ZAP YOUR WAY TO SMOOTHNESS

The Snarky Guide to IPL vs. Laser Hair Removal—Because Shaving Is So Last Century

Everything You Need to Know About IPL and Laser Hair Removal—Because Razors Are the Worst

IPL vs. Laser: What’s the Difference?

So, you’ve finally had enough of shaving, waxing, and screaming through epilator sessions. Welcome to the world of permanent(ish) hair removal. But before you dive in, let’s clear up the confusion between IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and laser treatments—because they’re not the same, even though people love to lump them together.

IPL Treatments (For the DIY Queens and Budget-Conscious)

✔ Uses broad-spectrum light—basically, a strobe light for your follicles.
✔ You can do it at home with devices that won’t break the bank.
✔ Requires patience (and more patience). Treatments are needed every two weeks to see results.
✔ Bonus: It rejuvenates skin while zapping hair.
✔ Costs anywhere from $50 to $400—aka the price of a fancy dinner or your coffee addiction for a month.

Laser Treatments (For Those Who Like to Pay Professionals to Torture Them)

✔ Requires a trained professional—no DIY here unless you like third-degree burns.
✔ Uses a monochromatic laser beam that’s more precise than IPL.
✔ Faster results, but also requires 4-6 weeks between sessions for your skin to recover.
✔ Burns off the outer skin layer in the process—sounds scary, but hey, smooth skin comes at a price.
✔ Costs $1,400 to $3,000—so, basically, a small vacation or a couple of rent payments.

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The Good, The Bad, and The Hairy

Pros of IPL (A.K.A. The Lazy Girl’s Dream)

✨ Quick & less painful—you might feel a snap, but it’s not waxing painful.
✨ Works anywhere on the body—except the places you shouldn’t zap (more on that later).
✨ No more ingrown hairs—finally, a solution to those annoying bumps.
✨ Leads to softer, smoother skin—goodbye, sandpaper legs.
✨ Long-term solution—not quite "permanent," but good enough.

Cons of IPL (Because Nothing Is Perfect)

❌ Can cause redness, irritation, and skin discoloration—especially if you forget SPF.
❌ Risk of skin infection if you’re careless.
❌ Won’t work on light hair (sorry, blondes and silver foxes, you’re out of luck).