Intense Pulse Light (IPL) therapy, commonly known as photo facial in the medical field, is a widely acclaimed and effective treatment for long-lasting hair removal. Advanced light targets the hair follicles and retards their growth to provide hair-free skin that is even-textured. IPL is a non-invasive medical technique for removing excess or unwanted hair to provide long-lasting relief.

The conditions favoring the IPL method may vary depending on the skin condition, pigment irregularities, vascular lesions, and unwanted hair with an extraordinary accuracy.

The IPL Working

An intense pulse light in the form of a laser heats the melanin in the hair follicles. The melanin absorbs the light energy and converts it to heat. The hair follicles are damaged by the intense heat, and this restricts them from producing new hair growth. With successive sessions, the hair is made finer, lighter, and less noticeable.

For Whom is This Treatment not Recommended?

IPL is not suitable for women with the below signs:

In case of pregnancy, the woman should consult the doctor.
A woman who is having a skin condition like sunburn.
A female who is taking drugs for conditions, such as blood thinners or isotretinoin, also called Accutane.
Women who are sensitive to light should avoid this treatment.
Women who have had cancer or have cancer symptoms are advisable to stay away from IPL.
Women who have had a skin resurfacing disorder.
Severe scaring patients

The Procedure in Steps

Consultation with the specialist:

- Here, the skin specialist will assess you for the skin, hair, and medical history for any associated disease. The objective of the treatment is also found out, and if IPL hair removal is suitable or not.

Preparation:

- Prior to the treatment, exposing yourself to solar rays and tanning beds is to be avoided for a couple of weeks. Plucking, waxing, or electrolysis should be completely averted, as these techniques do away with the hair follicles that IPL targets.

Treatment session:

- A cooling gel is applied to the hair removal area to make the IPL treatment more effective and simultaneously protect the skin from any alteration. Keeping the hair removal device firmly against the skin, it starts to emit pulses to kill the hair follicles. The melanin absorbs the light energy, and heat is generated as a result. This damages the hair follicles which inhibit the hair growth. Pulses are delivered multiple times in a systematic way to cover the total hair removal area.

Post-Treatment care:

- Once the session is completed, transient redness or gentle irritation in the treated area may be felt. A soothing gel, an aloe vera cream, or over-the-counter hydrocortisone will give you instant relief.

Using IPL Technology to Remove Hair at Home

Nowadays, many electronic gadgets are available on the market that can be safely operated by sticking to the manufacturer’s given instructions printed on the manual. For example, Philips Lumea Prestige is one such battery powered device that is risk-free to use in homes to get rid of unwanted hair from the underarms, facial area, and bikini area.

The below given steps can be followed with the Philips device and include:

Shave, wax, or epilate the area to remove the hair.
Pick the right intensity for the skin tone.
Turn on the Lumea and look for the ‘flash light’ to be visible.
Now, press the flash button.
Move ahead with the next spot.

It hardly takes around 9 minutes to clear the hair in your lower legs with the Philips Lumea Prestige. To see a better result, use the device once every two weeks for the initial four treatments. Later on, only small touch ups once every 4-8 weeks are required.