Laser hair removal at home: does it really work?

Do you get tired of shaving all the time? Have you ever thought about permanent IPL hair removal at home? The flash light provides silky smooth skin - forever. I've tried it out for myself. Here comes my laser hair removal experience.

We love the summer! Chic dresses, cute bikinis, warm sunshine, delicious ice cream and cool drinks - if only it weren't for the annoying hair removal every other day.

Have you also heard about permanent hair removal? It can save a lot of time, prevent ingrown hairs and redness.

To prevent the hair roots from growing further, a laser is used. The hair simply falls out and becomes much thinner.

Permanent hair removal with IPL is no longer a new beauty trend. Rather, it is a fantastic beauty treatment with which you can ensure a hair-free future on legs, armpits and co. in a flash.

But what's really in it? Does it really work? I have tested it myself and tell you about my IPL hair removal at home.

What is the difference between laser and IPL?

Laser, light pulses, IPL - what is the difference?

Light pulses and IPL is one and the same.

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and is a type of light therapy. This means that light is converted into heat.

So no matter what you call it, the device uses very intense pulses of light that are gentle on the skin.

The type of light used determines whether the treatment is called IPL or laser.

The laser has a much higher temperature than an IPL device. IPL hair removers have a wide spectrum of waves, but they can not penetrate as deep into the skin as a laser.

Laser treatments are not possible at home. For that, you need to visit a beauty salon or a beauty doctor.

You can buy IPL devices online and use them in your living room or bathroom.

Let's take a look at how an IPL device works and how it fights hair.

How does IPL hair removal work at home?

The heart of any IPL device is a flash lamp. This lamp produces a strong xenon light, which is absorbed by our hair, or more precisely by the pigment melanin.

Here, the light is then converted into heat. Up to 70 degrees are possible.

The heat destroys the hair follicle. It is no longer supplied with nourishment and blood, and the hair falls out. No new hair can grow in the sclerosed hair roots.

With each flash, many hair roots are processed at once.

This procedure can be done quite easily in the bathroom. That is why it is called IPL hair removal at home.

It is possible that the hair grows again after a while. This happens when the hair root regenerates. When you return to the IPL device, the problem is solved.

For whom is the light pulse method suitable?

IPL hair removal is best suited for people with dark hair and light skin. Because dark hair has much more melanin.

Unfortunately, permanent hair removal at home is ineffective for blonde or reddish hair.

You can also achieve results with tanned skin or lighter hair. However, you will need more attempts to be successful.

The darker the pigments are, the more effectively they are destroyed by the light flashes.

If you have sensitive skin and get redness, itching or other discomfort from shaving, waxing or depilatories, an IPL device is a wise investment.

There are several intensity levels, which can be adjusted to the respective skin type with each device. This makes the laser treatment much gentler and can be individually adapted to the needs of the skin.

Is permanent hair removal with IPL painful?

The first question you must have asked yourself is, "Does this hurt?" I can put your mind at ease. IPL hair removal does not hurt.

After attaching the device and flashing, it warms up briefly. And that's it. It feels a bit unusual, but there is no question of it being painful.

You can't compare this with epilating or waxing. These hair removal methods are really painful in comparison.

On which parts of the body can you perform hair removal?

With IPL you can get rid of hair not only on your legs, but also on your arms, underarms, face and bikini area.

However, do not use the IPL device on body parts with a tattoo or scars.

But before you start IPL hair removal at home, you should prepare your skin well. The IPL treatment lasts differently depending on the body part.

The duration varies from a few minutes to up to 15 minutes.

How often should I perform IPL hair removal at home?

The treatment plan with the IPL hair removal device provides for the following procedure:

In the first 1-2 weeks the device is used 3 times a week. In the 3-5 weeks the hair removal is done 2 times a week and after the 5 weeks once semi-monthly or monthly.

Hair growth is reduced by about 90 percent after just four weeks of treatment.

You can gradually reduce the number of IPL treatments or treat only the regions where hair grows back.

Since our hair is in different stages of growth, it requires several treatments or re-treatment every few months.

However, since the device is easy to use, this does not mean much effort.

What are the advantages of IPL hair removal at home?

You can also have this type of hair removal done in a beauty salon. However, this is quite expensive. Up to ten units are required for each body part.

In a salon near me, a treatment for the lower legs costs 129 euros. So it's worth doing laser hair removal in your own bathroom, especially financially.

Besides, it is more pleasant. Especially when it comes to the intimate area.

In addition, you also save time if you can do the treatment in the comfort of your own home.

In short, permanent hair removal at home makes sense for anyone who wants professional and affordable hair removal.

Dark spots on your legs? Put an end to it!

Which is the best IPL device for home?

All devices on the market work with light pulses. Therefore, they all work in the same way. They differ only in size, shape and design.

Some devices run on battery power, while others need to be plugged in.

You can choose the device that looks most appealing to you. Read the reviews to find out which device suits you. I have the Ulike IPL device in use.

The device comes in a beautiful emerald green leather box. I especially love that the device is not pink like other models.

In addition to the IPL device, the box also contains the cable, protective goggles (also in a small green box), a small razor and the instructions.

The device looks very classy and feels good in the hand.

There are very cheap devices and very expensive. This device is the middle ground and I am very satisfied with the IPL.

The Ulike IPL device has 5 energy levels. The first level is very convenient for beginners. Here, low light intensity is used, which is very pleasant, especially at the beginning. Especially for the armpits and bikini area.

Unlike many other devices, this model has a gliding function. This means you don't have to constantly put it down and put it back up again. This is especially useful for large areas like the legs.

The IPL device also features Diamond Freezing Technology, which provides a cooling sensation while hair is being removed.

By the way, there are devices with and without a cable. This device is still equipped with a cable.

The many good reviews also influenced my decision.

Find out more about the hair removal device here!

How do I prepare for the laser light treatment?

Once you've decided on a hair removal device, there are a few points to keep in mind when doing IPL hair removal at home.

1. do not epilate or wax

You must not use an epilator or pluck your hair with wax for 14 days before the treatment.

Because the light destroys the hair root, which we want to eliminate. But if there is none, because the hair is just starting to grow, it will not work.

You should also not use depilatory cream.

2. prepare the skin

You need to shave the day before you start permanent hair removal at home. Shave very thoroughly so that you get an excellent result the next day.

Do not apply lotions, gels or similar products to the skin at least 12 hours beforehand. This may affect the laser hair removal.

When using the skin must be dry and clean. There should be no shaving pimples or ingrown hairs. Wherever the skin is pale and the hair is very dark, it works best.

3. plan time

The first application will feel strange. Therefore, you should proceed slowly. After several applications you will develop a routine and quickly finish the treatment.

4. have patience

You must be patient. Hair is stubborn. For IPL hair removal to be successful, you will need 6 to 10 treatments. It also depends on how much hair growth you have and how your hair responds to the treatment.

If you have thicker hair, it will take longer than if you have thin hairs.

Only the hair roots that are developing can be destroyed. That's why you will never reach your goal with just a few applications. Only 20 to 30 % of your hair will grow at exactly the same time.

If you want your skin to be smooth, you need to get all the hairs at once. The hairs usually stay for 6 to 8 weeks until they start to grow.

Therefore, it is recommended to do the treatment regularly until the reduction is clearly visible.

Permanent hair removal can last up to 20 weeks.

At first glance, it may seem like a time-consuming procedure. But keep in mind that you won't be using the IPL hair removal device every day. And perhaps more importantly, with each application, the hair becomes thinner.

What do I need to consider after IPL hair removal at home?

After laser hair removal, you should avoid direct sunlight for 24 hours. Also avoid contact with water within 6 hours after hair removal.

Visits to the solarium are also prohibited! After all, the skin is quite taken after the treatment and now needs moisture.

For this, use a mild cream that is quickly absorbed. Even better would be Aloe vera gel. This soothes the skin and provides extra moisture.

My IPL Hair Removal Experience

Before my first application I was very excited to see how fast it works and how it feels. With light brown skin and dark hair, I am a good example for everyone for whom it should work well.

I have recorded my "IPL hair removal at home" experience here for you.

As an IPL device, I recommend the Ulike hair removal device.

I honestly have no idea how the treatment will feel. To start a test, I decided to do the legs.

The day before I shaved thoroughly and read the instructions carefully. For my skin type and hair color, levels 1-3 should be ideal.

I put on my safety goggles and excitedly plug the device into the power and turn it on.

Now I put the IPL hair remover firmly on the skin and press the light button.

When the device is turned on, the freezing function is also activated. This cools the skin to 10 degrees so that you do not feel any heat.

I then glide over my legs. Every part of the skin twice. The light button must be pressed continuously.

I feel a slight tingling sensation and some warmth.

After about 10 minutes, I'm already done with the first lower leg. Ran to the second leg and then the armpits are also.

It is best to look away, because the direct light is not very good for the eyes.

For safety reasons, the hair removal device does not emit light when it is not near the skin. Therefore, it must be in constant vertical contact with the skin surface during hair removal.

How does the skin feel after IPL hair removal?

My skin is not red, nor does it hurt, nor do I have any other discomfort.

Immediately after the IPL treatment, the skin must be protected. So I apply a mild moisturizer. This is without alcohol and perfumes that could irritate the skin.

Even the next day, the skin feels normal and visually nothing is noticeable from the treatment.

When is one hair free?

After a treatment, the hairs do not stay away forever, but they simply grow back finer and slower.

You can never reach your goal with only 1-2 applications. You need to repeat the treatment regularly.

For me it took 5 months until I could reduce my hair. Now I devote myself once a month to the hairs that are still visible, but in any case already much thinner and no longer so noticeable.

This is how you prevent ingrown hairs in the genital area!

Is IPL really permanent?

Yes or no? The fact is that the hair grows back much thinner and finer. But not all stop washing completely and fall out.

However, the more often you use the device, the less hair will grow back. So it also depends on you. If you are consistent and patient, permanent hair removal is possible.

It can take up to 3 months before you see a result.

If you are like me after six months, you only need to use the IPL device once a month. If you take a longer break, the hair can grow again. But you can also quickly get rid of them again.

What does not work is to apply once and then be permanently hair-free. You have to use it every now and then. But once you get over the time-consuming initial period, it's lightning fast.

So in the long run, the purchase pays off.

How dangerous is IPL?

If you follow all the above points and choose the right intensity level for your skin and hair, the IPL device is not dangerous at all.

The light pulses act only on the skin and also have no systemic effect in the body.

However, if you do not follow the instructions, you may irritate the skin or, in the worst case, burn it.

Therefore, carefully read the instructions before the first treatment and carefully follow the instructions. Then nothing can happen and nothing will stand in the way of permanent hair removal.

My conclusion

IPL hair removal at home is by no means painful and brings many benefits. However, it is important to have patience. It can take up to half a year before you see the first results. But if you keep at it and use the IPL device regularly, you will have much more pleasure next summer.

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