IPL Hair Removal: 7 Pros and 4 Cons | Mulberry House Clinic (2024)

FAQs

How safe is IPL hair removal at home? ›

These devices are safe for amateurs to use at home, so you don't have to worry about singeing yourself in the name of smooth skin. (Still, make sure you follow the directions exactly — because laser.) But with less power also comes less effectiveness: The at-home devices don't work as well as the pro models.

IPL isn't going to make every single hair on your legs (or bikini line, or wherever) permanently vanish, but both in-office treatments and many quality at-home IPL devices are FDA-approved for permanent hair reduction. You may need a few sessions to see results, though, and IPL treatments aren't for everyone.

IPL FAQs. What is the downside of IPL treatment? The main downsides of IPL treatment are the cost and number of sessions needed to get results. Mild pain and redness also may occur during or after treatments.

That being said, you should avoid using your IPL on extra-sensitive areas such as the genitals, nipples, or anus, as this could cause inflammation. You can use the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 IPL in the Pubic Area, including mons pubis, labia majora, perineum and around the anus.

We know you're SO excited to experience permanent hair removal, but we do not recommend using your device more than twice per week. Using IPL every day may result in irritation – and it won't work as well, anyway!

Can you use IPL on bikini areas? First things first, let's answer a pressing question: can you use IPL on the bikini area safely? Yes, you can! That is, as long as you have a device, like the Philips Lumea IPL 9000 Series, that has a specific attachment designed to work with the contours of this area of your body.

IPL treatment does not cause hair to regrow any quicker, despite what the myth may have you believe.

Unlike with stronger laser machines, permanent hair removal cannot be possible with IPL because all the hairs in the targeted area will not be affected by the intense pulsed light beam. Furthermore, white or very blond hair would be difficult if not impossible to be treated as they contain little or no melanin.

For best results, IPL treatments should be repeated every fortnight, up to six times. You will start to see results after the third treatment. A treatment schedule can help you maintain this rhythm. This is especially helpful if you're treating different areas of your body.

Who should avoid IPL? ›

IPL is safe for most people but is not suitable for everyone. Pregnant women and people who are on blood thinners, for example, should avoid IPL. Other factors that make people unsuitable for IPL treatment include: currently or recently taking the acne drug Accutane.

– A poorly done laser treatment can lead to burns, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, ocular injury, scars and a simple lack of results. – The treatment should cause only slight darkening of the pigmentation, not in the general surface area of the skin, and no burns or scabs.

After IPL hair removal

The hair will appear to grow (though very slowly) for 2 to 4 weeks and should then fall out; this is the treated hair being pushed out of the follicle, not new growth. Any hair that does not fall out was either too fine, too light, too deeply rooted or possibly wasn't treated.

Yes, you can, and it can provide a long-lasting solution. As an alternative to epilation, waxing or even shaving, IPL makes it possible to remove facial hair for longer.

If you forget to shave, the effectiveness of your treatment may diminish. The laser, instead of focusing on the follicles, might target surface hair. This can lead to heightened discomfort, potential stinging, and a risk of burns. Surface impurities like dirt and oil can also reduce efficacy.

Many people report they achieve permanent hair reduction after just a few treatments. However, some people may require touch-ups every few years to keep those hair bulbs from sprouting out new follicles. IPL hair removal treatments are a great way to achieve long-lasting results without the hassle of shaving or waxing.

You need a small amount of hair visible at the surface of the skin for the IPL light to effectively destroy the follicle. Shaving the area being treated will help the laser focus beneath the skin and improve the results. If there's a lot of hair on the surface, a lot less light energy makes it deep into the follicle.

It does not work well on dark skin

Laser hair removal works better on people with pale skin and dark hair. It's not as effective on tanned skin or hair that's been bleached by the sun. If you've got a tan you'll need to let it fade before having treatment.