Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of multi-pulse and single-pulse intense pulsed light for hair removal. Methods A total of 90 patients who underwent hair removal treatment in Dongguan Liaobu Hospital from March to September 2025 were selected as the research subjects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into three groups：Group A (30 patients, 1 patient lost to follow-up), Group B (30 patients), and Group C (30 patients, 1 patient lost to follow-up). Group A was treated with intense pulsed light device A operated in dual-pulse/four-pulse mode. Group B was treated with intense pulsed light device B operated in triple-pulse/five-pulse mode. Group C was treated with intense pulsed light device B operated in single-pulse mode. The hair removal efficacy, pain intensity, subjective satisfaction and adverse reactions were compared among the three groups. Results At 7 weeks after treatment, the effective rate of hair removal, hair density and hair reduction rate in Group A and Group B were higher than those in Group C (P <0.05), while there were no statistically significant differences between Group A and Group B (P >0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in NRS scores among the three groups (P >0.05).The subjective satisfaction score in Group A and Group B was higher than that in Group C (P <0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference between Group A and Group B (P >0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in Group A, Group B and Group C was 17.24%, 16.67% and 13.79% respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups (P >0.05). Conclusion The two multi-pulse intense pulsed light devices have comparable hair removal efficacy, both of which are superior to the single-pulse mode. Meanwhile, they do not increase the risk of adverse reactions, showing good application efficacy and safety.