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The Daily Insight

Does IPL really work for hair removal?

Author

Robert Guerrero

Updated on February 28, 2026

Although IPL treatments will permanently reduce the total number of body hairs, they will not result in a permanent removal of all hair. According to Remington, manufacturer of an IPL device, all IPL and laser devices should only be used on light to medium skin tones, and work best on darker hair.

Likewise, people ask, does IPL Work hair removal?

Unlike laser treatments, which emit a specific wavelength, IPL works like a flash-lamp, sending out scattered wavelengths of light, making IPL very targeted. "It's now generally accepted that IPL is a good workhorse for treating blood vessels, but not a very good one for hair removal.

Similarly, which is the best IPL hair removal machine? The best IPL machines you can buy today

  1. Philips Lumea Prestige IPL.
  2. Braun 5001 Silk-Expert IPL.
  3. BoSidin Permanent Hair Removal Device.
  4. Philips Lumea Advanced IPL.
  5. Philips Lumea Essential IPL.
  6. SmoothSkin Bare IPL Hair Removal Device.
  7. Remington IPL6750 i-Light Prestige Hair Removal Device.
  8. Tria Hair Removal Laser Precision.

Similarly, you may ask, how long does IPL hair removal take to work?

4 to 6 sessions

Can IPL stimulate hair growth?

"IPL hair removal devices work by a wavelength of light targeting the hair follicle, and because consumers aren't trained to know what they're doing or what they're treating, you can potentially make [skin conditions] worse," she explains. An IPL device can also cause [excessive] hair growth.

Related Question Answers

Does hair grow back after IPL?

We can also only treat active hairs (in the 'anagen' cycle). So after a course of IPL hair removal, we will have destroyed the suitable treated follicle's and they will never grow back, but there is a strong possibility that a brand new follicle may activate or follicles, not in the 'anagen' phase will still grow.

Which is better IPL or laser?

Laser Hair Removal treatments are more concentrated so long-term results are more effective than IPL. The nature of the laser is that they can focus light deeper into the pores of the skin, getting closer to treat the follicle and prevent hair growth.

Can IPL cause cancer?

Although laser and IPL technology has not been known to cause skin cancer, this does not mean that laser and IPL therapies are without long-term risks.

Which is more painful IPL or laser?

Pain rating: The single, more pointed beam of light used during laser treatment is often reported to be more painful than IPL treatment. Cost: Laser light is expensive to generate, and so, in salons especially, laser treatment comes with a hefty price tag whereas IPL is often much more affordable.

What happens if you use IPL too often?

What happens if you use IPL too often? This depends on your skin and hair type, the parts of the body being treated, shaving and correctly using your IPL during sessions etc. Typically you should expect to see significant results after a month or so / a couple of sessions.

Do I need to shave before IPL?

For IPL to be effective, the hair needs to be present in the hair follicle. Shaving is the best method between sessions and is recommended immediately prior to treatment. However depilatory creams may be used, but you need to leave a week or two before and after an IPL treatment.

Can I use IPL daily?

Depending on the body part, expert dermatologists recommend using the home IPL device once every 4 to 6 weeks in order to catch the new hair that is starting to return in its growth cycle. For legs, it is once every 8 to 12 weeks as the hair growth rate on this body part is much slower.

Is IPL better than laser hair removal?

Laser technology is simply much more effective, and achieves substantially better results than IPL with most clients achieving optimal results of permanent hair removal of 80% or greater after four to eight treatments. However, IPL machines do have an important place in the treatment of skin.

Are IPL results permanent?

Although IPL treatments will permanently reduce the total number of body hairs, they will not result in a permanent removal of all hair. According to Remington, manufacturer of an IPL device, all IPL and laser devices should only be used on light to medium skin tones, and work best on darker hair.

What happens if you wait too long between laser?

The results will usually become more apparent with each following session. If you wait too long between sessions, it may appear that the hairs “all came back.” These are likely new hairs from a different cycle or weakened hairs from the last treatment.

Can IPL be used on pubic area?

And that's basically it. IPL treatments are can be safely used on the mons pubis and bikini line areas. It's is not advisable to use IPL for hair near the anus, inguinal, scrotum, and testicular parts, since these areas are generally dark pigmented parts, and much more… shall we say “sensitive.”

Does IPL get rid of hair permanently?

Although IPL treatments will permanently reduce the total number of body hairs, they will not result in a permanent removal of all hair. Certain skin conditions, health irregularities, and medications can impact whether it is safe for a person to receive a light-based hair removal treatment.

Can you do IPL twice a week?

We recommend treating your skin with Philips Lumea once every two weeks for the first two months. Using Lumea more often than biweekly may cause skin irritation.

How many IPL treatments does it take to see results?

IPL treatments work very well to reduce and remove brown and red spots on the skin and create an overall better complexion. However, as this treatment has “minimal or no downtime”, it is necessary to do 3-5 treatments to achieve the very best results.

How often should I use IPL?

Depending on the body part, expert dermatologists recommend using the home IPL device once every 4 to 6 weeks in order to catch the new hair that is starting to return in its growth cycle. For legs, it is once every 8 to 12 weeks as the hair growth rate on this body part is much slower.

Which is better Philips or Braun IPL?

Braun claim that their Silk Expert IPL technology is up to 2 times faster than its competitors at the same energy level, with 0.9 to 1.9 seconds between flashes. This compares with up to 3.5 seconds between flashes with the Philips Lumea.

Does IPL damage skin?

Blistering burns are second-degree burns.” “My once pretty skin has been ruined by a series of five IPL treatments. I found out the hard way that lasers are risky to say the very least and can and in fact do cause damage.

How do I choose a home IPL?

To choose the right energy for you, you need to identify your skin type. If your skin is thin and sensitive, we recommend devices with lower power, i.e. between 3 and 6 joules per cm². If, on the other hand, your skin is hard enough and can withstand more intense light energy, choose a more powerful IPL device.

Is IPL safe for the face?

IPL-based technology is generally considered a safe procedure as potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation is typically filtered by blocking wavelengths below 500 nm, although there are unwanted effects associated with the treatment.

What is the best permanent hair removal?

You check Groom+Style's list of the top 5 best at home hair removal lasers, of course.
  • Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser 4X.
  • Remington iLIGHT Pro Plus Quartz Hair Removal System.
  • Philips Lumea Comfort IPL Hair Removal System.
  • Silk'n Flash & Go Hair Removal Device Original.
  • Tanda Me My Elos Syneron Touch Hair Removal System.

What's the difference between IPL and laser?

The difference between Laser and IPL hair removal IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a broadband pulsed light source, whereas laser is a monochromatic coherent light source. Professional laser treatment is working more selective and therefore the very high energy will focus on the hair follicle rather than surrounding skin.

Does IPL remove hair permanently?

Although IPL treatments will permanently reduce the total number of body hairs, they will not result in a permanent removal of all hair. Certain skin conditions, health irregularities, and medications can impact whether it is safe for a person to receive a light-based hair removal treatment.

How long until hair falls out after IPL?

1 to 3 weeks

Why is my hair growing back after laser?

After laser hair removal treatment, it is common for hair to regrow. Why do hairs continue to grow after the the treatment? This is mainly due to the hair's growth cycle. The laser used during the treatment focused a beam of low-energy light on individual hair follicles underneath the skin.

Does everyone with PCOS get facial hair?

Facial hair growth by itself does not indicate that you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), though hirsutism (unwanted or excess body hair) is one of the most distressing symptoms of PCOS. In some cases, the exact cause of facial hair in women is never known and the condition often runs in families.

Does IPL kill hair follicles?

Contrary to other treatments, hairs are not vaporised by IPL treatment. The hair follicles are killed by the heat but the hairs remain in the skin and often become attached to the epidermis. They will fall out after 1 to 3 weeks as the epidermis is renewed.

How long do IPL machines last?

How Philips Lumea works? Let me remind you about how the Philips Lumea device works. It is an IPL hair removal system, so it works like elimination of hair regrowth, so we can enjoy smooth skin for up to 8 weeks after the last treatment.

Can IPL cause more brown spots?

Risks. IPL is safe when done by a trained technician. But the treatment could cause hormonal brown spots to flare up. You could have other unwanted side effects.

Does IPL cause fat loss in face?

Very real side effect of IPL. The dents in the face that Skinquest mentioned are actually dermal atrophy. Atrophy from IPL or laser will occur in one, two or all three of the skin layers. Lipoatrophy is the loss of fat in the deep fat layer, shrinking the volume of the face and causing the skin to hang.

What happens if you don't shave before laser hair removal?

1. You didn't shave first. Lasers heat hair to damage the stem cells in hair follicles, but if the hair is too long, the laser can burn your skin. "Freshly shaved is the best for treatment." If you can't resist waxing, allow hair to grow in for at least one week before a laser appointment.

Does IPL work if you have PCOS?

IPL hair removal can permanently reduce or remove unwanted hair. It uses pulses of laser light to destroy the hair follicles permanently, although in PCOS and other hormone-based conditions, new hair may grow again despite removing the follicles.