Up until recently, IPL treatments were limited to salon-only settings where women could experience lasting skin smoothing effects from IPL devices like Philips Lumea Prestige. Now however, with more and more people investing in IPL devices such as these more accessible forms of IPL treatment are becoming available to more consumers.
IPL technology works by targeting melanin in both hair and skin to reduce hair growth effectively. This method makes IPL so effective at hair reduction.
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At-home IPL machines need at least six treatments to be effective, making consistency critical in terms of treatment schedule and success. Each device works differently depending on skin tone, hair color and texture so be sure to select an IPL machine that suits you well!
IPL devices use flashes of light to deliver flashes of illumination to areas with unwanted body hair, providing a safe treatment with no downtime needed – although you may experience temporary redness and swelling post-treatment. Each IPL device comes equipped with its own cooling system to reduce potential adverse side effects on skin.
While IPL treatments are generally safe to use at home, it is always wise to consult a professional when administering IPL sessions due to potential side effects like swelling, burns or blistering. Furthermore, sun exposure must be avoided prior and post treatment sessions for best results.
Before beginning IPL treatments, it’s advisable to shave the area you plan to treat a few days ahead. This will prevent any hairs that have not yet grown into follicles from getting caught in the light, making the process more comfortable for you and ensuring optimal performance of the IPL device. Furthermore, lotion, perfume, or deodorant products should not be applied directly onto skin surfaces which will be targeted by IPL devices; otherwise they could prevent proper functioning.
Once your IPL treatment has concluded, the first thing that will become evident is pinker skin that feels slightly sore – this is because your body absorbs light energy and converts it to heat to kill unwanted pigment and hair follicles. This process usually lasts a few days but some patients may experience an unpleasant pinching feeling or a rubber band snapping against their skin that lasts several minutes or days afterward.
Note that laser and IPL treatments do not offer permanent hair removal. While they will significantly decrease the amount of hair growth in an area, some hair may still appear later albeit finer and lighter than before. Patch testing is essential before beginning IPL treatments as some individuals’ hair does not respond as expected to this therapy. Furthermore, most people require multiple sessions of IPL in order to achieve desired results. To optimize the effectiveness of IPL treatments, it is highly advised that you visit an experienced technician or specialist. They can recommend optimal settings and ensure you use your device appropriately based on your skin and hair type.
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IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a non-invasive, safe procedure that can safely reduce unwanted hair from the body. Additionally, IPL may be used to fade age spots and areas of darkened skin as well as reduce fine lines and wrinkles; however, not suitable for all skin types as it may lead to redness or hyperpigmentation.
Finding a highly trained, certified IPL technician to administer IPL treatments on your skin is of utmost importance if you want safe and effective results from IPL treatments. A great way to assess whether or not this provider is right for you is booking an initial consultation, at which your technician will assess your skin before suggesting a suitable course of treatment.
Before an IPL hair removal session, it’s best to avoid lotions, perfume, deodorant and other products which might compromise its effectiveness. Shave the area being treated several days in advance so the light can directly target the hair follicle and disable it without harming surrounding tissue – or seek medical or salon advice so they can ensure no products impede the device from working correctly.
IPL light passes through the top layer of your skin to reach melanin within hair follicles, where it absorbs light and goes into resting mode, effectively stopping future hair growth and leaving smooth, hair-free skin behind. This method tends to be less painful than laser removal and can be used on many parts of the body.
After an IPL hair removal treatment, your hair should grow back more slowly and finer than before the treatment due to light disrupting its growth cycle. As more treatments take place, noticeable reductions should occur in how much hair grows back in target areas.
As part of an IPL treatment, it is advisable to apply a thin layer of aloe vera ointment several times each day to the area being treated in order to keep it moisturized and prevent inflammation. Furthermore, for at least two days post-IPL it is wise to avoid taking hot baths, showers or saunas; sun exposure must also be limited while using at least an SPF30 sunscreen is also advisable if going outside.
Lumina can help if you want to try IPL hair removal! Schedule your free consultation and learn about how our treatments can give you smooth, hair-free skin for weeks at a time.
