IPL or Intense Pulsed Light is a technology that utilizes light energy to target hair follicles, preventing hair regrowth by heating and destroying them. If you are tired of excessive hair growth or tired of time-consuming methods such as plucking and waxing, Intense Pulsed Light is a time-saving and efficient solution.
It can be used not only for hair removal, but also for the treatment of various skin conditions such as sun spots, freckles, and age spots. In this article, we will discuss the principles and uses of IPL hair removal, as well as determine if you are a candidate for IPL.
What is IPL?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments use a flash lamp and a bandpass filter to produce pulses of light with wavelengths ranging from 500 nm to 1200 nm. The light targets specific colors in the skin and removes unwanted cells by heating the skin. Compared to laser treatments, IPL light is less focused and releases less energy, making it gentler. Most people experience little to no discomfort during treatment.
Who IPL Is Ideal For?
IPL might be the ideal permanent hair removal method for you if you’re…
Interested in a pain-free hair removal experience
- With IPL, the experience can be pain-free depending on the intensity setting used. With any high-quality at-home IPL handset, you'll find different intensity level settings to choose from to help accommodate every user's pain sensitivity.
Looking for a more affordable hair removal option
- IPL devices are just a one-time purchase and can be used whenever and wherever you please. (The device will likely cost you less than just one laser treatment alone!)
Trying to remove body hair from a lot of different areas
- Both IPL and laser hair removal can be used just about anywhere, but when it comes to laser, you’ll have to pay for each area you treat. If you’re trying to be hair-free from head to toe, IPL is the way to go.
A DIY girly who wants to take care of hair removal at home
- Laser hair removal treatments will always need to be done in a clinic. With an FDA-cleared handset, you can safely and effectively perform IPL hair removal at home. (It’s easy, promise!)
Someone who’s a good candidate for IPL
- If you have body hair that contrasts enough against your skin tone, IPL will likely be effective for you. Not sure? Refer to the skin tone chart.
Itching for faster results
- Full results from laser hair removal can take multiple months to over a year, while IPL offers full results in 8-12 weeks.
Benefits of IPL Hair Removal
You may be thinking, “I’ve been waxing and plucking all along, what makes me want to start using this?” The answer is simple. You’re opting for a long-lasting solution with a fraction of the cost of conventional IPL hair removal at the salon and no pain.
Pain-free & Waxing-Anxiety-free
Remember how we have to muster up our courage to let the waxing therapist do her job strip by strip? The pain is excruciating and there’s so much anxiety going on there! With the SKG IPL Hair Removal Device, you get to keep your cool.
No Prickly and Itchy Phase
With our IPL hair removal handset, we don’t have to wait for the hair to grow to a certain length to wax it. That means, no itchiness while we wait for the next hair removal treatment. Here’s why… before using the handset, we always shave first to make sure the hair length is always below 3mm for the most efficient hair removal treatment.
Convenience and Privacy
Using the SKG IPL hair removal device helps us save time on making an appointment, getting there, and finding a parking space. We can use it in the comfort of our own homes, be it during a phone call or while we are binging on online shopping. It’s also a good choice for those who prefer not to be butt-naked in front of a stranger!
Safety
SKG IPL hair removal handset has a built-in skin protection program. No flash will be emitted when the flashing window is NOT in contact; to protect our eyes from the bright light. Eye-protective glasses are also provided for extra protection and comfort. Besides that, the handset is calibrated to be used safely by untrained users without losing out on effectiveness.
Results Guaranteed
When we use the IPL hair removal device, the change occurs in stages. We always recommend our users follow the guidelines and refer to the hair growth cycle in the manual to know what to expect from the treatment.
There is a scientific explanation as to why we encourage our users to use it at least 2 or 3 times for the first two weeks and then gradually change to twice a week and then once a week.
This is because the hair follicles can only be damaged effectively when the hair is in an “active” phase but because we can’t tell when it’s “active” or “non-active”, our best bet is to use it frequently as recommended.
What to Look for in an IPL Hair Removal Device
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or the so-called “At-Home laser hair removal” is not for everyone and we want to make sure that you make the right purchase. Here are some things to consider and understand before investing in a home-use IPL hair removal handset.
Knowing Your Goal
Before buying a hair removal device, you must know what you need the device to do for you and also if it will work for you or not. So, below are some prerequisites for buying an at-home IPL hair removal device.
Additionally, you can check the contraindications of IPL hair removal treatment contraindication.
Budget
Although economical as compared to laser and electrolysis, IPL devices can be quite expensive. So, consider your budget range and search for an IPL device that falls within that range.
Body Areas You Want to Treat
Everyone has different goals when it comes to hair removal. For some people, it's their upper lip and chin hair, while for some it is a bikini area or underarm. Make sure to understand the device you are purchasing and its capabilities.
Expectations
An important thing to consider is how fast you want the device to work, how much time you can give to the treatment sessions, how often you can do it, and what is your skin sensitivity and pain tolerance.
Portability
If travel often, it is important to get a device that is easy to be taken with you. So, pay attention to the packing case, accessories, weight, and size of the device.
Check Your Skin Tone
IPL or at-home laser hair removal is NOT for everyone.“One of the biggest drawbacks to at-home laser hair removal? The tools only work on a narrow range of hair and skin colors. The lasers zero in on pigments in the hair follicle and are only effective when there’s a lot of contrast between skin and hair. That means the systems are recommended for people with light skin and dark hair.” - Cleveland Clinic
- IPL technology cannot treat skin with dense melanin or hair lacking melanin. (Refer to the chart above)
- This is because IPL needs the melanin in the hair to absorb its light energy in order to carry out its function. The dense melanin in the darker skin will confuse the IPL and transmit the energy to the skin instead of the hair follicle, making the treatment less efficient.
- Moreover, when the melanin in your skin turns out to be the one to absorb most of the IPL instead of your unwanted hair, your skin will feel the sting more than those who have less melanin in their skin.
- All forms of IPL are also not suitable to use on areas with tattoos, or big birthmarks due to the dark pigments.
- Make sure to check the hair and skin tone compatibility before purchasing.
Get to Know the Product Specs and Features
Not all at-home DIY laser hair removal handsets are the same. Its lifespan, power intensity, extra features, and prices will affect your whole user experience.
- Its lifespan can be measured by the number of flashes it can emit before the lamp tube ages out. The flash count can range from 300,000 - 999,999 flashes, for example: an IPL hair removal device with 999,999 flashes can last about 5 - 8 years depending on your usage.
- Also, worth mentioning that some devices have LCD screens to show you the settings and the remaining flash counts.
- It is also important to note that some IPL permanent hair removal devices emit harmful UV rays and some do not. Researching the product specs and features will help make your money well spent.
Warranty Coverage and Customer Service
Most home-use IPL hair removal handsets have warranty coverage of up to one year.
Be sure to purchase with a brand that is transparent with their product capabilities, and is informative in how they provide their customer service.
SKG IPL Hair Removal Device
Our device uses the IPL (Pulsed Light) principle. It is lightweight and stylish, easy to use in certain narrow areas such as the bikini area.
Our SKG Pulsed Light Hair Removal Device is suitable for all parts of the body, including the face, arms, legs, underarms, bikini area, and back. It allows you to easily complete long-lasting and effective hair removal treatments at home. Maintain smooth skin for years to come. All of our products have undergone strict quality control and safety testing, and you can use them with confidence.
The SKG team has poured an immense amount of effort into researching the sciences behind long-term hair removal with photo epilators and worked with our manufacturer and engineers to offer a safe solution to combat and stop unwanted hair growth. We aim to help our community to understand the technology better and to help them feel better with us.
