Hair Removal Tips and Tutorials | How do I use IPL? | LaboTest UK (2024)

FAQs

How many IPL treatments do I need for hair removal? ›

IPL Treatments – How many, how often, and why?? To get the very best results from IPL therapy, we recommend that our patients do 5 IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments, performed 4 weeks apart.

If it's your first time doing IPL treatment, we suggest starting on the lowest setting and increasing the intensity once a week as your comfort level allows. (IPL treatment is virtually painless, but the flash heat from the IPL does deliver a tingling sensation that might take some getting used to.)

IPL hair removal is a progressive treatment that offers full body hair removal - but you can use IPL to treat separate areas, such as your arms, legs, or pubic area, depending on your individual needs.

Follow aftercare, keep your skin free of perfumed products, deodorants and makeup before and after your treatment (makeup can be removed at your appointment.) Products could irritate your skin post treatment. 12-24 hours is usually ample time, so be sure to treat your skin with care.

Like any form of laser hair removal or salon Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) procedures, you have to shave. It is not advisable to wax, epilate or pluck, because IPL hair removal treatment requires the hair to be intact with the hair follicle to be effective.

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!

To maximize your IPL treatments' effectiveness, you can do a few before and after to optimize your results. The treatment area mustn't be tanned or exposed to direct sunlight two weeks before your procedure. Sun exposure encourages the production of melanin, which can interfere with your IPL's results.

As a general rule, the smaller the capillaries, the quicker they are to clear up. Typically, you won't start seeing results until two to four weeks after the first treatment, as it can take the body's lymphatic system that long to remove the dead material.

If you don't shave before your laser hair removal session, the light energy may not penetrate the hair follicle, resulting in an ineffective treatment. In addition, if the hair is too long there is a risk of uneven coverage which can cause patchy results.

You will notice that the hair growth after four weeks of IPL treatment will be lesser and thinner. After completing a session of 12 weeks, the hair growth will reduce completely, providing you with silky, smooth skin for a longer time. However, you may have to continue touch-ups as needed.

Where should you not use IPL? ›

It's recommended that you don't use IPL too close to the eyes and lips, as these areas are very sensitive and can be irritated by the light impulses. Only use it below the cheekbones. The most important factor when it comes IPL treatment on the face is to use a device that's intended for this area.

You can use at-home IPL devices on any area of the body where hair is found, whether that means treating your facial hair or giving yourself a full Brazilian, according to Dr. Shirazi.

If you use your device too often, you won't speed up your hair removal treatments and could set yourself up for side effects. Like nearly everything in life, IPL works best when following the recommended treatment plans. That's typically twice a week over 8 weeks, for starters.

After a single session of laser hair removal, some hair will grow back. However, it will be finer and lighter than before. For optimal results, patients usually undergo multiple sessions. Each session leads to a greater reduction in hair regrowth.

After shaving the skin to prepare it for IPL hair removal, all-over body treatment takes just 30 minutes.

You can also wear a moisturizer that has SPF 30 or higher to enjoy the full benefits of IPL treatment.