IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) hair removal technology claims to permanently reduce pubic hair growth. Similar to laser treatments, its flash of light directly transforms into heat that targets pigment in hair follicles for removal.
Pain levels vary; typically it feels similar to tiny rubber bands flicking your skin.
At-Home IPL Devices
TikTok users have likely come across enthusiastic reviews for at-home IPL devices recently, which claim they can remove unwanted hair without it returning. Furthermore, unlike laser treatment options, home IPL treatments don’t require you to leave the comfort of your own home to receive their benefits.
IPL devices work by emitting wavelengths of light which absorb melanin pigment in hair and skin, heating follicles until they’re destroyed and rendering new growth impossible. At-home IPL devices are becoming increasingly effective and reliable every year, giving women more options for permanent hair reduction at their fingertips.
Lumea IPL devices offer various intensity levels that are customizable to your skin tone and hair colour, as well as built-in sensors to detect whether you’re using too harsh an intensity level for your particular setting. Darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick skin tone five and above) should exercise caution as their higher amount of melanin could trigger adverse reactions with some devices.
Some may experience mild discomfort during their session; this will depend on your pain threshold and intensity level chosen. If it becomes uncomfortable, try using smooth start gel or lidocaine cream prior to treatment in order to alleviate it; over time it should diminish significantly.
Home IPL devices continue to improve, yet they still cannot match in-office treatments for producing desired results. You should expect between six to eight initial treatments and annual top-up sessions before seeing satisfactory results.
When purchasing an at-home IPL device, ensure it has FDA clearance and comes from a reputable brand. Be sure to follow all usage instructions and safety warnings; avoid using it on broken skin, tattoos or areas exposed to sunlight.
In-Office IPL Treatments
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is an efficient method for eliminating unwanted hair from your body. IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light energy to penetrate skin layers and damage those responsible for hair growth – an approach often considered less painful than waxing! With modern IPL devices, the sensation can be likened to an elastic band flick or hot oil spattering sensation; but remember it may take multiple treatment sessions spread out over 4-6 weeks in order to see significant results.
In-office IPL treatments are administered by dermatologists or trained laser technicians using professional-grade IPL devices, which are far more powerful than handheld versions sold online and may produce long-term or even permanent results. Today’s most efficient devices feature longer pulse widths of light with substantial surface cooling for safer, more comfortable treatments; this ensures maximum destruction is taking place at the base of each hair follicle where melanin and blood vessels reside.
IPL devices use filters to limit their spectrum of colors of light emitted and target only specific areas for treatment, making it effective against brown spots, redness, broken capillaries and rosacea. Furthermore, these IPL treatments may also help reduce facial lines and wrinkles as well as acne outbreaks while lightening or eliminating unwanted dark hair growth.
If you opt for in-office IPL treatments, medical-grade filters will be applied over the lens of the device before being applied to your skin. This helps protect your eyes from bright lights and reduce complications, including eye damage. In-office treatments tend to be less painful than at-home devices.
One key consideration when choosing IPL as a method for permanent hair reduction is remembering that your hair will still grow – just at a slower rate compared to before. Therefore, it is crucial that you adhere strictly to your treatment plan and visit Skin From Within regularly in order to keep unwanted hairs at bay.
Preparation
IPL treatments utilize polychromatic light and low-range infrared radiation to target dark pigment in hair follicles. When IPL light energy absorbs into the pigment, it converts into heat that destroys it and permanently stops hair production from the affected follicle. Unfortunately, however, IPL may not work effectively for everyone; especially if your skin tone is very dark as IPL could absorb some of its light energy directly, leading to burns resulting in severe pain for you and others around you.
Dark skin tones may make it more challenging for IPL to reach hair follicles effectively, making the best home IPL devices for pubic hair removal have a wide treatment window to cover various body areas effectively. Philips Lumea Prestige comes equipped with flexible attachments that fit different body parts as well as five graded intensities levels to find just the right setting. In addition, its design was tailored to prevent irritation while simultaneously maintaining hygiene in its surroundings.
Before beginning IPL treatment, you will need to trim existing hair and ensure the area is free from debris. Shaving or epilating should be avoided before treatment as IPL requires visibility of individual follicles to effectively treat them; similarly, cream application could impede results.
At your IPL appointment, a technician or dermatologist will apply gel and cover the area with dark glasses. Some dermatologists offer numbing cream that you can apply 30-60 minutes prior to the treatment in order to decrease pain during zapping of your hair follicles.
IPL devices produce flashes of light onto the area to be treated, which are then absorbed by melanin pigmentation and converted to heat, which then destroys hair follicles and stops future hair growth. Some individuals may feel a stinging sensation that lasts 4-8 hours similar to sunburn; cool packs or washcloths can help soothe this area during this period.
Results may start appearing immediately following your IPL hair removal treatment, however for maximum effect it will take three to six sessions for full results to show up. Your hair may start thinning gradually before it gradually stops growing back as rapidly.
Results
Dependent upon your natural hair colour, coarseness and growth cycle, IPL treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart are typically needed to achieve permanent pubic area hair reduction. When compared with alternative hair removal methods like shaving or waxing, IPL provides longer-term results with reduced pain and regrowth making it the superior permanent hair removal method.
IPL treatments utilize polychromatic light waves to target pigment (melanin) found in skin and hair cells that contribute to their proliferation, ultimately turning that light into heat to burn hair and prevent further regrowth. These procedures are noninvasive, safe and can even be done from your own home!
Contrasting laser treatments, which can cause blistering or changes to skin tone, IPL treatments are relatively safe when performed by experienced professionals at approved facilities. However, complications may arise if not utilized correctly according to RealSelf; including bruising, blistering and discoloration.
When searching for an IPL device at home, look for one with a high fluence, or energy density level. A device with higher fluence will be more effective at eliminating dark hairs and preventing their regrowth. Philips Lumea Prestige features five light intensity settings as well as its SmartSkin sensor to help find one best suited to your skin tone and hair color.
Make sure that you follow all instructions when using an IPL device, including following its usage instructions. Avoid applying it directly onto broken or irritated skin, tattoos, infections or diseases – always apply sunscreen prior and post treatment for optimal results.
IPL treatments are typically tailored towards those with darker skin tones and lighter hair; however, all skin tones can benefit. If you are uncertain whether IPL will suit your needs, consult the Fitzpatrick scale which classifies skin tones based on how they respond to UV light exposure – developed by dermatologist Thomas B Fitzpatrick in the 1970s, this tool has since become widely used globally to classify skin tone classification.
