Are IPL Hair Removal Devices Safe at Home? (Reasons & FAQs Included)

Nowadays, there are many hair removal methods, but among them, IPL hair removal is gaining popularity. Because shaving is a hassle, waxing is painful, and the laser is pricey.

In comparison, people find IPL hair removal nearly painless, long-lasting, and budget-friendly. Despite this much popularity, people still don’t know about it. They are skeptical that it is safe to do at home.

Before giving you explanations and how to use it safely, let us tell you this in a short answer: IPL hair removal devices are safe to use at home if you follow all the precautions and do before and after care.

Now, let’s move to the detailed overview of IPL hair removal devices, usage, and care, and do’s.

Table of Contents:

• Part 1: How do IPL Hair Removal Devices Work?
• Part 2: 5 Reasons Why You Should Choose IPL for At-Home Hair Removal
• Part 3: How to Prepare for the IPL Hair Removal Devices?
• Part 4: Do’s for IPL Hair Removal at Home
• Part 5: Conclusion
• Part 6: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do IPL Hair Removal Devices Work?

IPL hair removal devices are concentrated beams of light. It targets particular skin for hair removal, such as melanin. The 600 to 700 nanometers range of light removes melanin and other skin concerns. The heat produced by these devices destroys hair follicles, removes hair from the root, and treats any skin disease. And the best part is it’ll not affect the surrounding skin.

After hair follicle removal, the strands fall out with roots. Have you ever heard about ingrown hair or strawberry legs? If yes, and face this problem, IPL hair removal devices can resolve this issue as they remove hair from the root. However, don’t expect it to work like magic in one session. It’ll take multiple sessions to reduce hair growth and long-lasting results.

Moreover, you should look for a good IPL hair removal device like Ulike. This device also uses lower energy levels than professional devices, so you don’t have to worry about burns or irritation.

5 Reasons Why You Should Choose IPL Hair Removal Devices for At-Home Hair Removal

Here are five reasons why you should opt for IPL hair removal devices:

1. Gentle Over Sensitive Skin And Generate Effective Results

The at-home IPL devices are gentler on the skin than salon laser devices. International Healthcare departments also prove it to be lighter on the skin than salon-grade machines. IPL hair removal devices give the right power for personal use.

You don’t need heavy-duty machines to get effective results. It makes the hair removal process safer and user-friendly. A study in the Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology published that people get 78% less hair growth after one month and 72% less after 3 months.

2. Nearly painless and Offer a Pleasant Experience

Many people have left using waxing and epilating due to nearly painless hair removal. Therefore, IPL hair removal is excellent for them. IPL hair removal devices give a warm and tingly sensation but not an uncomfortable or painful feeling.

IPL hair removal has given almost pain and skin-problem-free procedure with long-lasting results.

3. No Irritation and Redness like Other Hair Removal Methods.

Where all other methods give you pain, irritation, and redness, IPL hair removal devices save you from all these. These devices target the hair follicles and don’t affect the surrounding skin. It means you’ll not face any irritation in any skin areas because IPL only works on the treated areas.

So, the chances of redness and irritation are reduced significantly. Therefore, any skin type, especially sensitive skin, can use it without any tension.

4. Non-invasive Hair Removal

IPL is safe because of its non-invasive nature. Other procedures go deep into the skin surface, whereas IPL does its job from the upper layer and doesn’t harm your skin.

It’s akin to having a superhero specifically targeting hair follicles while leaving the rest of your skin intact. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) most recent Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, it was one of the top five non-invasive procedures performed in 2020.

5. User-Friendly Vibes

Home IPL devices are designed with the user in mind. They come with adjustable settings, allowing users to customize the treatment based on their specific skin tones and hair colors. This user-friendly approach makes the devices accessible to a wide range of individuals. It contributes to the convenience of achieving long-term hair reduction at home.

How to Prepare for the IPL Hair Removal Devices?

1. Choose the Right Device

The safe hair removal process depends on the quality of your IPL hair removal device. Therefore, don’t compromise on the quality and invest in a good product. You should consider some factors like window size, wired or wired less, and flash frequency. Choose a device with:

• A window size that can treat both large and small areas.
• A charging or cordless device so you don’t get stuck in any electric issue.
• Fast flash device because your hair removal time depends on it.

There are many devices available, but we recommend our favorite Ulike IPL hair removal device. It is beginner-friendly, effective, and will last for years if used properly.

2. Read User Manual

We usually don’t read user manuals and see them as useless copy that comes with every device. Don’t do it for your IPL hair removal device. These manuals have everything about the device. If you are a new IPl hair removal device, this manual is your best friend.  Read it thoroughly and learn about the light intensity, flash speed, and duration.

3. Do a Patch Test

Never ever apply anything directly to your sensitive areas. We always stress the importance of the patch test. Make a habit of patch testing whenever you try something new, especially for your skin. Your face and private part skin are sensitive, so you can’t take risks directly in these areas. You can try it on your hands, legs, or the back of the ear. If you feel itching or burns, stop and get your skin checked by a dermatologist.

4. Get Your Medical History Checked

We didn’t find any direct relationship between medical history and IPL hair removal devices. Still, it is good to have a medical test. For example, photosensitivity, dehydrated skin, chronic disorder, and psoriasis are the diseases that you must treat before IPL. If you find no problem or you resolve the issue, go ahead with this hair removal method. Otherwise, go for any other way.

Do’s for IPL Hair Removal at Home

Exfoliate Before Your Session:

It is recommended to exfoliate 24-48 hours before every IPL hair removal session to remove dirt, dead skin cells, and ingrown hair.

Although not mandatory, skin exfoliation is an important pre-care step for using IPL hair removal devices. As the top layer of the skin and the impurities are removed, the absorption of IPL rays into the hair is improved.

To exfoliate the skin, you can use a washcloth, loofah, or body scrub as chemical exfoliants can be harsh and you would want to be gentle on the skin.

Shave Before the Session:

The second yet mandatory step in pre-care of preparing is cutting the hair from the top with a razor. Yes, shaving is recommended to trim the unwanted hair to an appropriate length for IPL devices to get absorbed into the hair and reach the hair roots.

While you can shave immediately before the session, it is better to shave 1 day earlier to allow hair to grow a little before you flash the IPL device onto it.

Avoid Waxing, Plucking, Threading, or Epilating:

As shaving is highly indicated before IPL hair removal sessions, removing hair from roots is equally contraindicated. Why? Because IPL needs the hair pigment to work on the desired treatment area. When there is no hair and no pigment, IPL will have no substrate to get absorbed into.

Therefore, you should avoid waxing, plucking, depilatory creams, and epilating at least 2 weeks before the treatment. This will help you get the best of your at-home IPL hair removal device.

Moisturize After Every Session:

Post-laser skin pampering is as essential as pre-laser preparation as the skin becomes red, slightly inflamed, and dry by absorbing heated radiations from the IPL devices.

So, always moisturize the skin once you are done with the hair removal session, and use a cold compress to soothe it as well. Also, you should choose a lightweight yet enriched moisturizer for pampering the skin and avoiding skin irritation and clogging of the pores.

Conclusion

IPL hair removal devices seem like backbreaking work for some people when they lack adequate information about the usage of such devices. Therefore, we have tried to break down all the details about the working, safety, and usage of the IPL devices in this article.

It is important to note that the better the device you invest in, the better will be your experience with at-home laser hair removal. Therefore, we suggest you try Ulike Air3 IPL hair removal device for a comfortable and premium hair removal experience.

Also, whichever device you use, always prepare the skin well before your treatment and moisturize it afterward as well for optimal results of the treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is IPL Hair Removal Effective for All Skin Tones and Hair Colors?

Sadly, IPL hair removal devices do not work for all skin tones and hair colors. The contrast between skin and hair color is important in determining the effectiveness of an IPL device. Also, there should be pigment in the hair while little to no pigment in the skin for IPL devices to be completely safe and effective.

Therefore, IPL hair removal devices with no extra protective mechanisms can burn the dark skin. Also, when there is minimal or no melanin in your hair, such as with grey, ginger, or blonde hair, IPL hair removal rays will have pigment to target. So, the efficiency will be reduced greatly.

Is IPL Hair Removal Suitable for Men?

Of course, IPL hair removal is suitable for men’s hair removal as well. The presence of melanin in your body solely determines the compatibility of IPL hair removal.

It’s not gender-specific. Therefore, men and women can opt for IPL hair removal. In addition, men often have larger body areas with thicker hair and skin. So, they might require additional sessions. However, the process of IPL hair removal is equally effective for both men and women.

What is the difference between laser hair removal and IPL hair removal technology?

The main difference between laser hair removal and IPL lies in the designs and power outputs.

At-home DIY laser machines use a focused laser using a small round window, like a laser pointer. In contrast, IPL machines have a broad rectangular window that uses light flashes at different wavelengths, similar to a hair-removal shotgun.

The decision of which of the two is better solely depends upon your requirements. Also, you should know that those using IPL hair removal devices never return for in-salon services, making it a better option overall.