IPL hair removal - when does it work

[GreenFressia]

I had it done on my upper lip at a salon - I think it lessened the need to shave every day to every 3 days...that's about it though..

I then bought a Philips Lumea to do it at home from Ebay as I figured I'm in it for the long haul so cost over time.

I've done the first tranche which is every 2 weeks, times by 6, so 12 weeks. It's done nothing more really. I started on power 2 for the first week, then 3, then stayed at 4.

I'm now into the part where you do it every 4 weeks, times by 8. I'll go up to power 5 next time.

I'm not convinced it's going to do much.

I have very thick coarse brown hair. My great great grandmother was Indian so its strong as fuck. I however have Scottish heritage so my skin is fairly fair.

Worst combo for hair removal. Is there hope it's going to make a difference?

You're very committed! I've got that Phillips thing and I always forget to do it. Dark hair and light skin is meant to be the best combo for laser hair removal because there's a high contrast.

Electrolysis is an option is that doesn't work. It's designed to kill the hair at the root instead of reducing regrowth.

If u want permanent hair removal u’ll have to have electrolysis as laser isn’t permanent.

Does your Lumea do the skin test thing? I’m fair with dark hair and always new to use mine on 5. It probably wasn’t doing much on the lower levels.

I also am relatively pale with dark hair and also have always needed to use my Lumea on 5. It’s better in some places than others but I’m probably not consistent enough to get the best results.

I use mine on 5 and it's been moderately successful in most areas but appeared to make not one jot of difference on top lip and chin.

£180 will force that level of commitment 😆.

Yes I've heard that. It seems to be having the opposite effect though. My bastard hair is becoming more resilient. I'm convinced I'm getting hairier if anything. May check this electrolysis thing out.

Mm OK I'm going up to level 5 next time.

The slight smell of singeing hair put me off but it doesn't seem to be having any negative effects at 4.

I have the braun

Pale skin that tans, thick dark body hair

PCOS

I first started with Electroyisis in the 80s on the NHS for top lip and chin - got 6 treatments over a two years - and once that stopped - it grew back

I managed with waxing for ages then Lazer came out and I was referred, only I wasnt accepted as I had discolouration due to the sun

Hit my 50's, menopause increased the hair growth

So Ive tried IPL.

Great on legs, under arms, bikini line

Im still battling chin and top lip

Its sparser, but I think because its hormonal growth its ever going to go. Rest of my body - quick shave every couple of months and treat - face Im doing every couple of days

There shouldn’t be hair to singe - you need to shave first so the hair close to the root absorbs the light. I’m not surprised it hasn’t been doing much if you have been using it on a low level and there is hair above the skin.

When I went to have it done professionally she said don't shave for 24 hours before. So that's what I've been continuing to do, maybe 24-36 hours growth.

Do you mean that I should shave and then do it straight away? Experiment with 12 hours growth? I'm open to all options!

Yes you are supposed to shave - if I forget the salon where I have mine done go over with a disposable razor.

the darker and coarser your hair the more effective IPL is.

i only have a very small patch on my bikini where I have some grey hairs.

underarms it’s completely gone and no regrowth.

You have to shave and then do it straight away. You’re wasting your time if there’s hair above the skin.

I always whacked mine up to the max setting. Didn’t bother with lower ones. It doesn’t hurt, so why not?

I have black hair but relatively pale skin. The Lumea has worked so well for me. I’ve had smooth legs and underarms for years now. I’ve also successfully treated a patch of broken capillaries on my face with it.

I used the lumea steadily for about 18 months, it feels undramatic but God it made a difference. I have not done it for 5 years and things are slowly all growing back. The face and throat take forever as there are a lot of follicles and they grow in sequence. The hair on my toes has never grown back which is nice.

I had Electrolysis on upper lip and it worked for me but it was quite fine hair. Then I had laser on my bikini line and it was amazing. It was a strong laser in a salon but that was late 90s. It completely got rid of it (I think 3 sessions), and it's now still very sparse. I am half Asian and also fair. The contrast meant it worked really well. I think some lasers are more powerful than others. If you go to Asian clinics they will probably know better. I was in a very Asian area which was great as they knew what they were doing.

There needs to be some hair visible for the ipl to work. You shouldn’t do it straight after shaving

Hmm I wonder if she was basing that advice on fine light coloured hair.

Its the same place that messed my eyelashes up and half of them fell off so I'm happy to think they aren't that good 😁

I have the perfect dark hair/fair skin combo and my Lumea has been brilliant. I have a few wispy hairs on my legs which need zapping, underarms are still clear.

I do find facial/ neck hair is very stubborn compared to the rest of me with my Lumea

Legs armpits and bikini line effects are pretty dramatic and it's very sparse now.

Also dark hair & pale skin

I was an IPL therapist for many years. It sounds like you have the ideal hair and skin combination for successful treatment.

I don’t know much about the Lumia and I find it hard to believe it could have the results that I was able to achieve with our huge system but I’ve heard good things and it sounds worth trying.

I know that people will often say IPL isn’t permanent but I treated my own body and I have no hair whatsoever underarms; legs and extensive bikini line. I last had a treatment over a decade ago and I have never had hair in these areas again.

with electrolysis there is a high risk of scarring as it’s more invasive.
I was successful in treating my upper lip strong hairs and lots never came back but this is the only area where I still get a few hairs and have to pluck. Other than that I’m hair free.

If you were my client I would prep you properly for 6 treatments and that should be all you need. If hair comes back then one off top ups very occasionally should be enough.

I've just purchased an IPL machine.
Reading this post do I shave the day before or an hour before I use it.

I’ve been getting IPL done at a salon for the last 18 months on my legs. I have to say - it’s a huge commitment. I’ve been going every 6 weeks, and it’s expensive too.

That being said - it’s made a huge difference to my leg hair. I’m Olive skinned (mixed heritage) with dark hair and possible PCOS which is being tested for. I used to get very bad ingrown hairs from shaving, but the IPL has reduced it massively. It takes weeks for regrowth now and it’s very sparse and fine. I will definitely go back at times of regrowth e.g. hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause - it’s been worth it for me.

I am not convinced the appliances you buy in the shops are strong enough in my humble opinion. I don’t think they’d be as effective as in-salon.

Similar skin / hair type.

I find it works much better if I wax or epilate beforehand. Shaving had little success.

Facial hair is most persistent though and needs a regular top up.