How often should you get IPL done?

Author: Santiago Jenkins  |  Last update: Friday, June 27, 2025

How Often Should I Receive IPL Treatment? The number of treatment sessions and skin concerns can also dictate the frequency and timing of treatment. Most patients are recommended to undergo at least three sessions of IPL therapy scheduled at four-week intervals.

How frequently should you get IPL?

Most regular IPLs recommend once to twice a week.

How far apart should you get an IPL?

To get the very best results from IPL therapy, we recommend that our patients do 5 IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments, performed 4 weeks apart. Why 5 treatments? Because each treatment builds upon the next one and allows me to treat your skin gradually to see how you will react.

Can I overuse an IPL?

Is it possible to overuse at home IPL devices? ``Yes. You must follow the instructions because they have been provided not only to stop you damaging your skin but also to give the best results. If you overuse them you could end up with irritation or worse pigmentation issues or an actual burn,'' warns Thomas.

How often should home IPL be done?

For laser treatments, you typically need to go once a month, but home IPL devices usually require use every two weeks. Also, make sure to remove all the hair from the area before using the device, and keep the skin dry and free of lotions or other products.

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How long until IPL is permanent?

Depending on your skin color and hair type, you might need up to 12 weeks of single weekly treatment with IPL to get complete results. You will typically notice more sparse and slower hair growth within the first month with a permanent reduction in hair growth within the three months.

Can you use IPL on pubic hair?

First things first, let's answer a pressing question: can you use IPL on the bikini area safely? Yes, you can! That is, as long as you have a device, like the Philips Lumea IPL 9000 Series, that has a specific attachment designed to work with the contours of this area of your body.

What is the downside of IPL treatment?

Although side effects of IPL are typically rare and minimal in severity, the most common adverse events include pain and erythema. Other reported side effects include edema, bullae, hematoma, crusting, hyper- or hypopigmentation, leukotrichia, scarring, keloid formation, and infection.

Does IPL get rid of stubble?

When using IPL, you'll need to shave less and less as your treatments go on. As the hair follicles will be empty, you'll notice fewer ingrown hairs and less stubble 'shadow'. IPL treatment helps to smooth out the texture of your skin, whereas waxing or threading can cause inflammation.

Will I regret laser hair removal?

While laser hair removal significantly reduces hair growth, it doesn't always eliminate it completely, and some may still require occasional touch-ups. Skin reactions can also play a role in feelings of regret, although this is rare when the procedure is done correctly.

Is IPL really worth it?

Some scientific studies have shown that IPL can effectively reduce redness associated with rosacea. Other studies have confirmed that IPL can significantly improve facial skin with fine wrinkles, uneven texture, and dark spots.

Do brown spots come back after IPL?

It is impossible to avoid all sun exposure and so even with the best of skin care and protection, new brown spots may emerge gradually over time. Proper skin care and protection is the only thing standing between you and appearance of future brown spots.

Which is better, IPL or microneedling?

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Microneedling, on the other hand, promotes collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles—but it's not as effective at treating melasma.

How far apart should IPL sessions be?

Most patients are recommended to undergo at least three sessions of IPL therapy scheduled at four-week intervals. While the four-week intervals may seem arbitrary, they are in fact specifically timed match the skin's natural regeneration process.

Does IPL tighten skin?

While IPL is especially useful for reducing pigmentation in the skin, the heat it generates can stimulate cell turnover and collagen production in the skin. This can have the effect of tightening areas of loose, crepey or lax skin and smoothing fine wrinkles.

How long does it take for capillaries to disappear after IPL?

As a general rule, the smaller the capillaries, the quicker they are to clear up. Typically, you won't start seeing results until two to four weeks after the first treatment, as it can take the body's lymphatic system that long to remove the dead material.

What happens if you use IPL without shaving?

Not shaving before your laser hair removal session can lead to several issues: Reduced efficacy: Hair above the skin absorbs the laser energy, diverting it from the follicles, leading to diminished results. Skin irritation: Unshaved hair can cause post-laser redness, inflammation, and swelling.

What is the lifespan of IPL device?

Decreased lifespan: On average an IPL device will last around 15 years, but neglecting maintenance will reduce this significantly. Potential malfunctions: Not only could this mean you can't finish your treatment, but it could potentially cause irritation or damage to your skin.

Why is IPL not working on my facial hair?

Some patients have less satisfactory results because of hormonal factors, skin or hair type, or because an optimal treatment series was not completed. Hair must be treated during the active (anagen) phase of the growth cycle.

What happens if you use IPL too often?

IPL is most effective while your hair is in the growth phase –if you treat your skin multiple times a week, your hair can become dormant and IPL treatment won't work as well. Additionally, while IPL is a gentle treatment, too much of it can be a bad thing. If you use IPL too frequently, you may irritate your skin.

Who is not a good candidate for IPL?

Who's not a good candidate for IPL photofacials? People with darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick Skin Type 4-6) or tanned skin and people with deep wrinkles, scars or severe acne or active rosacea.

How much does IPL cost?

IPL session prices can vary widely, from about $200 to $1200 per session. This broad range is due to factors such as the size of the treatment area and the specific skin concerns being addressed. For example, a full-face treatment might cost more than targeting a smaller area like the hands or neck.

Does hair fall out immediately after IPL?

Due to the normal growth of the skin, the hair is slowly transported up and out. So, exactly when does hair fall out after IPL? It can take up to 3 weeks for the treated hair to actually fall out.

Where should you not use IPL?

You could experience discomfort or even a burn if you treat a freckle or mole directly. Permanent makeup or tattoos: If you have permanent makeup then you should avoid using IPL. Face tattoos also need to be avoided. This is because it can result in a burn and a change in skin colour.

Can you do full Brazilian with IPL?

We've already mentioned how Brazilian IPL is virtually painless, but it's not just about being comfortable. Hair growth slows after IPL treatment and strands become increasingly fine, so pubic hair isn't as coarse as it was before and you don't get the scratchy feeling when the stubble grows back.

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