CosMedical skin solution perth western australiaCosMedical specialise in IPL skin rejuvenation

IPL Permanent Hair Removal

Excessive or unsightly facial and body hair can be upsetting and uncomfortable for men and women, as well as being difficult and inconvenient to remove. There are many methods of hair removal though most are messy and temporary. IPL and LASER treatments are the safest and most effective way to permanently reduce unwanted facial and body hair fast. So you can wear the clothes you want with the confidence of knowing you have smooth, hair free skin.

This information is designed to increase your knowledge about IPL permanent hair removal. We recommend you read through our 'What is IPL' page in addition to this information to help you decide whether these treatments may be appropriate for you.

If you would like further information, we recommend you come and see us for a consultation where we will discuss this in more detail and will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.

What is IPL Permanent Hair Removal?

IPL permanent hair removal or permanent hair reduction; is a popular, non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to permanently reduce unwanted facial and body hair without affecting the surrounding skin.

How does it work?

IPL permanent hair removal works on the ‘Theory of Extended Photothermolysis’. This occurs when the melanin (the dark pigments) in your hair absorbs the light and converts to heat, which radiates to the surrounding cells that form the hair. If enough heat is produced it will destroy these cells, thus preventing further hair growth. If only low energies are used the hair growth will only be temporarily retarded with no permanent long-term results.

What are the benefits of IPL Permanent Hair Removal?

  • No need for messy waxes or gels
  • Permanently reduce unwanted facial and body hair
  • No embarrassing stubble
  • Great for sufferers of ingrown hairs
  • Clean, smooth skin
  • Reduces the frequency of shaving
  • Feel cooler and more comfortable
  • Be ready for any occasion

Is your skin suitable for IPL treatment?

In order to select the correct skin type for IPL treatment, the table below is used to classify skin according to its melanin content and the skins reaction to the sun. The ideal candidate for IPL permanent hair removal has a lighter skin type with dark hair.

i ii iii iv v

Contra-Indications (Reasons why IPL may not be suitable for you)

  • Blonde or grey hair
  • Very dark skin
  • Recent sunburn
  • Unprotected sun exposure or solarium use 4 weeks prior to treatment
  • Fake tan on the treatment area during the 2 weeks prior to treatment
  • Pregnancy
  • History of seizures
  • Severe dermatitis or eczema (within the treatment area)
  • Active infections
  • Roaccutane (oral acne medication) use in the last 6 months
  • Herpes 1 or 2 (within the treatment area)
  • Removing the hair by the root 4 weeks prior to treatment eg waxing/tweezing
  • Photo sensitising medications are best avoided

Potential Complications:

Unfortunately, there are some potential complications associated with IPL treatments. At CosMedical Skin Solutions we perform test spots within 3 days prior to your actual treatment, to provide an accurate evaluation of the skins response. This helps to optimise treatment outcomes and significantly reduce potential complications, which include:

  • Prolonged redness and swelling lasting up to 4 days may occur.
  • Darker patches of pigment on the skin may occur a couple of weeks after treatment. This can last from 2 weeks up to 1 year with higher risks in darker skin types. (this is not the immediate darkening of pigment we expect when treating pigmentation).
  • Whiter patches on the skin can occur if the treatment settings are too high. This occurs if the light is also absorbed into the melanin in the surrounding skin instead of just the hair, thereby removing its colour. This ‘hypo-pigmentation’ can last 2 weeks up to 1 year though also has the potential to be permanent. Higher risks are associated with darker skin colours.
  • Blistering rarely occurs and will usually settle within 2 hours with application of ice. If you do get a blister, it is important that you don’t pick it as it may leave a scar.
  • There is also a possibility you may not achieve the desired results.

How should you prepare for the treatment?

  • Discontinue sun exposure 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
  • Do not use fake tan 1-2 weeks prior to your treatment.
  • Use an SPF 30 daily.
  • Do not wax, tweeze or pluck the hair for 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
  • Shaving or depilatory creams are fine and you will need to shave the treatment site before your IPL session.
  • If you have a history of herpes close to the area being treated, it is recommended that you take antiviral medication before the treatment.

What does IPL Permanent Hair Removal feel like?

Each pulse of light usually feels like a hot elastic band snapping on your skin. This is the light converting to heat within the follicle. Due to the advanced technology of the StarLux 500, patient comfort is substantially better than any other medical grade systems though a certain amount of discomfort is involved to achieve permanent results.

How will my skin react after the treatment?

(This varies from person to person but may include the following)

  • A sunburn like sensation lasting 2 to 5 hours
  • A spotty appearance (redness and swelling around the hair follicles) due to heat absorption in the hair follicle lasting 2 to 24 hours
  • Sensitivity to heat for 2 days following treatment
  • Incidental treatment of flat, benign, pigmented lesions will go darker, and fall off within 7 to 28 days (depending on the area of the body). They will then appear lighter or disappear.

What happens to the hair after the treatment?

  • The hair will appear to grow very slowly for approximately 2 to 4 weeks (this is the treated hair being pushed out of the follicle, not new growth)
  • All the hair should then fall out (Any hair that doesn’t may have been missed, not have received enough energy to destroy the cells, or was too light, too fine or too deeply rooted)
  • You should then enjoy a hair free period of approximately 3 to 6 weeks.
  • New growth will begin to appear and is treated at the next session. (After each treatment a certain percentage of hair will not grow back).
  • This cycle takes approximately 10-12 weeks for body hair, but is generally much shorter for hair on the face.

What sort of results can I expect?

IPL and LASER hair removal only affects the hair that is actively growing. At any given time, there is only a certain percentage of hair in this stage, called ‘Anagen’. This is why treatments must be performed over a number of sessions, with a specific time span between treatments.

No IPL or LASER system will achieve 100% permanent hair removal though you can expect a 70% to 90% reduction and what hair is remaining is generally much lighter and finer.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of sessions required, depends on your skin and hair colour and how your body responds to the treatments. The following is used as a guide only.

Hair Colour Skin Colour Estimated No of Sessions
Dark i, ii and iii 3-6 sessions
Medium i, ii and iii 5-7 sessions
Light i, ii and iii 8-10 sessions
Medium iv 8-10 sessions
Light/Grey/Red Any IPL is not effective

What is the time span between treatments:

The length of time between treatments differs according to the area of the body being treated and the length of time the hair is in anagen stage. The below interval times are based on the time it takes for the complete cycle to occur. (existing hair to fall out, hair free period, new hair growth)

Region Interval Time
Face 4-6 weeks
Bikini 10-12 weeks
Under Arms 10-12 weeks
Arms 10-12 weeks
Legs 10-12 weeks
Back 10-12 weeks

NOTE: Many operators perform treatments on the body at 4 week intervals. This would appear to indicate that the hair growth is only being temporarily retarded. If enough energy is being produced to destroy the cells that form the hair, there should be no hair in the follicle at 4 weeks, so what is being treated?

Who will perform my IPL treatments?

Your IPL treatment will be performed by one of our Dermal Therapists, who are all qualified and experienced IPL and LASER safety officers.

How much does it cost?

Click here to see our prices.

Important Information:

Intense Pulsed Light is currently unregulated in Australia and anyone without knowledge of the skin or basic light physics is able to provide these treatments. In the wrong hands it can cause permanent scarring and long term complications or result in ineffective treatments. (See our page on ‘What is IPL’ for more information and images of IPL burns)

Call us on 9300 0663, or visit our online booking facility to make an appointment for a consultation today.