France authorizes three methods of permanent hair removal. The best-known are laser and pulsed light. Here you'll find everything you need to know about pulsed light hair removal: procedure and frequency of sessions, effectiveness, medical advice, etc.
What is IPL hair removal?
Intense pulsed light, or IPL, has been used in aesthetics since the 1990s. In particular, it can be used to reduce pigmentation spots, treat acne-prone skin and combat the signs of skin aging. It is also effective for hair removal.
Light is diffused in pulses that are absorbed by the brown pigment in hair, called melanin. It is then transformed into heat, which weakens the roots - or destroys them altogether, depending on the power of the depilatory device - and prevents hair regrowth. After just a few sessions, the hair falls out and hardly ever grows back. The method can be used on many parts of the body, and is particularly effective on the underarms, face, half-legs and bikini line.
The advantage of IPL hair removal is that it's painless. It also prevents subcutaneous regrowth. It is therefore particularly interesting and, although the device has an initial cost, it proves to be very economical in the long term.
How does an IPL epilator work?
As we've seen, an IPL epilator sends out a flash of light which transforms into heat and burns the hair bulbs. The root is thus destroyed, and hair grows back more slowly. As a result, sessions become increasingly spaced out. If you have fair skin and dark hair, you'll get very good results. If your skin is matt, you'll simply have to reduce the intensity of the light flashes to avoid the risk of burning yourself. Finally, if you have dark skin, unfortunately you'll have to turn to another hair removal method. In fact, since pulsed light detects dark skin pigments, you'll burn yourself. It's also worth noting that light, blond or red hairs are more difficult to treat, as they are not very pigmented.
You should also be aware that this method should not be used for at least four days before and four days after exposure to the sun. Likewise, do not use your device on a tattoo, as this could alter or even burn it.
What's the difference between laser and pulsed light?
The difference between laser and pulsed-light hair removal is the use and power of the light beams:
- The laser produces a powerful, monochromatic light that targets each hair at the root.
- Pulsed light emits several wavelengths of lower power. As a result, the area treated is larger and the treatment faster.
It should also be noted that laser hair removal can only be performed by aesthetic physicians or health specialists with specific training. This is not the case with Intense Pulsed Light hair removal, which can be performed in beauty salons or even at home. All you need is the right equipment. At ESW Beauty, you'll find a range of effective, high-quality IPL epilators. Our products incorporate the latest technologies and are Made in France. You can rely on us to carry out your permanent hair removal sessions at home in complete safety.
How many sessions are needed to achieve visible results?
You'll need between 6 and 8 sessions, lasting between 20 minutes and an hour, to get rid of all your hair. This is because the method works on hair that is in the regrowth phase, i.e. around 20%.
When does hair fall out?
After an Intense Pulsed Light session, the hair is detached from the bulb and usually falls out within three weeks. They may never grow back again, or they may grow back very thinly after one and a half to two months.
How often should I have sessions?
When you start hair removal, you'll need to do sessions every two weeks or so. After that, the sessions will become increasingly spaced out: every month, every six weeks, etc. In any case, be sure to read the instructions for the appliance you're using, as they contain a wealth of information.
Why should I space out my sessions?
Sessions need to be spaced out, because not all hairs are growing at the same time. This is when pulsed light is most effective. That's why, by spacing out sessions by two weeks at the start of treatment, i.e. for the first four sessions, you can be sure of having an effect on all hairs. Once these initial sessions have been completed, you can begin to space them out further.
How many flashes are needed for the treatment to be effective?
For hair removal to be effective, the pulsed-light epilator needs to deliver a minimum of 100,000 flashes. This will reduce hair growth by around 90%. After a session, remember to protect yourself from the sun, and avoid creams containing alcohol, self-tanning products and body scrubs.
Are the results definitive?
Once you've had all your waxing sessions, you'll notice that the vast majority of hairs won't grow back. However, you should be aware that certain hormone-dependent areas, such as around the lips, the chest or the chin, may require a few more sessions. Finally, some hairs may grow back after several years, particularly in these areas. This happens when cells are not completely destroyed and regrow hair.
A closer look at the advice of doctors and dermatologists
Doctors and dermatologists advise you to check that the IPL device you're using carries the CE mark. This is proof of quality and safety. They also advise that IPL hair removal should only be performed on thick, dark hair, and not on down, fine hair or very light hair. Areas with tattoos, piercings or moles should not be treated either. Last but not least, you need to wear IPL goggles for optimum eye protection. In this way, you can avoid the dangers of