Are you wondering why your skin keeps getting irritated or why you never get the results you want after your IPL sessions? Do you feel like it's actually due to the inefficiency of your IPL device, even if you have one of the best on the market? We assume that if the results aren't satisfactory, it's more likely to be due to the technique than the device.
What should you do to find the right technique that will make your skin hairless and without side effects? There are a few things you can consider before and after the treatment to get the best results. That's why we have some simple tips and tricks to ensure that the high-quality device gives you equally high-quality results.
Here are some tips and tricks for pre and post IPL care to get the best results. So read this post to learn the art of IPL hair removal.
Pre-care for IPL hair removal treatment
What should I do?
Get a high-quality device
First things first: For effortless and long-lasting hair removal, you need, above all, a high-quality IPL device that guarantees safety and good results. While killing hair follicles with heated light is the feature of all IPL devices on the market, they differ in terms of treatment modes, safety mechanisms, pain-free technologies, treatment duration and time to see results.
So when buying an IPL device, you should put your needs first in order to have a good experience.
Check skin tone compatibility and read instructions
All IPL devices work on the mechanism of the difference between skin tone and hair color. There are numerous tables available on the Internet, and some even come with the device.
So, check if your skin tone and hair color fall into the compatibility category to avoid wasting money on a device that is not suitable for you. Also, read the device's user manual to learn more about its features and get the most out of it.
Start with the lowest intensity level
IPL devices have different intensity levels based on the energy emitted and the light flux. Most devices are also equipped with sensors that automatically adjust the intensity to the skin texture and tone.
If this is not the case, you should start with the lowest intensity level to test your tolerance and avoid skin burns. Then gradually increase the intensity until you reach the optimal level for effective hair removal.
Cleansing and exfoliating the skin
Just like before applying makeup, skin care or removing unwanted hair, you must cleanse your skin thoroughly before IPL treatment.
So, wash your face and body to remove any makeup, residue, creams, serums or impurities on your skin. You can also exfoliate your skin 1 day before the treatment to prevent complications.
Shave the skin
The length of the unwanted hair must be reduced so that the IPL rays can reach the hair roots without being obstructed by the hair above the skin surface.
So, after cleansing and right before the hair removal session, shave the area to be treated to avoid hair singing, a burning smell and ineffective IPL results.
Keep the skin dry
IPL hair removal works best when the skin is free of moisture and completely dry, so make sure there is no moisture on the skin as it can interfere with the IPL treatment and make it less effective.
Also, try to do the treatment in a cool environment, both physically and mentally. This way you won't sweat and your skin will stay dry the whole time.
Protect your skin from the sun
Continuous or prolonged exposure to the sun can tan the skin, burn it, and make it sensitive. This can make the IPL treatment painful and damage the skin without removing much of the hair.
Therefore, try to stay indoors as much as possible and apply a generous amount of sunscreen every day for at least 2 to 4 weeks before treatment.
What should be avoided?
Plucking, waxing or tweezing hair
Since IPL reaches the hair roots through the hair, removing the hair at the root is of no use; it will grow back normally. Therefore, you should avoid plucking, waxing or tweezing for 4-6 months before starting your IPL hair removal treatment and shave the hair immediately before the treatment.
Spending more time than necessary
You only need to flash the light once or twice in one area. Even though the IPL light is low energy, it still produces heat and radiation. Excessive use of IPL devices can damage the skin, burning it and causing blisters.
Also, try to keep the stamps close together so that you don't miss any spots.
Continue treatment if it hurts
IPL is designed to spare you the pain associated with laser hair removal. Although IPL hair removal involves some mild stinging, irritation or discomfort, it is not designed to hurt.
If the irritation or burning exceeds your pain threshold or you feel injured, you should stop the IPL treatment immediately and consult your doctor.
Make-up and active skin care ingredients
Makeup can interfere with IPL hair removal, so it's best not to wear makeup before your session. Also, don't use skincare products with active ingredients like retinol for 1 week before starting treatment, as they can make skin sensitive and irritable.
Finally, you should avoid using self-tanners or natural tans for 1 month before treatment, as tanned skin tends to absorb more radiation.
Use for tattoos, warts, moles
Tattoos, warts, moles and birthmarks contain a large number of pigments that absorb a large amount of light rays and do more harm than good, so don't bring the IPL device anywhere near skin with hyperpigmentation.
Aftercare for IPL hair removal treatment
What should I do?
Clean the device
Cleaning the device after each session is essential to protect your skin from bacteria and contaminants that remain with each subsequent session and to improve the longevity of the device.
Moisturize the skin
After an IPL treatment, the skin becomes red and sometimes irritated, so it is advisable to apply a moisturising cream or lotion such as aloe vera to soothe the skin. It also provides nutrients and water to the skin, keeping it healthy and supple.
Apply cold compresses
If you use an IPL device without cooling or pain-relieving technology, you may feel discomfort after the treatment and experience a constant feeling of heat on your skin. This is not always the case.
If this does happen, apply a soothing cold compress to the affected area to help you feel better. You can also wear deodorant to keep your skin cool, dry and fragrant after treatment.
Protect them from sunlight
Just as you protect your skin from the sun's UV rays before treatment, you must also protect it from direct sunlight after treatment.
Although protecting your skin from the sun is essential even during a normal routine treatment, you need to be extra careful for 1-3 days after your IPL hair removal treatment.
Stay patient
IPL hair removal is not a one-time procedure. It takes several months to achieve the desired hair removal with IPL hair removal devices because only a fraction of the hair can be damaged by IPL at a time.
So you should be patient and stick to your treatment plan until the end. And if you skip treatment in between, the lost hair follicles will start to regenerate.
What should be avoided?
Remove hair until it falls out
Since many strands of hair continue to grow after the first treatment, unsightly hairy patches appear. However, such hairs should not be plucked or waxed between treatments.
However, if such hair is thick and you desperately want to have hairless skin, you can shave it before your next treatment.
Anything that makes you sweat
After an IPL treatment, the skin is sensitive to temperature and sweat for about 48 hours. Therefore, you should avoid taking hot baths, going to the sauna or exercising for 2 days until the sensitivity of your skin has disappeared.
If you do this, you may experience swelling, redness and tightness.
Everything with aggressive ingredients
The same applies here: let your skin breathe and relax after the not-so-mild IPL hair removal. So do not use physical or chemical peels as these can strip the skin, do not use skin care products with active ingredients such as glycolic acid as these can cause skin irritation, do not use bleaching creams as these activate reactive oxygen species, and do not use aggressive body soaps.
You should also try to avoid wearing makeup for at least 1-2 days. Instead, be gentle with your skin and use mild and nourishing products.
Conclusion
Although IPL hair removal is considered an affordable, gentle and relatively pain-free alternative to laser hair removal, incorrect use of IPL devices can cause problems. Therefore, there is a pre- and post-treatment program you can follow with your IPL hair removal sessions to ensure your hair removal procedure is gentle and safe.
We talked about the pre- and post-IPL hair removal preparation to get the best results.
