Skin Tone: The Deciding Factor
For many people this matters more than everything above.
Both treatments work by targeting something darker than its surroundings. In deeper skin tones there is more melanin in the surrounding skin itself, so the margin between the target and the background narrows, and the risk of the energy affecting the skin rather than the target rises.
That risk is higher with IPL specifically, because its broad output includes shorter wavelengths that epidermal melanin absorbs readily. Published guidance notes that the risk of residual dyschromia and hyperpigmentation is greater in darker skin, and that filter choice, fluence and pulse settings need particular care. Our IPL treatments are generally most suitable for lighter and medium skin tones.
Laser offers more options here, because a longer wavelength passes the epidermis more safely and reaches the target at depth. This is the reason dual-wavelength platforms exist, and the reason we can offer hair removal across a wider range of skin tones. We have a dedicated page on laser hair removal for dark skin.
The NHS advises that laser hair removal works better on pale skin with dark hair, and that tanned skin should be allowed to fade before treatment. That last point applies to recent holidays and self-tan as much as to natural tone, and it applies to both treatments.
Suitability is always assessed in person, and a patch test is part of that.
Side by Side
| |
Laser |
IPL |
| Light produced |
One precise wavelength |
A broad band, filtered to the target |
| Best at |
Precision and depth |
Covering larger areas quickly |
| Hair removal |
The stronger evidence base |
Can reduce hair, less reliably |
| Scattered sun damage |
Workable, slower over large areas |
Usually the better fit |
| Diffuse facial redness |
Less suited to broad redness |
Well established |
| Individual visible vessels |
Often the better tool |
Less targeted |
| Deeper skin tones |
More options, with the right wavelength |
Greater care needed, often unsuitable |
| Tattoo removal |
Requires a specific laser type |
Not used for this |
What About Home IPL Devices?
Home devices sold for hair removal are almost always IPL rather than laser, and they operate at considerably lower energy than clinic equipment. That is a deliberate safety decision rather than a flaw.
The practical consequences are that progress is slower, sessions are needed more often and for longer, and results tend to be less complete. They also carry the same skin tone limitations as clinic IPL, usually more strictly, and most carry explicit warnings against use on deeper skin tones.
If a home device suits your skin and hair colouring and you are content with a gradual result, there is nothing wrong with using one. It is simply a different proposition from a course of medical-grade laser, and it is worth knowing that before deciding which you are buying.
Choosing a Clinic
Because both treatments involve directing significant energy at skin, who holds the handpiece matters as much as which device it belongs to.
The NHS advises checking that your practitioner is experienced and suitably qualified, and is on a register confirming standards for training, skill and insurance, rather than someone who has completed only a short course.
Two further questions are worth asking. Which device will be used for my specific concern, and why that one? And will I have a patch test before a full session? A clinic that only has one technology will, understandably, recommend that technology. Having both means the answer can be matched to the concern. If neither suits you, we would rather say so.
You can meet our practitioners on the meet the team page, and current pricing for both treatments is on our price list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IPL the same as laser? No. A laser produces a single precise wavelength of light, while IPL produces a broad band of wavelengths that is then filtered towards the target. The practical difference is that laser offers precision and depth, while IPL covers larger areas quickly and can act on more than one target at a time.
Which is better for hair removal, IPL or laser? Laser has the stronger evidence base. Randomised trials and the Cochrane review support laser for meaningful hair reduction, while the evidence for IPL in hair removal is weaker. IPL can reduce hair, but less reliably, which matters for a treatment taken as a course over several months.
Is IPL safe for darker skin tones? It needs particular care and is often unsuitable. IPL’s broad output includes shorter wavelengths that are readily absorbed by melanin in the surrounding skin, raising the risk of pigment changes in deeper skin tones. Longer-wavelength laser options are generally the safer route, and suitability is always assessed at consultation with a patch test.
Will laser hair removal remove my hair permanently? No treatment has documented permanent hair removal, and the NHS states that laser hair removal is not permanent and will not necessarily remove all hair. What a course achieves is a substantial, long-lasting reduction, usually with occasional maintenance sessions afterwards. Results vary between individuals.
Can IPL treat melasma? Melasma is best assessed before any light-based treatment is considered, because it can react badly to heat and light and may darken in response. A depigmenting approach is often more appropriate. Identifying which type of pigmentation you have is the necessary first step.
How many sessions will I need? That depends on the treatment, the area and what is being treated. The NHS notes that laser hair removal sessions are typically spaced around every four weeks for facial hair and every six to eight weeks for body hair. We will give you a realistic estimate at consultation rather than a fixed number in advance.
Do I need a patch test? Yes. A patch test checks how your skin responds at the settings proposed for you, and it is a standard part of starting either treatment.
Can I have treatment if I have a tan? Not usually. Tanned skin, whether from the sun, a sunbed or self-tan, raises the risk of an unwanted reaction and should be allowed to fade first. We will advise how long to wait at your consultation.
Book Your Free Consultation
If you are unsure whether IPL or laser is the right route for your hair or your skin, the quickest way to find out is to have it looked at properly.
Book a free consultation at House of Aesthetics in Bromley. We will assess your skin and hair, explain which treatment suits your concern and your skin tone, and set out what is realistic. There is no obligation and no charge for the consultation.
Call us on 020 8290 0099, visit us at 14 Market Square, Bromley BR1 1NA, or book online.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This article is provided for general information and does not constitute medical advice. Suitability for laser or IPL treatment depends on your individual skin type, skin tone, medical history, current medication and recent sun exposure, and will be assessed at consultation along with a patch test. Not all skin marks are suitable for cosmetic treatment. If a mark is new, changing, itching, bleeding or not healing, please consult your GP before seeking cosmetic treatment. Results vary between individuals and no outcome can be guaranteed.
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