Ipl Laser Hair Removal For Home Use
Remove unwanted hair permanently with laser hair removal. IPL laser hair removal for home usage is a far cheaper option to visiting a professional ipl clinic or spa, where you can pay up to $1000 to remove unwanted body hair. It can be used to eliminate hair anywhere on the body, from the face and neck to the underarms, legs, and bikini line.
Nevertheless, scheduling visits to a medical facility or spending time at a beauty salon for laser treatments isn’t always feasible. The good news is that you can now get a laser hair removal device for your home and treat yourself with hardly any time or money spent.
IPL or Intense Pulse Light is the most common cosmetic procedure available. It can be done anywhere at home using only a few products and usually in an hour. This article looks at IPL Laser Hair Removal For Home Use, pros and cons and what you need to know before buying an IPL machine. Read on to learn more on at home laser hair removal for face and best ipl hair removal.
Ipl Laser Hair Removal For Home Use
Laser hair removal has become my preferred way of removing my body hair of late. Though hair on your legs, in your armpits and ~everywhere~ else is absolutely normal, I’ve always favoured a silky hair-free finish. And shaving was always my go-to hair removal method.
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure why. Shaving (and waxing kits, for that matter) have so many pitfalls – from causing ingrown hairs to itching, redness and irritation. So, when lockdown happened and we all had a little more time to experiment with our beauty routines, I cast aside my trusty razor and landed on laser hair removal at home.
The best laser hair removal devices have improved tenfold over the past five years, and laser devices now allow you to reap the permanent hair reduction benefits of IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) safely – and pretty painlessly – from the comfort of your own bathroom. Here’s everything you need to know.
Meet the experts:
- Chloé Fallon, IPL Beauty Expert at Philips
- Barbara Taylor, Senior Practitioner at Pulse Light Clinic
What does IPL stand for?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. IPL laser hair removal is arguably the most effective hair removal technique around (even more so than your epilator) – namely because it’s a permanent hair removal system for both legs and hard-to-reach areas.
What is the difference between IPL and laser?
“First and foremost IPL is not a laser, but there are similarities between the two technologies in that both their functionalities are based on light and both require several initial sessions to achieve optimum long-lasting results,” Chloé told us. “Neither technology can offer permanent hair removal, but both are great options for achieving long term hair reduction.”
“Laser technology is based on a single, concentrated wavelength that precisely penetrates the skin. The light from the laser goes through the melanin (the pigment that colours your hair) in the hair into the root. The light converts to heat and destroys the hair follicle and hair bulb to prevent future growth. Laser treatments are carried out either in salons or by dermatologists and require top-up maintenance sessions.
“IPL on the other hand can be carried out either in salon or in the comfort of your own home with a product like Philips Lumea,” Chloé continued. “IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is made up of a wide spectrum of light, and can treat larger areas at a time vs a laser.” IPL also uses lower energy levels in comparison to full laser treatments, so it takes a little longer to work.
“At-home IPL kits do not come with goggles but can differ for each device, which indicates how low the light technology is compared to in-clinic laser hair removal,” Barbara added.
How does at-home laser hair removal work?
“With IPL technology, pulses of light are applied to the skin and are absorbed by the roots of hair in the ‘growing’ phase,” Chloé said. “This light is absorbed by the melanin, which is responsible for the pigmentation in the hair. This light energy becomes warm and stimulates the hair follicle to go into a resting phase, which causes hair to naturally shed and inhibits regrowth. As only the hairs in the growth stage are treated this way, a few sessions are required to target all the hairs to reach the required results.”
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Repeated use of this technique means that, over time, regrowth is reduced. Even when it does grow back in the early days of treatment, it will grow back at a significantly slower rate. You can use IPL technology to banish hair on your legs, bikini line and in smaller areas like your underarms.
Is laser hair removal at home safe?
Yes, at-home laser hair removal devices tend to be safe. Take the Philips Lumea, for example. “It has been designed and developed with dermatologists and leading skin scientists. It has a number of in-built safety mechanisms, and when used correctly shouldn’t have any implications to the skin health.”
The biggest risk with cheaper devices is scarring – though the best way to avoid this is to avoid zapping sensitive skin, avoid using the treatment for facial hair or over your neck, and do a patch testing on a small area before committing to your larger areas like your legs. Wait for three-four weeks post-patch test to check you experience no side effects.
When you start using an IPL hair removal device, you should add a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your whole-body skincare routine, as your skin will be more sensitive to UV rays. Also, avoid anything that can irritate your skin like deodorant, hot showers, scented body lotions and perfumes for at least 24 hours after a zap.
Does laser hair removal work on everyone?
Sadly not. “Hair colour and skin tone influence how suitable IPL treatment will be on an individual level, meaning that it won’t be for everyone,” Chloé told us. “IPL is most effective when there is a greater contrast between the hair colour and skin tone. Individuals with fairer skin and darker hair, have a greater contrast meaning more of the light will be absorbed by the hair rather than the skin.
As with all other IPL based treatments, this light energy is absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicle. When there is not enough melanin present in the hair, for example in light blonde, white or grey hair, then IPL will not work. Equally, red hair has a different type of melanin present, which cannot absorb the light so again is not suitable for IPL treatment. IPL treatments are also not recommended for those with the darkest skin tones.”
IPL and laser can cause skin discolouration in dark skin if the wrong type of machine is used. In fact, when there is little to no contrast between the hair and the skin, your skin will absorb the light which converts to heat and causes pain, blisters and burns. Ouch.
How should you prepare for laser hair removal at home?
Firstly, “the area must be cleanly shaved within 24 hours prior to the treatment,” Barbara told us. “Electric razors are not recommended as the hair is typically left too long. And do not tweeze, wax, or pluck the area being treated between or prior to sessions. Only shave the area.”
“Fake tanning products cannot be used for three-four weeks prior to treatment; the area should be thoroughly exfoliated to remove all residues,” Barbara added.
Anything else? Avoid skincare products that can be irritating, such as retinal or brightening ingredients and acidic cleansers prior to your treatment.
Best Ipl Hair Removal
It’s one of the pricier models on the market but the Philips Lumea IPL 9000 series comes with a range of detachable heads designed for the face and body, and for precision – so you can focus on different areas, as needed. It’s also a larger device than some others but can be neatly stored at home in the quilted carry bag that’s included as part of the set.Read Review.
Braun silk expert pro 5 IPL machineBest corded IPL machine
Unlike many other corded devices, this IPL machine from Braun comes with a lengthy cable (measuring 2m long), so you’re not restricted on where you conduct your treatment or when moving the device to target certain areas.Read Review
Sensica sensilight pro IPL hair-removal deviceBest cordless IPL machine
Sensica’s sensilight pro features a skin-tone detection feature and six energy settings, with two heads to choose from, so you’re all set whether you want to focus on your legs or your underarms.Read Review
Philips lumea IPL 8000 series prestigeBest for all areas
We were first drawn to this IPL device due to its attachments – while many of the machines we tested had one precision tool, the Lumea 8000 prestige has four detatchable heads to cater exactly for the area you want to target. We found this really handy, particularly as the device is corded, so having smaller heads for trickier-to-reach areas made such a difference.Read Review
SmoothSkin pure fit IPL hair-removal deviceBest for fast results
This is definitely one of the more chic-looking and compact IPL machines we’ve seen and tested. The sleek black design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also neat and compact to handle and store after each use.Read Review
Tria hair-removal laser 4XBest at-home laser
This device is a bit of a game changer if you’re more interested in at-home laser hair removal than using an IPL machine. The difference? The former involves one wavelength of light on your skin, while the latter releases light of many different wavelengths. Laser is also a more focused hair-removal treatment, so it all depends on your preference.Read Review
Hair removal is just one of those time-consuming, and often painful, experiences that many of us undergo to get our desired look.
But if you’re tired of having to shave everyday, making monthly appointments to get waxed or battling with hair removal creams, it might be time to consider investing in laser hair removal or intense pulsed light technology (IPL).
Laser hair removal and IPL work by destroying hair roots, via energy produced by light waves. Continued use has proven to reduce hair and stop it from regrowing almost entirely, however it’s long been known as a more costly method of removing body hair, with machines costing upwards of £150. The option of laser also works to remove the pigment in your existing hair follicles over time.
If you are choosing to embark upon this method, be aware that using IPL and laser hair-removal devices will require a course of treatment – 12 weeks is usually recommended, plus top ups – to banish those hairs. Each session can be conducted within minutes.
One of the most convenient, cost-effective and permanent choices is laser hair removal. It also lays the groundwork for an even more beneficial result down the road, as this can help lead to a permanent removal of unwanted facial hair with minimal effort on your part.read on to learn more on at home laser hair removal for face/best ipl hair removal.
I’m not here to tell you that you should or shouldn’t remove your body hair—I support whatever you want to do. But if you’ve decided you want less of it and you want a removal option that’ll last longer than a few days, laser hair removal is the way to go. Yes, it’s an investment (sessions can range from $30 to $100 depending on the area), but after getting Brazilian waxes for about 10 years, it definitely made more sense for me to pay more upfront for more permanent hair reduction and spend less time trying to mediate in butterfly position while someone ripped hard wax off of my vagina.
As I began researching laser hair removal options, I noticed that in general, useful information is scarce—and useful information for people with melanin-rich skin is even rarer. So, after doing tons of research, embarking on my own “journey,” and chronicling my experiences on Instagram Stories, I figured there needed to be a more permanent and visible place for others to get all the deets on laser hair removal for dark skin.
This guide contains all the information I wish I had before committing to laser hair removal with tips from myself and most importantly, from board-certified dermatologists who specialize in working with melanin-rich skin.
At Home Laser Hair Removal For Face
“Laser hair removal is the process by which we use a laser light source to essentially almost destroy the hair follicle,” says Carlos A. Charles, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Derma di Colore. Laser hair removal works by targeting a specific medium, such as melanin, pigment, or a hair follicle, he explains. “In the case of doing laser hair removal, primarily the type that we do in darker skin, the laser goes after melanin or pigment at the bulb of the hair.”
Although laser hair removal has been found to drastically reduce hair growth, “It’s important to emphasize that laser hair removal is really like permanent hair reduction—it’s not going to get rid of everything,” says Dr. Charles. In other words, it will diminish the amount of hair you have, but it may not remove it all for good.
Up until recently, laser hair removal wasn’t considered safe for people with melanin-rich skin because early models of lasers weren’t created to differentiate the melanin in the skin from the melanin of the hair follicle. Because of this, people with darker complexions were at an increased risk of experiencing burns, scarring, hypopigmentation (aka light spots on your skin), and other adverse reactions when treated with a laser. However, with new lasers created with melanin-rich skin in mind, specifically lasers with longer wavelengths, longer pulse durations, and more efficient cooling devices, this is changing.
The benefits of laser hair removal
Not only does laser hair removal reduce unwanted hair on the body, but as a result, it can also be used to treat common skin concerns such as razor bumps, hyperpigmentation (darkened areas of skin), and hypopigmentation. Because the laser targets the hair follicle and reduces hair growth, it prevents the follicle from becoming inflamed. Plus, as the hair on your body decreases, it eliminates the need for shaving, which is often the culprit behind razor bumps and the dark patches associated with them. For those who have discoloration or bumps caused by hair growth, over time laser hair removal may also improve the texture of your skin.
The best laser for dark complexions
If you tried to get laser hair removal on a darker complexion in the early 2000s, you were probably turned away because old lasers weren’t created to work on these skin types. But now, newer lasers can distinguish between the pigment of the skin and hair follicles, making it possible to safely and effectively treat melanin-rich skin.
According to Dr. Charles, laser hair removal is “incredibly effective” for people with darker complexions when performed with a laser that provides a 1064 nanometer laser wavelength of light. Lasers such as the Nd:YAG have a 1064 nanometer wavelength, and this long wavelength bypasses the melanin found in the skin and solely targets the melanin, or pigment, of the hair follicle.
“This particular wavelength is safest for skin of color because the wavelength penetrates the skin deeply enough to destroy the hair follicles without destroying the surrounding melanocytes [which are the cells in your skin that produce pigment],” says DiAnne Davis, MD, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist located in Dallas, TX. This is important because the destruction of the melanocytes can lead to pigmentary alterations such as hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, she adds.
According to Dr. Charles, laser hair removal is very safe with minimal side effects, “assuming that the person doing it is using the right laser and understands the mechanics of treating darker skin,” he says.
The biggest issue when performing laser hair removal on dark skin comes from the heat that the lasers produce, says Dr. Charles. The intensity of the heat can potentially heat up melanin and harm the skin, leading to pigment changes like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. This is why it’s imperative to use a laser that will solely target the pigmentation of the hair follicle and not your skin, and get services from people who have experience working with skin of color.
When looking for a provider, “The brand of the laser is not as important as the specific wavelength of the laser,” says Dr. Davis. Instead of simply booking a session at the location your favorite celebs frequent or your friends swear by, make sure first and foremost they have a laser that’s safe for your skin.
Good candidates for laser hair removal
Before you invest in laser hair removal it’s important to find out if you’re a good candidate to receive treatment. According to Dr. Charles, no matter the amount of melanin in your skin or how light or dark your complexion is, you can get laser hair removal. “But the people that tend to do the best have coarse, thick hair and darker hair, and that’s because the light source in the laser tends to see that hair the best, so it picks up the hair and it really zaps it,” he says.
People with dark brown or black hair tend to see the best results with laser, adds Dr. Davis. If you have light brown, grey, or white hair, unfortunately, you aren’t considered a good candidate for laser hair removal as the laser won’t be able to detect the melanin of the hair follicles.
Most people will see success with laser hair removal, but there are areas, such as the upper lip, which are harder to treat because that hair tends to be finer. Most professionals will still treat this spot, but because it tends to be resistant to treatment (and because excess hair growth in the area can sometimes be caused by hormones), you may not see drastic results and will likely need to do multiple sessions to see any results at all.
Things to keep in mind before your first laser hair removal treatment
There are a few things you’ll want to be aware of before you book your initial session. First, you’ll want to take stock of your skin-care routine and consult your dermatologist or laser provider. If you use products that contain ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide on areas you plan on getting treated, professionals may recommend you stop using them altogether, or at least press pause on them for a few days before and after your treatment. According to Dr. Davis, this is because they can cause increased sensitivity of the skin and in conjunction with laser hair removal, you run the risk of irritation or more serious issues such as your skin peeling off and scarring.
Dr. Charles doesn’t stop his patients from using topicals on treatment areas, but he doesn’t recommend using retinol or retinoids immediately after getting treated. “That said, it is ok to start your skin-care regimen a couple of days after treatment assuming that all went well with the treatment,” he says. For those on Accutane, Dr. Charles doesn’t recommend getting treatment, as the skin can respond unpredictably.
And if you’re pregnant, it’s also advised that you hold off on treatment, as studies haven’t evaluated the safety of laser hair removal during pregnancy.
How to prepare for a laser hair removal session
“Before your laser hair removal appointment, you will want to have a consultation with your board-certified dermatologist to review your medical history and discuss goals you want to achieve so you can be fully educated on exactly how the treatments will work,” says Dr. Davis.
Before purchasing any sessions, I highly recommend setting up an appointment to spot test the areas you want to get laser on. First, you’ll be able to get a feel for the practice and whether or not you like it and your provider, and most importantly, you’ll be able to find out if you’ll have any adverse effects to the treatment. My biggest fear was getting burned on my vagina and having permanent scars (and wasting my money), so in my opinion, it’s worth the caution and extra appointment.
“Avoid waxing, avoid plucking, avoid electrolysis to the area [being treated] for at least three or four weeks” prior to your sessions, adds Dr. Charles. But if you’re adamant about removing hair in between sessions, “shaving is the best thing to do,” he says.
You’ll want to avoid waxing, as it removes the entire hair follicle, and in order for the laser to work, you need a little bit of hair as the laser detects the pigment of the hair follicle. Most providers recommend shaving a day or two before your session for best results, but this varies by technician and location, so make sure to speak with your provider to find out their specific recommendations and guidelines.
In my experience, shaving two days prior to your session is the best, especially if you always miss patches of hair. I find that the first shave gets most of the hair and the second shave allows you to go over any spots you initially missed. Worst case scenario, your provider will shave any missed areas before the fun begins.
What to expect during your laser hair removal session
For those who have begun their research, you’ve probably heard laser hair removal providers or friends who have gone through with it say that it’s painless. And to that, I call BS, respectfully. While we all have different pain tolerance levels, I think it’s safe to say that laser removal is uncomfortable. In my opinion, it feels like heated rubber bands getting snapped against your skin. I know that description sounds horrible, but the silver lining is that the discomfort only lasts for a split second.
I haven’t gotten laser all over my body, but can attest that there are definitely areas that are way more sensitive than others. For example, the vulva. There are no words to describe what that feels like, and I recommend going to your happy place, taking deep breaths, and squeezing the shit out of the stress balls.
To help manage the discomfort of getting a full Brazilian, I like to use numbing cream ($17). I apply it about an hour before I need to leave home, let it stay on for at least 20 minutes (the longer the better), and it drastically reduces any discomfort. That said, I recommend speaking with your provider to see what products they do and don’t recommend.
At the end of the day, you will more than likely experience some level of discomfort, and instead of abiding by the “suck it up” mentality, let your provider know so that they can give you a break or decrease the intensity of the laser.
What to expect after a laser hair removal session
After your session, you may experience minor bumps on your skin due to inflammation of the hair follicles, “but those typically go away within a day or so,” says Dr. Charles. He adds that redness is also common, and he tends to give people a mild topical steroid to use for a few days following the session in order to reduce it. Speaking from personal experience, providers typically offer aloe vera gel to soothe the skin immediately after performing treatment on each area.
You should avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF to prevent burning, as your skin will be more photosensitive than normal. This is because the laser has damaged the hair follicle which can initially cause redness and irritation to the treated area, similar to when you get a skin-care treatment on your face, making you more susceptible to damage from UV rays.
How long does it take to see results from laser hair removal
After feeling like you’ve been popped with thousands of rubber bands, you may be wondering how long it will take to see results. “You’ll typically see anywhere between a 50 percent and 90 percent reduction of hair with the first treatment,” says Dr. Charles, adding that it usually takes around five sessions to see major differences.
I didn’t believe this was true until I started experiencing moments where 20 to 30 pieces of “dead” hair would fall out onto my washcloth as I washed my body and into my hands as I applied lotion. This may seem odd at first, but it’s a good indicator that your sessions are working and aren’t being done in vain.
You should also expect to see less hair growth after a few sessions. At times, it may look patchy, because your hair grows in different phases and some areas tend to be more stubborn than others. “It is important to adhere to a consistent, monthly routine when starting laser hair removal,” says Dr. Charles. This is because your hair typically grows in three phases: the growth phase, the resting phase, and the regression phase.
“Different portions of the hair will enter a growth phase at different time points after the laser hair removal treatment, while other areas will be in a resting or regression phase. Therefore, it is crucial for the success of the treatments to follow up with monthly treatments to capture new areas undergoing growth,” says Dr. Charles. And although this is anecdotal, I’ve found from my own experience that being consistent with your sessions reduces the level of pain from treatment to treatment.
It’s worth mentioning again that though laser treatments can make a big difference in the amount of hair on your body, it’s not considered permanent hair removal. Because factors like hormones can continue to impact your hair growth, you’ll still need to go in for maintenance sessions even after you’re “done.”
With all of that said, laser hair removal is definitely a time, emotional, and financial commitment, so before you book a session, make sure that you’re confident in the provider and ready to commit to at least six months of consistent treatment.
Best laser hair removal for dark skin at home
Laser hair removal is a godsend for those who want to eliminate fuzz permanently, but it can be complicated for people of color. A common misconception is that laser hair removal is not safe for skin with high levels of melanin. I personally never thought I could benefit from laser hair removal. I was told by two facilities that they could not accommodate my skin tone because the advancements in the industry had not been updated to serve people of color. This was in 2009. According to Christian Karavolas, the owner of Romeo and Juliette Laser Hair Removal in NYC, and Andrea Young, the founder and owner of Beam Laser Spa, the laser game has significantly changed since then.
Karavolas reiterated that a number of his patients have assumed laser was not safe for people of color. Young added that the myth stems from a time when patients of color would be treated with the Alexandrite laser and would encounter adverse reactions and side effects—like hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation—from being treated with the incorrect wavelength.
Here, Karavolas and Young break down what to look for, how to prepare, and the perfect lasers for all people of color, including multiracial and albino individuals.
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What to look for in your laser hair removal provider:
People of color should look for a certain laser called the Nd:YAG. “For women or men of color interested in doing laser hair removal, the most important thing is to make sure they are getting treatments with a YAG laser,” says Young. Karavolas explains that the laser operates differently to make it safe for people of color. “Nd:YAG lasers have a long pulse wavelength and bypasses the epidermis. Since it bypasses the epidermis, it does not hurt the epidermis, meaning it does not burn the skin,” explains Karavolas. “With that laser you are able to effectively disable the reproductive cycle of the hair within the follicle meaning you can effectively remove hair without hurting the skin.”
A good specialist will test your skin tone:
When in doubt, get tested. Because skin tones can differ from person to person, it’s important that the setting is chosen specifically for your skin tone. Karavolas at Romeo and Juliette Laser Hair Removal uses the Fitzpatrick skin typing test to determine the patient’s skin color and the appropriate laser. The patient will receive a score from one to thirty-six to determine what wavelength laser to use.
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The results of the Fitzpatrick skin test decide which laser to use, but it’s also important to notice the settings. “Once you decide which laser to use, obviously the darker the person you have to make the settings a little gentler to not burn the skin,” says Karavolas.
Prepare your body for laser:
Just like any treatment or procedure it’s important to prep the area that’s about to get blasted. “Make sure the area that will be lasered has not been waxed, threaded, plucked or used any other method of hair removal that pulls out the root for at least 8 weeks,” Young notes. “Abstain from using any harsh products on the area to be lasered for at least two weeks before getting lasered and subsequently after the treatments. These include retinols, alpha, beta and glycolic acids, or topical acne medications.”
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What about albino and multiracial individuals, are they candidates?
“On albinos, on somebody who has discoloration or hyperpigmentation, light therapy like an IPL treatment are recommended to bring the pigment up,” explains Karavolas. “We do treat albino clients but we do test patches and wait a few days to make sure they react well.”
A special process also exists for multi-racial candidates. “We have a lot of biracial clients who have mixed parents, Italian mother, African American father from Kenya, Uganda,” Karavolas says. “The cooling of the skin is very important because if you don’t cool the skin, no matter what the energy is, you might give somebody a temporary burn which would resolve itself but it’s best to avoid that and take precautions like we do.”