I'm having IPL (I can't remember which type, but will find out from my beuticians) and I can honestly say it is the best thing I have ever done - it has given me so much more confidence in myself.
The best thing for anyone in this poition is RESEARCH. You really do need to research what is out there and find out which is the best for you. Always go to a reputable salon - the best one'w will be the one that do not push their treatment on you. I initially went for laser @ sk:in, but after speaking to the consultant, she suggested tyhat IPL is better for asian skin and recommended a salon that did it. She did that despite knowing that she was losing out on thousands of pounds. Therefore, the most professional salons will discuss what is best for you and will even recommend a treatment that they cannot provide.
The reason that most people shy away from IPL is the cost. Laser tends to be so much cheaper than IPL, depite the fact there are more side-effects associated with laser for asian skin than IPL. But, if you do your research properly there are salons out there who offer IPL cheaper than laser - the reason for this is because they own the machine rather than renting it. I am now paying less than half of what I was paying for my treatment, because the new salon manager brought the machine and so she could afford to reduce her prices. For a treatment of six she has quoted me £550 which is a bargain compared to the ex-manager who started off charging £1200.
But, results will take some time to see, you have to be PATIENT.
sweetpip - while i'm not saying that IPL doesn't work 100%, Laser undoubtedly gives better results for most people. even asian skin tones; you just need the right machine with an experienced aesthetician who knows which settings to use. I know a few (and that's too many in my book) who have ended up with induced growth from IPL. my electrologist has clients who had induced growth from both laser and IPL, where the right settings weren't used, or the hair was too fine to have been treated.
but i'm afraid that there are some things which are not true in your post.
firstly, laser machines are more expensive than 99% of IPL by a long way. the reasons salons prefer IPLs because they can offer both skin treatments and hair removal from one machine and can also treat all skin types from that one machine.
Lasers are much more expensive and the salon usually has to invest in two machines to treat clients of different skin colours.
A lot of sk:n clinics, especially when the first set up, did not have lasers suitable for asian skin and therefore of course she would have had to turn you away.
i'm a regular on laser/ipl forums and to be honest, sk:n don't have a good rep anyway.
I didn't want to bandy my qualifications about and haven't done so in any posts yet but I'm an electronic engineer plus a masters in medical physics plus PhD currently so I know how both machines work have read the papers written on them both when doing my research. This is mainly why I prefer Laser over IPL.
Personally speaking, I've had five treatments on underarms and am finished. 2 on bikini and the way the hair is coming back I think a third will be my last. And I expect 3-4 total on my legs providing I can bear the pain for the higher settings. I'm using the right machine for my skin colour and my aesthetician is really great.
Even the people I know who have had successful IPL have needed a LOT more treatments than this.
But whatever method you girls do, sweetpip is right in saying do you research. Only go somewhere that you people with a skin colour like yours have had success without side-effects.