What is IPL Hair Removal?

There are many types of laser or light technology used for hair removal today. A relative newcomer to the hair removal scene is IPL, or intense pulsed light. IPL technology is one type that's widely used for both skin rejuvenation and laser hair removal.
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. IPL treatments are often referred to as photo rejuvenation, Photofacial or IPL Photofacial due to its use of "selective photothermolysis" during treatment. Photothermolysis is the process by which IPL lasers convert light energy to heat energy and treat unwanted hair and skin pigments. IPL lasers can use photothermolysis to remove unwanted hair, or to correct skin hyperpigmentation, rosacea, age spots and the appearance of sun damage.
Unlike other types of hair removal technologies, such as the diode laser, IPL lasers use a full spectrum of light wavelengths. IPL can alter the intensity of its pulsed light beams with various filters, but it can't be refined to a single wavelength. Some patients and professionals claim that the IPL's greater wavelength spectrum equals less precision and less control, which could mean an increased risk of burns and hair removal side effects with misuse.
IPL lasers are sometimes available with combined radio frequency, or RF, benefits, like with the popular Aurora laser series. The addition of radio frequencies is alleged to help improve skin texture and clear up troubled complexions. Radio frequencies attempt to heat up and energize skin tissue, which can increase collagen production and create firmer skin tissue. IPL lasers with RF energy will be more beneficial when used for anti-aging skin care treatments, rather than for laser hair removal.
One of the biggest reasons why IPL are so popular in the hair removal industry is the lower cost. On average, ipl hair removal treatments are cheaper than the standard cost of laser hair removal. Additionally, they can treat larger skin portions at a time, so areas like the legs and back can be treated in a fraction of the time required with standard lasers.
IPL lasers are more often recommended for skin treatments than for hair removal procedures. This is because greater precision is required to focus light energy on individual hair follicles as opposed to problem skin areas. This isn't to say that IPL lasers can't successfully remove hair on the face and body.