Is IPL Hair Removal Permanent?
June 17,2022
Hair could be in the shredding or resting phase. Consequently, it is not affected by the IPL treatment. Permanent hair removal cannot be possible 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.
The continuous rounds of treatment can only ensure permanent reduction. It means that after a certain period of time, your hair is likely to grow back and you will need to repeat the same process over and over again. However, the frequency with which you undertake the procedures is determined by the type of skin and hair you have. It can also be hormone-related thus varying from one individual to the other. This in itself helps you understand that there is no permanent hair removal using IPL because there are a series of treatments that have to be done periodically.
Treating the same area more than once in a single session will not improve efficacy and may cause skin irritation.
It's fair to want to get the results faster, but don't go overboard.
Unlike most things in life, more is not better in this case, and going beyond the recommended therapy will not only slow down hair loss but will also diminish your chances of seeing a positive result.
The goal is to time your treatments to coincide with your hair's natural growth cycle, allowing you to destroy hair follicles and stop hair from growing back.
All devices' instruction manuals will specify how long between IPL hair removal sessions should be.
When starting out with IPL for the first time, take it carefully for 3 or 4 sessions, leaving a 2-week break between treatments on your underarms and bikini areas and roughly 4 weeks on your legs (as these hairs have different growth cycles).
All in all, you should not use IPL every day. Also, if you wait any longer between sessions, the hair will recuperate and begin to grow back in earnest.
After the fourth session, though, you can be more forceful and apply the IPL product if you detect any hair growing back through until it completely stops.
Do laser hair removal machines hurt?
Yes, using a laser hair removal machine can hurt but that all depends on your pain threshold and the level of intensity you set on the machine. Some compare laser removal to a rubber band snapping against their skin, while others experience slight discomfort. The same patch of skin will never be lasered twice, but it can be a lengthy process.
Are laser hair removal machines suitable for everyone?
Since the light is absorbed by melanin (dark pigments found in hair), laser hair removal machines tend to work better with medium to dark hair. However, there are some machines particularly suited for fairer hair.
It can be dangerous to use laser hair removal machines on dark skin, as they can cause discoloration and hyperpigmentation. This isn’t something you need to worry about, though, as the machine will lock if it thinks your skin is too dark or your hair too fair.
Is there anything else I need to know?
Don’t wax before treatment, as the follicle needs to sit above the skin. For best results, most people advise that you use the laser hair removal machine just after shaving. Also, be careful not to use the machine on intimate areas or the upper lip as the skin is too delicate.