IPL Laser Hair Removal
IPL Laser Hair Removal | Smooth Skin in London
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light technology. London Body Centre IPL hair removal devices apply very gentle pulses of light to the hair root. This makes the hair go into its resting phase: the hair you have falls out, and gradually your body grows less hair in that area.
Laser Hair Removal vs. IPL
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. It’s a type of light therapy used to treat wrinkles, spots, and unwanted hair. You can use IPL not only for lasering away unwanted hair but also to minimize or remove:
- Age spots
- Sun damage
- Freckles
- Birthmarks
- Varicose veins
- Broken blood vessels on your face
- Rosacea
- Unwanted hair on your face, neck, back, chest, legs, underarms, or bikini line
How Does It Work?
IPL is similar to a laser treatment. However, a laser focuses just one wavelength of light at your skin, while IPL releases light of many different wavelengths, like a photo flash.
The light from IPL is more scattered and less focused than a laser. IPL penetrates down to the second layer of your skin (dermis) without harming the top layer (epidermis), so it causes less damage to your skin.
Pigment cells in your skin absorb the light energy, which is converted into heat. The heat destroys the unwanted pigment to clear up freckles and other spots. Or, it destroys the hair follicle to prevent the hair from growing again.
You can use IPL anywhere on your body, but it may not work as well on uneven areas. It isn’t recommended for people who tend to get thick, raised keloid scars or who have darker skin tones. It’s also not as effective on light-colored hair (like blonde, grey, or red) as it is on darker hair.
Before the Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Before your IPL procedure, your skin care specialist will examine your skin and let you know what to expect. Let them know if you have any skin conditions that might affect healing after your treatment, such as inflammatory acne or eczema.
You will be asked to complete a Fitzpatrick skin typing form as well as a medical history form before we even book the patch test and consultation.
Your skin care specialist may recommend that you avoid certain activities, medications, and other products for two weeks prior your procedure. You should avoid:
- Direct sunlight and tanning beds
- Waxing, plucking, or epilating
- Chemical peels and collagen injections
- Drugs that increase your bleeding risk, such as aspirin and ibuprofen
- Creams or other products that contain vitamin A, such as Retin-A, or glycolic acid
During the Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Your skin care specialist first cleans the area that’s being treated. Then they rub a cool gel onto your skin. Next, they apply light pulses from the IPL device to your skin. During your treatment, you’ll need to wear dark glasses to protect your eyes.
The pulses might sting your skin. Some people liken the feeling to being snapped with a rubber band. Depending on which part of your body is being treated and how large the area is, the treatment should take 20 to 30 minutes.
After the Laser Hair Removal Treatment
You should be able to go right back to your regular activities. The treated area of skin will be red and sensitive for a few hours, as if you got sunburned. Your skin may be slightly swollen, too. Your skin will continue to be sensitive for a couple of days after the procedure. You may need to avoid using hot water on it until your skin heals.
Pre & Post Care
Download Pre Post IPL Treatment Care and Advice (PDF)
Download Pre Care IPL Laser (PDF)
Facts You Need to Know About IPL Hair Removal
The process sounds painful, but isn’t too bad
While you will feel a sharp snap (similar to a rubber band flicking against the skin), it is very quick and highly tolerable. Cooling gels used during the procedure help significantly reduce discomfort.
Patience pays off
Hair grows in different cycles, so it takes several sessions to catch every follicle in its active growth phase. You won’t be completely hair-free after session one, but patience yields incredible, long-lasting results.
You’ve got to use a hair trimmer/shave the area before you laser
The light needs to target the root of the hair beneath the skin, not the hair resting on the surface. Shaving 24 hours prior ensures the energy travels directly into the follicle without burning the surface skin.
It’s actually a pretty fast process
Treating the underarms or bikini line can take as little as 15-20 minutes. Even larger areas like full legs or a back usually take under an hour.
You can’t go to the gym afterward
You must avoid heavy sweating, saunas, and hot showers for 24-48 hours post-treatment. The hair follicles are sensitive and open; heat and sweat can cause bacterial infections or severe irritation.
Get ready to think seriously about the sun
You absolutely cannot have IPL on actively tanned skin, and you must protect the treated area from the sun for weeks afterward to prevent hyperpigmentation.
Laser treatment can trigger more growth in some cases
In rare instances (known as paradoxical hypertrichosis), usually on the face or neck of certain hormonal profiles, laser or IPL can stimulate fine hairs to grow thicker. We will assess this risk during your consultation.
You might need to switch up your beauty regime and products
You must stop using Retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, and physical scrubs on the treated areas for several days before and after your sessions to prevent chemical burns or severe skin damage.
Laser hair removal has more than one benefit
Aside from removing hair, IPL drastically reduces painful ingrown hairs and clears up the “strawberry legs” look caused by dark follicles under the skin.
You can’t pluck, dye or wax the hair
IPL needs the hair root intact to destroy it. Plucking, waxing, or threading removes the root entirely, making the IPL treatment useless. You must only shave between sessions.
You might need to go back for top up treatments
Because hormonal changes (like pregnancy or menopause) can stimulate new hair growth over time, you may need an annual top-up session to maintain your completely smooth skin.
Brief Overview of Your Treatment
PROCEDURE TIME: 15 to 60 minutes depending on the area.
DOWNTIME: None, though you must avoid heat, sweat, and sun exposure for 24-48 hours.
REQUIRED SESSIONS: Usually between 6 and 12 treatments, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, for optimal hair reduction.
FAQ
What is IPL?
IPL is a non-invasive cosmetic skin treatment that uses high-intensity pulses of visible light to improve the appearance of the skin and remove unwanted hair.
What does “IPL” stand for?
It stands for Intense Pulsed Light.
Simply, how does IPL work?
The broad-spectrum light is absorbed by the melanin (pigment) in the hair. This light energy turns into heat, which permanently damages the hair follicle and prevents it from producing new hair.
How effective is IPL?
It is highly effective, offering up to 80-90% permanent hair reduction in the treated areas after a full course of sessions.
Is IPL safe?
Yes, when performed by trained professionals on suitable skin types. It has been used safely in dermatology for decades.
What does it feel like?
Most clients describe the sensation as a quick, warm snap, similar to a rubber band flicking the skin. It is generally very well tolerated.
How many and how often will I need treatments?
To get the results you want, you may need 6 to 12 treatments. These should be spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart depending on the body area and the hair’s growth cycle.
What is a consultation and patch test?
Before any treatment, we assess your medical history, hair type, and skin tone. We then perform a “patch test” by applying a few pulses of IPL to a small area of skin to ensure you have no adverse reactions before proceeding with full sessions.
What may prevent me having IPL treatments?
Contraindications include active tans (real or fake), pregnancy, certain photosensitizing medications, very dark skin tones (Fitzpatrick type V and VI), light blonde/grey hair, and active skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis in the treatment area.
