Is the IPL Treatment At Cosmetic Laser Centers the Same as Using an Over-the-Counter Device?

ipl treatment session on womans legs

Which One Should You Invest In to Reach Your Skin Goals?

Beauty magazines and social media influencers overwhelm you with beauty advice and DIY tips and tricks to help you look and feel your best.

Some would have you believe that an at-home IPL treatment will give you professional, long-lasting results.

But what is actually true?

The medical providers at Cosmetic Laser Centers℠ in Pittsburgh and Warrendale are here to help you separate IPL fact from fiction and get the care you need to achieve optimal results.

IPL Treatments For Skin Texture and Tone

IPL treatment is not a laser, but rather intense pulsed light. It is an effective skincare solution that can improve the look of spider veins on the face, redness, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and fine lines.

It works by using scattered and unfocused wavelengths of light to penetrate the layers of your skin. The cells in your skin heat up and then break down. Your body reabsorbs these damaged cells, leaving your skin looking smoother and more even-toned.

You can get IPL treatments almost anywhere on your body, including your face, and it’s widely considered very safe for almost anyone.

If you’d like to improve your skin tone and texture, IPL might be right for you. Schedule a consultation at Cosmetic Laser Centers to learn more.

IPL Hair Removal Treatments Are a Thing Of the Past

Today, most professional hair removal treatments do not use IPL handsets. IPL was more popular in the past, but its effectiveness was limited, requiring more frequent, long-term treatments for hair reduction.

Instead, professionals use a diode laser, such as LightSheer™. Diode lasers are more effective at hair removal for a broader population of patients. It also is a more effective hair reduction treatment that is more comfortable than professional-grade IPL.

Achieve smooth skin with LightSheer™ laser hair removal in Pittsburgh. Contact us for a consultation to learn whether this FDA-approved method of hair removal is right for you.

So, Are At-Home Devices the Same as Professional IPL Treatment?

The over-the-counter devices sold in stores today are weaker versions of professional equipment. They are not marketed for improving skin tone and texture, but rather IPL hair removal.

If you look at popular brands on the home-use market today, you’ll likely see many fairly positive online reviews about their effectiveness, making these devices seem like a financially sound decision to help you achieve your skin goals.

Although the over-the-counter devices may seem fairly effective, you’re missing valuable context that the manufacturers’ marketing and users’ reviews leave out:

  • You’ll need to perform your own IPL treatment on a regular basis, for many weeks in a row to see a reduction in hair growth. Treatment is slow, taking many months to begin to see results.
  • IPL for hair removal is not effective for everyone, especially if you have darker skin or fair hair. You won’t know if it will work for you until you’ve invested in the DIY handheld device and tried it for several weeks.
  • There is some discomfort associated with over-the-counter IPL treatment equipment that some users do not expect.
  • Your hair reduction results may only last for a few months, requiring you to start another long treatment process.
  • If you wait too long between your at-home treatments, you may not see results at all. Users find it is easier to keep appointments with a professional than it is to remember to incorporate their DIY IPL into their self-care routine.

The bottom line is that you need a medical expert to provide treatment using an FDA-approved professional device to get results that are worth investing your time and money into. If you were considering an over-the-counter IPL device for skin tone and texture, you are unlikely to find one in the consumer retail market.

Schedule IPL Treatment Near You At Cosmetic Laser Centers

If you want to improve your skin tone and texture and reverse signs of aging, or if you want to significantly reduce hair growth on your arms, legs, armpits, face, and bikini area, schedule a consultation at Cosmetic Laser Centers. Our medical providers will create a customized treatment plan to help you reach your skin goals, whether that’s IPL skin treatments or laser hair removal.

Call our location nearest you:

You can also send us a message online to learn more about our services. We look forward to helping you feel like the best version of yourself!