Is IPL Hair Removal Permanent & How Long Does It Last? (2024)

The three most common questions people who are looking for IPL hair removal systems typically ask are:

  • Is IPL hair removal permanent?
  • How long does IPL hair removal last?
  • Is IPL hair removal as effective as in-clinic hair removal?

IPL (Intense Pulse Light) laser hair removal is a minimally-invasive and safe process of removing unwanted hair from the face and body using light therapy. This non-surgical method of hair removal is approved by many worldwide health agencies, and can be performed clinically in laser hair removal centers or at home using simple devices like the RoseSkinCo™ IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset.

IPL hair removal systems, even though clinically proven to work for permanent hair removal, is an optional investment and knowing whether they can truly lead to permanent hair removal, regardless of how many treatments you need to achieve this, can be helpful in deciding whether to invest in one. Knowing how long IPL hair removal lasts after treatment with IPL hair removal systems can also help you determine if permanent hair removal systems such as the RoseSkinCo™ IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset is the best method for your hair removal needs.

Is IPL Hair Removal Permanent?

The short answer is that IPL hair removal can be permanent. The Food and Drug Administration, FDA, defines permanent hair reduction as the “long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing after a treatment regime.”This is different from the concept of never growing hair ever again or permanent hair removal. Once your body is alive and functioning, your hair follicles will attempt to rejuvenate and produce hair even if more sparse and slower with each subsequent IPL or laser treatment. IPL hair removal devices and in-clinic laser treatment will put your hair follicles in a state of dormancy, but eventually, hair will grow back finer and fewer, regardless of your choice of hair removal treatment.

Whether you are trying to achieve permanent hair removal using handheld IPL hair removal devices at home, or choosing to work with a laser clinic, you will require multiple treatments before you see a more permanent result. The good news is that laser hair removal at home and in a clinic are equally effective as they work with the same basic principles of using laser beams to achieve permanent hair removal. With in-clinic laser treatment, one specific wavelength is emitted while with IPL handheld devices, several safe wavelengths of light are emitted and filtered to the specific wavelength needed for hair removal. IPL handheld devices can also be used for skin disorders like facial flushing and rosacea while keeping your skin smooth.

When an IPL laser beam is used specifically for hair removal, it is directed to the area of treatment where the melanin in the hair absorbs the emitted beams. This light energy is then subsequently turned into heat energy which destroy hair follicles, leading to hair removal and inhibition of hair growth. Over repeated treatment sessions with a handheld IPL hair removal device like the RoseSkinCo™ IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset, hair follicles will progressively diminish, causing reduced hair regrowth and permanent hair removal. Typically, most people will require 6-8 treatments before they see a complete removal of hair within a specific treatment area. However, how fast or permanent IPL hair removal works to achieve complete hair removal also depends on the color of skin, color of hair, and thickness of hair.

How Long Does IPL Hair Removal Last?

Hair is made of two distinct parts: the hair follicle, which is tunnel-like and extends down into the deeper layers of the skin, and the hair shaft, which is what we see above the skin and know as hair. Most regular hair removal processes like shaving with a razor simply crop the visible part of the hair, but the follicles remain in place, allowing the hair to grow back rather quickly, within a day or two, and sometimes even coarser. Waxing can remove hair from the follicles beneath the skin surface; however, since the follicles remain intact, new hair typically reappears within two weeks.

On the other hand, with IPL hair removal treatments, light from the handheld device typically heats the hair and damages the follicle even while protecting surrounding areas. In this way, IPL hair removal treatments reduce the amount of hair follicles present in the targeted area, causing subsequent reduced hair regrowth in that area of treatment. Each subsequent treatment cycle will further affect the regrowth potential of existing hair follicles, leading to reduced hair over a period of time.

After treatment with an IPL device, the current hair cycle is usually disrupted enough that you can see a visible difference in the treatment area. However, it can take up to 2 weeks before the disrupted hair falls out of the destroyed follicles and new but finer hair starts growing. You will need multiple treatment sessions up to 12, depending on your skin and hair type, to achieve more permanent hair-free smooth skin.

So, if you are wondering how long IPL hair removal lasts, remember that even though an IPL hair removal treatment can interrupt and kill the hair follicles in the targeted treatment area, hair may still eventually grow back, even at a reduced pace. In fact, after the first treatment, don’t be surprised if hair regrows almost at the same pace as prior to having had any IPL treatment.

Several things can affect how long the result of your IPL hair removal lasts including genetics, stress, anxiety, changes in your hormones, medications, underlying medical conditions, and nutritional imbalances. If you’re relatively healthy, your hair may regrow faster than someone who may not be as healthy. However, regardless of your skin and hair type, every subsequent treatment will lead to reduced and thinned hair until hair removal is almost permanent.

Is the RoseSkinCo™ IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset as effective as in-clinic laser treatments?

Someone buying RoseSkinCo™ IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset might wonder if the IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset is as effective as an in-clinic laser treatment. So, how does the IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset compare to traditional laser hair removal? The IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset and clinical laser treatment are both light therapy, which work by emitting wavelengths that target the pigment in our hair. When exposed to a treatment area, the light is absorbed by the pigment and converted to heat energy which kills hair follicles (hair growth cells), thus temporarily disabling hair production. Every subsequent IPL or in-clinic laser treatment causes hair to grow back slower and more sparsely until hair growth is permanently reduced due to the hair follicles being damaged.

Related: IPL vs Laser Hair Removal

The IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset and clinical laser treatment have the same end result of gradually reducing hair growth over several treatments until you get a permanent reduction in hair growth. This makes the RoseSkinCo™ IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset and in-clinic laser treatment equally effective with a few minor differences:

  • Length of Treatment

Depending on your skin color and hair type, you might need up to 12 weeks of single weekly treatment with IPL to get complete results. You will typically notice more sparse and slower hair growth within the first month with a permanent reduction in hair growth within the three months. In contrast, most people looking to achieve permanent hair removal with in-clinic treatment require about four to six laser sessions spread over six weeks which can take up to nine months to complete compared to three short months with the RoseSkinCo™ IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset.

  • Follow-up Sessions

Eventually damaged hair follicles will regenerate, so to maintain hairless skin and prevent the hair follicles from regenerating, both in-clinic and IPL treatments require maintenance and follow-up sessions. Depending on your skin type and hair type, most in-clinic laser treatments require at least 1-2 visits to the clinic annually for a retreatment to resuppress the hair follicles. The RoseSkinCo™ IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset, on the other hand, can be used every 3-4 months, at home, depending on your skin and hair type, to touch up on new growth and maintain hairless smooth skin.

  • Cost and Convenience

Cost and convenience are equally important in determining the effectiveness of both IPL and in-clinic laser treatment. Regardless of how effective a treatment is, if it is not convenient or cost-effective, it will be hard to maintain. Handheld IPL devices are not only less expensive but are also easy to use and more convenient as they can be used safely at home. In-clinic laser treatments, on the other hand, not only require in-person office visits but is also more expensive. These disadvantages can make people less compliant with keeping up with their recommended laser treatment plan, resulting in incomplete treatment and less effectiveness of the clinic laser treatment compared to the RoseSkinCo™ IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset.

Is IPL Hair Removal Permanent & How Long Does It Last? (2024)

FAQs

Is IPL Hair Removal Permanent & How Long Does It Last? ›

If you're relatively healthy, your hair may regrow faster than someone who may not be as healthy. However, regardless of your skin and hair type, every subsequent treatment will lead to reduced and thinned hair until hair removal is almost permanent.

Does IPL hair removal last forever? ›

After about 6 sessions 70% of hair is usually permanently removed. We put a treatment plan in place for you and schedule a treatment every 4-8 weeks, depending on the area, until satisfactory results are achieved. However, you may need a maintenance treatment yearly, or every 3-5 years depending on your hair follicles.

Does IPL completely stop hair growth? ›

The hair will grow back over a long period of time – so it's not 100% permanent, but the expensive, long-lasting hair removal treatment offers almost-permanent hair removal after a series of repeat visits. So how does it work? Laser hair removal safely sends light pulses from laser to growing body hair.

Is it possible to remove 100% of hair with IPL? ›

While IPL can significantly reduce hair growth, it does not guarantee permanent hair removal. Many users notice a significant reduction in hair density and thickness, making regrowth finer and lighter.

How long will IPL results last? ›

How Long Do Results Last? The results of IPL can last for years as long as the skin is cared for properly with a sufficient skin care routine and sun protection.

How quickly does hair grow back after IPL? ›

After IPL hair removal

After the hair falls out you should have a hair free period for approximately 3 to 6 weeks. New growth will appear, though there will be a certain percentage of hairs that don't grow back. This percentage will increase with each session.

When should I stop IPL hair removal? ›

Stopping with the IPL treatments after just one or two courses will not result in full results. Usually after the third treatment results become more noticeable but for permanent hair removal, you should continue with the full treatment.

Can I use IPL on pubic hair? ›

IPL hair removal is a progressive treatment that offers full body hair removal - but you can use IPL to treat separate areas, such as your arms, legs, or pubic area, depending on your individual needs. When using IPL, you'll hold a flashgun device that delivers a spectrum of light to the skin.

Does IPL leave stubble? ›

When using IPL, you'll need to shave less and less as your treatments go on. As the hair follicles will be empty, you'll notice fewer ingrown hairs and less stubble 'shadow'. IPL treatment helps to smooth out the texture of your skin, whereas waxing or threading can cause inflammation.

What are the side effects of IPL? ›

Although side effects of IPL are typically rare and minimal in severity, the most common adverse events include pain and erythema. Other reported side effects include edema, bullae, hematoma, crusting, hyper- or hypopigmentation, leukotrichia, scarring, keloid formation, and infection.

What are the downsides of IPL? ›

Redness and Skin Burns

One of the most common side effects of IPL treatments is a slight redness in the treated area. This is primarily due to the continuous exposure to heat during the procedure, which can cause minor skin damage similar to a light burn.

Who should not use IPL hair removal? ›

So, IPL may not be for you if: You are sensitive to light. You have tanned your skin recently through sunlight, tanning beds, or tanning creams. You use a retinoid cream.

Does hair fall out during IPL? ›

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.

Is IPL worth the money? ›

For clients looking to combat fine wrinkles and uneven skin texture, IPL can be a game-changer. By stimulating collagen production, IPL treatments help to smooth out fine lines and improve skin texture. After three IPL treatments, many of our clients see a significant improvement in the appearance of their skin.

What not to do after IPL? ›

For at least 24 hours following your IPL treatment, it's advised to avoid products high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C. This includes skincare items containing alpha-hydroxy acids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and Benzoyl peroxide. These substances can irritate the skin, which is more sensitive after IPL.

How painful is an IPL laser? ›

How painful is IPL treatment? IPL treatment may cause some pain or discomfort during or after treatment. You may feel a slight stinging or burning sensation, or like a rubber band hitting your skin.

Does IPL have permanent hair removal? ›

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a broadband pulsed light source, whereas laser is a monochromatic coherent light source. Both methods target the melanin in the hair follicle and permanent results can be expected from both.

What happens when you stop using IPL hair removal? ›

Long-term Effects of Stopping IPL Hair Removal

Over the course of several months or years, discontinuing IPL treatments may lead to changes in your hair growth patterns. While IPL considerably reduces hair growth, sporadic regrowth is not uncommon.

Is IPL bad for your skin long-term? ›

Over time, no serious side effects or damage from long-term use have been reported. Philips Lumea has been developed in conjunction with leading dermatologists and tested with over 2000 women. It fulfills all the safety regulations for home-use appliances.

What happens if you use IPL too often? ›

Using IPL too often can be ineffective and painful. IPL is most effective while your hair is in the growth phase –if you treat your skin multiple times a week, your hair can become dormant and IPL treatment won't work as well. Additionally, while IPL is a gentle treatment, too much of it can be a bad thing.

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