I have a Tria 4X, which is technically a home laser and not IPL.
It worked really well on the thick, dark, hairs I had on my arms and the trail in the middle of my chest and stomach. The finer, long, dark, hairs the rest on my stomach and legs not so much.
It's hard to say if it's permanent, but I've had very little regrowth on my arms since I cleared them about 2 years ago.