Esthie here, waxing does thin the amount of hair could make it softer as it rips the hair from the root, making it take longer to grow back as it has to regrow from the follicle. Laser damages the follicles reducing or delaying regrowth and is not always permanent. PCOS patients can sometimes have the opposite effect with laser.
IPL can be faster and more effective results for some, if you have lighter hair this is a good move too. Waxes can depend on the esthie and her prices. Laser can be 50 to 300 per session, and IPL usually runs ya 300 to 600 per session. Largely depends on your price range and what you need. All do the same thing at its core.
I’ve only shaved, never waxed. V coarse, thick, dark type of hair and I think waxing would be worth a shot to see how I like it in the winter for maybe 4-6 sessions to see a thinning effect? Also looked up IPL, very interesting. If it’s best for lighter hair then I guess not. But also I can do that at home !?? 😭💀 Amazon ?!