By Viktoria
May 23, 2023
6 minutes
Although IPL hair removal devices are completely safe, using them with precautions is important. Flashing more times than required, doing more sessions than recommended, and taking no measures to prepare yourself for hair removal can do more harm than good.
Does thinking about the side effects of IPL devices scare you? Do you feel paranoid about doing your own hair removal sessions without any harm to the skin or eyes? Or do you just want to give up on at-home laser hair removal and go for a professional one?
Let me tell you that IPL is the most effective, and user-friendly method of long-lasting hair removal and it is not as scary as you assume. Additionally, you do not need to be extra cautious as long as you follow a few hard and set rules for using IPL devices.
So, here are the details of using an IPL device safely at home.
How Often Do I Need to Do IPL Hair Removal at Home?
Every IPL device comes with instructions that include the right method to use it along with how often it should be used. Some IPL devices should be used once every two weeks, others are recommended to be used once a week. While some others can be used more than twice safely.
Start-Up Treatments
The treatment sessions till 90% of your hair are long-lasting and removed are known as start-up treatment. During the 3 weeks of the start-up treatments with Ulike, you can use the device twice every week with no complications and optimal results.
Maintenance Treatments
To kill the remaining 10% of unwanted hair, a few maintenance sessions are needed. In the case of Ulike, one session every one or two months can do the job safely. Then you can simply use IPL hair removal devices as needed.
Also Read: How Often Should I Use IPL Hair Removal Device at Home?
How Long Does it Take for IPL Hair Removal Devices to Work?
Just like the treatment sessions of every IPL device are different, the time each device takes to show results also differs. On average, IPL hair removal devices take somewhere between 1 month to 3 months to reduce hair regrowth significantly.
With the Ulike Air3 IPL device, only 3-4 weeks (* refers to a decrease in hair count within 3-4 weeks, sourced from third-party laboratory testing reports. Individual results may vary) are enough for the desired results. However, some devices like Philips IPL device can take up to 12 weeks to show the same results.
Regardless of the time taken to remove unwanted hair, hair removal with IPL devices lasts for up to 6 months. After that, you need to do the treatment again. But re-treatment sessions are feasible as IPL devices are very handy to use.
Can I Use an IPL Device Every Day at Home?
Before getting to the answer, let me ask why you need to use IPL devices every day. If you said “for quick and better results”, let me burst the bubble and say this is never the case. IPL rays work on hair follicles and hair roots. So, if there is no hair in the follicle, IPL rays won’t work.
After each IPL session, hair is burnt and you need to give it a day or two to grow. Therefore, when hair is long enough, they absorb light. Also, you should only flash the devices once or twice on one area of the skin.
Doing an IPL hair removal session every day slows down the progress of your treatment rather than fastening it up. Additionally, it has some other side effects as well.
What Happens if I Use an IPL Device Every Day?
Other than delayed results, here are a few side effects you can go through using IPL hair removal devices too often.
Skin Irritation
IPL devices use light that is converted into heat as it touches the skin and hair. So, constant use of IPL devices can irritate the skin, and cause skin redness, or itching.
Skin Burning
As some people have more skin sensitivity than others, the everyday use of IPL hair removal devices burns the skin of people already prone to burns. Additionally, it can cause skin peeling.
However, if you already got burns, you can check the treatment of burns here.
Skin Sensitivity
If you think your skin is strong and can take 7 sessions of IPL devices a week, try it and see how sensitive your skin gets. IPL devices can greatly increase the sensitivity of the skin to pain, touch, or burns.
Wasting of Flashes
Overuse of IPL hair removal devices can cause economic damage in addition to physical harm. IPL devices come with a limited number of flashes. So, if you flash the device more times than needed, it would decrease the device’s lifespan.
Do’s of IPL Hair Removal Devices
Now that you know you have to stick to your IPL hair removal treatment schedule, let us see what you need to do to make hair removal safer and more effective. Moreover, if you are particularly looking for the use of an IPL device, you can check out the complete guide to using IPL hair removal devices like Ulike Air3 here .
Skin Exfoliation
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 your hair removal session to thoroughly cleanse the skin.
Additionally, exfoliation removes loose or zapped hair. It also helps in better absorption of radiation into the hair as there are no obstacles.
Shaving the Unwanted Hair
IPL rays have absorbed the pigment of the hair. However, long hair can get stuck in the device and makes it difficult for light rays to travel all the way to the roots. So, shave the hair 1 day or immediately before your hair removal session.
Use Sunblock Regularly Before Your Session
Tanned skin tends to absorb more light and heat damages already sunburnt skin. So, if you are planning on using an IPL device, be regular with the usage of sunblock and maintain the natural complexion of your skin.
Also, with regular use, it means reapplying the sunblock repeatedly every day. Here are some recommendations for the best sunblock in 2023.
Use a Soothing Moisturizer After the Session
Skin becomes sensitive after IPL sessions and is prone to dehydration. So, make sure to apply a liberal amount of moisturizing lotion after each session to nourish the skin.
Wear Light Protective Glasses
Although IPL hair removal devices are considered safe for the eyes, bright flashes and UV radiation can still damage the eyes. So, you should wear black light protective glasses to protect yourself from any unforeseen damage.
Don’ts of IPL Hair Removal Devices
Several factors can interfere with the working of IPL devices. Few are discussed here.
Do Not Let the Skin Tan
IPL light gets absorbed wherever there is pigment, whether it is your skin or hair. So, stop using artificial tanners or sun exposure 1 to 2 weeks before your IPL hair removal session.
Also, do not use these devices over hyperpigmented areas, scars, or moles just like explained in Laser Hair Removal over Tattoos.
Do Not Epilate, Wax, or Thread Unwanted Hair
Skin preparation for IPL hair removal requires shaving the hair. You should not pull hair out of the roots. So, do not wax, epilate, or thread unwanted hair for up to 4 weeks before your IPL hair removal session.
And if you ever need to remove hair in between the sessions, use a razor.
Avoid Using Skin Care and Beauty Products With Chemicals
Skincare containing chemical and active ingredients like retinol and steroids can make the skin photosensitive. Using IPL hair removal devices over a photosensitive area can burn it. So, stop using skincare with active ingredients for 1 to 2 months before the commencement of your IPL hair removal.
Contraindications of IPL Hair Removal
IPL hair removal is not suitable for people having several conditions and diseases like pregnancy, plastic surgery, psoriasis, hypersensitivity, SLE, and cancer. So, talk to your doctor and ask for recommendations before using any device for hair removal.
Conclusion
Long-lasting hair removal has become a piece of cake because of the growing and innovative technology of IPL devices. But it does not mean you are good to repeat the treatment sessions every day and need no precautions while using IPL devices.
So, I have explained how often IPL hair removal should be done and what you should and should not do while using IPL devices.
