Understanding IPL & Permanent Hair Removal | Philips (2024)

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Many of us dream about waking up in the morning without having to worry about stubbly armpits and hairy legs. A life without hairy problems – wouldn’t that be great? Everyone’s talking about permanent hair removal right now – from beauty salons to lifestyle blogs, to your best friend.


But why are we so infatuated with the idea of permanent hair removal in the first place? What exactly is “permanent” hair removal, what methods are available for long-lasting hair removal, and how much does it cost?

But why are we so infatuated with the idea of removing hair permanently, what exactly is permanent hair removal and which methods can make this a reality?Man könnte splissige Haare als sanften Appell verstehen, dass der nächste Friseurbesuch ansteht. Aber mal ehrlich: wer mit Apps & Co so gut organisiert ist, kann auf die Erinnerung von Mutter Natur verzichten. Also was tun bei Spliss und vor allem, was hilft wirklich gegenSpliss? Wir geben hier nützliche Tipps gegen Spliss im Haar, wenn er einmal da ist, und sagen dir, wie du mit guter Pflege und entsprechenden Produkten, Spliss vermeiden kannst.


Permanent hair removal: a dream come true?


Body hair is completely natural, with each one of us having approximately five million hairs on our body. There is no reason why you shouldn’t wear your hair with pride. Nevertheless, removing body hair is a common trend these days – not just for women – as hairless skin has its own advantages, such as boosting performance in sports, improving hygiene, or even simply as a way to feel more comfortable.


However, smooth skin has its price. No matter what your preferred hair removal routine is – shaving your armpits and bikini zone in the shower every morning, epilating your legs every two or three weeks, or waxing your body hair in the salon – it is time-consuming. And despite all the effort, your hair is back in what often feels like the blink of an eye.


The futility of this endless chore makes a permanent hair removal solution sound like a dream come true. But there’s no such thing as permanent hair removal – at home or elsewhere. However, hair removal that promises permanently smooth skin is a sought-after – and attainable, solution. But can it really keep its promise?

Understanding IPL & Permanent Hair Removal | Philips (1)

A promising solution to “permanent” hair removal


So, what’s the best way to permanently remove hair? The most well-known permanent hair removal treatment is laser hair removal, which you can have done at a salon. 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. Melanin, which is responsible for the pigmentation in hair, absorbs the light, which is converted into heat and directed towards the hair follicle. This encourages the hair to enter its resting phase. Between sessions, it sheds naturally, and new growth is inhibited. Since only the hairs in the growth stage are treated this way, several sessions are required for complete depilation, depending on the body part, hair density, and hair type.


Before undergoing laser hair removal, and since every skin type is different, it’s best to consult your dermatologist or visit a laser removal clinic to fully understand the process and its effects, before making any decisions for yourself and your body.


Compared to shaving or epilating, laser hair removal could be considered the most permanent hair removal treatment, after at least six sessions, each one four weeks apart. Laser hair removal can significantly reduce hair growth over time, however, there’s no guarantee that laser hair removal is permanent. Generally, laser treatment is less effective for fair hair with low levels of melanin, but you can still find isolated regeneration of hair roots years later, on any skin or hair type.

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Permanent hair removal at home


Although many would prefer a permanent hair removal treatment, laser treatments only come very close, with no guarantee of lifelong hairlessness. So, perhaps a more appealing alternative that achieves a similar long-lasting hair removal solution – but without the frequent trips to the salon or laser treatment clinics – is IPL hair removal, which you can do from the comfort of your own home!


The methodological difference between laser and IPL is that IPL hair removal can cover a larger area of skin. IPL technology uses the complete light spectrum and filters it to the effective wavelength range instead of being dependent on a single wavelength, like the laser.


Both laser and IPL translate to higher costs at first when compared to shaving or waxing. However, the results are considerably longer lasting, making IPL – or laser – worthwhile investments. If you choose IPL treatment, you have the option of achieving laser treatment’s almost-but-not-quite permanent hair removal, at home. Despite the one-off investment, overall costs are lowered substantially. Additionally, you can perform the treatment wherever’s comfortable, whenever it suits you!


An IPL device such as the Philips Lumea Prestige is a hair removal solution that has been designed for you and has four different curved attachments for body, face, bikini and underarm areas. With these attachments, each body part receives the attention it deserves.


The Philips Lumea Prestige is handy, safe and achieves 92% hair reduction.
1 At the same time, you only need 8.5 minutes to treat both lower legs.2 Who would have thought that long-lasting hair removal at home would be this easy?
So, don’t be afraid to break the endless cycle of hair removal methods – choosing the right long lasting hair removal method for you may be your hairway to heaven!

1 Adherence to the treatment plan; detected at the legs after the third treatment. Individualresults may vary.

2 When used corded; for highest intensity setting.

Understanding IPL & Permanent Hair Removal | Philips (4)

Discover your beauty every day.

Whether you are looking for facial, hair care or hair removal beauty solutions – Philips has everything you need.

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Discover your beauty every day.

Whether you are looking for facial, hair care or hair removal beauty solutions – Philips has everything you need.

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Understanding IPL & Permanent Hair Removal | Philips (2024)

FAQs

Understanding IPL & Permanent Hair Removal | Philips? ›

It uses Intense Pulsed Light technology, also known as IPL. Essentially, the device utilises high-energy light to achieve long-term hair reduction. It works by progressively reducing the re-growth of hair by applying gentle pulses of light to heat to the hair root (i.e. hair follicle).

Does IPL really remove hair permanently? ›

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.

How many sessions of IPL for permanent hair removal? ›

Treatments are spaced 4-6 weeks apart due to the hair growth cycle. To gain the maximum benefit of IPL Hair Removal, clinical studies have shown that typically 6-10 treatments are needed and at intervals 4-6 weeks apart. Results will vary depending on hair colour, skin type and the condition of your hair.

Can you remove pubic hair with IPL? ›

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.

What is the pros and cons of IPL hair removal? ›

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
PROSCONS
More AffordableRisk of hair growing back is pretty high
Available for home treatmentA lot of treatments needed to achieve the same result as Laser
Is not suitable for dark skin types and light hair colour
Oct 24, 2021

Will IPL eventually stop hair growth? ›

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.

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.

Why is my hair growing after IPL? ›

Why do hairs 'grow' after treatment? 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.

What is better than IPL? ›

BBL is a more precise treatment than IPL, allowing for improved targeting of specific skin issues with greater accuracy. It also can reduce wrinkles and stimulate collagen production, resulting in smoother, younger-looking skin.

Can I use IPL on the upper lip? ›

Answer: Braun Skin i·expert Smart IPL is safe for use on the face below the cheekbones. It shouldn't be used near the eyes and along the forehead. It works effectively on the upper lip, chin and jawline. We recommend doing a patch test before use.

Who is not a good candidate for IPL hair removal? ›

People with dark skin may not be good candidates for IPL. Hair colour: IPL works best on dark hair. People with blonde, red, white or grey hair may not see as good results with IPL. Hair growth: IPL is most effective on coarse, thick hair.

Can you do a Brazilian with IPL? ›

Yes, you can use an IPL laser on your pubic area but it's important to consult a certified specialist beforehand so they can advise whether or not this is suitable for your skin type and desired outcome. Yes, you can use an IPL device for a Brazilian.

What happens if I use IPL without shaving? ›

If you don't shave before your laser hair removal session, the light energy may not penetrate the hair follicle, resulting in an ineffective treatment. In addition, if the hair is too long there is a risk of uneven coverage which can cause patchy results. Yes, you can shave up to an hour before your IPL treatment.

What are the negatives about IPL? ›

The main downsides of IPL treatment are the cost and number of sessions needed to get results. Mild pain and redness also may occur during or after treatments.

Are there any dangers with 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 is not suitable for IPL hair removal? ›

It does not work well on dark skin

Laser hair removal works better on people with pale skin and dark hair. It's not as effective on tanned skin or hair that's been bleached by the sun. If you've got a tan you'll need to let it fade before having treatment.

How long do IPL hair removal results last? ›

We refer to IPL as a semi-permanent hair removal treatment as although the initial course of treatments will remove all of your hair follicles your body will eventually produce and develop more. We find that clients typically require a 'top-up' treatment once every six to twelve months to keep unwanted hair away!

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

Hair growth: IPL is most effective on coarse, thick hair. People with fine, light hair may not see as good results with IPL. Expectations: IPL offers permanent hair reduction, not permanent hair removal, as it rarely removes 100% of the hair.

Does hair fall out after IPL hair removal? ›

So, exactly when does hair fall out after IPL? It can take up to 3 weeks for the treated hair to actually fall out.

Can I pull hair out after IPL? ›

It is possible, immediately after treatment to pull a hair using tweezers. If it can be removed without pulling on the skin, this is proof of a good result. Also if per-follicular papullae or redness appears around the hair follicle, this also indicated the treatment has been successful.

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