Hi everyone - I have been reading this forum for the past few weeks, and I understand that the Aurora is not a laser, but is IPL. I’m sorry if this is a basic question, but can someone please explain to me the difference between the two? Thank you!!!
Laser is a single wavelength of light. Made specifically for hair removal.
IPL is broad spectrum light, made up of a range of wavelengths. IPLs made for a variety of uses, and hair removal is more of an afterthought. They treat sun damage, pigmentation on face, hands and chests, small blood vessels and diffuse redness found on the face and chest.
But IPL can be effective for some people correct? Depending on the person using it and the machine used, is this right? I have heard a couple people in my area being satisfied with a machine called Vasculight. I’m looking into giving this a try.
The problem with IPLs is that it is a difficult to use machine if you’re trying to perform laser hair removal with it. It’s meant more for other procedures. The main issue is that most people actually treating with it don’t know what they’re doing at all because they’re cheaper machines and usually bought by beauty salons etc. Lasers are more powerful in general and those who purchase them are specifically interested in doing laser hair removal, thus usually know more about how to do it more efficiently and effectively. What you need to find is someone who’s experienced in HAIR REMOVAL in particular. That’s most important for best results as they need to be able to manipulate the machine just right etc to get your the best results. And, not coincidentally, most of these experienced techs will have a true laser at their site.
I agree with LAgirl completely. The Soprano is safe and effective, but is still operator dependent.
I just want to chime in here too with my results. I first started hair removal with IPL, I did 4 sessions on my stomach where my happy trail was very dark and coarse and then got thinner and finer as it moved to the edges of my stomach. I then did 2 alexandrite sessions on the area after, and it’s been at least 6 months since my last session. I’m not done, but one thing I’ve noticed is that the only place I really have any visible hair is more on the edges of my stomach. My happy trail is literally gone, and I mean 100% gone, it’s smooth and there isn’t even peach fuzz that grows there anymore. There’s no way this was just from the 2 alexandrite sessions. In fact, of all the laser I’ve done, this spot is by far the best results I’ve had yet. Again like LAGirl said the problem with IPL is that it’s cheaper, and usually dermatologists have them because they buy them for skin treatments then figure might as well do the hair removal too. As LAGirl said they fire all colours and wavelengths vs lasers one. They use a colour filter over them so it only uses the one wavelength.
If it helps at all I was treated with the Lumenis One IPL. It’s the same machine that can do Yag and also LightSheer. My clinic didn’t have the LightSheer module though so it was just IPL.