IPL Hair Reduction

As a general rule, 8-10 sessions of hair removal, followed by biannual or yearly maintenance visits will be all you will need. However, each individual’s hair growth is different, so we cannot guarantee the amount of treatments needed.

Depending on your hair density and area being treated, the time between sessions will vary. The time between treatments is 4-8 weeks. Your Breathe beauty therapist will give you an accurate treatment plan during your test patch & consultation.

The hair all over our body is constantly shredding and regrowing. At any given time, the hairs on our body will be a mixture of actively growing, and hairs which are about to shed to make way from new growth, which look the same to the naked eye.

IPL will only be effective on hairs which are actively growing. Because of this, with each session you will begin to notice your hair become ‘patchier’ in the treated area. Multiple sessions allow all hairs actively growing to be treated successfully.

4 weeks prior:

• For people who are used to constantly shaving the area that they are treating with IPL, a wax 3-4 weeks prior to their first laser treatment is recommended. This is to ensure the hairs coming through at your first treatment are in the ‘active’ growth phase and will be effectively treated. This step is optional but guarantees a good result.
• If you have been normally shaving the area, you can continue to do this right up until the night before your first IPL session.
• Avoid sun tanning.

3 weeks prior:

• AVOID waxing, tweezing or bleaching the area. If there are any unwanted hairs before your treatment, you can SHAVE.

The day before:

• Thoroughly shave the area. IPL requires hair in the follicle, but not over the surface of the skin.

If you have used fake tan, ensure it is thoroughly removed in the area to be treated.

The day of: Do not apply perfumes, deodorants, fake tan, body lotion or any potential irritants on the area being treated.

After your treatment:

• Expect your skin to be sensitive and a little red. This is because treated follicles have been heated and the area may be inflamed for up to 3 days.
• Use Medisoothe Gel to relieve and replenish skin. This may be used on the face & body after all hair removal treatments.
• You can also use a covered, cold compress to help reduce swelling if present. This is normal and expected.
• After showering only pat dry your treated areas and do not rub to avoid excess irritation.
• Avoid sun exposure, hot showers, spas, saunas, exercise and any activity that may create heat in the skin for 48 hours.
• Wear clothing and sunscreen to protect your treated areas from direct sun exposure. Be sure to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. This is very important for your skin’s health and to ensure the success of your remaining treatments.
• Once your skin is no longer sensitive, you may notice some hair growth coming through. This is not new growth, but rather your skin shedding the hairs which were in the follicle during your treatment.
• 1 week after your treatment, lightly exfoliate with a mitt (do not use any chemical exfoliation). You will notice the ‘dead’ hairs, which were treated in your session begin to fall out of the follicle. This is a great result from your IPL treatment.