The treatment can be used on any part of the body, including the face, legs, underarms, bikini line, back and chest. It also works well on coarse or dark facial hair such as chin or neckline. The results are best when performed by an experienced technician who has been trained in laser hair removal techniques.
Ipl laser hair removal at home is a safe, effective way to remove unwanted body hair from anywhere on the body. It is a non-invasive procedure that uses a special light energy to target and destroy the hair follicle. This results in permanent hair removal.
Read on to learn more about Best IPL Laser Hair Removal At Home, Laser Hair Removal At Home and IPL Brazilian Before And After
Best IPL Laser Hair Removal At Home
At this point, anyone who feels compelled to try hair removal can choose from an array of options. From depilatory creams to sugaring to old-school razors, there are more ways to eliminate hair than you could count on both hands.
IPL hair removal is one common option, which offers a more lasting result than shaving or even waxing. (In fact, it was one of the top five most popular minimally-invasive procedures in 2020, according to the most recent Plastic Surgery Statistics Report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons [ASPS].) While you may associate the treatment with med spas, numerous at-home IPL devices have hit the market, promising an alternative for people who’d rather take matters into their own hands. If you’re wondering whether the ability to use the tech from your home is too good to be true, here’s the full scoop.
What are at-home IPL devices?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light, the form of scattered light that these handheld tools give off. “These are devices that emit a wide spectrum of light to treat the skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. The technology is similar to but different from laser hair removal. “Technically [IPL devices] are not lasers since lasers emit only a single wavelength of light,” while IPL emits multiple wavelengths, explains Dr. Zeichner.
IPL can be used to treat brown spots or broken capillaries and redness in addition to its application in reducing hair production. “Different filters are used to limit the light that is delivered by the device to offer a customized treatment that addresses your particular need,” says Dr. Zeichner.
“[IPL] uses a big [dose] of light to capture certain targets in the skin,” says Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Laser Dermatology. “In terms of hair removal, the target would be melanin.” (Reminder: Melanin is a natural pigment in your skin and hair.) When the goal is hair removal, IPL devices are filtered to emit light at a wavelength of 600 to 700 nanometers, which can selectively heat and destroy melanin without heating the surrounding skin, she explains. When the light heats the melanin in a hair follicle, that causes the strand of hair to fall out and kills the hair follicle, thereby decreasing regrowth. (Although it takes multiple sessions to achieve full results, which only ever amounts to a reduction of hair growth rather than permanently eliminating new growth, according to Dr. Shirazi.)
Home IPL devices — e.g. Kenzzi, SmoothSkin, and Braun IPL devices — use the same technology at lower energies compared to what the pros use, according to Dr. Zeichner. Of course, that comes with a tradeoff. “The IPL devices in the office are obviously going to be a lot more powerful and hopefully are being used by trained professionals, whereas the IPL devices at home are going to be much weaker in terms of the amount of energy that they’re able to deliver so the results aren’t going to be as good,” says Dr. Shirazi. That said, a small study on at-home IPL devices published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology reported a 78 percent reduction in amount of hair at the one-month mark and a 72 percent reduction after three months, with participants receiving biweekly treatments with an at-home device over the course of six weeks.
What are the perks of using at-home IPL devices?
You can use at-home IPL devices on any area of the body where hair is found, whether that means treating your facial hair or giving yourself a full Brazilian, according to Dr. Shirazi. Investing in an at-home IPL device can also save you money compared to in-office treatments. Home IPL devices typically cost around $150 to several hundred dollars, while the average cost of a single session of professional IPL cost roughly $412 in 2020, according to the ASPS report. Most people need six to 12 IPL treatments to achieve full results, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Then there’s the convenience factor. Switching to using an IPL at home will save you time if you normally shave. To give you an idea, Braun recommends using its Silk Expert Pro 5 once a week for four to 12 weeks, then every one to two months for maintenance. Taking matters into your own hands also eliminates any awkwardness you might feel around having a stranger treat your bikini area while you attempt to make small talk.
What are the downsides of trying IPL at home?
IPL can be moderately painful. It also comes with potential side effects, which is one reason why Corey L. Hartman, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama, finds the idea of putting the technology in the hands of non-professionals unsettling. When used improperly, IPL can cause “blistering, redness, scarring, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, pain, oozing, or crusting,” says Dr. Hartman. “IPL devices are not casual.”
“I’ve seen some terrible burns and terrible scarring from IPL done in the office and done at home,” echoes Dr. Shirazi. “It’s tricky because you’re playing around with energy and heat and if the skin absorbs all of that, you can certainly get a burn.”
Additionally, both IPL and laser devices have the potential to do the exact opposite of what you want. “If you use conservative settings or low energy settings of light to try to remove hair,” you can actually stimulate growth, says Dr. Shirazi. “You could end up with a condition called paradoxical hair stimulation from laser treatments. The low energy is not enough to chill the hair follicle, but it’s enough to stimulate the hair follicle to grow.” That’s why you may have heard of low-level laser-emitting caps designed to promote hair growth.
Another major downside? IPL isn’t well-suited to dark skin tones or light-colored hair. “IPL is high-risk for people with dark skin tones,” who naturally have more melanin, according to Dr. Shirazi. “What happens, as the light passes through it’s going to capture the melanin on the surface of the skin. The more melanin there is on the surface of the skin the more likely it is to absorb all the energy, and then you can end up with a burn.” IPL device brands often provide charts on their websites indicating which skin tones should avoid using their products altogether.
All in all, is at-home IPL worth trying?
The experts interviewed for this story were divided on whether at-home IPL is worthwhile or even okay to try. If you buy an at-home IPL device, you can assume that it uses lower energy than professional devices, making it safe to use at home, says Dr. Zeichner. “The biggest potential risk associated with using IPL devices is the development of hyperpigmentation,” he says. “This risk is very low with at-home devices because of the safety measures put in place that allow them to be used without professional supervision.”
Not everyone gives at-home IPL devices a thumbs up. Any IPL device will be either be able to “really do some harm” or they’ll be ineffective, and that there’s no in-between, says Dr. Hartman. “I don’t understand at-home IPL devices,” he says. “I’m scared of them. I do not recommend.”
IPL technology is better suited for treating brown spots, redness, and sun damage than hair removal, he adds. When his patients ask him about IPL for hair removal, Dr. Hartman steers them toward laser hair removal instead. More specifically, Nd:YAG and alexandrite laser hair removal are ideal for dark and light skin tones, respectively, he says. “They just work better, and they have more science and studies behind them,” says Dr. Hartman.
Finally, IPL is fine to try at home provided you a) don’t have a dark skin tone, b) have read up on IPL, and c) have managed your expectations, in Dr. Shirazi’s opinion. “I always recommend that people do a test spot, wait a day or two and make sure that your skin is not reacting in an adverse fashion,” before using one of the devices on a large area, she says. Another pointer: “You have to be really careful around going around curved areas, so particularly around the bikini or contours of the face it’s really important to have good contact [between your skin and] the device, because if you’re at an angle or you don’t have full contact of the light with the skin you could just be delivering pure heat rather than the light,” preventing the device from functioning properly, she adds.
If you’re after a dramatic reduction in hair growth, it’s probably best to visit a pro, since they’ll use a much more powerful device, says Dr. Shirazi. “I think [at-home IPL] is fine to use as a maintenance treatment but it’s really not going to work as effectively as in-office IPL.” And IPL in general is “much weaker” than lasers for hair removal to begin with, she adds.
One thing’s for sure: If you want to remove your body hair but at-home IPL doesn’t feel quite right, you’ve got plenty of other options to consider.
IPL Brazilian Before And After
If you are looking for Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Before And After tips, then you are on the right page. It contains full brazilian laser hair removal before and after photos. Suppose you want laser pubic hair removal before and after pictures instead. Then this article is what you need.
If you are a woman looking to get you a good Brazilian laser hair removal, you might want to first see some good Brazilian laser hair removal before and after photos that will give you a sound idea of what the procedure promises. Perhaps, this might shape for you, what your own Brazilian laser hair removal before and after will look like. Brazilian laser hair removal before and after pictures will give you the confidence you need to have in laser hair removal technology.
Brazilian laser hair removal is a great option for those who want to get rid of their unwanted body hair. It’s an easy, painless way to remove the hair from your bikini area, legs, arms, and back.
It works by targeting the melanin in the hair follicle so that it stops growing. The laser can be used on most skin types, so whether you’re dark or fair-skinned, this treatment will work for you.
In most cases, you’ll start seeing results within 3 months of treatment. After 6 months, most people will see up to 80% reduction in hair growth. If you continue treatments every 6 to 8 weeks, then eventually you’ll be completely clear!
Full Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Before And After Photos
It’s time to say goodbye to unwanted hair! Get glowing smooth skin with Brazilian laser hair removal.
Brazilian laser hair removal is a safe, effective way to permanently remove unwanted body hair. It’s quick and easy, and it’s a great choice if you want to get rid of your unwanted facial or body hair without having to shave or wax.
This treatment works by targeting the dark pigment in your hair follicle, which makes it ideal for people with darker skin tones. The process involves carefully targeting each individual hair follicle with a laser beam that destroys its ability to grow back.
The result is permanent removal of those pesky hairs—no more worrying about shaving or waxing every week!
Safety Tips
Laser hair removal results are more predictable when done by a dermatologist. The FDA doesn’t regulate at-home laser hair removal devices, so the results and safety aren’t guaranteed.
There also aren’t enough clinical studies available to prove that at-home lasers are more effective than hair removal at a dermatologist’s office.
Other safety considerations involve your natural skin tone and hair color. Laser hair removal tends to work best on people with light skin tones and dark hair.
Hyperpigmentation, blistering, and irritation are possible side effects in all users. Make sure you follow all instructions included with your device to help avoid injuries.
While no downtime is required with this procedure, you’ll want to avoid direct sunlight for several days after using a laser hair removal device. Doing so will help reduce the risk of side effects.
Laser Hair Removal At Home
Malikov Aleksandr/Shutterstock
Zapping unwanted body hair in the comfort and privacy of your own home might be the epitome of self-care. But it can be a little scary to try it out for the first time!
Making the process painless and effective starts with a little preparation and using the right techniques. Read through these steps to see how the process works before you use your new device!
Make Sure You’re a Good Candidate
Before you try laser hair removal on yourself, make sure you’re a good candidate for this method. The best candidates for safe, effective laser hair removal will have these traits:
- Light to medium skin tone
- Medium to dark hair color in treatment area
In addition to these traits, you’ll want to ensure you’ve taken care of the following before you try laser hair removal at home.
- Shave the treatment area: Make sure your skin is clean and shave the area you plan to treat within 24 hours before your session. Shave as closely as possible to prevent burns, since the laser will target any dark hair above the skin level if you don’t shave closely enough.
- Cleanse the treatment area: Before you use your laser, thoroughly cleanse the treatment area to remove any oil, dirt, makeup, sunscreen, or deodorant. Any type of barrier to the laser will make your treatment less effective.
- No tanning for a while: You should avoid excessive sun exposure and self-tanner before and during your laser treatment sessions. Any tan you get – fake or real – will make the treatments less effective because they darken the skin. If you’ve already been tanning or using self-tanner, wait until your tan fades to try laser hair removal.
Numb the Area If Needed
If you’re worried about the process being painful, you can apply a numbing cream before you start.
Topical analgesics can help keep the process pain-free and some can make laser hair removal even more effective by concentrating and conducting the device’s light flashes further into the hair follicles.
Target the Treatment Area
Once you’re freshly shaved, cleansed, and numbed (optional) in the treatment area, it’s time to use your laser hair removal device! We recommend starting with a small treatment area like the underarms for your first session.
This will help you get the hang of how the device works and determine which power level or setting is best for you. Turn your device on and choose the lowest power setting to begin.
Your device may have come with safety goggles that look like sunglasses. These are excellent for eye protection during use.
Important: Whether you use eye protection or not, never look directly at the laser while in use. It can cause blindness!
To get the best results and reduce pain, position the device’s treatment window (a clear window on the device where the light will emit from) directly onto your skin at the edge of the area you’re treating.
Push the button until the flash of light emits – you may feel a slight pinch or snapping feeling when this happens, which is totally normal. After you’ve fired off the first flash, lift and reposition the device so that you’re overlapping the first treatment area and targeting some new skin, too.
Push the button to emit another flash, then repeat. Each time, try to barely move the device and keep each zone overlapped to ensure complete coverage of the treatment area.
Soothe Treated Areas
After you’ve completed the first session and have fully covered the treatment area, you can repeat the process in a new treatment area (your other underarm, for example) or call it a day.
After you’re finished lasering, follow up with a soothing, calming gel. Apply some sunscreen if you’ll be heading outside anytime soon since the treated area will be very sensitive to sunlight. You’re done with your first at-home laser treatment – congrats!
LiliiaKyrylenko/Shutterstock
Still got a few questions? We can help. Learn the answers to the most common questions we get about laser hair removal at home!
Does laser hair removal at home work?
Yes, laser hair removal at home can be very effective as long as you’re using a high-quality device that emits enough energy to actually disable and damage hair follicles.
Any of the devices on our list will be excellent for long-term to permanent hair removal. In terms of comparison, the laser hair removal devices sold for at-home use are usually a little weaker than professional devices.
But with consistent and proper use, a quality laser hair removal device designed for at-home use can give you results comparable to what you’d get from a professional.
Plus, you get the added benefit of doing each session in the comfort and privacy of your own home and can re-treat target areas anytime it’s convenient to get faster results.
Can you use at-home laser hair removal on pubic hair?
Pubic hair is one of the main areas women groom on a regular basis, so it makes sense that it’s one of the most popular treatment areas for laser hair removal. You can absolutely remove pubic hair with an at-home laser hair removal device.
Just ensure you’ve shaved the treatment area first to avoid burns, start on the lowest power setting, and use numbing cream if you find it painful to treat this area.
How many times a week can I do laser hair removal at home?
Most experts recommend using your at-home laser hair removal device up to 3 times per week to effectively remove hair
You can use your laser hair removal device as little as once every 2 weeks and still see results, but most manufacturers recommend using your device more often to get the best results.
Don’t exceed 3 treatment sessions in a week. Once you’re seeing the results you want, you can drop to a lower number of treatments for maintenance – about one treatment every month may be all you need for upkeep.
What happens if you don’t shave before laser hair removal?
Since at-home laser hair removal devices target the dark pigment in hair, starting with freshly shaved hair is key to avoiding burns.
If you leave the treatment area unshaven, the intense light energy from your device will be wasted by targeting the longer hairs – and when this happens, it can literally burn your skin and hair.
With effective at-home laser hair removal, you want to concentrate all of the light energy down into your hair follicle to get long-term results.
If you’re wasting the laser energy on the hair sprouting out of follicles, the laser can’t target deep down into the follicle to give you the lasting results you want. So make sure you shave before using your laser hair removal device!
How long do results take?
About 90% of people who opt for laser hair removal see permanent results within 3-6 sessions of treatment.
This means you can start seeing significantly reduced amounts of hair in the treatment area as soon as 1 week into treatment. The level of results you’ll see will vary.
Most people have a 10% to 25% decrease in hair in the treatment area after a single treatment. You’ll notice less and less hair in the treated area with every session, and you can expect to achieve full results within a month or two of use.
Is At-Home Laser Hair Removal Right for You?
We hope this guide has answered your questions about laser hair removal at home. We’ve looked at everything you need to know to start doing laser hair removal treatments right from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
And now you’ve seen the top 5 at-home laser hair removal systems that can make your smooth-skin dreams a reality! Every unit has its pros and cons, but proper and consistent use is a big part of getting results.
Whatever laser hair removal system you decide on, make sure to use it as directed and track every treatment session so you never miss one. If you follow the directions and use your device consistently, you should start seeing results within your first 2-3 sessions.
By taking the time to learn about doing at-home laser hair removal the right way, you’re already one step closer to permanently silky-smooth skin!