The Effectiveness and Side Effects of IPL Hair Removal

            Intense Pulsed Light or IPL is a light-based technology that utilizes powerful bursts of light to facilitate hair removal. This is the most common hair removal procedure used by derma and aesthetic clinics worldwide. The technology works by producing a high-intensity light in short bursts over the area that is being treated. This is different from a laser hair removal, in which a powerful laser is used to destroy hair follicles, but the principles are the same. In both treatments, the light delivered passes through the skin and then absorbed by the melanin (hair pigment) located in the bulb or root of the hair, making the hair follicles heat up. The intense heat thereby destroys the follicles so no hair will ever grow in that area again. In IPL, an instrument is composed of focusing optics and xenon flash lamps used to deliver the light. The instrument either looks like an articulated hand or a wand.

The popularity of the IPL hair removal is its relative affordability over the laser hair removal treatment. The comparison between the two procedures’ effectiveness is still debated by scientists but the results are accepted as roughly the same. Both the laser and IPL hair removal treatments are more effective on people with pale white skin and black hair. This is because the light easily passes through the skin and is therefore readily absorbed by the hair follicle. People with dark skin or lighter hair can still avail of the treatment though, but they may require more sessions than the previously mentioned skin and hair type.

The IPL technology is also used to treat skin disorders such as vascular changes in the skin and skin pigmentation caused by sun damage. Acne rosacea or red pigmentation of the face can also be treated by this technology. It can also be used as a skin rejuvenation treatment and depigmentation treatment for old, damaged skin.

Even before the procedure starts, the patient should be made to wear a protective eyewear as this treatment can cause eye damage. During the procedure the patient can feel a slight hotness, tightness, pricking or stinging in the area. These effects may last from mere hours after the IPL hair removal treatment but can extend up to 4 days or more.

But are there some serious side effects in this therapy? As far as medical practitioners know, there are no serious and long-term side effects to IPL. There are potential problems that may occur during treatment though, and I will give some examples below.

1.      A slight redness may occur at the site. Blistering may also follow after the redness, similar to those found in minor sunburns. Soft scabbing can also occur at the site. But be assured that these conditions will subside after a few days.

2.      Men who undergo this procedure may experience discomfort more than women because men’s hairs are usually thicker than a woman’s.

3.      Hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation may occur at the site in some rare cases. These conditions may take about 3-6 months to subside, but permanent pigmentation change is very rare. To minimize the risk of these complications, you must limit your sun exposure for up to 4 weeks before and after the treatment.

4.      Clients with both known and unknown history of herpes simplex infection may acquire the infection after the treatment. These infections usually occur at the mouth area. Fungal, viral and bacterial infections can also occur after the IPL hair removal treatment. All of these cases though, are very rare. However, if these infections occur, it may be necessary to have antibiotic therapy or additional treatments.

5.      If an infection occurs, there will be a very slight chance of scarring. But even in normal, uncomplicated IPL procedures, there is still a very minimal risk of scarring.

6.      Bleeding can occur after an IPL procedure, though it occurs as pinpoint bleeding and the chance of experiencing it is minimal. If bleeding occurs, it may be necessary that additional IPL hair removal sessions are performed.

7.      Most likely, the clinics where you will undergo your treatment have guidelines after your treatment. This may include the proper aftercare procedures to prevent hyperpigmentation and scarring and to facilitate skin healing.

8.      In very rare cases, allergies to the topical pigmentations and tape can occur. If you have known allergies to these things or other drugs, it is important to inform the medical practitioner beforehand.

9.      As ultraviolet light is filtered out when it passes through the instrument, there is no danger of absorbing it and therefore, there is no known risk of developing skin cancer.