The clearest difference in Australia is legal. ARPANSA reports cosmetic lasers are regulated in Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia↗, but cosmetic IPL in Tasmania only↗. Western Australia's regulator confirms IPL is not regulated↗ under its Radiation Safety Act. Ask which device a clinic will use before you book.
Most comparisons of these two devices are written by businesses that own one of them. This one sticks to what regulators and a dermatology reference actually say, which means it answers fewer questions than you might want, and answers those honestly.
Are IPL and laser the same thing?
No. They are different kinds of light device, and Australia's radiation regulators name and license them separately. What we cannot give you is an official Australian comparison of their results for hair removal. We looked, did not find one, and would rather say so than rank the two devices on a clinic's say-so.
Which states license each device?
| State | Cosmetic laser | Cosmetic IPL |
|---|---|---|
| Queensland | use licence required↗ for class 4 lasers | Not on ARPANSA's list of regulated states |
| Tasmania | licence for cosmetic lasers and IPL↗ | Licence, under the same rule |
| Western Australia | licence and registration↗ for class 3B and 4 lasers | not regulated↗ |
| Other states and territories | Not on ARPANSA's list | Not on ARPANSA's list |
Why does the licence matter to you?
Where a licence exists, someone other than the clinic has checked something. In Queensland, applicants for a laser use licence must show theory and practical training↗. Move one state across to New South Wales, or switch from a laser to an IPL device anywhere but Tasmania, and that check disappears. The questions you ask at the counter are all that is left.
Does laser work on every hair colour?
Not every laser does. DermNet says alexandrite laser hair removal is generally ineffective for light-coloured hair↗. Whether a clinic offers laser or IPL, ask what it will do for your hair colour before you pay for a course of six.
What should you ask before booking?
- Is this a laser or an IPL device, and which model?
- In Queensland, Tasmania or Western Australia: does the person treating me hold the state licence?
- How many sessions do you expect, and how far apart?
- What is the price per session, and what does a pack cost if I prepay?
What does it cost?
The price lists we checked cover laser hair removal. See laser hair removal cost by body area, or estimate a course in the calculator.