’re looking to get rid of your razors for good, book a laser hair removal treatment at our Ottawa clinic!
You Derma is a Medical Aesthetics Clinic offering laser hair removal, facial treatments, laser treatments, and cosmetic injectables in Ottawa.
Visit Our Medical Aesthetics Clinic in Manor Park
435 St. Laurent Blvd Suite 204
Ottawa, ON K1K 2Z8
(613) 741-0073