Your Ultimate Guide to IPL Hair Removal at Home

Using IPL for hair removal at home comes with many advantages. Here are some key benefits that IPL users enjoy:

• Long-term results: IPL offers more lasting hair reduction compared to traditional methods.
• Convenience: Treat yourself on your own schedule, anywhere, even while traveling.
• Cost-effective: No more expensive salon visits. With a device like the Silk’n 7, you make a one-time investment with a lifetime of flashes.
• Always smooth skin: Unlike waxing, there's no need to let hair grow out between sessions.
• Versatile use: IPL works on multiple areas, including the face, legs, underarms, back, and bikini line.

Now, you’re probably wondering if using this type of hair removal device at home is complicated. Spoiler alert: it’s actually pretty simple, especially once you get familiar with it. Keep reading to learn how to easily use an IPL device.

With consistent use over time, IPL helps prevent hair from regrowing, leading to visible hair reduction and long-lasting results.

Users love the convenience, affordability, and comfort of home IPL compared to other long-term hair removal treatments like laser or electrolysis.

Here’s our typical IPL treatment schedule:

• Sessions 1–4: Every two weeks
• Sessions 5–7: Every four weeks
• Sessions 8+: As needed until desired results are achieved
• Maintenance: Occasional touch-ups if hair growth is still visible

The length of an IPL treatment session varies depending on the area of the body that is treated. 

Do you want to remove hair quickly? Silk’n 7 can produce individual light pulses at automatic intervals. This Gliding method is unique, ultra-fast, and you can simply glide the device over your skin. 

To give you reference, most of our users take approximately 20 minutes to treat their legs.

To achieve permanent hair reduction, you need to continue IPL treatments long enough to cover a full hair growth cycle, which typically takes 18–24 months. Multiple sessions are required during this time.

The duration of each session varies based on factors like the treated area, hair and skin color, and how the device is used. Imagine the time and money you save by doing IPL treatments at home instead of making repeat visits to a salon!

IPL is simpler than it may seem! The most important thing is to carefully read your IPL device’s user manual before you start. Take note of any precautions or contraindications and plan your treatment schedule to achieve the best results. Here are a few tips to get started:

• Avoid tanning (including sunless tanning products) for at least 4-6 weeks before using IPL.
• Shave the treatment area beforehand.
• Do not wax or pluck for at least 4 weeks.
• IPL hair removal is not recommended during pregnancy.

For the best results, it's important to properly care for your skin before and after IPL treatments. Here are the steps:

Caring for Your Skin Before IPL

• Wash the treatment area with a gentle cleanser. Be sure to remove all traces of lotion, deodorant, etc.
• Gently exfoliate with a mild scrub or gel.
• Shave the treatment area.
• Use the IPL device.

Caring for Your Skin After IPL

• Moisturize the treatment area with a gentle lotion.
• Avoid waxing or plucking hair regrowth after sessions.
• Shaving is fine, but ideally wait about 2 weeks after your first session to observe the shedding.
• Protect your skin from the sun.

As with any light-based or laser hair removal, IPL results take time. Hair may seem to grow back initially, but many hairs will fall out after about two weeks. Since hair grows in three stages, only hairs in the active growth phase are affected, so multiple sessions are needed to achieve lasting results.

Taking care of your IPL device is just as important because it will help ensure its longevity and optimal performance. To maintain it:

• Clean the surface: Wipe with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals.
• Clean the handpiece: Also use a soft cloth, avoiding abrasives.
• Store properly: Keep it in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and extreme conditions.

What is the Difference Between IPL Hair Removal and Laser Removal?

Both IPL and laser hair removal treatments use light flashes focused on the hair root and have basically the same effect. The main difference is the type of light they use.

IPL hair removal uses a broadband, pulsating light source while laser hair removal uses a monochrome light source.

Because IPL utilizes the entire spectrum of visible light, it is a far more effective way of treating a diverse range of skin and hair tone combinations. The Silk’n 7, for example, automatically adjusts the energy settings to precisely match the optimum intensity for each individual based on their unique combination of skin tone and hair tone. This means that IPL hair removal is a better choice than laser hair removal for those with darker skin tones.

The other difference is that for laser hair removal you have to go to a specialist in a salon while IPL hair removal can be done both in the salon and at home. In a salon they use more intense light, which can make it a bit painful. At home you use mild light, which normally makes it painless. And of course the cost of an IPL device is cheaper than all those expensive salon treatments.

Is IPL Safe?

Yes, IPL hair removal at home is safe. Especially with the Silk’n 7, because our eHPL™ technology can achieve permanent hair reduction results at a fraction of the energy level used in professional light-based hair removal equipment. This low energy reduces its potential to cause harm or complications and contributes to your overall safety. With any IPL device, it is important not to treat the same area of skin more than once per hair removal session, as this increases the likelihood of adverse effects.

Do I need to shave before using IPL at home?

Yes, as mentioned earlier, before using an at-home IPL machine, you need to shave all the visible hair in the area you are trying to target. This is so the hair isn’t exposed but is still within the follicle.

Does IPL Treatment Hurt?

You are probably wondering if IPL hair removal hurts. The answer is no; for most users, at home IPL hair removal is painless. Most users report no pain at all or just feeling a slight sensation of heat and tingling when a light pulse is emitted. Users with thicker and darker hairs may feel slightly more discomfort, but this discomfort subsides once the hair removal session is completed. For your convenience, this device has five energy levels that can be set according to sensitivity and tolerance.

So forget the pain caused by electrolysis or waxing, the itchy stubble of shaving, or the mess of depilatory creams! IPL hair removal is safe and comfortable and it has none of the mess of the other hair removal methods. 

Is IPL Suitable for Everyone?

IPL hair removal is suitable for both women and men. Men particularly appreciate the convenience of using IPL to permanently reduce facial hair and back hair. Women find IPL the perfect solution for smoother legs, bikini line, and face.

New about the Silk’n 7 system is that it is suitable for almost all skin colors and all hair colors. Unlike some other IPL devices, Silk’n 7 can be safely used on darker skin tones, thanks to the unique Skin Color Sensor. This is a built-in-safety sensor which stops the device from emitting a light pulse if your skin tone is too dark for treatment. Now users can be confident that their skin is being protected during IPL sessions.

Note that naturally white, gray, blond, and red body hair are not suitable for being removed with IPL. IPL is also not suitable for pregnant women and is contraindicated for those with certain skin conditions and with some medications. Always check your device’s user manual for specifics.

How Expensive is an IPL Device?

As with any home beauty device, there are variations in the quality and price of IPL devices. It’s always a good idea to check reviews and avoid devices with prices that seem “too good to be true.” In general, high quality IPL devices with built-in safety features, long-lasting flashes, and other key features start at around $400.

IPL devices are very inexpensive compared to salon hair removal treatments, since it is a one-time investment that you can use for years.

Now that you know the benefits of using IPL, let’s recap how to get the best results from home IPL:

Prepare Your Skin: To get the best results with IPL hair removal at home, it is important to prepare your skin properly. Start by cleaning and shaving the area you want to treat.

Select the Correct Intensity Level: Selecting the appropriate intensity level for your at-home IPL device is crucial. As a general rule, it is recommended to start with a lower intensity and gradually increase it as your skin gets accustomed to the treatment. Now that your skin is prepared and the intensity level is set, it’s time to perform the at-home IPL hair removal treatment.

Provide Proper Aftercare: After your treatment it is important to provide proper aftercare to your skin. Apply a soothing gel or lotion to help calm any potential redness or discomfort. Avoid exposing the treated area to direct sunlight for at least 24 hours and use broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your skin from potential UV damage. Additionally, avoid any activities that may cause excessive sweating or friction on the treated area for a couple of days to allow the skin to heal.

Ready to enjoy silky smooth skin? Check out our favorite IPL device for permanent hair reduction, the next-level Silk’n 7.

Now that you know more about IPL or Intense Pulsed Light Therapy hair removal, feel free to reach out to our customer care team if you have any questions. Ready to begin? Explore our at-home hair removal devices to get started!