Everything you need to know about IPL laser hair removal

Are you bothered by pimples, bumps on the skin and ingrown hairs? Then an IPL hair remover will be perfect for you! Traditional methods of hair removal such as shaving, waxing and plucking are widely used, but give short-term results that often lead to sores and dry skin and ingrown hairs. Hair removal with the IPL laser, on the other hand, is a gentle and long-lasting method of hair removal that gives very good results on unwanted hair growth.

What is IPL?

IPL stands for " intense pulsating light ", and consists of gentle light waves that form a white light. An IPL machine is simply a laser that absorbs light from the hair follicles, and in this way puts the hair growth into hibernation mode. The IPL light waves hit the melanin in the hair under the skin, and the white light is then absorbed by the hair follicles. The heat from the light energy puts active hairs into sleep mode, which means that new hairs do not grow out. Read more about Silkemyk's IPL laser and a guide on how to use it in this post.

IPL hair removal for ingrown hairs

The risk of getting pimples, bumps and ingrown hairs when shaving or waxing is relatively large. When waxing, hair that breaks instead of being removed from the hair follicle will often curl and/or grow sideways into the skin again. When this happens, an inflammation occurs in the skin, and you get bumpy skin and pimples. The same often happens when shaving, especially if you shave against the hair's natural direction of growth.

Hair removal using IPL technology is a good alternative to hair removal for those who easily get ingrown hairs and bumps on the skin. IPL is a pulsating light that damages the hair follicle so that the hair falls out. What is so nice about IPL treatment is that it only damages the hair follicle and not the skin. Therefore, the risk of ingrown hairs after removing hair with IPL hair removers is minimal. With IPL, the skin stays pimple-free and beautiful.

Many people get very good results from IPL hair removal after just one or two treatments. Most people still need up to 12 weeks to remove all hair growth in the area in question. The reason why it takes a few weeks to remove all hair growth is because our hairs grow in 3 different cycles. Only the hairs that are in the active growth phase are treated.

Permanent hair removal: what does it mean?

You may have read about how to get rid of hair permanently, but what does that really mean? Most people who read about hair removal with IPL and laser think that permanent means "forever", which is very understandable.

One should always be a little skeptical and cautious if someone claims that a method of hair removal is permanent. Our hair will always grow back at some point, so all forms of hair removal require maintenance. Nevertheless, much less maintenance is required when using IPL than other methods of hair removal.

What is the best of laser and IPL for hair removal?

The terms laser and IPL are used interchangeably as the effect is very similar - but there is still a difference between the two. Both laser and IPL work in the same way by adding heat to the pigment in the hair follicles, thereby destroying the cells in the hair root that make the hair grow.

Laser works by using only one wavelength, one strength and a unidirectional light, while IPL uses a broad-spectrum light and a number of different wavelengths and brightnesses. IPL is therefore a gentler light treatment for the skin. IPL also produces fewer side effects without compromising the results of the hair removal.

IPL facial hair removal

It is very common to have facial hair - both for women and men. You can use IPL hair removal on the face, just be careful around the eyes. IPL hair removal is most effective on dark hair, and these can be easily treated. Removing light facial hair is difficult as the effect of IPL depends on the level of melanin in the hair shaft. The more melanin in the hair shaft, the more effective the IPL laser works. Very light, red or gray hair contains little melanin - therefore the treatment will unfortunately be less effective.

If you have very strong facial hair growth due to a hormonal condition such as hypertrichosis or hirsutism in adults, you will usually have to count on more IPL treatments than average.

Do you have to shave before hair removal with IPL, also on the face?

You don't have to do anything, but for optimal results it is recommended to shave the areas to be treated before using the IPL hair remover. The reason why we recommend shaving the area first is so that the light energy can reach the hair follicle as quickly and well as possible. Remember that the hair follicles need to be intact for IPL to be effective. Therefore, avoid growing or plucking the hairs in the area you wish to treat.

Myths about shaving

Many women find the thought of shaving their face frightening as they have heard various myths such as that shaving increases hair growth and that you get darker and thicker hair when you shave. This is not true. It is well documented that shaving does not stimulate hair growth. You also don't get a different hair color on the hair where you've shaved, and the hair doesn't get thicker - although it might feel that way while it's growing out. The hair becomes soft again when it has grown out completely.

Can you use a solarium after using the IPL laser?

Unfortunately, IPL hair removal and solarium are not best friends. Sun-damaged skin should not be treated with IPL as this can cause side effects. You should wait at least two weeks before carrying out an IPL treatment if your skin has been exposed to a lot of tanning beds. After hair removal with IPL, you should wait at least 48 hours before exposing a treated area to the solarium.

How effective is hair removal with IPL?

The result depends on skin colour, hair thickness and colour, genetic hair growth, hormones in the body, diseases and medication. We still see that a full 92% of our customers had less hair growth already after 6 treatments - which is a reasonably high number.

How often can IPL hair removers be used at home?

We recommend that you use the IPL hair remover once a week for the first 12 weeks. After this period, you can use IPL once a month for 3 months, or until you are satisfied. To maintain silky smooth skin, you should use the laser once every 2 months, or as needed. Because the IPL treatment is only effective during the active growth phase of your hair, there is no point in using the IPL hair remover more than once a week.

Which areas of the body are suitable for IPL laser hair removal?

An IPL hair remover can be used on most areas of the body with the exception of the eyes and genital areas. Common areas to treat are armpits, arms, legs, face, bikini line, upper lip, fingers, toes and on the upper arms and thighs. Avoid areas with a lot of pigment. The pigmented areas of your skin will absorb the flashes of light from the IPL laser at a deeper level, which can cause skin irritation. Do not use IPL directly on tattoos, freckles, dark birthmarks or moles.

 

So if you are one of those who are tired of being bothered by bumps on the skin and ingrown hairs after shaving, then you should invest in an IPL hair remover.