In the first of 3 blogs in our IPL series, we will be going into detail about using IPL for hair removal, the process and the benefits of this treatment.

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, and is a popular form of light therapy, used for various dermatological procedures including:

*All these treatments will be covered in blog 2 and 3 of the IPL series

How does IPL hair removal work?

Light is selectively absorbed by melanin, the pigment in the hair follicle. The light energy heats the pigment and effectively destroys the hair follicle without damaging the surrounding cells.

Am I suitable for treatment?

Most people are suitable for treatment. Best results are often achieved with clients who have fair skin and dark hair. Dark hair is more easily treated as it has a high concentration of melanin. Fair hair, however, contains less melanin and is harder to treat. You will have a full consultation beforehand with one of our fully trained and licensed beauty therapists – they can then decide if the treatment will be successful for you. Grey/white hair has no melanin so unfortunately is not suitable for treatment.

Consultation procedure

Prior to treatment, a consultation is conducted in which a medical history is taken to confirm suitability for treatment. This is also a good opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have. Before treatment commences you must provide written consent and a small test patch will be carried out.

How is the treatment carried out & how will it feel?

The applicator is placed on the skin and a short pulse of light is released, which targets many follicles simultaneously. The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area of skin and the process is repeated until the entire area is treated. Treatments can take as little as 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the treatment area. Only hair that is actively growing is affected, therefore multiple treatments are needed. Treatment is conducted every 4-8 weeks, depending on the area treated, until a satisfactory result is seen. The required number of treatments varies, but typically 6 or more are needed for optimum results.

Treatment sensation varies but is often described as a flick of an elastic band. Most clients describe the discomfort as moderate and tolerable. However, if at any time you feel uncomfortable your Beauty Spot therapist will stop immediately.

What should I expect after treatment?

The hair follicles are damaged by heat but the hairs remain in the follicles. The dead hairs shed after 1-3 weeks as the epidermis (outermost layer of your skin) renews. During this period the hairs will seem to ‘grow’ as they are pushed out by the new epidermis.

Are there any side effects?

The skin may be red immediately after treatment and the hair follicles may be swollen and bumpy but this usually subsides within a few hours. Unwanted reactions are rare but may include a small blister or temporary lightening or darkening of the skin.

Benefits of IPL hair removal:

  • Quick, easy & safe – the IPL devices we use cover large areas at once, therefore reducing treatment time. IPL is also incredibly safe with minimal risk of side effects.
  • Permanent results – you will need multiple treatments but with each session you will see a permanent reduction in hair growth. No more waxing or shaving ever again – what a great investment!
  • No unnecessary regrowth – you don’t need to let the hair grow in-between treatments like other forms of hair removal such as waxing or epilating. Shaving will not hinder the effectiveness of IPL.
  • Lighter regrowth – over time there will be no regrowth, but in the beginning stages of your treatment hair that does come through will be finer and less noticeable.

Interested in IPL? If you have any questions, want to find out if this treatment is suitable for you or to book an appointment please call us on 01256 460076 or book online.