At this point, anyone who feels compelled to try hair removal can choose from an array of options. From depilatory creams to sugaring to old-school razors, there are more ways to eliminate hair than you could count on both hands.
IPL hair removal is one common option, which offers a more lasting result than shaving or even waxing. (In fact, it was one of the top five most popular minimally-invasive procedures in 2020, according to the most recent Plastic Surgery Statistics Report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons [ASPS].) While you may associate the treatment with med spas, numerous at-home IPL devices have hit the market, promising an alternative for people who'd rather take matters into their own hands. If you're wondering whether the ability to use the tech from your home is too good to be true, here's the full scoop.
What are at-home IPL devices?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light, the form of scattered light that these handheld tools give off. "These are devices that emit a wide spectrum of light to treat the skin," says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. The technology is similar to but different from laser hair removal. "Technically [IPL devices] are not lasers since lasers emit only a single wavelength of light," while IPL emits multiple wavelengths, explains Dr. Zeichner. (
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IPL can be used to treat brown spots or broken capillaries and redness in addition to its application in reducing hair production. "Different filters are used to limit the light that is delivered by the device to offer a customized treatment that addresses your particular need," says Dr. Zeichner.
"[IPL] uses a big [dose] of light to capture certain targets in the skin," says Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Laser Dermatology. "In terms of hair removal, the target would be melanin." (Reminder: Melanin is a natural pigment in your skin and hair.) When the goal is hair removal, IPL devices are filtered to emit light at a wavelength of 600 to 700 nanometers, which can selectively heat and destroy melanin without heating the surrounding skin, she explains. When the light heats the melanin in a hair follicle, that causes the strand of hair to fall out and kills the hair follicle, thereby decreasing regrowth. (Although it takes multiple sessions to achieve full results, which only ever amounts to a reduction of hair growthrather than permanently eliminating new growth, according to Dr. Shirazi.)
Home IPL devices — e.g. Kenzzi, SmoothSkin, and Braun IPL devices — use the same technology at lower energies compared to what the pros use, according to Dr. Zeichner. Of course, that comes with a tradeoff. "The IPL devices in the office are obviously going to be a lot more powerful and hopefully are being used by trained professionals, whereas the IPL devices at home are going to be much weaker in terms of the amount of energy that they're able to deliver so the results aren't going to be as good," says Dr. Shirazi. That said, a small study on at-home IPL devices published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology reported a 78 percent reduction in amount of hair at the one-month mark and a 72 percent reduction after three months, with participants receiving biweekly treatments with an at-home device over the course of six weeks.
What are the perks of using at-home IPL devices?
You can use at-home IPL devices on any area of the body where hair is found, whether that means treating your facial hair or giving yourself a full Brazilian, according to Dr. Shirazi. Investing in an at-home IPL device can also save you money compared to in-office treatments. Home IPL devices typically cost around $150 to several hundred dollars, while the average cost of a single session of professional IPL cost roughly $412 in 2020, according to the ASPS report. Most people need six to 12 IPL treatments to achieve full results, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Then there's the convenience factor. Switching to using an IPL at home will save you time if you normally shave. To give you an idea, Braun recommends using its Silk Expert Pro 5 once a week for four to 12 weeks, then every one to two months for maintenance. Taking matters into your own hands also eliminates any awkwardness you might feel around having a stranger treat your bikini area while you attempt to make small talk. (
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What are the downsides of trying IPL at home?
IPL can be moderately painful. It also comes with potential side effects, which is one reason why Corey L. Hartman, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama, finds the idea of putting the technology in the hands of non-professionals unsettling. When used improperly, IPL can cause "blistering, redness, scarring, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, pain, oozing, or crusting," says Dr. Hartman. "IPL devices are not casual."
"I've seen some terrible burns and terrible scarring from IPL done in the office and done at home," echoes Dr. Shirazi. "It's tricky because you're playing around with energy and heat and if the skin absorbs all of that, you can certainly get a burn."
Additionally, both IPL and laser devices have the potential to do the exact opposite of what you want. "If you use conservative settings or low energy settings of light to try to remove hair," you can actually stimulate growth,says Dr. Shirazi. "You could end up with a condition called paradoxical hair stimulation from laser treatments. The low energy is not enough to chill the hair follicle, but it's enough to stimulate the hair follicle to grow." That's why you may have heard of low-level laser-emitting caps designed to promote hair growth.
Another major downside? IPL isn't well-suited to dark skin tones or light-colored hair. "IPL is high-risk for people with dark skin tones," who naturally have more melanin, according to Dr. Shirazi. "What happens, as the light passes through it's going to capture the melanin on the surface of the skin. The more melanin there is on the surface of the skin the more likely it is to absorb all the energy, and then you can end up with a burn." IPL device brands often provide charts on their websites indicating which skin tones should avoid using their products altogether.
All in all, is at-home IPL worth trying?
The experts interviewed for this story were divided on whether at-home IPL is worthwhile or even okay to try. If you buy an at-home IPL device, you can assume that it uses lower energy than professional devices, making it safe to use at home, says Dr. Zeichner. "The biggest potential risk associated with using IPL devices is the development of hyperpigmentation," he says. "This risk is very low with at-home devices because of the safety measures put in place that allow them to be used without professional supervision."
Not everyone gives at-home IPL devices a thumbs up. Any IPL device will be either be able to "really do some harm" or they'll be ineffective, and that there's no in-between, says Dr. Hartman. "I don't understand at-home IPL devices," he says. "I'm scared of them. I do not recommend."
IPL technology is better suited for treating brown spots, redness, and sun damage than hair removal, he adds. When his patients ask him about IPL for hair removal, Dr. Hartman steers them toward laser hair removal instead. More specifically, Nd:YAG and alexandrite laser hair removal are ideal for dark and light skin tones, respectively, he says."They just work better, and they have more science and studies behind them," says Dr. Hartman. (
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Finally, IPL is fine to try at home provided you a) don't have a dark skin tone, b) have read up on IPL, and c) have managed your expectations, in Dr. Shirazi's opinion. "I always recommend that people do a test spot, wait a day or two and make sure that your skin is not reacting in an adverse fashion," before using one of the devices on a large area, she says. Another pointer: "You have to be really careful around going around curved areas, so particularly around the bikini or contours of the face it's really important to have good contact [between your skin and] the device, because if you're at an angle or you don't have full contact of the light with the skin you could just be delivering pure heat rather than the light," preventing the device from functioning properly, she adds.
If you're after a dramatic reduction in hair growth, it's probably best to visit a pro, since they'll use a much more powerful device, says Dr. Shirazi. "I think [at-home IPL] is fine to use as a maintenance treatment but it's really not going to work as effectively as in-office IPL." And IPL in general is "much weaker" than lasers for hair removal to begin with, she adds.
One thing's for sure: If you want to remove your body hair but at-home IPL doesn't feel quite right, you've got plenty of other options to consider.
FAQs
Is IPL hair removal at home effective? ›
Efficacy. Long-Term Reduction: Home IPL devices offer long-term hair reduction. With consistent use, they can significantly reduce hair growth over time. Traditional methods provide temporary results, requiring frequent maintenance.
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What are the disadvantages of an IPL hair removal device? ›
- Can IPL Laser Treatments Cause Skin Cancer? A common concern surrounding IPL laser hair removal is its potential link to cancer, especially given that the process involves a form of radiation. ...
- Redness and Skin Burns. ...
- Infections. ...
- Blistering and Scarring. ...
- Hyperpigmentation.
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Can home IPL remove hair permanently? ›
This in itself helps you understand that there is no permanent hair removal using IPL because there are a series of treatments that have to be done periodically. One or two hair follicles may grow back. In rare cases, all your hair may grow back.
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Is it possible to remove 100% of hairs with IPL? ›
“I will NEVER EVER have any hair after IPL hair removal”
We cannot promise 100% permanent hair removal. We can also only treat active hairs (in the 'anagen' cycle).
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Does IPL eventually stop hair growth? ›
Many people report they achieve permanent hair reduction after just a few treatments. However, some people may require touch-ups every few years to keep those hair bulbs from sprouting out new follicles. IPL hair removal treatments are a great way to achieve long-lasting results without the hassle of shaving or waxing.
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Can you overuse a at home IPL? ›
We know you're SO excited to experience permanent hair removal, but we do not recommend using your device more than twice per week. Using IPL every day may result in irritation – and it won't work as well, anyway!
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What happens if you use IPL hair removal too often? ›
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. If you use IPL too frequently, you can irritate your skin.
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Does IPL hair removal leave marks? ›
If you have light skin, you're more likely to have darker spots from laser hair removal. The opposite is true of people with dark skin, who may have lighter spots from the procedure. However, like skin irritation, these changes are temporary and aren't usually a cause for concern.
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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.
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Does IPL work 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.
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Can you use home IPL for Brazilian? ›
You can use at-home IPL devices on any area of the body where hair is found, whether that means treating your facial hair or giving yourself a full Brazilian, according to Dr. Shirazi. Investing in an at-home IPL device can also save you money compared to in-office treatments.
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Does hair fall out after IPL? ›
After IPL hair removal
The hair will appear to grow (though very slowly) for 2 to 4 weeks and should then fall out; this is the treated hair being pushed out of the follicle, not new growth. Any hair that does not fall out was either too fine, too light, too deeply rooted or possibly wasn't treated.
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Does IPL remove peach fuzz? ›
Both IPL and laser hair removal offer various benefits for women, helping to control peach fuzz, maintain smooth skin and hormonal hair growth. For men, these technologies offer solutions to reducing ingrown hairs from shaving.
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What is the downside of IPL treatment? ›
Other reported side effects include edema, bullae, hematoma, crusting, hyper- or hypopigmentation, leukotrichia, scarring, keloid formation, and infection.
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Does IPL leave stubble? ›
After laser hair removal treatment, the treated area may look and feel like it has stubble. This is a typical response to laser treatment. The hair follicles are still present, but the hair is damaged and falls out over time.
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How long does it take for at home IPL hair removal to work? ›
IPL hair removal treatments typically take at least two to four months to produce results. You should be aware that if you use expert IPL hair removal services, the results will last forever. For your information, professional IPL treatment can reduce hair by up to 90% in just one year.
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Does home IPL work on pubic hair? ›
Can you use IPL on bikini areas? First things first, let's answer a pressing question: can you use IPL on the bikini area safely? Yes, you can! That is, as long as you have a device, like the Philips Lumea IPL 9000 Series, that has a specific attachment designed to work with the contours of this area of your body.
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Is it OK to use IPL without shaving? ›
You need a small amount of hair visible at the surface of the skin for the IPL light to effectively destroy the follicle. Shaving the area being treated will help the laser focus beneath the skin and improve the results. If there's a lot of hair on the surface, a lot less light energy makes it deep into the follicle.
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Is IPL at home better than waxing? ›
In the IPL vs. waxing battle, the choice often comes down to your preferences, budget, and skin type. IPL offers the potential for long-term results, while waxing provides immediate hair removal. Consider your pain tolerance, desired outcome, and convenience when making your decision.
