What should you know about intense pulsed light hair removal?

IPL sends filtered pulses into the skin. Dark hair absorbs more light than the surrounding skin, converting the energy into heat around the follicle. Hair grows in cycles, so only follicles in a responsive phase are affected during a session; later sessions may be needed for other follicles. Results vary with hair colour, thickness, hormonal influences, skin tone, and the body region.

Very light, grey, white, or red hair may absorb too little of the selected light for useful treatment. A clinician should also check moles, tattoos, active skin disease, and medicines that increase sensitivity.

Follow the clinic’s instructions about shaving, waxing, plucking, tanning, and skin products. Shaving may be advised so the follicle remains a target without hair above the skin absorbing excess heat. Tell the clinician about recent sun exposure, scars, rashes, medicines, and hormonal conditions. After treatment, keep the area cool and gently cared for, avoid friction and heat as advised, and protect it from sunlight.

Contact the provider if redness is spreading, pain is worsening, blisters appear, or the treated skin becomes crusted or oozes. Seek urgent help for facial swelling with breathing difficulty. A patch of lasting lightening or darkening should be assessed rather than treated again without review.

Ask whether your hair and skin contrast is suitable, how the area should be prepared, which reactions are expected, how many treatment stages may be needed, and what alternatives exist for light-coloured hair.