Although IPL hair removal devices are completely safe, it's important to use them with caution. Flashing more often than necessary, doing more sessions than recommended, and not taking steps to prepare for removal can do more harm than good.
Does the thought of the side effects of IPL devices scare you? Do you feel paranoid about doing your own hair removal without damaging your skin or eyes? Or do you want to avoid laser hair removal at home and opt for a professional device?
Let me tell you that IPL is the most effective and user-friendly method of permanent hair removal and it is not as scary as you think. Moreover, you don't have to be extra careful as long as you follow a few hard and fast rules for using IPL devices.
So here are the details on how to safely use an IPL device at home.
Table of contents:- Part 1: How often do I need to do IPL hair removal at home?
- Part 2: Initial treatment
- Part 3: Maintenance treatments
- Part 4: How long does it take for IPL hair removal devices to take effect?
- Part 5: Can I use an IPL device every day at home?
- Part 6: What happens if I use an IPL device every day?
- Part 7: Do's of IPL hair removal devices
- Part 8: Don'ts of IPL hair removal devices
- Part 9: Conclusion
How often do I need to do IPL hair removal at home?
Each IPL device comes with instructions that describe the correct method and frequency of use. Some IPL devices should be used once every two weeks, others are recommended for use once a week, and others can be safely used more than twice.
Initial treatment
The treatment sessions until 90% of your hair is permanently removed are called the introductory treatment. During the 3 weeks of the introductory treatment with Ulike, you can use the device twice a week without any complications and to achieve optimal results.
Maintenance treatments
To eliminate the remaining 10% of unwanted hair, a few maintenance treatments are required. In the case of Ulike, one session every one to two months is enough to safely remove hair. After that, you can simply use the IPL hair removal devices as needed.
Further reading: How often should I use the IPL hair removal device at home?
How long does it take for IPL hair removal devices to take effect?
Just as treatment sessions vary with each IPL device, the time it takes for each device to show results also varies. On average, IPL hair removal devices take between 1 month and 3 months to significantly reduce hair regrowth.
With the Ulike Air3 IPL device, it only takes 3-4 weeks (* refers to a decrease in hair count within 3-4 weeks, taken from third party lab reports. Individual results may vary) to achieve the desired results. However, with some devices such as the Philips IPL device, it may take up to 12 weeks to achieve the same results.
Regardless of how long it takes to remove unwanted hair, hair removal with IPL devices lasts up to 6 months. After that, you will have to repeat the treatment. Since the IPL devices are very portable, repeat treatments are possible.
Can I use an IPL device every day at home?
Before we get to the answer, I would like to ask you why you have to use IPL devices every day. If you say “ for fast and better results " , let me break the illusion and say that will never be the case. IPL flashes work on hair follicles and hair roots, so if there is no hair in the follicle, the IPL flashes cannot work.
After each IPL session, the hairs are burned and you need to give them a day or two to grow, so if the hairs are long enough, they will absorb the light. Also, you should only flash the devices once or twice on one area of skin.
If you do an IPL hair removal session every day, the progress of your treatment will slow down rather than speed it up. It also has some other side effects.
What happens if I use an IPL device every day?
Aside from delayed results, there are some side effects that can occur with too frequent use of IPL hair removal devices.
Skin irritation
IPL devices use light that is converted into heat when it touches the skin and hair. Therefore, constant use of IPL devices can irritate the skin and cause redness or itching.
Skin burn
Because some people have more sensitive skin than others, daily use of IPL hair removal devices will burn the skin of people who are already prone to burns and may also cause skin peeling.
However, if you already have burns, you can learn more about burn treatment here .
Skin sensitivity
If you think your skin is strong and can handle 7 sessions of IPL devices per week, give it a try and see how sensitive your skin becomes. IPL devices can greatly increase the skin's sensitivity to pain, touch or burns.
Wasting lightning
Excessive use of IPL hair removal devices can cause not only physical but also economic damage. IPL devices have a limited number of flashes, so if you flash the device more often than necessary, the lifespan of the device will be shortened.
Do's of IPL hair removal devices
Now that you know that you can stick to your IPL hair removal treatment plan , let's look at what you need to do to make hair removal safer and more effective. Also, if you are interested in using an IPL device, you can read the complete guide on how to use IPL hair removal devices like the Check out Ulike Air3 .
Skin peeling
Our skin tends to accumulate impurities, dirt and dead skin cells even after regular cleansing, so it is best to exfoliate the skin 1 to 2 days before hair removal to clean it thoroughly.
In addition, the peeling removes loose or damaged hair. The rays are also better absorbed by the hair because there are no obstacles.
Shaving unwanted hair
The IPL rays absorb the hair's pigment. However, long hairs can get caught in the device and make it difficult for the light rays to reach the roots. Therefore, shave the hair 1 day or immediately before your hair removal session.
Use sunscreen regularly before your session
Tanned skin tends to absorb more light and heat damages already sunburned skin, so if you plan on using an IPL device, be sure to use sunscreen regularly and maintain your skin's natural tone.
If used regularly, this means that you will have to apply the sunscreen several times every day. Here are some recommendations for the best sunscreen in 2023.
Use a soothing moisturizer after the session
After IPL treatments, the skin is sensitive and prone to drying out, so be sure to apply a generous amount of moisturizer after each session to nourish the skin.
Wear protective glasses
Although IPL hair removal devices are considered safe for the eyes, bright flashes and UV rays can still damage the eyes, so you should wear black light safety glasses to protect yourself from unforeseen damage.
Don'ts of IPL hair removal devices
Several factors can affect the performance of IPL devices. A few of them are discussed here.
Do not let the skin tan
The IPL light is absorbed wherever there is pigment, whether it is your skin or your hair. So avoid artificial tanning or sun exposure 1 to 2 weeks before your IPL removal.
Also, do not use these devices over hyperpigmented areas, scars, or moles, as explained in Laser Hair Removal Over Tattoos .
Do not remove unwanted hair by epilation, waxing or threading
To prepare the skin for IPL hair removal, the hair must be shaved. You should not pull the hair out at the roots. Therefore, you should avoid waxing, epilating or threading for up to 4 weeks before your IPL removal.
And if you need to remove hair from time to time, use a razor.
Avoid using skin care and beauty products containing chemicals
Skin care that contains chemical and active ingredients such as retinol and steroids can make the skin sensitive to light. If you use IPL hair removal devices on a light-sensitive area, it can burn. Therefore, you should stop using skin care products with active ingredients 1 to 2 months before IPL hair removal.
Contraindications for IPL hair removal
IPL hair removal is not suitable for people who have various conditions such as pregnancy, plastic surgery, psoriasis, hypersensitivity, SLE and cancer. So talk to your doctor and ask for recommendations before using any hair removal device.
Conclusion
Long-lasting hair removal has become a breeze thanks to the growing and innovative technology of IPL devices. But that doesn't mean you can repeat the treatments every day and don't need to take precautions when using IPL devices.
So I explained how often IPL hair removal should be done and what you should and shouldn’t do when using IPL devices.
