Ipl Laser For Facial Hair>Permanent hair removal is the most common application of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). IPL can be used to reduce the visibility of unwanted hair growth, such as that found on a man’s face, under the correct circumstances. Also, it works well for regrowing hair in regions where it has been lost due to age or other causes.
From what to expect during your first IPL treatment to how long it takes for effects to become visible, we cover it all in this article. We’ll go through what to expect from an IPL treatment for facial hair removal and the potential adverse effects you might experience.
Ipl laser for facial hair can be the first step in permanently removing unwanted facial hair. The ipl laser technology involves treating the facial skin through a series of pulses of light that break down the hair follicles and therefore prevent the hair from growing back. This treatment is effective on all skin types as long as a few simple prerequisites are met. Read on to learn more ipl laser hair removal at home/laser hair removal machine.
Ipl Laser For Facial Hair
.
If shaving, plucking or waxing just aren’t cutting it when it comes to hair removal, IPL – aka “intense pulse light” – might be worth a try.
It’s the most advanced hair removal method you can use from the comfort of your own home and works by stunting the hair cycle in its tracks to prevent regrowth.
Due to their high-tech nature, these devices tend to be expensive; although we’ve found one below for under £100. You will make a saving in the long-run too, as you won’t need to spend on trips to the salon or new razors – also cutting down your environmental waste.
To find the very best IPL devices – and so you don’t invest in a dud – we asked our panel of testers to try a selection for three months. Here are the ones that tackled unwanted body hair with ease
What is an IPL device?
IPL is a broad-spectrum light that’s scattered across the skin to help with long-term hair reduction. It directs energy at the melanin (the pigment that gives the skin/hair its colour) in the hair follicle, heating up the hair right down to the root (where most of the melanin is concentrated) to damage the follicle without damaging the surrounding skin and and break the cycle of regrowth.
Don’t expect instant results, but with regular use IPL can help prevent unwanted hair from reaching the skin’s surface. Energy, frequency, skin and hair colour are all determining factors in the efficacy of the treatment.
Most of the best IPL hair removal devices are suitable for the body and face. They work by either gliding over skin, which is best for larger surface areas of the body such as your legs, or stamping (pressing onto the area), which is better for smaller areas where you need more precision.
What’s the difference between IPL and laser hair removal?
Don’t confuse IPL with laser hair removal. Laser treatments use a different light source and target a more concentrated area. The laser method is often more powerful.
You can use IPL devices at home, but if you want laser hair removal you’ll need to have it performed by a trained professional.
Is IPL hair removal safe?
IPL is considered safe to use, providing the device is from a reliable, trusted brand and instructions are followed as advised. Occasionally, some people may experience side effects such as redness, discomfort or, very rarely, blisters or burns. If any irritation occurs, consult a medical professional.
How to use IPL devices
For IPL hair removal to work effectively, some hair needs to be present for the energy to travel down to the follicle from the surface of the skin – but not so much that you run the risk of burning the skin. For that reason, it’s best to shave before your IPL session rather than completely remove the hairs by waxing or epilating.
To fully break the growth cycle of your unwanted hair, regular IPL sessions are required. Each brand advises on how often to use their machine, and when you can expect to see results.
Can I use my IPL device every day?
Although it comes down to the specific brand and model, most IPL devices recommend you use them once every two weeks for the initial four weeks of treatment. Once you’ve mastered this, top-ups can take place up to once a month.
Note that to see the best results, you should stick to the recommended schedule to stop regrowth long-term. Make sure you note down the date you start your IPL journey and set up reminders of when to top up.
Does IPL treatment remove hair permanently?
Whether you’ve banished hair for good depends on your skin and hair type, as well as the area of the body involved.
If you stick to a regular IPL routine, you can expect to see the majority of your hair gone for the long haul. But as an IPL device can only stunt the growth of active hair follicles, it might take a while to remove all hair. This is because some areas will grow back quicker than others. Persistence is key though, and, at the bare minimum, you can expect much slower re-growth.
Does IPL hair removal hurt?
The level of discomfort varies from person to person, but the sensation can feel quite tingly and hot – it’s sometimes likened to being flicked with a hot elastic band. The process is quite quick, though, so the pain doesn’t last long.
Most devices have a range of heat settings to make the process more comfortable too, especially in areas that are more sensitive. It’s important to remember that a lower intensity is also less effective, so keeping it at this setting would require you to use the machine for longer.
If you’ve tried epilating and couldn’t get through it without your eyes weeping, rest assured this is a more pain-free method!
Who can use an IPL hair removal device?
IPL devices aren’t suitable for everyone, as they’re only able to identify and target hair pigment that is a contrasting shade to the skin.
Naturally light blonde, red, white and grey hairs contain little pigment, so IPL typically isn’t as effective on people with these hair shades, whatever their skin colour. Many devices also don’t work on dark skin tones. Typically, those with pale to medium skin and dark hair are the best candidates for IPL.
Note that they aren’t suitable for pregnant women, or those with certain skin/hair conditions, or those undergoing particular treatments. They also don’t work on tattoos or permanent makeup – so always check the small print before you buy.
How many IPL treatments does it take to see results?
Typically, IPL devices should be used regularly for four to 12 weeks, to make sure all visible hair has been treated. Hair should start to appear finer and grow back slower, or not at all.
Top-up sessions can be done where there is any regrowth. Results vary depending on the use of the device and your skin/hair type.
What to consider when buying
- The number of flashes: This is the number of times the device can emit a flash. Most have a minimum of 100,000 but once this runs out, you’ll need a replacement lamp. You can’t get replacement lamps for all devices, while some devices offer unlimited flashes.
- The number of treatment heads: If you plan to use the device on smaller areas, a head that comes with a smaller treatment window is more efficient.
- The level of intensities: This impacts how often you’ll need to use the device and whether you can adapt the intensity to suit more sensitive areas.
- The number of modes: Most devices offer glide and stamp modes, with some also offering a “gentle” mode.
- Speed: The shorter the time between flashes, the quicker the treatment session.
- Automatic skin tone sensor: Some devices detect the optimum intensity and safe settings for your skin tone.
- Corded or cordless: Some devices can be used cordless, for ease of use and transportation.
How we test
Our panel of 140 testers across the UK helped us test a range of at-home IPL hair removal devices for six to 12 weeks.
Testers followed the instructions provided with each device to find out how effective they were at removing hair on legs, underarms, the bikini line and upper lip.
They also assessed how easy each device was to use and control, how simple the process was, and how comfortable it felt when removing hair. Finally, testers reported back on when regrowth started to appear.
Laser Hair Removal Machine
Laser hair removal machines are very effective in removing unwanted hair from the body. The best laser hair removal machine makes the process of removing hairs from any part of the body easy and convenient. There are different types of laser hair removal machines available in the market, and they come with different features.
The best laser hair removal machine will be able to remove all types of hairs, including fine, coarse and thick ones. It should also be able to remove hairs of different colors, such as black and blonde. Laser hair removal machines can be used on all parts of the body including legs, arms and face.
Laser Hair Removal Machine Features:
Laser Hair Removal Machine is used for various purposes such as removing unwanted hair from any part of your body. It can be used by both men and women to get rid of unwanted facial or body hair easily without any pain or irritation caused by shaving or waxing methods. Laser technology has been used for several years now due to its effectiveness in permanently removing unwanted facial or body hair without causing any harm to the skin or surrounding tissue cells. Laser device uses light energy from a beam that targets melanin in the skin which is responsible for producing pigment (color). Once targeted it destroys those cells causing them.
Laser hair removal is a process that removes unwanted hair on the face, neck, chest and other areas of the body by destroying the follicle. A laser light source is focused on the area of unwanted hair to target and destroy it. The treatment works best on fair skinned people with dark hair and light eyes.
What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is a process that removes unwanted hair on the face, neck, chest and other areas of the body by destroying the follicle. A laser light source is focused on the area of unwanted hair to target and destroy it. The treatment works best on fair skinned people with dark hair and light eyes.
How does laser hair removal work?
When you shave or wax your legs or bikini line, you’re really just removing the top layer of dead skin cells from your skin’s surface. But when you use laser treatments for permanent hair reduction, you’re actually targeting individual follicles in order to permanently disable them from producing new hairs at all. This means that when your current hairs finally reach their resting phase (which they do anyway), they won’t be able to re-grow in their usual place. Over time, this process reduces the amount of visible.
Laser Hair Removal Machines and Laser Hair Removal Systems
Laser hair removal is a treatment that uses a laser to remove unwanted hair. This is a safe, quick and effective procedure that can be used on most areas of the body. It is also known as IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) laser treatment. The process involves a hand piece with a cooling system, which emits pulses of light into the skin. The light targets the hair follicles, which are destroyed and prevent further growth.
Laser Hair Removal Machines
There are two types of laser hair removal machines:
Handpiece or hand-held models (used by professionals)
These are designed to be used by trained professionals only. These machines tend to be expensive but they are also more powerful than home units and produce better results. They can be used on larger areas such as legs or bikini line and usually require more than one session to achieve permanent results.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is one of the top light-based therapy treatments that currently exist, and every day more people around the world find out about its benefits as they use it to remove their acne, broken capillaries, stretch marks, and much more. Yet, the procedure has not been fully rosy for everybody and it is not difficult to find reports of various people being unhappy about their treatment.
While IPL remains highly recommended, there are some side effects most people are unaware of before they begin the treatment. This leads to people coming out of the procedure with much worse skin than they had before they started, which nobody wants. To make sure that you don’t fall into the same traps as countless others, we will be discussing the potential impact of IPL on your skin, including whether it can give you burns, affect your skin texture, and much more.
Can IPL Ruin Your Skin?
While you may have read about countless dangers of IPL, the chances of your skin being damaged by IPL are very few. This mostly lies in the technology behind the procedure. IPL is non-invasive and non-ablative, which means that the light beams can target the lower layers of your skin without affecting the top layers. This makes the procedure highly safe, while also resulting in little downtime.
Essentially, if you take the right steps before getting your IPL, then you should only expect to come out on the other side of the treatment looking fresh and revitalized. Unfortunately, many people read about the potential benefits of IPL and jump into the procedure without doing much research, which is where things can start to go wrong.
While IPL is a fantastic procedure with marvellous benefits, it is not for everybody. There are certain skin tones that we suggest do not use an IPL treatment at any time, because it can easily lead to hyperpigmentation or discoloration. Additionally, IPL may not be the best solution for all issues, and you should speak to a skin therapist or licensed provider before you undergo the treatment.
Does IPL Change Skin Texture?
If you have any texture-related skin issues, then IPL is one of the top options to help solve this. During your treatments, the heat from the technology will help to destroy older or dead cells in the target area, which will then help to stimulate the growth of newer and healthier cells.
Naturally, these newer cells will be much firmer and richer in proteins such as elastin or collagen. So, after your IPL treatment, your skin will feel much firmer and supple. Additionally, any imperfections or issues in that problem area will be reduced or turn completely invisible. This will help to improve the level of your appearance, giving you a more youthful and vibrant look.
Will IPL Burn Marks Go Away?
While burns are extremely rare when you undergo an IPL treatment, they may still happen, and you should remain wary of this. In any case, if you do receive a burn from an IPL, don’t fret, it will generally go away over time and you should not expect any lasting effects.
However, you should still speak to your provider if you do notice any burn. This can be extremely helpful, especially if you still have more sessions in your treatment plan. Once your skin therapist is aware of the burn, they will give you the best tips on how to manage it, while also ensuring that the settings on the device are more suitable for your skin during the next session.
Can IPL Cause Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is one of the possible side effects of IPL and other light-based therapy treatments. However, this may depend on the type of procedure that you desire to use the IPL for. To ensure that this does not affect you, we suggest that you speak to your skin therapist about the dangers of hyperpigmentation on your skin before you begin your treatment.
Another factor that can lead to hyperpigmentation is your skin tone. As hyperpigmentation is caused by an excess production of melanin, those with dark tones are naturally at a higher risk. This is why we always recommend that you stay away from IPL if you have darker skin, as the chances of hyperpigmentation are extremely high.
If you have a medium skin tone and are unsure about the potential effects that the therapy may have, then you should speak to your provider about this. They will examine your skin and decide if the treatment is going to be safe for you.
What Are The Dangers Of IPL?
We have already discussed many of the risks associated with IPL, such as burning, hyperpigmentation, scarring, etc. Unfortunately, while many of these side effects can be avoided, many clients and providers do not take the necessary precautions before an IPL treatment, leading to several health risks and damage to the skin.
To ensure that you are not affected, you should make sure that you do the following before an IPL treatment:
1. Follow the Instructions of Your Provider :
Before you begin your IPL procedure, your skin therapist will likely give you a set of instructions to follow. This can range from not shaving your hair immediately before a hair removal treatment to staying away from the sun for a given period. If you receive any of these instructions, you must follow them.
You should remember, any guidance that your skin therapist provides is for your care and will aid in stopping any side effects. So, if you are unable to follow them, we suggest that you speak to your provider about the possibility of rescheduling. Following these guidelines will also ensure that you see the maximum benefits of any treatment.
2. Enquire About The Training of Your Service Provider:
The therapist delivering your IPL must not only be well versed in using the technology but must also be able to understand the impact that the treatment will have on your skin. Such knowledge can be a key factor in stopping any side effects. However, because IPL can be extremely exciting, most people simply dive into the first hands offering them the treatment, regardless of their experience.
Before you begin your sessions, you should engage in a detailed conversation about IPL treatments with your provider. You should also try and discover the level of experience or training that they have in treating your condition. So, if you would like to use IPL for Rosacea, but a therapist does not have much training or experience in treating this, then we suggest that you seek another provider.
You must also ask your provider about the potential health risks of using IPL to treat the issue that you are facing. This will mean that you will not be thrown off by any side effects if they occur. Understanding the potential health risks will also allow you to weigh your options. So, if you are highly uncomfortable with burning and feel that it is not worth the risk, you may want to find other types of treatments.
3. Speak to Your Provider About Your Current Medication:
IPL is likely not the first solution that you have sought out for your skin issue and you may already be on some form of medication. If this is the case, then we suggest that you speak to your provider about this before the treatment, especially if they make your skin more sensitive to light.
Such medication can easily lead to adverse effects, such as burning or scarring. However, if your skin therapist is aware of the medication, they can examine it and determine if it is safe to continue using during IPL. On the other hand, if you would like to continue the medication while on IPL, they can also adjust the intensity of the light to accommodate for its effects, which should help reduce the possibility of any health risks.
How Long Does It Take For Dark Spots To Fade After IPL?
IPL for dark spots is another highly popular use of the treatment, and one of the common questions we get is, “how quickly will my dark spots fade after IPL?” Fortunately, the process for treating dark spots is relatively quick and it shouldn’t take long before you begin to see good progress.
Generally, your dark spots should begin to fade within two weeks of your first session, though this will depend on various factors, such as how deeply the pigment is located. In any case, you should see huge gains after you complete your first full treatment and your skin should look much more uniform.
However, you should not expect your dark spots to completely fade after just one treatment. So, if you would like further progress, we suggest that you speak to your provider about the possibility of another treatment. You must remember, IPL is a gradual process, and you can only see continuous improvement if you stick to your treatment plan.
Ipl Laser Hair Removal At Home
The ipl laser hair removal at home is a useful device for removing unwanted hair from your body, especially the face and skin.
The ipl laser works by sending pulses of light into your skin through the top layers of skin. This light then passes through the hair follicle and destroys the base of the hair shafts, which prevents regrowth.
The treatment can last from 15 minutes to an hour depending on how many areas you want to treat and how large they are. It’s important to take care not to overdo it as this could lead to burns, scarring or infection.
You should expect some side effects after treatment including redness, swelling and tenderness in the treated area but these should fade within a few days.
IPL laser hair removal is the most popular treatment in the industry today. It’s a non-invasive procedure that uses light energy to target and destroy the hair growth cycle. The treatment can be used on all skin types and colors, and is most effective on darker hair shades.
There are several types of IPL machines available in the market, including long pulse and short pulse devices. The long pulse machines are better suited for darker skin tones while short pulse devices work well on lighter skin tones.
The procedure takes between 15-30 minutes per area, depending on the size of the area being treated. You will need one or more sessions to achieve optimal results.
IPL laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to treat unwanted hair, especially for those with light skin tones. The laser is used to target the pigment in your hair follicle, which is the root of your hair.
The procedure takes around an hour and is done as an outpatient procedure in our office. We use a cooling gel pad to help minimize any discomfort during treatment.
After treatment, you may experience some redness and swelling in the treated area. This will usually subside within 24 hours, but we recommend that you avoid direct sun exposure on the treated area for up to 10 days after treatment.
You will need 5-10 treatments spaced 8 weeks apart to achieve optimal results.
There are several skin care treatment these days that promise younger smoother skin and a few that are touted as the “Gold Standard” by Doctors for achieving the desired results. Even many that are approved by the FDA as being safe and effective from the IPL (intense pulsed light) Photo Facial to fillers such as Botox cosmetic should be entered into with discretion. I know many women and men that have used these treatments with great results, but some have had lesser talked about adverse reactions that have only worsened the problems. I personally have experienced the latter and want to share my experiences with you as a cautionary tale for anyone considering this treatment. This is the first in a series about my own issues with the IPL laser treatments.
The IPL photo facial can treat a variety of skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation (brown spots), sun damage, broken capillaries, spider veins, and facial redness. An IPL is non-ablative and emits a high intensity broad band blast of light at very high energy levels through a hand-held device. It delivers to the deeper part of the dermis while the epidermis layer or surface layer is untouched. The treatment takes on average 20-30 minutes with no real downtime. Some IPLs have cooling devices, but it can still be uncomfortable, or even painful depending on your tolerance level. The average treatment costs $300-$500
I had tried treatments in 2006 with good results so in 2010 just prior to closing my skin care spa I noticed a few new areas of hyperpigmentation showing up on my face. I realized that these areas were probably popping up due to a peel that I had recently had at the Dermatologists office. At the time they weren’t dire just annoying, especially because I took such good care of my skin … But within a month or so they were looking a bit darker so I decide to have a few IPL (intense -pulsed light) photo facials to see if it would help. I asked a few professionals I knew for referrals but ultimately I returned to the very reputable establishment that had previously treated me, if for no other reason than familiarity and because I liked the owner.
As the first zap of the laser ( much like the feeling of a rubber band) touched down on my skin over and over I remembered how intense the feeling was, but I was comforted by the provider that this would help encourage the collagen production in my skin and zap those dark patches.
Example of the average results from an IPL
When the treatment was finished all I could think about was the hot feeling in my face as if I had received a major sunburn, but I was eager for the results that I would experience as my face healed. I was given a cooling ice pack to help combat the hot feeling in my face and scheduled my next appointment knowing that for the IPL treatments to be really successful I would need a series of three to five. Once at home I examined the state of my very warm skin…. This time the dark patches had “crisped” up ( my nickname for the scab like patches that appear after your spots have been zapped) with such intensity that I was a tad taken aback. I now realize the I was probably burned in the first treatment and applying cooling packs for more than just a few minutes was not a good idea.
Within days the spots naturally exfoliated off and my skin looked great… But within a week or two there seemed to be a whole new crop of pigmentation on my face that the laser brought forth. I mentioned this in detail at my second appointment and was told in a cheerful but dismissive manner that the laser was doing its job and not to worry. Afterwards the “crisped” areas seemed to multiply… And this time I was really concerned. Being in the skin care business I know enough about the subject to know the potential dangers and I know how pigmentation can be exacerbated.
Within a week post treatment once I realized that I now had even more pigmentation I called the office to voice my concerns and questions – Was the thermal heat from the laser creating more pigmentation and multiplying the original problem? Or could it be that the temperature might have been a bit too much for me? Unfortunately my concerns were eschewed away and even responded to in a manner as if to say that I was being silly… Remember, I have been in the skin care business for a while myself so I am not your average consumer. I was again told more treatments were necessary to achieve the desired result.
Even after a discussion with one of the owners, I was told that my concerns of the thermal heat from the laser causing dermal scarring was something “they had never even heard of”. At this point there was a cautionary voice in the back of my mind, a red light if you will that I should have listened to, but because I didn’t want my face to look like this forever I reconsidered, rationalizing that if they said one more treatment was really going to help then I would give it a try just one more time. I should have known better.